The boys dropped me off at home at almost 8:30. I was actually pretty tired despite not having done much except eat marshmallows on the band van. Bill gave my shoulder a little nudge to wake me up, because I was nodding off a bit. Bill had been stroking his fingers through my hair the whole way home, and it was good enough to make me really drowsy.

I unwapped myself from the heat of Ted's jacket and tried to hand it up to him in the front seat, but he held up his hand.

"Just bring it to school Monday," he smiled back at me, long dark hair in his eyes.

"Thanks. And thanks for the ride!" I pulled the jacket back on around me and leaned over to hug Bill. He patted me of the back a few times, stealing another quick stroke of my hair, and handed me the bag of remaining marshmallows.

I crawled up to the front seat and gave Ted an awkward, one-armed hug, the only type people can manage in a car.

"See ya later, dudes," I grinned, climbing out of the van and into the cool night. I made my way up the front path and waved goodbye. I saw Bill hopping up into the front seat with Ted.

I was almost to the door when Ted came bursting out of the van breathlessly.

"Lucky! Wait! Your rabbit's foot fell out of your pocket!" He called. I stopped on my doorstep and took it from him.

"Oh, gosh, thanks Ted!" I hugged him around the neck properly.

"Yeah, Bill found it. Didn't want you to forget it." He said shyly.

"Tell him I said thanks. And thanks for driving me back,"

"No problem," he grinned, his bangs hanging in his eyes with a casual elegance. His hand kinda came up to my cheek like he was gonna kiss me, but he changed his mind, clenched his fist, and let it swing awkwardly at his side.

"Well... uh.... I gotta go...," he mumbled. He flashed a smile and went down my front lawn to the van again, with a wave.

I walked in my house with that unmistakable smile you get when you're around people you care about a lot, and immediately, from the kitchen table behind his newspaper, my dad said,

"Is that your boyfriend?"

My hand flew up over my mouth to mask the look of glee.

"Gosh, dad, no, not every boy I hang out with is my boyfriend,"

"Do you like him?"

"Which one?" I quipped, changing the subject.

"Lucky, no girl smiles like that unless she's in love. I'd know. I saw that look on your mother all the time...,"

I was about to say awww, when he added,

"...whenever she looked at the Beatles."

My mom hit him on the head with a rolled up magazine.

"You have been spending a lot of time with these boys. Do you think any of them like you?" My mom prodded.

"She's blushing! There is!" Dad said loudly, "He even gave you his jacket! Do I need to get my shotgun?"

I laughed it off, playing around with a casual, "noooo..." as I pulled Ted's jacket tighter around me.

...Because really, I was the worst at reading people. I was good at sympathizing, reading people's emotions, organizing gigs for bands, helping write songs, but the thing I was worst at, aside from talking to strangers casually, was telling if someone liked me or not.

Dad was half right, though. I really did like Ted. And I really did like Bill. And River had really grown on me since I'd gotten locked out. I just didn't want to reach out to any of them yet. It was never good to date coworkers, or so I've heard.

Maybe we could just be friends who kiss or something? Friends did that, right? Friendly kisses...? I loved those kisses. I wanted more, friendly or otherwise.

I realized I'd been zoning out thinking about getting kissed and how it felt, and my parents seemed to catch on that I was crushing a little.

I think they felt it was about time. I'd been too shy to talk to boys (and most girls) all my life, so it only seemed fair that there were now a ton that I took a liking to.

"Bill and Ted are my friends, that's it. My coworkers. It would be weird to date them," I lied.

To save my skin from further embarrassment, the phone rang and I ran to pick it up. That's how desperate I was: I'd willingly answer the phone.

"Hello?" I said casually. I figured it had to be either River or Scar.

"Hello, may I speak to the manager of Wyld Stallyns, please?" It was a man's voice.

"Yes, this is her," I said, throat tightening a little.

"Yes, this is Nathan Sheppard, founder of Electro Records. I was at Conglomerate for the show the other day and got your information. I was a talent scout looking for a new band to jumpstart into fame, and I think, with my help, Wyld Stallyns could be huge. Revolutionary, even.

"I was wondering if there was a time and place I could meet up with you and the band and maybe we could discuss getting you signed?"

My heart was leaping and swooping all over the place. Part excitement, part skepticism. Although I really shouldn't be skeptical; The Arrow provided the information about all the bands to talent scouts.

"Can you do Friday night at 7?" I asked, "I'd do it tomorrow, but I've got school and I'm not really free until Friday... I'm sorry..."

"No, don't apologize, Friday works just fine for me. Bring the team to Milo's restaurant in downtown San Dimas, Friday, and we can discuss over dinner. I'll call you later this week to confirm the reservation."

He sounded professional and trustworthy, and I'd have Team Stallyns with me if he wasn't. I made the deal, and my hands only got minimally sweaty.

I hung up professionally, but by the time the phone was down, I team into the living room squealing, knocking my glasses off on the process.

I explained everything to my parents, who seemed proud and supportive of my friends possibly getting signed.

I couldn't wait to tell the boys. I wanted to surprise them on Monday, but felt like that was too far.

I had to call River. I ran back to the phone and dialed him up, then realized how bad I was talking on phones.

A girl spoke on the other end, and I felt my stomach clench. It was only his sister, and we had met, but I still hated talking on phones.

"Hello?" She said.

"Um, is River there?"

"Yeah, one second...," it sounded like the phone was put down, and I heard "RIVER!" being shouted.

A moment later, River picked up.

"Hello?"

"Riv, it's Lucky,"

"Oh hey Lucky," he said cheerily. I could almost hear him smile.

"Big news! You can't tell Scarlet or Bill and Ted. You have to keep it a secret until Monday, but I had to tell someone."

"Well quit lecturing me and tell me then!"

"Nathan Sheppard of Electro Records wants to sign Wyld Stallyns!" I cried.

"Awesome!" River cheered. "Fill me in all the details on Monday!"

"You bet! Okay, I just had to get that out. Thanks Riv!"

"Thank you! Later Lucky!"

We hung up. About ten seconds later, the phone rang. I picked up, assuming it was River who'd forgotten something.

"What'd you forget, Riv?" I asked casually.

"Actually, this is Alonso. Alonso Novack. Is this Lucky from Wyld Stallyns?"

My heart started pounding really hard. I didn't actually think I'd ever hear from Alonso again, and I hadn't exactly told my parents about how we made out... Turtleneck sweaters were a gift in this case.

"This is. What would you...like to say?"
Kill me now, I'm horrible on phones...

Alonso chuckled, and if I tried hard enough, I could picture his perfect white teeth as he smiled...

"I'd like to say that she is a very attractive young lady with a hot body, a very good kisser, and I'd love to go on a date with her sometime," he said smoothly.

My face heated up exponentially.

"O-Okay Um... I-I-I... I mean...."

"You'll have to excuse my behavior at The Arrow. I was drunk, I want in my right mind. I probably said and did things I shouldn't have. I would love another chance, this time over dinner, perhaps?"

"A-A-Any night but Friday," I stammered, overwhelmed by the offer.

"Sounds great," he laughed. Kill me, oh that laugh.... "Saturday work?"

"Okay yeah awesome... uh, bye." I concluded awkwardly.

I had a possible record deal and a date with a very handsome man. Dad was right. There was someone who liked me after all...Only his name was Alonso Novack, and he was a drummer in Bystander, not Wyld Stallyns.