Stelle sat on the couch, her leg bouncing. There was a platter on the coffee table with drinks that she made herself from the ingredients on the bar. On the floor were cases of beer and whatever else she had bought. It had been a few days since she made the calls. During the wait we had been hanging out backstage with the Glamour Girls who found us before a show. 

"Hollywood says you're throwing a party?" Trouble asked me.

"I am," Stelle said. Hollywood knew her job was done and went off to look for the band. She found Bon right away and I couldn't see Angus anywhere. 

Oh, would you stop acting so paranoid? He's not even yours to be worried about! So quit your crying and focus!

Storm and Ice looked at each other then back at Trouble. "You didn't tell us about any party," one of them said. 

"I'm telling you now, aren't I?' she asked. Cherry, red lips and all, sighed.

"You forgot, didn't you?" she asked crossing her arms. Trouble glared at her. 

"We'd love to come," she said, still looking at Cherry who smirked. "Whether or not the band is there, doesn't matter. We'll be there."

"Great!" Stelle said, her face beaming. "It's on the twenty second of November at seven in the evening, is that okay?"

"Sure, that's fine," Trouble said. "We'll come by in our car and bring some stuff."

"I can handle the drinks," Stelle said. "If that's what you're thinking."

"Well," Cherry said. "We were sort of thinking of something else..." Stelle's eyes widened and we glanced at each other. Her expression paled in comparison to mine. 

"Perfect! Can't wait to see what it is!" she said without missing a beat. This was certainly not a little kid's birthday party.... "We'll see you there." And with that, the group of women went about their own ways talking to the roadies. Stelle turned to me. "Thanks for telling them," she said. "This is so great, it'll be so much fun!"

I found Angus. He was hooking a strap to his guitar and sliding it over himself. He was a good distance away from me and I figured he wouldn't look up and notice me staring at him. But he did.

I clutched my notebook to my chest. My notebook that was brimming with fun memories but now seemed like regrets. I made up my mind to take this opportunity to talk to him about it. I walked up to him and he didn't leave. "Hi," he said tuning his guitar a bit. 

"Hi," I said looking mostly at the floor. 

"Ya' gettin' a lot of writin' done?" he asked. His voice didn't sound accusatory. I hadn't the slightest idea what he would even be mad about. Maybe the fact that I lied to everyone about who I was....but could they blame me? 

"I guess so," I mumbled. That had become my new mantra. "Thanks for bringing it back to me. My notebook, I mean."

"Wasn't any problem," he said still looking at his guitar. "Bit heavy now, must have some good material in there."

It was bait for a trap. Not a trap as much as a confession. I didn't want to give away just yet all that I had written down. I wanted him to admit that he'd read it. But I don't think he wanted me to know that he had. "Did curiosity get the better of you?" I teased.

"No," he said too quickly. He finally looked at me. He was a little pink in the cheeks. "Course not." I dropped my smile and my teasing. May as well come out and ask.

"Did...did you...."

"Alright, let's get the band onstage, time to go!" a roadie yelled. Angus plucked out a few chords before turning to leave. I jogged to catch up to him but I was stopped by the same roadie. "Hold on, little lady, band only." Angus went out onstage with the rest of the band before I had the chance to ask the question. And Angus wasted no time in getting away from me as quick as possible. My heart cracked. 

Now it was November 22 and Stelle was anxiously awaiting for her guests to show up. There were plates of fancy finger foods on the counter and I even helped decorate the place with transparent balloons filled with confetti and glitter. I knew disco was popular around this time but I wondered if that's the kind of music they played at seventies house parties. I mean...Stelle wasn't exactly taking photos of the Bee Gees, was she? But I didn't want to assume anything. People are always surprising me. 

For now, Stelle hadn't put any music on. Maybe once the guests arrived she'd pop a record on or something. The trouble was, there weren't any guests. And it was after seven. "I guess no one wants to be here early," Stelle said. "No one wants to make the mistake I did..."

I wanted to ask but I wondered if I was supposed to. Maybe this was too personal. I asked anyway. "What happened?"

"Oh....some girls in high school threw a party and invited me and I showed up right on time...." Stelle fiddled with the rings on her fingers. "They made fun of me the rest of the year."

"......meanies....." I muttered after thinking of a response. I was never any good at comforting people. Stelle laughed. 

"You're right. They were. I hope they've changed since then." Right then someone knocked on the door and Stelle calmly went to open it. 

"Stella!!!"

"Bunny!!!"

The two women spun in a circle as they hugged each other. Bunny had the most wild and curly red hair I'd ever seen on a person. She was covered in freckles and had light brown eyes. She was very short and had a slight southern accent. "Am I the first one here? I wanted to beat everyone."

"You're the first one, alright," said Stelle letting Bunny in. "Everyone else is fashionably late."

"More food for me!" She headed right to the finger food and helped herself to a couple of tea sandwiches. I couldn't help noticing how put together she was. Her nails were done professionally, her clothes were designer....I felt so...frumpy. But I wouldn't let myself feel bad about it. I was just....lazier than most people. "Are those cute boys of yours coming?"

"I don't know....I invited them but I know they probably want the night off to do their own things. I don't blame them and besides! I want to spend time with my friends!" They hugged again and caught sight of me. "Oh, right! Bunny, this is Hannah. Hannah, Bunny." I held my hand out to hers. 

"Pleasure to meet you! You in photography too?"

"Journalism," I answered quietly. 

"She's interviewing the band," Stelle said. "And I'm taking pictures."

"Lucky! I work as a secretary for some big shot corporate mess," Bunny said. "Soon as I can I'm starting my own business."

I let Bunny and Stelle talk and recall fun memories together. I took a small sandwich and ate while I wrote a bit in my journal. I needed to get Angus alone so we could talk. I didn't mean to put him on the spot like that. But I have to know if he read anything for sure. And ask him what he thought of it all. They all deserve to know the truth. But I should have been the one to tell them. 

There was another knock at the door and I got up to answer it. There were at least five people on the other side, all of them very professional looking. I started to feel like an actual child. One of them was a man and he spoke up. "Is this where Stelle is holding the party?" he asked. 

"Yeah, come on in." I stood aside to let them in and they all rushed to greet Stelle. I closed the door and watched Stelle light up as she met up with old friends. I smiled. As long as she was happy. And I was happy people accepted her invitation and didn't leave her hanging. I grabbed my notebook and pen and went down the hall to Stelle's bedroom. I'd probably have to vacate at some point in the party so I took my opportunity for peace and quiet now. There wasn't much to write about yet. I doodled a bit instead.

**********

Throughout the night more and more people knocked on the door. The room filled up slowly but surely and finally someone put a record on. And as I suspected, it was good old seventies rock and roll and not disco. 

I hid my stuff in Stelle's closet before coming back out to see what was going on. Compared to parties backstage, this was rather tame. Everyone just talked. Which if you haven't noticed already, is simply my favorite pastime. But Stelle waved me over a few times and introduced me. They would ask me a few questions and I guess I wasn't engaging enough because the conversation would always melt into a different one with someone else. And that was okay with me. I don't like talking about myself once, let alone what feels like a thousand times. 

Everybody was drinking but only some people were drunk. They were a little louder in voice than they had to be and laughed a little too much. I sort of laughed to myself watching them, wondering if anyone would get on the table and dance like that other man. As I gazed around the room I saw a pair of eyes lock with mine. 

Trouble swam her way through the crowd and came to stand by me. "We made it," she said, raising her voice over the din. "Didn't take Hollywood long to find the place. None of us have seen Angus or the others. Not that it matters." She looked at me like I would know exactly where they were.

"Maybe they're not coming," I said. I wouldn't blame Angus if he never wanted to be in the same room as me ever again. He probably already told the others and now they're avoiding any scenario I might appear in. Maybe I'm assuming the worst but nothing would surprise me at this point. 

"That's too bad," Trouble said. "They like you and Stelle, I'm surprised they didn't want to be here." 

Why couldn't she just jam her fingernails into my palm? I'm sure she wasn't meaning to be so callous but I could tell she was still a bit sour with me. And I understood why. 

Trying so hard to get people to like you and talk to you...meanwhile everyone around you would rather talk to your better looking and more exciting friend....or cousin...or whomever. Always feeling second rate. Always someone's backup choice. Deep down you know you shouldn't feel that way. But you do. Maybe these Glamour Girls really did just want friends. 

Trouble looked behind her to see who I think was Storm and Cherry looking through the drink options, smoking joints. These girls were all friends with each other, weren't they? Did Trouble feel that this group was enough? Did they treat her like one of them? Or did she still feel second rate around them?

Come on, I'm no psychologist! I can't analyze and select a course of action for these people! I'm just as fucked up as anyone! 

"Has Hollywood seen Bon at all lately?" I asked. 

"They've talked a bit. I don't think anything's going on between them....but I've been wrong before..." Trouble sighed. "I think the others have given up on this band. They like tall guys." Trouble rolled her eyes and I laughed. "There's plenty other musicians in the Tasman sea, they say. But I love this band! Ever since I first heard them play I wanted to meet them! Other bands have been cool....you know, lesser known ones or those high flying English bands like the Stones...." 

"You met the Stones?" I asked raising my eyebrows. 

"Once. Cherry got with Keith and the others just got high." 

"Oh," I said nodding. 

"But this is my favorite band! This is the one I was most excited to meet! And...they don't seem to want to meet me."

What could I say that I hadn't already said before? "Do you like being a groupie?" I asked. 

"It's fun," she said. "I've met famous guys and girls and I've gotten to party and drink and I've had other people pay for my drugs...." I waited patiently. "And sure, sex is nice. But sometimes the other girls give me a hard time. They're vicious sometimes."

"Are they your friends?" I asked.

"Define 'friends'," she said with a laugh. "I mean we live together and party together and drink and get high and talk and share men...." I pictured my friend back in 2024 and I living that kind of life. Especially me. I giggled. "But I can't say we have slumber parties and share secrets and do each other's nails."

"That's fair," I said. "My friend and I are miles apart, so we can't do that stuff yet either."

"Where does your friend live?" 

"New Zealand," I said.

"Damn, the long distance bill must be sky high!" I swallowed. Long distance was a thing of the past...or...the present?

"Y-yeah....costs me a ton...." I stuttered. "But it's worth it."

"So you're saying I should find a friend in some other country?" she asked.

"Well.....not exactly," I said. "I'm just saying not everyone who's closest to you is a real friend." Trouble looked down at her heels. "I've had plenty of friends my whole life and almost every single one of them treated me....not great." I found myself holding back a few tears. This is ridiculous, what am I crying for? I have to get over myself! "And the one real friend I ever had is worth making long distance calls to." 

That, and texting via internet chat. 

Trouble looked back to where the other Glamour Girls were standing. They were all laughing and getting along, one of them looking our direction. "I don't want to stop talking to them," she said. "And I don't want to stop being a groupie...."

"That's fine," I said. "Maybe things will get better between you."

"And if they don't?"

"Well.....you have Stelle and I for the time being," I said. "You want to meet AC/DC? You can always use us to get to them." I winced at how awful that sounded.

"I can use you?" Trouble asked, catching on to how awful that sounded. She laughed at the expression on my face which I'm sure was all scrunched up. "Thanks, though. The band does seem to like you...but if they don't like any of us then...I guess I can't force them."

"No," I agreed. "No we can't." The party went on around us. The Glamour Girls, all dressed for their namesake, called Trouble over to join them. 

"I guess I'd better go," she said heading their way. "Could use a bit of weed. Thanks for the talk."

"Sure," I said watching her leave. The party was getting thick and that was my cue to move to the outside of it. On the way there someone fell on me. 

"Oh, Hannah!" Bunny slurred. "Sorry 'bout that....can't see where I'm walking...."

She was drunk. And I mean that. She barely opened her eyes and her words were slurred. I helped her to stand but she seemed to have fallen asleep on me. And I'm not strong enough to support anyone. But I did my best to keep her from falling to the floor. 

"Stella doesn't know where I am, does she?" she mumbled. I looked around the room desperately for Stelle but that woman has a way with turning invisible. These people were all Stelle's friends one way or another...right? Unless they were the guests' plus ones? I couldn't just walk up to any one of them and ask them to take care of Bunny for the night....but I had no clue what else to do! I couldn't leave this drunk woman with just anyone, I couldn't live with myself! Another rule of being a groupie is,

5. We do NOT leave vulnerable people alone.

If someone is drunk and liable to be hurt we should do what we can to keep them safe. There's all kinds of creeps out there who would love to take advantage of them. And I couldn't let that happen to Bunny. 

I looked around for Trouble or any other Glamour Girl. They were gone! Where the hell did everyone keep disappearing to??? I struggled to keep Bunny afloat in this sea of people but I did my best. It was up to me to get her somewhere safe where she could sleep this off. 

I dragged her to Stelle's room. It was early enough in the night where no one would be looking to take it for....adult activities....but I knocked anyway. I tried the doorknob and turned it slowly, doing my best to keep Bunny from hitting the floor. She started snoring. Bracing myself, I opened the door and peered inside. 

Empty. Whew!

I pushed the door open and pulled Bunny inside. I kept having to spit her hair out of my mouth. And I thought my hair was wild! I dragged her to the bed, cursing my snowman arms, and carefully hauled her up to lie on Stelle's bed. She didn't wake up. She just kept snoring. I didn't want to leave her alone but what was I supposed to do? Guard the door all night? 

I noticed a lock on the door. I could lock the door on the inside to make sure no one got in! But....what if there was an emergency? What if Bunny had taken more than just alcohol and needed medical attention and we couldn't get in? I assumed Bunny would sleep it off in peace, wake up the next morning, and let herself out. But what if she never woke up??

If I could find Stelle I could tell her the situation. We could figure something out together. This is one of those times I would kill for modern technology. A cell phone or something! I rummaged around in the closet for any weird hotel items. There had to be something here to help. All the fanfictions have convenient solutions! There was an ironing board, that was useless. Plenty of hangers. A bucket. I put that beside the bed in case Bunny woke up sick. Extra pillows, blankets, a fucking sewing machine....

Walkie talkies? No....baby monitors! 

Two baby monitors! Yes, the convenience I was looking for! Bunny's snoring was pretty loud. If I set one in the room with her and took one with me, I could listen for her snoring. She'd be safe in the room and I didn't have to stay here all night! I switched one on and almost melted into a puddle. 

It didn't work. Or at least, there were no batteries. 

Batteries, batteries....I had to find batteries! If this fucking closet had a sewing machine in it, surely there were batteries! I checked the side table drawers and found a tiny pack of batteries in the very back next to some Q-tips. Praying they were the right kind I rammed them in and switched it on. A bit of static. I set one next to Bunny on the little table. I shoved some batteries in the other one and switched it on. I held it to one ear and put a hand over the other ear. 

Bunny's snoring was coming in clear. 

I took the monitor with me, giving Bunny one last look. I didn't want to leave her. But having Bunny wake up to find me in the room with her might be worse. I grabbed a wire hanger from the closet too, in case I needed to unlock the door from the outside. I left my notebook and pen hidden under the pile of blankets and locked the door, closing it behind me. She should be nice and safe in there. I won't let anyone hurt this woman! 

I probably looked silly walking around with the monitor and hanger but I didn't care. It was too loud to hear the snoring over the party so I excused myself to the hallway. I could hear her perfectly. 

But I also didn't want to stay in the hallway all night. Something might happen to me! I suddenly remembered the key in my pocket. The one Bon gave me days ago. I never let it out of my sight and it was in my pocket now. He said I could come over when things got too crazy. Luckily I remembered his contact information and didn't need my notebook. I made mental note of Stelle's room and hotel name in case of an emergency. 

Wait...what if I needed to call emergency services? I knew the American number, but this was Australia! I racked my brain trying to think. I'd heard it somewhere before....000! That was it! But...that was 2024....this was 1978! 

I guess there was nothing else to do but try it. Hopefully it wouldn't come to that. Taking my collection of odds and ends I left the hallway and found an elevator. I sort of hoped Bon was home. Having someone I could trust to tell about this would make me feel better. But I also didn't want to trouble him. I was already barging in on his hotel room. Whether or not he was there, I really only hoped for one thing....

That he wasn't entertaining a lady friend. 

**********

I was able to call a cab with the money I brought with me. It wasn't a long ride and therefore didn't cost very much. I could hear Bunny snoring the entire way and the driver looked at me like I was insane for leaving my loud baby behind to paint the town. Or he thought I was going to attack him with the wire hanger. Either way he booted me out of his cab and took off without wishing me well. 

I let myself in the hotel and wondered if I might catch a glance of the other band members. If I found Angus I could have a chat with him and maybe explain the situation. He'd help, right? We'd put the awkward elephant in the room to the side and work together to keep Bunny safe. But I didn't see him once. I didn't see any of them. I found Bon's room number and just stood there outside the door. For a hot second I really felt like William Miller from Almost Famous. Except...I don't remember him listening for his drunk friend to wake up with a baby monitor. Maybe it was a deleted scene. 

Should I knock? Should I have called ahead? I took a deep breath and stuck in the key, listening through the door. No sound. Nothing that sounded like I something I didn't want to walk in on. I opened the door and winced at the creaking. If Bon was asleep I didn't want to wake him up. I had no clue what time it was. Did Bon even sleep? I had more photographic proof of him using the toilet than sleeping. I closed the door behind me and tiptoed to the couch that was still messy. Suddenly the light flicked on and there stood Bon holding a very large floor lamp, ready to beat me shitless.