The label had things on a tight schedule. Lucky wanted to head home to see her parents before hitting the road, but with practice, there wasn't enough time. After the photo shoot, Black Dog flew the band to SIR Studios in New York where they rehearsed almost non-stop for two days before heading over to Philadelphia for their first show--opening for Patchwork Quilt, a mid-level band on the rise.

In the past month that she had been signed, the label "leaked" a song she recorded as a demo to radio stations. The song did well enough to book a ten-city tour of mostly small clubs or openings for bigger acts. She didn't have a problem knowing most of the audience wasn't there for her. That only meant she needed to win them over.

The old bus groaned as people boarded. It had the distinct scent of disinfectant and lemon the band couldn't get away from since the windows didn't open. In a sea of grey and teal seats, Lucky sat in the middle of the bus with her acoustic guitar resting in the seat beside her.

She smoothed out the skirt of her long black and white paisley print sundress, then swept the top part of her light brown hair off her face and clipped it back. Wearing a dress on stage was the only way she felt comfortable performing.

Lucky hated airplane and bus seats. The metal arms always hugged her hips as she sat, making her feel larger than she really was. Sliding the arm in between the seats up, she grabbed her guitar and began strumming a few of the songs they were performing that night before turning to Jordan across the aisle.

"I hate this, Jord. That feeling of impending doom I always get when I have to perform in front of people. Maybe I should've just stuck to songwriting."

"Listen to yourself. You always get this way and then what happens? You pull through. I swear you become another person on stage. Relax, you'll be great." Jordan leaned across the aisle. "I probably shouldn't say this, but I'm worried about the rest of your band," she whispered.

"Please don't say that. Oh geez. I didn't want to say anything, but yeah. Kat seems great, but of the guys, only Dylan has been on tour before. Paul needs to get it together on drums tonight or we're screwed."

"I shouldn't have said anything. I'm sorry. I'm sure everything will be fine. The label wouldn't have hired them if they weren't good, right?"

"You're right, I'm probably worried about nothing," Lucky said.

She turned around and looked towards the back of the bus where everyone was asleep except for Kat, who was listening to music with her feet up on the seat beside her. She had a feeling of dread and decided to focus on her guitar to move past it. She had to believe everything would work out.

* * *

As the bus turned off the highway, Lucky slid over to the tinted window and looked out. Until the past week, she had never left the Boston area. She was disappointed she didn't get to see anything in New York, but that was to be expected. From everything she had heard about touring, each city would blend into the next since all she would see was the interior of the bus and each venue.

Lucky watched the city slip past the window. In the distance, she saw tall modern buildings, but the streets around her were old. The bus turned underneath a train overpass and pulled up along an old brick building that dominated the block. Posters were plastered along the side of the building.

Stepping onto the crumbling sidewalk, Lucky noticed a poster with her name in red over a white-on-white image of her with the electric guitar from the photo shoot. Ice shot through her veins as her nerves got the better of her.

She entered the building with her guitar while the roadies grabbed the rest of the equipment. The building was old but still retained some of its original glamour. Lucky walked onto the stage as the gear was set up and marveled at the ornate gothic accents along the walls and ceiling of the 3500-seat venue.

Taking a deep breath, she headed backstage where she found Jordan and the rest of the band filling their plates with food. She entered a dressing room with her name on it and put down her guitar as she thought about how surreal it all was. When she entered the main area again, she saw Richard Black in his usual suit and headed over to him.

"I didn't think you'd be here, Mr. Black," Lucky said.

"Call me Richard. I try to attend every first show. I need to know how the tour is going to turn out. I've been in this business long enough that I can tell just from one show." He looked at Lucky and patted her on the back. "Relax. You'll do great. Have something to eat, it'll settle your nerves."

Lucky nodded and headed over to the buffet. The variety of food was tempting, but she didn't think she could eat. As she walked along the table, she added a few things to her plate, barely paying attention to what the food was, then sat down at a long table with everyone else.

"Ready for the show, Lucky?" Dylan asked as he ran his hand through his long brown hair.

"No, not at all. I'm really nervous. I know the songs like the back of my hand, but every time I have to get on stage, I just…I don't know."

"You doubt yourself."

"Yeah, I guess that's it. Once I'm up there it's great, but everything leading up to that, forget about it." She laughed.

"You'll do fine," he said. "I was the same way. I've been on the road for two years now playing bass, a year before that on guitar. Trust me, by the end of this tour you'll forget to be nervous. It becomes part of you."

"I sure as hell hope so," Paul, the drummer, interjected. "I hope I don't let you guys down."

Lucky looked down the table to Paul. He was the youngest of them and during rehearsals, he seemed to really take it personally when his mistakes were called out.

"You gotta get out of your head, man," Dylan said.

"I'm sure once you're up there you'll feel better," Lucky said as she began to worry again.

Unfortunately, as the drummer, everyone would hear his mistakes. One little mistake on the drummer's part and if the rest of the band wasn't careful, they'd lose their timing and have sonic mud. She had to trust that the label and her producer wouldn't give her someone who would flake on stage.

After the stage was set up, the band did a sound check and ran through a couple of songs that turned out perfectly, setting Lucky's mind at ease. She and Jordan peeked out the curtain from the side of the stage as the crowd entered and took their seats.

"It's time Lucky, are you ready?" Richard asked. He looked excited as he peeked through the curtain. "Those people out there will love you. Now knock 'em dead!"

She didn't expect a pep talk from him, but it did help her confidence. Jordan stayed off stage as the curtains opened and Lucky and the band took their places, waving to the crowd. Paul was the last to take his place, running to his drums. Lucky thought he looked a little sweaty but attributed it to his nerves. As the first boom of the drum hit her, all her nerves left.

The band went through five songs, and the crowd cheered and clapped along with each of them. Paul made a few minor errors, but they were able to keep going without any problems until he remembered the song again. The next song "All My Stars" started with a complicated drum groove, and Lucky stood at the mic waiting to hear it.

When nothing happened, she turned around and caught Paul's eye. He looked dazed and pale as he stared out in front of him. She snapped her fingers as she counted out the beat, but he didn't play. Unsure what to do, she turned back to the audience and smiled.

"I'm sorry, we're having a little technical issue right now," she said.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a furious Richard off stage. He commanded a stage hand to close the curtain and got to Paul as the band surrounded his drum kit.

"What the hell! Why aren't you playing?" Richard barked.

"I…I can't. I just can't." Paul said.

"What do you mean you can't?" Lucky asked.

"It's too much! I know I'm going to mess up that groove. I'll let everyone down like I did in practice. I can't do it. I suck!"

"Paul, breathe," she said. "Get it together! This isn't the time for--"

"Listen to me right now," Richard said. "You will either play this song right now or I swear you will never play on stage again. Do you hear me?"

Paul got up and walked off stage, leaving his drumsticks behind.

"Wait, Paul!" Lucky called out to him.

"Don't worry, I'll talk to him." Dylan set his bass down and left the stage.

"This is what's going to happen," Richard said. "You're going to do a signing. I'll get CDs and posters set up now in the lobby. I'll explain that one of your band members got sick and you can't finish the show, but the signing is how you're making it up to them."

Lucky was speechless. Performing on stage was one thing, but the possibility of having to meet people and possibly sign stuff seemed crazy to her. She walked over to Jordan, knowing only her oldest friend would understand her doubts.

"I can't believe I have to do a signing," Lucky said. "Richard must have lost his mind. I can't do a signing. Who would want to meet me?"

"Calm down, Lucky," Jordan said. "That crowd was into it. You have no idea, but I saw them, they loved you," Jordan said, smiling. "You were awesome."

"Really?" Lucky said, shaking her head.

She had a hard time believing anyone would want to meet her. When she played, it felt like nothing else mattered in the world. She belonged on stage singing and playing guitar. It was the only place she felt at ease.

"Really. Now go out there," Jordan said. "I'm sure there will be tons of people lined up. I'm going to grab a cab back to the hotel. I'm really tired from all this traveling. Come get me when you get back."

Richard found some people to set up a long cafeteria-style table in the lobby and grabbed the Lucky Saldano posters and CDs from the vendors, then lined them up on the table. By the time Lucky caught up with Kat by the stage doors, Dylan was already with them.

"Paul is heading back to the hotel. He said he's sorry. I think he smoked a little too much weed…paranoia is a bitch," he said. "He said he'll make it up to you and will be ready for DC."

"I sure hope so. Thanks Dylan," said Lucky.

"Hey Lucky, one quick thing." He pulled her away from Kat. "Your friend, Jordan? Is she seeing anyone?"

"No, she's not. Why?"

"No reason. Just curious."

Kat opened the double doors leading to the crowded lobby. Suddenly the crowd erupted into applause, startling Lucky and stopping her in her tracks. Kat put her arm around her and led her to the table where there was a long line of people waiting for them.

Lucky hugged each person in that line as they approached. In such awe of the crowd's reaction, she couldn't help but feel appreciative. She signed every CD they sold, every poster or piece of paper someone put in front of her.

Towards the end of the line was a small group of five guys in their early twenties. Lucky thought they had college frat boy written all over them. As they approached, Kat leaned down to whisper into Lucky's ear.

"Here they come. This is how you know you've made it."

"What are you talking about?"

"Shh. You'll see."

A cute guy with short dark brown hair and brown eyes wearing jeans and a dark green polo shirt moved up to the front of the group and smiled at Lucky. She felt herself blush as she met his gaze.

"You were awesome up there. My friends and I are going to a cool party tonight, would you like to come? You can bring your band, too."

"Yes, we'd love to," Kat interrupted. "We'll meet you out front when we're done here."

As the guys walked away, Lucky grabbed Kat's arm. "We can't go to a party with them. We don't even know them."

"Oh please! We'll get to know them."

"But anything can happen."

"That's right, anything can happen. It'll be great." She grinned at Lucky. "Come on Lucky, it'll be fun. You need to get out more, meet the fans."

"Okay, okay, fine. I'll text Jordan and let her know we won't be back until late."

It took over an hour to get through every person waiting in line for an autograph. Some people asked to take pictures with Lucky too and she obliged all of them. Her head was spinning by the time they were done but she felt like she was on top of the world. Even though the show was cut short, she was happy with what they performed and the line of people boosted her confidence even more.

Once everything was packed and back on the bus, she and Kat went outside and saw the guys who invited them to the party. The cool night air snapped Lucky back to reality and she felt like her old self again. She hoped Paul would be able to get it together by their next show. As they approached the group, the cute one from before turned around and smiled.

"Cool! You're here. We were taking bets as to whether you'd show or not."

"We wouldn't miss it," Kat said.

"Let's go. It's a good thing we brought two cars. Lucky can come in my car and everyone else can just figure it out."

"Kat has to come with me," said Lucky, grabbing Kat's arm as she followed him to his car. "What's your name?"

"Man, what was I thinking? It's Ross." He unlocked the doors to an old tan Jeep and opened the passenger door for her. "Obviously I know your name. I'm so psyched you're coming to the party!"

Lucky exchanged a look with Kat. She thought it was odd how excited this guy was for them to go to a party, but he was really cute so she was willing to ignore it. She watched him walk around to the driver's side of the car. His jeans hugged his butt perfectly and with the way his polo shirt hung off his broad shoulders, she could tell he had a nice body.

They drove to a quiet residential neighborhood and Ross pulled into the driveway of a split-level house. Cars lined the street and several people sat on the front steps despite having to regularly move whenever the storm door swung open.

With her heart pounding excitedly in her chest, Lucky got out of the car and pulled Kat aside.

"I don't know what to do," she said.

"What are you talking about?" Kat said. "You mix and mingle or people watch. Just relax and have fun. I'm sure you've been to parties before." Kat's eyes roamed over Lucky's face and then her brow wrinkled. "No?"

Lucky shook her head. "My parents were strict. I wasn't allowed to go to parties and eventually I stopped getting invited," she said with a shrug, trying to pretend it didn't bother her. "I dove into music instead. By the time I was in college, I was so obsessed with getting into the rehearsal room that I didn't care about parties."

"Then just relax and have fun," Kat said. "Let's go inside."

As they walked into the noisy house, Ross guided them downstairs and handed Lucky and Kat red plastic cups with a cold red liquid inside. Kat clinked her cup against Lucky's and took a sip. Lucky looked into her cup, her brow furrowed.

"What is it?" Lucky asked.

"Hawaiian Punch and vodka. You'll love it. We make a huge batch for every party," Ross said.

She took a sip, letting the cool liquid swirl down her throat. It was sweet, but had an edge to it she couldn't describe. Other than the occasional sips of wine with her parents, she never drank.

They followed Ross around the house as he said hello to everyone. In one room, a small group of people were sitting cross-legged on the floor and passing a bong around. In a room with bunk beds, a couple kissed on the top bunk while a few other people played a video game.

Eventually they made their way through the dining room and out sliding glass doors to a large deck with lawn chairs. The smell of citronella candles filled the night air. Ross kicked a couple of people out of their seats so Kat and Lucky could sit down.

"Oooh Lucky, check out that hottie over there," Kat whispered before getting up.

"No, don't leave me alone," Lucky said as she grabbed Kat.

"You're not alone, Ross is here. I think he likes you."

"You know what I mean."

Kat sat back down and Lucky breathed a sigh of relief.

"You're going to be a big star, Lucky Saldano," Ross said as he slipped his arm around her shoulders.

Lucky felt her cheeks turn hot as she looked down into her cup. She thought he was really cute and he smelled yummy, like the grape candy he kept popping into his mouth.

"So, what do you do?" she asked.

"Oh, I'm still in school, but I really haven't thought much about what I'm going to do after college. This summer I've been chopping wood for this guy I know. Maybe I'll keep doing that."

Chopping wood? Afraid of sounding like an idiot, she kept it to herself, but she wondered if that was a real job or if he meant something she didn't understand. She smiled at him and got lost in his brown eyes for a moment. He moved closer to her and the grape scent grew stronger. Tilting his head to one side, she caught her breath thinking she was about to have her first real kiss. Just as his lips almost touched hers, she giggled.

"What?" he asked.

"No, no, I'm so sorry. I don't know what came over me." She looked down and forced herself to stop giggling then looked back into his eyes. "Okay, I'm alright now."

He touched her cheek gently, stroking her skin with his thumb. Leaning in again, he almost touched her lips when she giggled again.

"Really?"

"I'm sorry!" She couldn't stop the giggles this time, and they turned into full-blown laughter. "I can't help it!"

"It’s okay. You probably drank too much." He took her cup and saw it was still almost full and shrugged as he put it back on the small table beside her.

"What time is it?"

"I guess around 2am. I don't wear a watch."

"We really should head back. We're heading to DC in the morning."

"But the night is still young. Come on, Lucky."

"No, really, we're leaving first thing and I'm tired."

"Alrightie then, I'll bring you guys to your hotel." He stood up and took her hand.

Lucky grinned as she felt him squeeze her hand.

"Thanks for the fun night, Ross," Lucky said.

"Anytime. You owe me a kiss, you know, but I'm sure I'll see you again."

Lucky rode the elevator up with Kat in silence. She knew she looked silly with her stupid grin but she couldn't help it, it was nice to get that kind of attention from a guy. She wasn't used to it. Ross was super cute, but she really didn't care if she saw him again. Something about him seemed a little flaky, and she couldn't help but think he only cared about Lucky the singer. He never even asked about her real name.