A/N: This is set after 6x10, the episode where Zach breaks up the band. I love Lane and I thought she deserved her own adventure. Everything with other characters follows the show's canon story lines, apart from Lane's story. Though, if they happen to interact with Lane, this could change particular characters' ultimate fates.
California Dreamin'
Prologue
Lane Kim was tired of living in everyone else's shadow. She was the girl that had to go home at nine from a slumber party whilst the other girls got to stay over and eat candy all night. She was the one that had to hear about how great the big dance was at school the next day because she had not been allowed to attend. She was the one who listened to all the girls gush about their boyfriends while she smiled and nodded, not allowed near a boy. She was the one who had to hide her passion whilst others' parents encouraged theirs. Lane was the girl who lived her life under floorboards.
She walked slowly away from the morose figure on the steps. It was over. Everything she had worked so hard for was gone, just like that. Hep Alien's one chance for fame and they had ruined it. Her only hope of getting out of the monotony of small town life was gone. She could see her life now –her job at Luke's, married young, even kids. A fine life for somebody else but it was not Lane wanted. She wanted to travel, to explore what the world had to offer. To make her name in history. Who ever said that a small town girl couldn't dream big? So she decided. Decided she had to go, had to impulsively leave her comfort zone and discover life beyond Stars Hollow. That night in her room, instead of crying over what could have been, she started planning what could be.
A few weeks later she withdrew her meagre savings, said goodbye to Rory and Lorelai, wrote a note to Mrs Kim (it was easier that way) and boarded a plane, as far away from Connecticut as she could get.
It was time for Lane Kim to be the star for once.