HI GUYS AND GALS. Thanks for being so patient with me on this story. I forgot to do the disclaimer for the last story. _ I DO NOT own Grojband or any of its characters. As for now, enjoy this new story I have!

-Laney's POV-

The neighborhood is quiet as I sit on the stage in the Riffian's garage, tuning my blue bass. Kin and Kon Kujira, twin brothers, lay on the couch eating grilled cheese sandwiches. We all wait for the leader singer and guitarist for Grojband, Corey Riffian. He was always late for band practices now a-days- probably out causing his delusional sister, Trina, even more distress. I smile at the thought. He would anything for the band. Too bad he was so oblivious. Just as I set down my bass, the garage door opens and light floods in. An all-too-familiar-shadow walks in with enthusiasm.

"Hello fellow Grojbandians!" the blue haired guitarist exclaimed, walking in with a bounce in his step.

"Hey Corey!" The twins yell, jumping off the couch to give Corey a hug. I roll my eyes. They act like they haven't seen Corey in forever. I eye the lot with a little jealousy. I could totally use a hug from Corey right now. The twins let go of Corey, and then Corey turns to me with his arms outstretched. I resist the urge to jump into his arms and never let go. Instead, I raise an eyebrow at him.

"Have you found us a gig yet, Core?" I ask with a hint of annoyance.

Corey's arms go limp at his side again, disappointment washing over his features. But it is gone before I can think much of it.

"No," Corey says, drawing out the word. "I'll find one eventually. But for now, let's practice."

Kin, Kon, and I run to our instruments. Corey goes to the stage and climbs on, grabbing his guitar from seemingly out of nowhere. Kon hits his sticks together…
"1-2-3-4!" Kon says, and with that, the practice commenced.

*AFTER PRACTICE TRANSITION*

"Awesome practice," Corey says, smiling at everyone.

"Hello? Who's there?" a voice calls from the garage door. We all turn our heads to look at a girl standing in the sunlight streaming in the garage. She has the same shade of red hair I have, but pulled up into a messy bun at the top of her head. Her long bangs are tucked behind her ears, and secured with a green hairclip. She wears black eyeliner and eye shadow like I do, which brings out her forest green eyes. She wears a green shirt that matches her eyes perfectly. A light blue unbuttoned denim jacket covers half of the shirt. The matching skinny jeans she wears have a green belt in the loop. The jeans are tucked into black and white Nike shoes (I do not own). I look over at the boys. Kin and Kon stare at her, almost drooling. Corey raises an eyebrow, not impressed. I hide a smile. I think I like this girl already. Besides the eyes, clothes, and hairstyle, she looks exactly like me.

"Hey, I'm Laney," I say, trying to divert her attention to me. "What's your name?"

The girl looks at me with those intense eyes of hers, causing me to look away. "My name is Lydia," she says softly, obviously shy. "I…I heard you guys playing and I wanted to see who was here-"

"I'm Corey, and we are Grojband," Corey interrupts her, earning a glare from me. He doesn't even notice. "We just got finished practicing."

"Cool," she responds, looking around the garage approvingly. Lydia doesn't even notice the twins' stares. She suddenly produces a bass guitar from the air, it seems.

"I…I play bass," she says so quietly I had to leans closer to hear her. I jump of the stage, followed by the twins and Corey.

"Really?" Kon says excitedly. He looks at me with a gleam in his eye that I didn't like. "Hmm. I always wanted a girl in the band."

I narrow my eyes at him and frown deeply, but do not say anything. I cross my arms and look downward. Lydia notices my reaction, and wisely does not say anything.

"Could you play something for us?" Corey asks with a smile.

Lydia rolls her eyes, but smiles back. "Sure."

She starts humming a tune that she plays on the bass. She soon sings softly:

I hugged you when you went away

The last thing that I heard you say:

"Stay strong, luv," but not before

You left me here and went to war

We didn't hear from you for weeks

Inside the house there was no peace

If you had not left then maybe

I can regain my …sanity

She sighs on the last word, as if remembering something bad. We all stand there, speechless. Lydia looks up through teary eyes. She quickly blinks them away. I felt so bad for her. "Was…was it something I said?" she asked quietly.

"NO!" Kin and Kon yell at the same time.

"You're an amazing singer and bass player!" Corey said for them, his obvious surprise showing on his face.

Ok, hate for this girl is back in full force.

"It's nothing," she says with a small smile. She didn't blush or anything. That means she probably doesn't like Corey. I sigh in relief and decide to play nice.

"That was awesome," I say, smiling at her. Lydia flashes a grateful smile at me before taking off her bass strap.

"Hey, I never got your names," Lydia suddenly says, looking at the twins.

"I'm Kin," Kin says with a large smile. "And this is Kon," Kin continues, gesturing at his brother. Kon wears a smile similar to Kin's. Wow, they really must be into her.

"Lydia," she says, smiling at them. Man, does she ever stop smiling? "Well…I think I need to go."

"NOOO!" The twins yell. Lydia jumps at their sudden outburst.

"What? Why?" Corey asks an edge to his voice I didn't like. I narrow my eyes at him.

"My parents must be wondering where I am," Lydia responds with brightness. She turns to me, her eyes showing…concern?

"Laney, is it?" Lydia asks me. I nod. "Could you come with me for a bit?"

I look at Corey. "It's ok bro. Practice is over, anyway," he says, his eyes never leaving Lydia.

Stifling a growl, I follow Lydia as she exits the garage. The sunshine warms my face as we head towards a nearby park. We soon reach it and sit on a bench.

"Ok, spill. Why do they think you're a boy?" Lydia says as soon as we sit down. I raise an eyebrow at her. I've known her for how many seconds, and she asks me..?

"What are you talking about, Lydia?" I ask, trying to act like I didn't care.

"I'm talking about the band! They all think you're a boy," Lydia bursts, crossing her legs. "It's painfully obvious, Laney. And honestly, I think it's cruel. It's not right."

I feel my face take on a sad expression. How could she have figured me out that quickly? It is kind of scary.

"How did you figure it out so quickly?" I ask her.

"How could you have not?" she responds, confusion in her face. I look away. Lydia seems to be genuinely concerned about the gender problem I have with Grojband, while I'm only thinking about how she might like Corey. Lydia obviously doesn't like him.

"It's just weird to know someone actually knows I'm a girl," I say, looking away in shame. "I mean, I don't have any friends who actually know I'm a girl. They all think I'm a guy."

Lydia considers my words for a few seconds. "It's obvious that you're a girl. And, uh, I'm your friend…right?" she asks, hope in her voice. I smile at her. "Of course you are."

"Thanks," she breathes obvious relief in her voice. "I want to help you tell them you're a girl, Laney."

I look at her. Her eyes say that she's completely honest. "Thanks, Lydia," I say, smiling. "That would mean a lot to me, you have no idea."

"No problem, Laney," she responds, getting up. I do the same.

"Ok, my parents might really worry," Lydia says, worry lining her brows.

"Oh, ok," I say, trying not to sound disappointed. She catches it anyway, and smiles.

"I got to go, but I'll come by the garage tomorrow, if you'd like," Lydia says hopefully.

All thoughts of Corey's reaction gone, I don't hesitate to say yes.

"Splendid!" she squeals, hugging me. "Bye now!" Lydia turns to leave, waving. Still in shock from the hug, I manage to wave back. I felt warmth in me. Is this what happens when you make a friend? I haven't made one in so long; I forgot what it felt like. I don't bother to go back to the garage and head home, a smile tugging at my lips. Lydia seems like an amazing friend, and she will even help me tell the band I'm a girl! My house soon comes into view, and it's too late when I realize I'm grinning like an idiot.

It's good to be an idiot, then.