Sasha couldn't say that she wasn't a little nervous that Maria would see her grin, but Maria seemed to be a little bit too wrapped up in herself to notice something like that. "These guys are such sellouts," Maria commented as she, Sasha, Stacey, and Ella entered the venue. "I saw them right before they released their first self-titled EP, and they were so much better back then. Now, they're just corporate trash."

"Why are we seeing them then?" Sasha wanted to ask, but she knew better than to ask such silly questions. Besides, she knew that Maria would tell her that they were only there to make fun of References Upon References.

To be honest, Sasha was jealous of Maria. When References Upon References released their first EP, Sasha was only in sixth grade. She wouldn't become friends with Maria until the next year. References Upon References was one of the first bands that Maria introduced Sasha to, and she instantly fell in love with their guitar-driven sound and quirky lyrics. Even now, she couldn't conceal her excitement over seeing them live for the first time.

"Sasha, are you okay?" Ella asked.

"I'm fine," Sasha said. "I'm just...mad that References Upon References sold out. They used to be such a good band."

"They were never all that good," Stacey said. "They were promising, but they sold out before they could reach their full potential."

"Now, they're just terrible," Ella said. "'Take A Chance' is a good song to listen to ironically though. It's so cheesy!"

Sasha couldn't help but remember the first time she heard "Take A Chance." Maria had dismissed it as proof that References Upon References had sold their souls to the mainstream pop world. "Why else would they write a love ballad?" she asked. In fact, Maria bashed the track so much that Sasha had to hear it for herself.

At first, Sasha wondered if this was the same "Take A Chance" by References Upon References that Maria had talked so much about. The light acoustic guitar intro was lovely in her opinion, and the lyrics touched her heart in a way that no song had before or since. When the lead singer's voice reached a crescendo, it sent shivers down her spine. She had never heard such a beautiful sound in her life.

Of course, it was the same "Take A Chance" that Maria despised, so Sasha never told anyone about her love for the song. However, she couldn't stop thinking about it, especially when it was almost certain that References Upon References would play it live.

Sasha, Maria, Stacey, and Ella found a spot right next to the stage, but Sasha's attention was focused elsewhere. She spotted Jonas Vasquez and his older sister entering the venue, and her heart pounded in her chest. Her friends, on the other hand, ignored Jonas entirely.

Sasha looked back towards the stage. All of a sudden, the lights went down, and References Upon References stepped onstage. Sasha screamed, while Maria simply rolled her eyes.

"Sasha, you're taking this 'pretending to be a fan' thing too seriously," Stacey said.

Sasha nodded and remained quiet as References Upon References played one of her favorite songs off the References Upon References EP #3. "I'm not sure why anyone likes this song," Ella commented. "They're trying too hard to sound like The Flaming Zombie Heads."

"No they're not," Sasha argued. "The drums are too heavy to sound like The Flaming Zombie Heads."

"Sasha's right," Stacey said. "These guys probably haven't even heard of The Flaming Zombie Heads. They're just too obscure for them."

References Upon References began to play another song, and Sasha spotted Jonas dancing along. However, there was a look in his eyes that made it clear that something was very wrong. Sasha had no idea what horrors were taunting Jonas, but she desperately wished to comfort him.

A few more songs went by before Sasha mustered up the nerve to leave her friends and talk to Jonas. "Sasha, where are you going?" Maria asked as Sasha inched towards Jonas and his sister.

"I'm trying to get a better view of the bassist," Sasha said.

Maria just shook her head while Sasha walked up to Jonas. "Hey," she said nervously. Jonas didn't seem to hear her, so she said it again.

"Oh, hi Sasha," Jonas shouted over the music. To be honest, Sasha was surprised that Jonas even remembered her name.

"How are you doing?" Sasha asked.

"It's been a long day," Jonas said. "How about you?"

Sasha wanted to ask him more, but she decided against it. "I've been okay."

Jonas looked towards Maria, Stacey, and Ella, who were simply standing in place, making fun of the band. "I didn't know that you were friends with them," he said. "They don't seem like your type."

Sasha hated to admit it, but he had a point. She never quite felt like she fit in around them. Sasha wanted to keep talking to Jonas, but "Take A Chance" began to play. She had to get closer to the stage for this.

"Really?!" Maria shouted. "Did they have to play this one?"

"Shut up, Maria," Sasha said as she found a spot next to her.

Maria rolled her eyes. "I should have known that you were a poser, Sasha."

Somehow, Sasha didn't let Maria's insult get to her. She didn't care about anything, and it was the best feeling in the world.