Matt came over the next morning with coffee and breakfast sandwiches from the one fast-food restaurant in town. Not the kind of thing my parents ever bought, even without the bacon. They preferred tea to coffee and made almost everything from scratch. The dough sitting on the counter while my mom waited for the yeast to rise was proof enough of that.

Not that I didn’t like homemade bread or the many dishes my parents made. I did. It was so much better than the food offered on and near campus. Of course, it was great to eat something greasy and unhealthy every once in a while. The paper bag in Matt’s hand was just what I needed after a night like the one before.

There was so much to think about, and I hoped Matt wouldn’t mind bouncing ideas back and forth with me. He was the closest thing I had to a best friend. We grew up next door to each other and had spent countless afternoons playing outside as children.

“I still can’t believe that performance last night,” he said, already stuffing his face with his breakfast. His hair stuck up in several different directions and the clothing he wore was wrinkled. I assumed he'd barely rolled out of bed before grabbing food.

“I know. I’m still trying to process everything.”

“Like what?”

“Like the girls at the show.”

Matt’s face grew serious, and he put his sandwich down. He then placed one of his hands on my knee. “The feelings you have are natural. You may discover other changes as well. It’s all part of becoming a man.”

I pushed his hand off of me. “Shut up. You know what I mean. I didn’t expect so much attention from everyone. Jenny came up in her short dress.”

“She did that after your first performance too,” he reminded me.

“Yeah, but then Michelle came up right after her, and I could have sworn they shared a look.”

“A look?”

“You’re going to think I’m crazy, but I think Michelle might like me. Or at least she thinks she's into me. I’m wondering if it’s the whole lead singer thing because there’s no way someone like her would ever be into me.”

“Dude. You do not want to mess with Michelle Matthews. She’s psychotic.”

“That’s what everyone says.”

“There’s a reason everyone says it.”

“Okay, but let’s say she’s not crazy. Or better yet, let’s take her out of the picture entirely. How do you deal with the attention of everyone? You know better than most how I’m not used to that kind of thing.”

Matt laughed. “I’m still waiting for that attention.”

“Maybe it’s because you’re at the back of the stage.”

“Nah,” he said, running his hands through his auburn hair. “It's because I’m a ginger. And because those damn singers keep stealing the show.”

“I’m sor–”

“Dude,” he interrupted. “I’m kidding. You know I don’t have any problem with getting a date if I want one. I just don’t have time for that. Not with the band.”

“Carter has Avery.”

“Yeah, I just need to focus. And speaking of.” Matt set his trash aside and leaned forward with his elbows on his knees. “You’ve got to consider being our new singer. Have you even looked online today? The naming competition got people to the show last night. Your little stunt made them go crazy. There are pictures, videos–”

“Videos?”

“Oh, yeah. People loved us. And while I wouldn’t say we’ve gone viral or anything, this has been a big boost for the band. I know you’re set on college, but I want you to think about taking a semester off. We could push hard to make it.”

“What about Owen? Cooper?”

“What about them?”

“Oh, I don’t know? The fact that I filled in for them last night. I’m not actually part of this band. Or the fact that if I’m the new singer, that means you’re kicking Owen out. And when Cooper comes back, I won’t even be playing guitar. I’m not okay with that. I’ll do whatever I can to help until everyone comes back.”

“Okay. So, we’ll just play it by ear then.”

“Sure, but I’m only here through August, so make sure you have a plan.”

“Yeah, yeah,” he answered, but was distracted. He was staring off into space, but I knew his mind was working a million miles an hour.

Matt was clever. Not just smart, but the kind of guy who could make almost anything work out in his favor. His parents had hoped he would go to college. He’d been accepted into a bunch of local schools and even an ivy league school on the east coast. They were devastated when he told them he wanted to take a gap year to pursue music. He didn’t want some stuffy office job. He had no desire to go to school and get his doctorate. Matt wanted to play music.

Even now, I knew that genius brain of his was trying to find a way to make it happen. I gave him a few minutes to brainstorm before interrupting his thoughts. “So, what are your plans today?”

“I’m meeting up with a girl later.”

“Really?”

“Don’t act surprised, I told you I could get a date anytime I wanted.”

“You also said you didn’t want to.”

“Yeah, gotta make exceptions to the rule everyone in a while.”

"Anyone I know?"

"Do you know a lot of ladies in River Valley?"

“Good point. I hope you have fun and maybe it'll mean we’ll have a new girl watching our practices soon.”

“I wouldn’t go that far," Matt answered, his mind unmistakably in two different places. "I’m not going to hang out all morning, but I want you to think about what I said. We make a great team. We’ve known each other forever, and there’s a familiarity that comes with that. It would be good in a band.”

“You know I’m not changing my mind.”

“Yeah, we’ll see.” Matt got up and started up the stairs. When he was about halfway up, he stopped and looked back at me. “Look out for those rabid fans if you go out today.”

With that, he left. But I could still hear his laughter as he shut the door.

I stayed down in my room finishing up the coffee my friend had brought and thinking about the many things he’d said in his short visit.

Sarah worked that morning and wouldn't be home until close to dinner. My dad was an ecologist and was working in the field today, which meant my mom was gone as well. She loved accompanying him when he gathered samples.

No work, no school, no band. I didn't know what to do with a morning all alone.

I spent a few minutes online looking at the videos Matt had warned me about. It was weird watching myself sing into the microphone. It didn’t seem right. Almost like when you hear a recording of your voice.

I muted the volume, but couldn't stop myself from reading the comments. Most were positive while others made me blush.

I realized I liked the attention, if only a little. Would it be so stupid to stay in the band longer than I originally intended? And what would that look like? I could take a semester off, but where was the line?

I worried this small taste of fame was just adding to my uncertainty.