Chapter 2

"Runo, Runo, Runo!" Julie screeches and comes running towards me as I enter the school gates. Gosh, it reminds me of yesterday.

"Never guess what!" Julie sings.

"What's up Julie?" I ask as we both walk.

"I got tickets!" She squeals, "To see Dan Kuso!"

Did I mention Julie was a fan girl? Boy, would she have loved to be in my shoes yesterday. Maybe she would have given the reaction he was expecting. Either way, I'm not going to see him again so why am I even thinking about it?

"Please don't tell me that's what you got for your birthday?" I say with regret.

"Yes! Exciting right?" She beams.

"I don't feel the hype, Julie." I sigh, "But I'm glad for you."

Julie gasps with disbelief, "But I have tickets for you and me!"

"Julie!" I shout, "They're expensive! Why didn't you just buy one?!"

"It'll be boring going alone!" She shakes her head.

"But I don't think I'll appreciate it." I say guiltily.

"Take Mira or something?" I suggest. Mira was also a big fan of Dan, "Or any other girl in school."

"But I want to go with you!" Julie moans.

"But Julie-" I scrunch up my face, "Those tickets must have been really hard to get, you should use them on someone who could appreciate it."

"I don't care about the money Runo," She tells me, "I got them especially for us!"

"Please!" She begs, "It's for my birthday."

She does a sad look.

"Okay fine." I sigh, "Just for you, Julie."

"Yay!" She almost bursts my eardrums as she hugs me, "I love you, Runo!"

"Come on, we're gonna be late." I tell her and we continue walking to class.

"No way!" Mira gasps, "You got tickets to see Dan!"

"Yeah right I did." Julie says happily.

"Wow!" Mira smiles.

"I know right!" Julie giggles.

"Guys, keep it down. Miss is gonna get angry." I warn them.

"Runo, isn't very excited," Julie says to Mira with disappointment, "But that'll change soon!"

"I even have the VIP tickets!" Julie claps her hands together.

"That means you get to meet him backstage?" Mira asks.

"Yep, because I was first to buy the tickets." Julie informs.

"Wait, so you're saying we have to meet Kuso backstage?!" I say with panic arising, I didn't want to see him face to face again.

"Yeah! Why? Are you excited now?" Julie does a cheeky smile.

"No," I sigh, "He's such a jerk-"

And now for some reason all eyes were on me, I could see various girls glaring at me.

"What?" Julie questions.

"Like he might be one of those stuck up famous guys." I shrug.

"But its Dan Kuso. He's got a good reputation, even the paparazzi find it difficult to find a fault." Julie says, "I've heard he treats his fans well, so don't worry."

So well that he runs away from them.

"I'm sure he's nice." Mira agrees.

"This is a once in a life time opportunity, Runo!" Julie exaggerates.

"Right..." I nod.

After school I head to the cafe, I head round the back to see Mom and Dan.

"Hey dad," I greet, "Hey Mom."

"Hey honey!" Mom smiles.

He looks up with a displeased look, "I asked you to lock up yesterday!"

"I did!" I say.

"Then why did I find the door open when I came here this morning?" He questions with annoyance, "Runo, anyone could have walked into the cafe!"

Mom nods in agreement.

"But dad," I say desperately, "I'm sure I did!-"

And then I remember. I check my pockets and bag briefly. Yep, it's not there. My key isn't on me. Yesterday when I had that little encounter with Kuso he snatched the key off me, didn't he? He has some nerve not giving it back!

"Runo, I need to be able to trust you, especially when locking up." Dad says seriously.

"Yes Dad..." I murmur. Screw Dan. I can't tell my dad I haven't got the key, he'll get furious.

"Anyway, get to work." He half-smiles. I nod and begin serving and taking orders. The only chance I'll get to see him is at the concert tomorrow, I need to get my key back. Technically that counts as stealing. So what if he's a celebrity?

I just got back from some interview. I'm so tired. I let out a sigh as I sit on a chair. I reach in my pocket for my phone and I feel a key. A key?

Oh yeah it was that girl's. I pull it out and look at it. I hope she doesn't need it.

Hang on a minute, she didn't even tell me her name.

"What's that?" My best friend Shun asks. He plays instrumental on stage.

"You know that girl I was telling you about?" I look at him.

He nods, "The one you essentially harassed?"

"Desperate needs call for desperate measures!" I justify, "Besides, you weren't even there and you're siding with her."

"Because I know what you can be like. She seems to realize that you are a bit of an idiot." Shun smirks.

"Whatever dude." I roll my eyes, "But she was weird man, like she didn't even care about who I was."

"Maybe it's a good thing." Shun says.

"Good thing?!" I gape.

"You were running from girls who adore but you were annoyed when one girl didn't?" Shun says straight.

"Well..." I didn't really have an answer.

"Maybe you need someone like her in your life." Shun smiles.

"What the hell?" I frown, "Just because you're dating Alice...You can't keep hidin' it."

"But I don't want Alice do get involved with the paparazzi, once they get her they won't let her go." Shun says with concern.

"I'm surprised that the long distant relationship is working." I admit. Shun doesn't really meet up with Alice in person.

"What about your love life? They're trying to make something out of you and Fabia." Shun reminds.

"Ugh, but there's nothing! This is why I hate the dam media!" I shout in annoyance.

"So, is that the key to her house then?" Shun eyes the key.

"No, some cafe, I think she works there." I look back at the key.

"Are you just going to keep it?" He wonders.

I shrug, "I dunno." Then shove it back into my pocket.

"Anyway, yesterday you said the coast was clear!" I blame.

"Well, Dan," Shun smirks, "Your fan girls lurk in every corner."