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  “Very nice to meet you, Griffin, was it?” Trina said, sliding out of Jeff’s grip.

  I looked around the room for any sight of Logan. It had been at least a half hour since we came back up to the lounge, and I hadn’t seen him since. Trina sat next to Griffin on one of the large couches, and Jeff was in a chair across from them, interjecting into their conversation as much as possible. Jenna and Ryan snuggled and made out on a loveseat nearby, it was so nauseating.

  I pulled out my cell phone and noticed we didn’t have much time left to catch the last train back to the suburbs.

  I slid over to the chair next to Jeff. “Thank you so much for everything you did for us tonight, but we better get going.”

  “Aw, is it past your bedtime?” Jenna asked.

  “Actually, we’re trying to catch the last train,” I explained.

  “I could give you guys a ride home if you want to stay longer,” Jeff offered.

  “Or we could take you home in the van,” Griffin suggested.

  “Thanks, both of you, but it’s okay, we wouldn’t want you to go out of your way, really,” I responded.

  Of course I’d love to have Lansdowne drive me home, but I was pretty sure my parents wouldn’t approve of me coming home after midnight in a stranger’s van.

  “Well, it was great meeting you tonight,” Griffin said. He wrapped his arms around Trina in a quick embrace.

  I was happy for her, but disappointed in how my own night went. Although, I shouldn’t be too shocked, I mean, why would someone like Logan Shire, the hottest guy in the universe, want to spend his night with me?

  “Oh. My. God,” Trina said as we left the club. “Can you believe what just happened? Pinch me, please.”

  I pinched her.

  “Ow!” she yelled.

  “What? You told me to pinch you.”

  She frowned and rubbed her arm.

  “Sorry, I guess I’m just a little bummed about not running into Logan again all night,” I said.

  “Lacey, you can’t be serious, he talked to you, he touched your shoulder, and he brought you back to the party. You should be ecstatic right now!”

  She was right. I should be feeling on top of the world. What was wrong with me?

  “Maybe I’m just a little jealous of the love affair unfolding before my eyes between you and Griffin.”

  “I know, right? I can’t believe it. Really, I’d ask you to pinch me again, but I’m still hurting from the last one,” she said.

  “Sorry!”

  “Griffin asked for my number. Do you think he’ll call?” she asked.

  “Yes, he’ll definitely call. You’re so lucky. Logan was probably avoiding me; he must have thought I was just some crazy fan.”

  “Don’t be silly! I’m sure he was just busy schmoozing with music industry people.”

  “Yeah, maybe you’re right. At least, I hope that was the case,” I said.

  “I’m always right, deal with it!” she joked, sticking her tongue out at me.

  Our train pulled into the station to take us home, and I wished the whole ride back that she was right.

  Chapter 2 – Mallrats

  I woke up to the sound of my cell phone ringing loudly. I answered the call, even though it felt way too early to be awake.

  “Hello?”

  “You are not going to believe this!” Trina shrieked.

  “What…what happened? Are you okay?” I asked, concerned. She knew I usually slept until after noon on the weekends, and it was only ten o’clock in the morning.

  “I am more than okay!” she yelled.

  “Um…what’s going on?”

  I sat up in bed, and stretched out my arms and legs.

  “I got a voicemail from Griffin a few hours ago!” she squealed.

  “What was he doing up so early?”

  “Actually, he was just getting home and wanted to call to let me know that he had a great time meeting me last night. I’m in shock! He wants me to call him back, what do you think? ”

  “Hmm, I think you should wait a day to call back, you don’t want to seem too into him,” I suggested.

  “Good idea. Play hard to get. I just can’t believe that Griffin Mack left me a voicemail. I’m going to listen to it fifty more times! His voice is so hot. Seriously, I died a little when I heard it.”

  “You’re crazy!” I was jealous, but excited for her too. “Wanna hang out today? I need to get my mind off of my disastrous night with Logan.”

  “Oh come on, it was not disastrous! But, I will go to the mall with you, I’ll pick you up in an hour, bye!”

  “See ya.”

  I crawled out of bed and dragged my tired body into the shower. I could still only think about last night, how truly incredible the band was, how amazing Logan looked, and how I wished the end of the night went differently. I ran downstairs to eat breakfast before heading to the mall. My mom sat at the kitchen table reading the paper.

  “How was the concert last night?” she asked. “I didn’t hear you come in.”

  “Probably because we took the last train home,” I replied.

  She peered over the page and raised an eyebrow.

  “We had the best time, we got to watch their whole set, and then we got to meet the band! It was something out of a dream. Trina even exchanged phone numbers with one of them.”

  I grabbed a bagel off the table and spread on some cream cheese.

  “Really?” my mom replied. “Just be careful. You know, just because they‘re in a band doesn’t mean they’re any different from regular boys.”

  “Don’t worry, Mom,” I reassured her. “We know.”

  I heard Trina’s car pull into the driveway, blasting Lansdowne music from the stereo. “Gotta go, I’m heading to the mall with Trina.”

  “Alright, have fun.”

  Trina threw her phone at me as I got in the car and buckled up.

  “You have to listen to this message!” she screamed.

  I listened to Griffin’s voice on the other end.

  “Amazing, simply amazing.”

  She smiled wide. “You know, I really want a new pair of sunglasses, some huge paparazzi blockers, I have a feeling I’m going to need them in the not so distant future.”

  “I’ll be your paparazzi blocker, I’m sure no one will be looking at me.”

  “Lacey, seriously, you need to stop dragging yourself down!”

  She was right. I needed to look on the bright side, but it wasn’t the easiest thing to do. My life never went the way I wanted it to. My crushes in school always dated other girls; I wished my hair was straighter, and that I was skinnier. I wasn’t athletic or musically inclined. The only thing I was skilled at was getting good grades, which didn’t have anything to do with having a social life.

  “We’ll get you a new, hot outfit for the next time we see them,” she said, trying to make me feel better.

  We got to the mall and I watched Trina try on sunglasses for at least twenty minutes before she found the perfect pair. I tried on a bunch of clothes, but didn’t find anything that fit right. We left the store, venturing further into the mall, and noticed a large group of girls hanging around the music store.

  “Hey, what’s going on?” I asked one of them.

  “Lansdowne is going to play a few songs on the stage over there and then sign autographs!” she exclaimed, pointing to the small stage erected a few feet away from the store. There was already a huge mass of girls surrounding it, staking claim to their spots by sitting down and spreading their shopping bags around them.

  “How did we not know about this?” Trina asked.

  “I don’t know!”

  “Well, what do we do now? Do we stay? I feel kind of awkward watching them from the crowd with a bunch of fans.”

  “We have to see them perform!” I said.

  “I know, I know, but I just feel weird watching Griffin amongst hundreds of other girls after what happened last night,” she said.

  “Well, mayb
e you should call him, I know I said to wait a day, but I think this situation changes things a bit.”

  “Yeah, you’re probably right.”

  She dialed Griffin’s number and paced back and forth nervously. I’d never seen her look so anxious.

  “Griffin? Hey, it’s Trina, from last night. Yeah, it was great meeting you too.”

  She twisted a strand of hair around her finger as she spoke. “Actually, I’m calling because I’m at the mall with Lacey right now and some girls told us you’re performing here later…”

  I tried to listen to Griffin’s voice coming out of the phone, but the fans near me were talking too loud.

  “Really? Right now?” Trina asked, looking around.

  All of a sudden, loud, high-pitched screams erupted from the crowd. Before I could turn to see what was happening Trina pulled me towards the entrance of the music store. Griffin was standing by the glass door waving us in. Now it made sense, all these girls were screaming for him! Griffin whisked us in the door and the store’s employees locked it back up behind us.

  Hundreds of flashes went off before my eyes.

  “See, I told you I’d need these sometime soon!” Trina said, holding up her new shades.

  “Good thing I look halfway decent today,” I whispered.

  “You look great, I promise!”

  We headed over to the store’s backroom where the band was warming up.

  “I had no idea you guys were going to be performing at the mall today,” Trina said.

  “Well, if you returned my message, you would have known,” Griffin replied with a smile, slipping his arm around her waist.

  “How are you functioning, anyway? Didn’t you just get home from last night’s party a few hours ago?” she asked.

  “I’m in a band; I can go days without sleep!”

  Trina giggled.

  “You guys again! Way to be party crashers!” Jenna called out from across the room. She was sitting in Ryan’s lap. I would think any guy would be annoyed with someone as clingy as Jenna, but apparently it didn’t matter how annoying someone was as long as they had big boobs and blonde hair.

  “For your information, we were just invited,” I replied.

  She rolled her eyes and snuggled back into Ryan’s chest.

  I chatted with Trina and Griffin for a few minutes until I felt a poke on the back of my shoulder.

  “Hey.”

  I recognized the voice in an instant, and felt my face flush red.

  “Hey…” I said, turning around to greet him. It was Logan, looking as delicious as ever in a grey t-shirt that fit tightly across his broad shoulders. A few strands of his glossy hair fell over his eyes.

  “I’m so sorry, but I don’t remember your name,” he explained. “Please don’t take that the wrong way, I remember you, but I met so many people last night and I have a hard time keeping track of names.”

  I was disappointed that my name didn’t stick out in his mind, but I could get past it.

  “It’s Lacey,” I replied. My cheeks grew warmer as I spoke.

  “Right!” he exclaimed. “Lacey, now I remember. I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t worry about it, it’s fine, really.”

  I racked my brain, trying to think of something else to say, but I couldn’t think of anything, not one thing!

  “Well, I better go warm up my voice; we’re going on stage in a few.”

  He glanced down at me and combed his fingers through his shiny hair.

  “Have a good show,” I sputtered out before he walked away.

  Crap! I messed up such a perfect opportunity to talk to him. It’s like my mind stopped working when he was around. It just wasn’t fair.

  Trina and I trailed behind as the guys left the store and hit the stage. We watched them from the side with the store’s employees and record label executives. I felt so special, so “VIP.” It was almost humorous to see all of the fans screaming at the band from the crowd. Although, if it wasn’t for last night, I’m sure Trina and I would be in their same exact position.

  “That was incredible,” Trina whispered as their set ended. “Can we please do this forever?”

  “I know, but hopefully they won’t be playing in malls forever.”

  “True, they deserve stadiums!”

  We followed the guys back into the store as they prepared for their autograph session. They didn’t have an album out yet, so the fans had to pre-order one, and would get a poster signed instead. We watched all the fans come through the line. Some cried and trembled, some brought them gifts, it was pretty crazy.

  “So, are you and Griffin like dating now?” Jenna asked Trina, out of earshot from the guys.

  She made it sound as if it were completely insane that Griffin would have any interest in her.

  “No, we’re just hanging out, I guess,” she responded casually.

  “Well, I’d be careful, he talks to a lot of girls,” she snapped back.

  Trina looked over at me and rolled her eyes.

  “That’s fine with me,” she replied.

  Jenna just stared back at her. I could tell this was not the reaction she was hoping for. Tired of getting a rise out of Trina, she moved on to me.

  “I saw you drooling over Logan. You know, he’s way out of your league. He’s going to be a superstar, like my Ryan.”

  I didn’t have anything to say back. She was right. But I was trying so hard not to think that way.

  “Mind your own business,” Trina said. “I don’t know what Ryan sees in you anyway, you’re rude and annoying, and dress like a band slut; oh wait, that’s probably it.”

  Jenna folded her arms and walked over to the other side of the store. It’s too bad she had to make it this way, why couldn’t she just be happy for us? It’s not like we were hitting on “her man.”

  “So, how’s it going with Logan anyway?” Trina asked.

  “Horrible,” I replied.

  “What? I don’t believe that.”

  “Seriously, he came up to tell me he forgot my name, and it was just really awkward and I didn’t know what to say. I don’t think he likes me,” I admitted.

  I felt like crying, this was not how I wanted things to happen. Why couldn’t I just be normal around guys?

  “No way, he wouldn’t have talked to you if he didn’t like you, trust me. I already promised Griffin we’d have lunch with them after they’re done signing autographs, and you better sit near Logan or I’ll kill you!”

  “Okay, okay, no need for threats! I obviously want him; it’s the matter of him wanting me back.”

  The line of girls dwindled down and the employees began to clear off the autograph table. After the last girl left the store the guys waved one more time to the fans that were still standing outside, which made them all scream again.

  Griffin grabbed Trina’s hand. “We’re heading to Leo’s Diner across the street, you still joining us?”

  “Sure, see you there,” she said.

  Trina and I ran back to her car.

  “Griffin is drooling all over you!” I exclaimed.

  “You really think so? It’s not just my imagination? I’m trying to play hard to get, but it’s almost impossible when someone that gorgeous is hitting on you. I just don’t want to make it too easy for him, there has to be some challenge or he’ll just move on to the next girl after he’s done with me.”

  “I’m not so sure; he seems pretty infatuated with you.”

  Trina blushed. “Ah! I still can’t believe this is happening.”

  We pulled into the parking lot at Leo’s and parked next to the guys’ van. We entered the restaurant and Griffin waved us over to their table where the rest of the band, Jenna, and Holly and Carson from the record label were already seated. Trina occupied the empty seat next to him, and I sat across from them, next to Logan.

  “Glad you made it,” Griffin said. He put his arm around the back of Trina’s chair.

  Carson stood up from the head of the table and raise
d his cup of coffee for a toast. “Congrats on all your hard work guys, we sold 350 pre-sales of your record today! The show was great, and I know you guys will have a sold out tour this summer.”

  “Tour?” I asked to no one in particular.

  That sucks, we were just starting to get to know the guys, and now they’d be miles away from us for the rest of the summer.

  “That’s the plan. I can’t wait, we’ve been dreaming of going on tour for as long as I can remember,” Logan responded. His eyes were wide with excitement; like a little boy who got the newest video game for Christmas.

  Griffin high-fived Logan across the table. “It’s gonna be awesome! Lansdowne, across America!”

  “Ryan already invited me to tour with them,” Jenna explained. “Right, sweetie?”

  Ryan nodded and gave her a kiss on the cheek. I wanted to strangle her.

  “So, when does it start?” Trina asked.

  “Next week,” Logan answered. “We’re starting on the East Coast; maybe you and Lacey could come to some of the shows around here?”

  Ah! He said my name!

  Before we had a chance to answer, Griffin chimed in. “Or, they could join us on tour.”

  Join them on tour? My stomach churned with excitement. I was sure my bagel from breakfast was going to make a surprise reappearance. But, how would we actually be able to tour with them? We both promised our parents we’d get jobs this summer.

  “That would be an amazing opportunity, but, Trina and I are trying to save up money before college starts.”

  “Hmm…it was just a thought,” Griffin said, shrugging his shoulders.

  “I have an idea,” Logan said. “You guys could tour with us, and make money, if you worked for us.”

  “We don’t know much about the music industry,” I replied.

  I wasn’t trying to be negative, just realistic.

  “No, not working with the music part of it, you guys could be our merch girls.”

  “Merch girls, huh? I like the sound of that,” Trina said.

  “Yeah, all you guys would need to do is unload the merchandise at each concert, sell it to the fans, and load it back up at the end of the show,” he explained.