"I knew it, I fucking knew it!" Malcolm shouted. "You do like her!"

"Shut up Mal! She's right there, she might hear you," Angus said.

"Don't you want her to?"

"No! I mean, not until I'm ready to tell her myself." Malcolm cupped his hands together and looked down. He already told her, but kept quiet to Angus.

"What are you gonna do about Lucy? She's not gonna want to get dumped, especially in the middle of the states," Mark said.

"I'll have to some way." Angus chuckled. "She'll have my arse on a plate."

"Trust me Ang. Hannah's worth it," Malcolm said.

A couple days passed and we were in the western part of the country. It was July 12th, my birthday. I was finally seventeen, and I couldn't wait to enjoy my day, even if Lucy wanted to ruin it. Angus seemed to distance himself from Lucy recently and I didn't blame him. She exhausted everyone. Complained of the heat, yelled at Angus for smoking inside. Although I've seen her smoke in their several bedrooms. Looks like we've got ourselves a hypocrite.

California was wretched with the summer heat. Phil hated it the most. "How do you survive in this hell hole?"

"Speak for yourself Mr. Down Under," I said with a smile. "Besides Oregon isn't this hot, usually no more than 80 degrees."

A driver picked us up for the concert, but we ended up needing two cars. Angus and I got in one but Mark ran to join our car before Lucy could. I think even Angus was secretly thankful. We drove for about thirty minutes until we came to a small club by an alley. It was almost 10 pm, dangerous for anyone to be alone so we stayed in one big group.

Backstage wasn't crowded thank goodness, but it reeked of pot and whiskey. "Who died back here?" Bon joked. The roadies there laughed with him and continued to set everything up. The boys set up their instruments while Lucy and I watched backstage. I saw Lucy looking at me from a distance. I gave her a friendly thumbs up but she shook her head at me and went outside, probably for a smoke. Oh well. I got to see the whole concert while she missed it. On my birthday too. I never told the guys about my birthday, but I'd probably mention it later. It didn't need to be a big deal.

After the concert the boys went to sign autographs and I stayed out of the way. The boys did such a good job. I felt icky about all the crap they go through in the eighties. But the way they handle things is enough to love them even more. A young woman came backstage and ran up to me. "Are you Hannah?" she asked with excitement in her eyes.

"Yes," I nodded shyly. How did this girl know my name? I stayed out of the way, trying not to get known here. Unless the guys told her... But they had no reason to.

"Oh my God, I have to show you something!" she squealed and grabbed my arm. She dragged me out the exit door towards the dark alley. What could she possibly have to show me down there? I got nervous and was prepared to defend myself, but then again, what could one girl do to me?

The cool night air pushed the smell of marijuana away from me and made me shiver. "Cold are we?" the girl asked.

"A little," I replied.

"Maybe a little punch will warm you up," she said her smile getting bigger. I stood in the middle of the alley as she let go of my arm.

"Oh thank you. But I'm not thirsty." Her smile disappeared.

"That's not what I meant," she hissed. Six other girls stepped out of the shadows and circled me. What were you thinking following her? I was terrified but I stood my ground. One girl in red heels stood about a foot from me. Lucy.

"Thanks Charlotte." The girl who brought me here gave me a wicked grin.

"No problem." I frowned at them and clenched my hands.

"Look at her face Lucy, she looks pissed," a red haired girl laughed.

"So am I," Lucy growled.

"I didn't do anything to you," I said in a low voice.

"Get in my way, ruin my life, steal my boyfriend? You call that NOTHING?" she yelled. I rolled my eyes at the drama queen.

"I did not steal anyone away from you Lucy. Maybe he doesn't like you as much as you think." She stepped closer.

"You think they like you any better? I overheard Bon say they were gonna ditch you as soon as the tour was over."

"That's not true!" I yelled. Even in the thick pitch I could see her smirk.

"Why else were they in such a hurry? They don't want any extra baggage around. Angus may break up with me, but all five will leave you." What kind of idiot did she think I was? "Just like everyone else left you." My mind traveled four years in the past when I was rejected by several people. They had used me and left me out of the blue. Lucy turned to a blur.

"Aw, is the wittle bitch cwying?" Charlotte asked. Lucy pushed me back. Another girl caught me and shoved me down. One by one they pushed or kicked me in some way. I stood up quickly to avoid their attacks and defend myself. I wasn't one for fighting but my safety comes first. I pushed Charlotte away from me as a tall chick punched my neck. I fell back down and Lucy climbed on top of me. I pushed her off but she wouldn't give up.

The boys left the crowd of people to rest backstage. Angus was the most worn out. He looked for Hannah but didn't see her. A different girl came up to him though.

"You lost?" she asked him.

"No I, was just looking for someone," he answered.

"Who?"

"A friend of mine."

"What's her name?"

"Uh- that's not-"

"It's a shame she left you here all alone," she said seductively. "I would never do that to someone as handsome as you."

"Well thanks but she didn't leave," Angus said trying to get away from this girl.

"I don't see her." She wrapped her arms around his waist. "All I see is you and me." He pushed her off and walked in the other direction. "You'll never find her!"

"We'll just see," Angus said to himself.  He caught up with Mark who had a girl on his lap. "Mark have you seen Hannah?"

"I saw her leave the club out toward the alley," a roadie said walking by. "A girl took her out."

"What girl?"

"How should I know? That's the whole audience."

"Oh God." Angus headed toward the door at a fast pace.

"Go get her Angus!" Mark cheered.

"Mark, find the rest of the guys!" Angus called.

"Alright alright. Sorry hun, maybe some other time," he said as the girl got off his lap.

The girls continued to wail on me but Lucy was really going at it. I had at least twenty bruises maybe a twisted ankle. Good thing I gave her a good bruise on her face. No make up could cover that up for a while. I heard a door slam and running feet as Lucy grabbed my neck.

"Oh shit!" one girl yelled. The group ran away except my killer and I strained to see who was coming. Before I knew it Lucy was picked up and thrown off me. There was instant relief as the maiming was replaced by a pair of arms wrapping around me, rocking me back and forth. I didn't know who it was nor did I care. I just grabbed the closest comfort I had and buried my face in their shoulder.

"Holy crap!" I heard Malcolm yell. "Lucy, what the hell did you do?"

"Told you she was a bitch," Mark said. "Is Hannah okay?"

"I think so, Angus got her," Malcolm said. The person took my face in their hands and I could see it was indeed Angus who saved me. A couple security guards came running out and grabbed Lucy.

"I didn't do anything! I was saving her life! Six girls were beating her up, I was trying to help!" She looked at Angus. "Tell them Angus! Tell them to let me go!"

"You know this girl?" a security guy asked. Angus stared into my eyes, concern swirling through them.

"Not in a million years," he answered. And with that, Lucy was taken away for good.

Happy birthday to me.