A/N: Hello, readers! Welcome back, everybody who read my previous installment to which this story is a direct sequel, "Listen to the Band"! It begins immediately where the previous story ended. For those of you who need a refresher, I'll summarize it below.

If you haven't read "Listen to the Band", SPOILERS FOLLOW.

So, if you don't want the story spoiled and you want to read it, TURN BACK NOW.

I'm warning you...

Last call!

Luna got invited by a guy named Jamie (the guy who was hanging out with Sam, her crush, in "L Is for Love") to join his band. She was super excited and more than a little nervous to practice with them because Sam is in that band. When she went to practice with the band (ironically named "The Italians" and containing Sam's other friend, Alex), Luna ended up hanging out alone with Sam and kissed her. Sam told her the next day that she is straight and therefore does not return her affection. At a gig the band was playing for Jamie's little cousin's birthday, Luna spotted a girl whom she thought was cute and decided to go talk to her.

And that's where the story begins...

N.B. My formatting style is listed on my profile page in case you're confused by anything.

DISCLAIMER: I do not own The Loud House or any of the other sources of pop culture references that I will make.

I apologise for the long author's notes.

I hope you like it!

Luna stopped walking abruptly.

Whoa, whoa, whoa. I need a plan of action.

Okay, so I should talk to her, find out her name, interests, stuff like that...

Maybe I shouldn't start by trying to befriend her. I mean, look how Sam turned out. Sigh...

FOCUS.

You don't wanna **** this up.

Well, actually, that mi-

Oh, shut up.

Uh, maybe I should outright try flirting? Make my intentions clear?

No. I'm not comfortable enough with... me... to try doing that.

Luna looked at herself, feeling vaguely ashamed. She was wearing black jeans, a purple T-shirt, and a black jacket.

I guess I look the part, though... so that might be a non-issue.

Wait! What if I pretended to be a boy? I mean, I look and sound enough like one.

Hm. It sounds like a cheesy sitcom plot, but it could work.

With renewed spirits, Luna bravely walked over and squatted next to the dark-haired girl buried in a book.

"Uh, hey there. How's it going?" she asked, trying to make her voice sound deeper.

The girl looked at Luna out of the corner of her eyes. "Hello," she replied flatly.

"Uh, how are you?"

"Could be worse. I could be having an even greater existential crisis than I'm currently having."

Feeling very awkward, Luna decided to change the topic. "What're you reading?"

The girl turned her book towards Luna so she could see the cover.

"Animal Farm? Oh, that's a good book. D'you like it?"

"Yes. I feel it properly portrays the nihilistic worldview. The existence of good characters such as Boxer and Clover have led to no change in the status quo."

"Okay. I, uh, I never thought about it that way."

"My friend brought up that point in his English class. Nobody in his class had thought of it that way either."

I can't say I'm surprised, Little Miss Emo.

Okay, let's NOT mentally insult the person you're trying to hit on.

Luna thought for a moment, then asked, "Uh, what's your name?"

"Maggie."

"Okay. Cool. I'm, uh, I'm Luke. Luke Loud. Nice to meetcha." Luna proffered her hand to shake, and Maggie shook it somewhat reluctantly.

Uh, now what?

"So, uh, you having fun today?"

Maggie looked at her quizzically. "Fun? What's that?"

"It's, uh... Never mind. You like the music?"

"Eh. It's okay, I guess."

Luna nodded. "Yeah. Uh, me and my band are playing it."

"Okay."

This girl is not making things easy for me.

"I play the guitar."

Maggie had picked up her book again. She didn't even look at Luna while responding. "Mm-hm."

Why am I still trying?

Why did I even bother?

Feeling extremely awkward, Luna turned around to look at her band mates. Jamie had rejoined Sam and Alex on the patio and had picked up his guitar. Catching her eye, he mouthed her name and waved her over. Luna held up her index finger to signify that she needed more time.

Maybe I should be a little more direct?

Luna turned back to Maggie, composed herself again, and asked her, "Uh, can I have your number?"

Startled, Maggie dropped her book and turned to gape at Luna. "What?"

Luna looked down in discomfort. "I said, can I have your number? Please?"

Maggie began to pull out her phone. "Uh, okay. Why?"

"Uh... 'Cause I, uh, 'cause I think you're cute?" Luna grinned weakly and blushed slightly after admitting her attraction.

Appearing uncomfortable, Maggie replied, "Thanks."

The two girls exchanged phone numbers.

Stuffing her phone back into her pocket, Luna said, "Uh, I gotta go now. We gotta start playing again. Bye."

Maggie gave a quick wave as Luna stood up and jogged back to the patio.

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

Eager for news, Sam turned to Luna as she picked up her guitar. "How did it go?"

Luna smiled. "Pretty well, I think. I got her number. So that's all good. But..."

"But what?"

Luna hesitated, uncertain how to explain her conundrum. "Uh... I... She thinks I'm a guy. I, uh, I called myself Luke."

Sam's eyes widened. "What?"

"I, uh... I... I didn't want to seem all... It's just... I didn't... I wasn't comfortable with just..."

Sam's face shifted to a more empathetic expression. "It's okay. I get it. But she's gonna find out at some point, I'm just warning you now."

Luna sighed resignedly, turning towards Jamie, who was standing by the microphone. The children had gathered round a card table covered with a plastic tablecloth and holding a vanilla-frosted cake. Mrs. Sue lit the candles on top of it, one by one, then turned to Jamie and gave him a thumbs-up.

Jamie proceeded to speak in a monotone, faux-formal tone. "So, we are gathered here today to witness Brooke enter into her ninth year of life. From hereafter..." He smiled. "Oh, to heck with the fancy talk. Let's just sing and get on with the eating."

Everybody began to sing "Happy Birthday" to Brooke, who simply smiled sheepishly. She then blew out the candles.

Jamie yelled, "Hit it!"

The band promptly began to play the song "Birthday". Mrs. Sue began to cut the cake and pass out slices to all the children. After the song ended, Jamie, Luna, and Alex raced over to retrieve their own slices. Sam remained at her keyboard.

Mrs. Sue called out to her, "Do you want any cake, Sam?"

Sam replied, "Nah, sorry. I have celiac disease." She hesitated for a few moments, then began to play "The Entertainer" with enthusiasm.

Luna snuck up behind Sam after she finished her song and yelled, "ENCOOOOORE!"

Sam jumped, nearly falling over. "NOT COOL!" she snapped.

"You sure you don't want any cake, dude?"

"I'm sure."

"But it's good!"

"I value my health more than my taste buds."

Luna leaned in towards Sam, grinning insincerely. "Are you suuuuuure?"

Sam leaned back in evident discomfort. "Will you please stop?"

Luna withdrew rapidly. "Oh, sorry," she apologised.

Out of the corner of her eye, Luna happened to glimpse Maggie speaking with a tall, dark-skinned woman. She appeared fairly exuberant; she gestured emphatically and wore a small smile on her pale face. As Maggie spoke, the woman's smile grew broad.

Maggie gestured with her thumb over her shoulder towards the patio where The Italians had set up their instruments. The lady looked over to where she was indicating and spotted Luna. Luna averted her eyes for a moment, then looked back up at the pair. The dark-skinned lady continued to smile at Maggie, who was presumably her daughter. She then looked back up, saw Luna looking at them, and winked.

Luna gave a half smile in return, then picked up her guitar.

Jamie turned to his band mates, who had all returned to the patio, and said, "My aunt says one more song, then presents, then party's over and you guys go home. I'm staying over tonight. So, you wanna play "Ants Marching" or "Two Princes"?"

The girls thought for a moment, then turned to each other. Alex piped up, "How about we let the kids vote on it?"

"Good idea," replied Jamie. He stepped up to the mic.

"So guys," he began, "we're gonna play you all one last song. This time, you get to pick which one we play!"

The children turned to him excitedly.

"So, would you like to hear "Ants Marching" by Dave Matthews Band or "Two Princes" by Spin Doctors?"

Somebody yelled, "Yes!" A few kids laughed.

Jamie frowned. "Okay. Raise your hand if you wanna hear "Ants Marching"."

Four kids raised their hands.

"How about "Two Princes"?"

Two kids raised their hands.

"Okay. "Ants Marching" it is!"

Dang it. I really wanted to play "Two Princes"; I know it so much better.

Alex counted off, and Sam began to play the opening notes.

A couple of minutes into the song, Luna glanced around, looking for Maggie. She finally spotted her sitting where she had been sitting and reading before; only this time, Maggie was watching Luna play the guitar. Luna faltered for a second upon noticing Maggie's gaze.

Oh geez oh geez oh geez she's TOTALLY JUDGING ME WHAT DO I DO

Chill. Just play as you normally would. And everything will be fine.

Luna took a deep breath, then proceeded to play the song with renewed determination.

For those about to try and impress their crush, we salute you.

I dunno if my heart's racing because of the music or Maggie.

After The Italians finished playing, Jamie sighed gratefully and picked up the mic again. "All right. So Brooke, you ready to open presents?"

Brooke grinned exuberantly and darted over to the card table on which her presents lay. Her guests followed behind her.

...

Luna sat in the passenger's seat of Alex's car as they drove back into Royal Woods. She gazed out the windshield with a faint smirk on her face, evidently lost in thought.

Alex asked, "What're you so **** happy about?"

Luna snapped back into the real world. "Oh, just got someone's number at the party. I'm pumped about that."

Alex smiled. "Ooh! Is he cute?"

Luna grimaced and sighed, though her smile did not completely vanish. "Well, uh, yeah, but he's a she."

From beneath her hair, Alex's eyes widened. "Really? You're into girls?"

Luna curled up into a ball sheepishly, wishing the conversation could end. "Y-yeah. I am."

"Hunh. That's kind of a shock."

Sam piped up from the back seat, "You have no idea."

"Whaddya mean?"

Luna receded as far as she could into the upholstery. "Uh... I used to have a crush on Sam."

Alex's eyes widened again. "Oh really?"

Sam said in a regretful tone, "Yeah. First person who ever kissed me."

"****, girl."

Alex parked the car in Sam's house's driveway. They got out of the car and unloaded their sound equipment into Sam's garage.

Sam walked into her house, calling, "See ya on Monday, guys!"

Luna and Alex waved.

Alex turned to Luna. "Need a ride home?"

"Nah, I can walk from here."

Luna paused for a moment before continuing: "Uh... Any advice on how to not **** this up?"

Alex replied, "I guess... Don't try serenading her. Patrick really started to get on my nerves after a while."

"Was that why you guys broke up?"

"Not really. That's a story for another day, though."

Alex climbed back into her car. "See you on Monday."

Luna waved. "Okay, see ya!"

Luna walked down the street towards her house as the sun sunk beneath the horizon.

I'll just state it up front: the title references an old kid's show called Maggie and the Ferocious Beast. I watched it when I was little.

I very much recommend Animal Farm.

I have no idea how Alex can drive safely with her hair in her eyes like that.

See you soon! I hope!