I had more good news. I called up Team Stallyns and we met up at that diner and sat in the booth where we first celebrated almost two weeks ago. It had become our little hangout whenever we were available.

Bill and Ted were writing songs now more than ever, so they were almost always busy. I could see them scratching little lyrics in their books during history class, vouching for each other when they would get caught.

River and I were putting in serious work every other day in study hall on creating posters and t-shirts with the band's logo on it. Even if no one bought a t shirt, which we hoped they would, it would be awesome if the five of us could.

Scar made the most progress, though, making a make-shift recording studio. On the weekends, the boys would come over and play, and she would try and edit the sound. It was amateur, but it worked.

I, even now, had a journal labeled Stallyns, in which I kept numbers of different bars in town, such as the Arrow, where we would be likely to get booked.

The Arrow was our friend, and sitting in the booth, I got to tell the others the good news.

"I booked us another gig!"

There was a group cheer, and Ted, who was sitting next to me, engulfed me in a tight hug, face buried in my shoulder.

Bill ran around the other side of the table and squeezed me tight and started messing up my hair.

Once my glasses were knocked askew, the boys stopped, but it was all in cute fun.

"The Arrow wants us back, and it's for this big think called Conglomerate. A whole bunch of bands get together and play some songs.

There's live coverage, a few talent scouts, and really, it's a way for lesser-known bands to get their names out there! The Arrow loved Wyld Stallyns so much, they called me and asked if you'd come back!"

"This is most non-heinous!" Ted was grinning ear-to-ear. He made a little movement with his head, like he was nuzzling against me with excitement.

In a spurt of excitement, I nuzzled back against him, kinda burying my face in his hair. Our noses touched and he turned pink and backed away.

***

Preparation was terrifying, stressful, but worth it all in the end. Bill went out and painted up the band van with bold letters reading "Wyld Stallyns" on each side of the van. It was awesome and official, sealing the deal that we were a team.

I also noticed that the boys (and Scar) brought out the best in me. I was braver. Granted, I still sucked in front of crowds or under pressure, but I was able to be free with the lot of Team Stallyns.

We had practice sessions every day after school, sometimes very late in the day, and it was exhausting. My parents almost banned me from practicing with the boys because of a few late homework papers.

The only reason they didn't was because I never did anything bad. I didn't have the guts.

River was becoming my right hand man, always willing to lend a hand. He brought in a huge stack of t-shirts, and we all signed each other's and wore them.

"We're at team now, officially!" Bill declared. It was a wonderful occasion to feel so loved as we all group hugged and air guitarred as one.

***

Stallyns was backstage in their dressing room Saturday night at Conglomerate. Judging by the screams of the crowd, they were really enjoying this all-girl band, Dungeon. I'd seen them. You could hardly call them dressed.

Ted sat curled up in his chair, looking sick again.

"Dudes, I'm gonna puke," he groaned, barely above a whisper.

"No Ted. You've got this." Scar encouraged, hugging him from behind.

I sat on the couch with Bill, his head on my shoulder as he wrung his hands. His arm was around my shoulder gently, my hand on his chest. I wouldn't call it cuddling, but we were just about there. I cloud hear his heart hammering madly.

"I'm really gonna puke...," Ted said frantically, looking back at me, then over at River, who'd gotten the bucket last time.

I untangled myself from Bill and went over to Ted, fishing something out of my pocket.

"This is my lucky rabbit's foot. This is where I get my nickname Lucky. I always carry it with me. So tonight, I want you to hold onto it, okay Ted?"

He held the ratty thing like it was a jewel. I could see relief flood his face.

"For Bill, this is my lucky ring. I wear it around my neck, so tonight, I want you to wear it."

I leaned over him and clipped the necklace around him. I think he snuck a glance down my shirt as I did. He held the ring in his hand, and seemed at peace, if not a little embarrassed from looking down my shirt.

"Riv, this one's for you. It didn't seem like much, but I've considered this a lucky stone since I was five. I'd like you to have it tonight. We all could use a bit of luck."

River smirked and kissed me on the forehead.

I then handed Scar my lucky guitar pick, from way back when I actually tried to play.

"And for the one with all the musical genius skills, my lucky pick."

Scarlet looked ecstatic and shot me a rock on sign, slipping it in her pocket.

"Stallyns on in five," a voice suddenly said, looking through the doorway.

"Break a leg, Team Stallyns!" I said excitedly.

I pulled Bill into a hug by grabbing his arm as he passed. He seemed awkward about it, probably from nerves, but then sank into the hug like he never wanted to let go. I felt him sigh and sag a little, his bare arms tight around me.

He patted my back a few times before taking a deep breath and pulling off. Ted took his place, jittery and nervous. I could feel his knees buckling when I pulled him in. I ran my hands soothingly up and down his back until he stopped shaking.

As we went out into the hall, Bystander was waiting there for their cue. The lead singer with spiky dark hair gave us a look of disgust.

The lead guitarist whispered something to the singer, who laughed and gestured at my outfit.

"You got a problem?" Scar growled.

"Scar, leave it," I whispered.

"Oh no, no problem, just thinking how funny it is that a bunch of amateurs wearing matching t-shirts thinks they can nab a talent scout," the singer said coldly.

"And why do you think we can't, Twisted Sister?" Scar shot back.

"You guys opened for us three weeks ago, that's why," the bass player scoffed.

Scar went to fight, I could tell, but River grabbed her from doing so and flipped them off.

"Well just you wait," I said shakily, "You'll see how good we are."

I was surprised I said anything at all given my hatred of conflict, but I felt like I had to defend my band. It wasn't the most intimidating thing I could've said or done, but I felt like shaking after I did.

"I look forward to it," said the drummer, except in a different tone of voice. I'd almost believe he meant it.

Even still, I turned away in disgust. This was Stallyns' night.

***

Stallyns took the stage with a powerful anger that had been stewing in them since Bystander insulted them.

They played their favorites, Boys and Girls, Broken Record, and even a few new ones that they'd worked very hard on, Jumpstart and Rubble. The crowd was nuts. I could see cameras flashing wildly, and channel 12 and 15 with cameras trained on the boys.

Once or twice, Bill would reach for the little ring I'd given him, then he would get this happy look on his face and keep singing. Ted basically did the same, sometimes tapping the pocket of his jeans where the rabbit foot was.

The crowd was singing along. It sounded amazing from backstage. I could only imagine how it sounded to the boys, hearing the crowd singing what they wrote.

"Let me, let me rock you,
Let me, let me rock you,
Just like a broken record
Just like a broken record
All night, broken record, all night, broken record..."

They left the crowd wanting more, much more. Scarlet and I were proudly screaming backstage, and River was rocking out on a chair.

"THANK YOU SAN DIMAS!" They shouted together, playing an outro riff to get one last cheer. The crowd absolutely ate them up.

Ted came bursting from the stage, hardly even the same man who was almost getting sick just 20 minutes prior.

Bill was leaping out of his skin. He picked me up and spun me around, then dipped me back and kissed me hard. Broken Record was still playing in my head, which didn't help my mental state as I felt the force with which he kissed me. In the shock of it all, all I could do was gasp at the contact and chalk it up to excitement as he did the same to Scarlet.

And then came Ted. He was beet red from his performance, but I think he was embarrassed as well. He grabbed me by the waist and pulled me flat against him, his hands finding the sides of my face and pulling me in for another kiss.

It was long and desperate and lingering, much different than Bill's kiss of excitement. It faded slowly into a million little kisses right against my lips, so many that I couldn't tell when one ended and another began.

His eyebrows were furrowed in deep concentration, so much so that he didn't even notice Bystander flip him off as they passed. He instead pulled me right against him, hip to hip, arms squeezing my back so tight I couldn't move.

When Ted broke for air, he was blushing so red he didn't look human. All confidence was gone, and he looked like he couldn't even maintain eye contact. He scuffed at the ground awkwardly with his feet, touching his lips idly in disbelief.

I leaned over and kissed him on the cheek, flushed crimson myself. He froze with the contact.

"G-Great concert, uh, tonight... guys...," I stammered.

Ted thought I didn't see that smug little grin when he realized he was the one who made me stutter.