While everyone dances around the living room, Bandit and I sit underneath the table, sharing stories.

"One time," she begins to start another story, "Me, Mommy, and Daddy were at Uncle Mikey's watching his house for him, and when Daddy was sleeping, Uncle Mikey stapled a piece of paper onto Daddy's forehead that had a reminder to feed Bunny."

I burst out laughing, "That's insane!"

"Yeah, now Daddy has a scar on his forehead. At least I think that's what's it from. It could be there from that one time Uncle Frank smashed his guitar over Daddy's head. He slept for three days after that happened."

I slap my hand over my mouth to quiet my laughter.

"What's so funny?" Frank ducks underneath the table and sits with us.

"Nothing..." I say suspiciously.

Frank stares daggers at Bandit, "Did you tell her about my rash?"

I choke on air.

"No, but Ray! Frank has a weird rash on his-"

"Shh! Don't finish that sentence!" Frank squeals.

At this point I'm dying of laughter. I'm assuming my laughter is contagious considering B and Frank start laughing as well.

Gerard appears under the table, "Why are you guys dying under here?"

"No reason." Frank inhales a breath.

"Did you tell her about my rash?"

"Why does everyone have a rash!" I scream, my laughter finally dying down.

"What about my rash?" We hear Steve call from another part of the room.

Gerard squints his eyes and slowly backs out from under the table.

Tears threaten to spill from my eyes from laughing so hard.

"So," Frank speaks after one final chuckle, "What are you girls doing under here?"

"I'm just gonna come out and say it. I've idolized everyone in the room, and I don't want to embarrass myself. Knowing me, I embarrass myself a lot."

He tilts his head to the side, "Well, according to Gee and Lindsey, you'll be staying here for a while. Sooner or later we'll be like family, so you should get used to being embarrassed. So, come out and dance with me! What do you say?" He holds his hand out to me.

"No." I say sternly.

"Ug!" Frank groans. "You're such a killjoy!"

"109 in the sky, but the pigs won't quit!" Steve shouts.

"Wait! Hold up!" Gerard's voice calls, followed by running footsteps.

A few minutes later, he comes back into the living room. Frank peers out from under the table, "Oh my God!" He screams, a huge smile on his face.

Curiosity striking me, I mimick Frank and look out from under the table, seeing Gerard dancing around in his Party Poison outfit.

"Na na na na na na na na na na na na na!" Everyone bursts out in song.

Frank crawls out from underneath the table, reaching his hand out to me once he is free from the small escape. A small smile resting on my lips, I take his hand, grabbing Bandit's as well, and he pulls us out.

Once we're out, I feel something soft hitting the back of my head. Before it has a chance to fall to the ground, I spin around and catch the bright red bandana.

***

I lay in my bed, arms folded across my chest, a happy Gerard and Lindsey smiling down at me.
"They really like you. Y'know, the guys and Kitty." Gerard speaks.

"They do?" I ask, anticipation surging through my veins.

"A lot," Lindsey answers, "Jimmy actually wanted to take you to Chantal's next concert, which is in two weeks. We're cool with it if you're down."

My eyes widen, "Yeah! Totally! That sounds awesome!"

"Okay, kiddo," Gerard stands up, pulling Lindsey with him, "It's getting late, and coffee can only keep you up for so many hours of the day."

Lindsey bends down, caressing my cheek with her hand, "Goodnight, Ray."

"Goodnight." Gerard says as well.
"Night." I respond to the both of them before the two of them leave my room, closing the door behind them.

As much as I want to, I know for a fact that it will be nearly impossible for me to sleep within the next few hours, energy and excitement still rushing throughout my body from today. I can't even find a word to describe how amazing I feel. First off, I met pretty much all of my idols, second, they all like me as far as I know. I laugh at myself, noticing I've been smiling at my thoughts.

Throwing the covers off of me, I stride over to my bookshelf, which I've made the effort to actually put my books on it today, and skim through my comic selection. The only thing that seems to catch my attention with its bright colors is my Danger Days series. Looks like I'll be spending my sleepless night re-reading the series for the eighth time.

***

Just as I finish the third issue, my door swings open, revealing Bandit, tears sliding down her face and a brown teddy bear tightly held in her arms. I set the comic down, "Bandit? Are you okay?"

"I had a bad dream." She sniffles, her eyes glistening.

I scootch over in my bed, clearing a large enough spot for her, "Want to stay with me?"

She nods and runs up to my bed, jumping under the covers. I tuck her in before holding her close, "What was the dream?"

"The-the boogeyman took Mommy and Daddy away. He took them into the closet, and when the door closed, they just kept screaming until things went quiet. That's when I woke up." She sobs.

I tighten my grip on her, "Shh, it's okay, B. Mommy and Daddy are fine; they're in their bedroom fast asleep. C'mon, I'll show you, but we have to be really quiet."

I slump my legs over the edge of the bed, picking Bandit up once I'm on my feet.
I carry her across the hall to Gee and Lindsey's room, cracking the door open just enough for us to see them lying in bed asleep.

"See," I whisper, "They're okay." I softly shut the door.

She smiles, resting her head on my shoulder, "Do you know what helps me after I have a bad dream?" I ask.

"What?" She raises her head, tired eyes meeting mine.

"A glass of milk." I answer, starting off towards the stairs. Once we reach the bottom, I carry her into the kitchen, flicking the lights on.

I place her on the counter before grabbing a small glass from the cupboard. Pulling a carton of milk from the fridge, I fill the glass half way and hand it to her.
"Thank you!" She chirps before taking a sip.

I lean up against the counter, waiting for her to finish the milk. Once she's finished, I take the glass and place it in the sink, then picking her up and carrying her back upstairs into her room. Laying her down in her bed, I tuck her in, resting her teddy bear next to her.

"Ray?" Her small voice rings.

"What's up?"

"Can you sleep in here tonight?"

"Of course I can." I lay down next to her, and she curls into my side, not taking her eyes from the closet.

With a small smile, I get out of bed and grab her Batman action figure, setting it on the floor in front of the closet door, "There. If the Boogeyman wants to come out, Batman will take care of him."

"Good idea," Bandit says as I get back into bed with her,"Batman will keep us safe."

"And if something were to happen to Batman, I wouldn't let the Boogeyman get you, or Mommy, or Daddy." I tickle her stomach, giggles emerging from her mouth. "Now get some sleep, little one."

She exhales a deep breath, her eyes falling shut. Now that she's asleep, I begin feeling my eyes growing heavier and heavier until I finally give into the sleep my brain is craving.