Chapter 1

Misery to Victory

Well, I woke up, my head pounding, many different bottles of booze around my bed, and to my surprise, some one-night-stand girl wasn't laying next to me. I felt like an epic fail to life. I had a crappy ass job working at Mc'Donalds. I hated it. The only thing I could successfully do, was play guitar, keyboards, and I knew a little bass. It wasn't going to take me anywhere though… I checked what time it was and I had to get ready for hell. I put on my uniform, combed my hair, and went downstairs to find my shit-ugly car. I hated driving it, I usually walk to work because it's right down the street, but today I had to go to my mom's place, and she lives about an hour away. I just walked to work and took my shift as the bored cashier.

"Hello, welcome to Mc'Donalds. How can I help you?" I said leaning on my elbow.

"Um, what do you recommend?" This guy asked.

"I don't know, I hate everything but the Big Mac, just get that." I said annoyed.

"Do I get the meal or is there a different size burger…" He couldn't finish.

"Oh my God… Get a fucking squid sandwich for all I care! Just order already!" I hissed.

"Fine one Double Cheeseburger, and a small drink." He said noticing my attitude.

"Is that for here or to go?"

"Here."

"And what is your name sir?"

"None of your business!" He randomly snapped at me.

I wanted to cuss his ass out! But I need this damn job… Keep it together, you can do this.

"I'll just mark you down as Sir then." I said strained.

"But that's not my name!" He snapped again.

"Then what is it?" I asked losing my patience.

"None of your business!" He yelled.

That's it! I've had it with him!

"Listen pal! It's not my fucking fault I have to ask for your name, and that your to stupid to actually give it to me! Just shut the fuck up, tell me your name, and quit acting like there's fucking Stranger Danger in this god damn shit hole!"

And that was it, I got fired. That sucks, they were the only people to hire me because I have tattoos all up my arms. Now how the hell am I supposed to pay my bills? I could ask mom but she'll be pissed… I'll give it a try…

"Fuck my life…" I said tossing my un-needed Mc'Donalds hat on the floor with the rest of my stuff.

I changed out of my clothes and put something decent on, I got in my ugly ass car and drove over to Hollywood. On the way I kept seeing billboards for band auditions for somebody named Adam Lambert, I have heard of him before I think. I pulled over to read the sign and called the number it said.

"Hello?" Some man asked.

"Hey, can I possibly audition for the band?" I asked.

"Sure, as long as you can get to Indianapolis on your own." He said bored.

"Oh, sure I can, do you need my name?" I asked unsure of what I was getting into.

"Yeah, and your number too." He replied nicely.

"Oh cool, I'm Tommy Joe Ratliff, and my phone number is 1-818-276-6693." I said hesitating.

"Okay, we can give you a call tomorrow most-likely, to tell you when you should come over here. We will give you the address building and everything."

"Okay, cool. Thanks man, bye." I said hanging up smiling.

I got back in my car but felt really worried. How the hell am I going to get to Indianapolis? This shitty piece of crap cant barely make it to Los Angelis without popping. Whatever, I'll figure that out later. I got to my moms house and she was waiting out front.

"Oh there's my little boy! I'm so proud of you!" She said hugging me.

"Why are you proud of me? I'm practically a failure in life Mom." I said loathing myself.

"I'm proud of you because you haven't asked for money in 3 months! I even had it in a jar marked 'Money For Thomas'. Why do you think you're a failure?" She said cheerfully.

"Well, I got fired for cussing a guy out. Different story for another day, and I found a job. But it's in Indianapolis, and I can probably only pay for half of the ticket. Help me out one more time?" I said embarrassed.

"What is the job? Is it something like accountant, because you didn't go to college Honey, you won't be able to make that." She said sitting down on the porch swing.

"No, it's for a band audition. I want to go for the lead guitarist, I'm really good Mom! Please just a little help!" I was begging her sitting next to her.

"Hun, I don't have a problem with giving you a little money. Hell, I'll pay for the whole trip if you need me to." She said smiling at me.

"Oh thank you Mom! You're awesome!" I said giving her a hug.

Right then I got a call from a random number. I answered it happily. For once in my life I didn't hate myself.

"Hello?" I answered cheerfully.

"Hey Tommy, is it cool if you come down for the audition in three days?" He asked casually.

"Oh, yeah of course I can. I'll be there." I said smiling.

"Okay, we already got you a hotel room at the Marriott, we can tell you where it's at or we can have somebody pick you up." He said.

"Oh, I am terrible at directions. Can I please get picked up?" I asked.

"Yeah, sure. We'll have somebody get you, see you in three days Tommy."

"Bye."

I am so getting this part! I was jumping up and down like a teenage girl at a Justin Bieber concert… Weird, but my mom gave me the money and I went back to my pig-style of a house to pack up. I bought tickets off my phone and three days later, I was off to Indianapolis.