"Oh my God! Did they take anything?"

"You sound weird, are you okay? I mean, you weren't like there when it happened, were you?"

"So, you're okay?"

"Don't worry about us, my mom can drop us off."

"I'm just glad you're okay."

"Okay. Bye."

Angela placed the phone back on its cradle just as Patty entered the room with a stack of folded laundry. The two had barely spoken since that morning.

"Um, Mom?"

"Yes."

"Do you think you could drop us off at Vertigo?"

"I thought Jordan was coming to get you."

Why does she need to know every detail of my life?

"He can't."

"Why not?"

"Because he has something else to do. Forget it; I'll get Sharon to ask her mom." Angela started out of the room when Patty called her back in.

"I have no problem taking you, I was simply asking a question, which I might remind you, I not only have a right but an obligation to do. I was just asking, no hidden agenda, just a concerned mother. Not everyone has one, y'know."

"So you'll take us?"

Is that all she heard? That's it? 'So, you'll take us?'" Frustrated by their strained communication, Patty sighed loudly before responding.

"Yes, Angela, I'll take you, but you need to be ready by six, Danielle has a meeting."

"Thanks."

Angela walked out of the room without another word. Patty sat on the bed, looking down the hall as her eldest daughter walked away.

"You're welcome."

* * * * * * * * *

"Angela! Sharon's here." Patty called up the stairs. "Sharon, why don't you go on up."

Sharon headed up the stairs and found Angela and Rickie putting the finishing touches on their makeup.

"Hey."

"Hey." They responded in unison, each with an eyeliner pencil in hand.

"Wow, you guys look great! I should've gotten dressed here."

"Jordan called." Angela looked at Sharon in the mirror as she applied her eyeliner. "There was a glitch in their plans, so my mom is going to drop us off."

Just then Patty yelled up to the three of them

"We'd better get going guys. I've got to get Danielle to Scouts before seven."

"Scouts…oh my God, Angela, do you remember that? It seems like a thousand years ago doesn't it?"

"I'm just glad I don't have to sell those stupid cookies anymore."

They piled into the car and twenty minutes later the arrived at the venue.

"Angela, I expect you home by midnight. No excuses." Patty's lips were tight and her expression serious

Angela rolled her eyes.

Midnight. By the time they finish playing it'll be ten o'clock and then we have to take the equipment back to the loft. We'll only have like an hour to spend together. At this rate, I'll be a virgin until I'm ninety.

"I'm not kidding, young lady. Not a minute later. Last night was an exception because it was your birthday, but don't think that 2am is going to be the norm."

"Whatever."

* * * * * * * * * * * *

"Brian! You have a visitor." Bernice Krakow yelled up the stairs. "Brian?"

"I heard you. I'm coming."

He descended the stairs wondering who could be at the door for him. He'd seen Angela, Rickie, and Sharon leave for what he assumed to be another Residue performance and Amy was away with her parents for the weekend. When he saw Rayanne at the door, he almost turned around and bolted back up the stairs.

What is her fascination with me? She's like fixated or something.

"Brian, please lock up if you're going out. Your father and I are going to bed. It was nice meeting you, Rayanne, is it?"

"Yeah…uh, you too." Once Brian's mother was out of earshot Rayanne spoke again.

"Hey Krakow, how's it hangin'?"

"What are you doing here?" He knew that this would be the topic of conversation over tomorrow's breakfast, with each of his parents analyzing Rayanne's appearance and their relationship. He dreaded it.

"Aren't you happy to see me?" She pouted. "The last time I was here you seemed pretty happy." She glanced at his fly and he felt completely naked.

She made her way around him and into the kitchen with him following behind her.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Oh, c'mon Krakow, don't be coy." She gave him a knowing smile.

Did something happen, like when I was asleep or something? I would remember if something happened. I mean, that would be pretty memorable. She just trying to mess with my head.

"Whatever, what are you doing here?"

"Can't a girl drop in on her friend?"

"Friend? You torture me at school and now you want to torture me at home too. I don't think so. You have to go, like now." He grabbed her arm and pulled her toward the kitchen door. She promptly pulled away and smoothed her clothing.

"Krakow, you're not being very hospitable. You didn't even ask me if I wanted something to eat or drink. Where are your manners?"

"My parents are upstairs, so don't think you're spending the night or anything. That was a one-time thing."

"Listen to you. You go on a few dates with what's-her-name you're talking about one night stands."

Brian turned red.

"We DID NOT have a one night stand. Nothing happened."

"But you wanted it to. Isn't that just as bad as actually doing it?" She found some peanut butter in one of the cabinets and was now provocatively licking it off her finger.

"That's it. You have to go. Now!" He grabbed her by the hand and managed to get through the kitchen door before running into his father on the way into the living room.

"Are you leaving Brian? Night out?"

She stood looking at Brian expectantly while twirling a lock of her hair.

"We…I…I'll be back." Brian was flustered and didn't know what to say or do, but he knew he had to get Rayanne as far way from his father as possible.

"Brian, can I speak with you for a moment?" Bob Krakow stepped into the kitchen and waited for Brian to join him. Brian left Rayanne by the front door and followed.

"Here." He handed Brian twenty dollars. "Do you have condoms? Because we have a box upstairs in our room, if you need some."

"Oh my God! No! It's not like that. I can't talk about this right now. I have to go."

"Wait, Brian, I know that sometimes it difficult to think in the moment, but it's very important that you always protect yourself and your partner. I'm not upset. I'm happy to see you interacting with girls. It's perfectly normal."

I can hear it now. They're going to be talking about me progressing from latency for a week. Maybe I'll get lucky and be killed in a bar fight tonight.

"I have to go." Brian practically ran from his father's presence and out the door with Rayanne in tow.

"So, what are we doing?" Brian looked to Rayanne for direction.

"I don't know. You dragged me out here."

Brian sighed heavily and prepared himself for what was sure to be a very long night.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

The audience went crazy over the last song they played. Angela, Sharon, and Rickie sat at a table in the center of the room, directly in Jordan's sight. He had told her where to sit tonight. Between songs, Jordan broke off from the others and played several bars of Take Me Down, the song from which the inscription on the key ring he'd given her for her birthday was taken. She was completely taken by surprise. He studied her face as he played. She recognized it immediately, though she didn't let on to the others that there was some special meaning in it. His gaze shifted from her and he joined his bandmates in the playing of the final song of the set.

Rickie and Sharon clapped wildly and she beamed with pride. The three of them waited for the crowd to clear before approaching the band.

"Wow! You guys are like, incredible!" Sharon gushed and Rickie agreed.

Jordan and Shane thanked them while Paul and Aaron started packing up. Shane went to help, followed by Rickie and Sharon who offered their assistance as well.

"That really was amazing!" Angela stared up into Jordan's eyes. He simply smiled. "So, I have a couple hours left on my curfew, can we…go somewhere?"

Music to his ears, he didn't hesitate.

"Yeah, I know a place. Right after we drop off the equip..."

He remembered that Sharon and Rickie still had to be dropped off as well.

"What?"

"I gotta take them home too. Sh*t!"

He was annoyed because the added trips would rob them of at least half an hour. He looked over at Shane and thought maybe he could get Shane to take them.

"Shane! I need a favor."

"What's up?"

"Can you take them home?" He motioned to Rickie and Sharon who were breaking down equipment.

"I can fit one. Got too much equipment to fit both of them."

"Yeah and I bet I know which one." Jordan gave him a knowing look and Shane snickered in response. "I'm guessing that there's no point in reminding you that she's off limits."

"You can remind me now, doesn't mean I'm gonna remember later." Shane smiled broadly at Jordan who shook his head in defeat.

"Fine. Whatever."

"Relax, I'm not gonna marry the chick. I'm just giving her a ride."

With his main priority being some alone time with Angela, Jordan concedes. Aaron, overhearing the discussion interjects.

"I can take one of 'em."

"Bro, you sure? I mean, it would really help me out if you could take Rickie."

"Yeah, no worries. I got it and I think the three of us can fit all the equipment in our cars, so just go."

"Cool. I owe you one."

"Nah, really, it's not a problem." He motioned to the door with a tilt of his head. "Go."

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Shane, Paul, and Aaron met up at the loft to unload the equipment and then each went their way. Rickie felt like he was inconveniencing Aaron and offered to take the bus home from the loft.

"It's fine. It's not out of my way at all. Don't worry about it."

Aaron was a likable guy, though he was sort of odd-man out having only recently joined the band. Previously, he'd only played with Residue on occasion, when Shane wasn't available or had to cover at the last minute for Joey. It was only a little over month earlier that he'd been offered a permanent spot in the band, playing keyboard.

As they pulled away from the curb, Aaron looked over at Rickie who was staring out the window. Feeling eyes on him, Rickie tried to fill the somewhat uncomfortable silence.

"So, thanks again, for the ride, I mean. I like, really appreciate it."

"No problem. Hey, you hungry? I'm starving. I didn't get a chance to eat before the show. Wanna grab a bite?"

"Um, I guess, I really haven't eaten yet either. You don't mind? I mean, like, a burger at the drive thru would be fine for me. I don't want to be any trouble."

"It's no trouble, but I don't do drive thru's. I worked at Big Guy Burger one summer and ever since then, I'd like, rather starve. Let's just say the special sauce is way more special than it should be sometimes."

He looked at Rickie and laughed. Rickie laughed along, but he was uneasy.

"I know this place, like a few exits away, that makes the best wings. They have hot, freakin' hot, and nuclear." He smiled "You like wings?"

"Um, sure."

A few exits away? Oh my God, what do I do? Where is he taking me? Okay, don't panic. Everyone saw you leave with him. Angela and Jordan know we're together, so nothing crazy is going to happen.

Aaron made conversation as they drove, asking about how Rickie liked the performance and if he had been following the band for long. He asked Rickie about school, mentioning that he was just out of National Guard boot camp and was attending a local community college. Rickie was only half listening, trying to pay close attention to his surroundings. He tried not to freak out, but he knew how some guys could be with guys like him; guys who wore bright clothes and eyeliner. He was afraid that Aaron might drop him off somewhere out of the way, as a joke or something.

"Hey, you okay?" Aaron glanced at him.

"Yeah, just tired, I guess. It's kind of late."

"Do you have a curfew or something?"

"Um, no, but I mean they, they're expecting me to be home, y'know, at a reasonable time." I should've said I had a curfew. It's a lie, but still, at least I'd be on my way to Katimsky's instead of some mystery restaurant "a few exits away."

They were on the highway and already about to exit. Rickie paid attention to the signs, in case he had to call someone to pick him up. All those crazy times with Rayanne were paying off now. His survival instincts were great. He never left the house without at least ten dollars for a cab and a pocket full of change, just in case.

"It's just up ahead."

Rickie saw a neon sign, the only light on an otherwise desolate stretch of road. It said Hatfield's. A neon top hat and cane punctuated the sign. Aaron parked and started to get out of the car.

"Rickie?"

Rickie turned to look at him. He was terrified. What place was this? Why had Aaron brought him here rather than just going to a pizza shop or something in Three Rivers?

"Come on, I'm telling you, you're gonna love this place."

Rickie exited the car cautiously, taking in every detail. There was no one standing outside, but he could make out silhouettes in the cars; couples making out.

As they approached the door, Rickie turned to Aaron.

"They're not gonna let me in, I'm underage. You are too."

"Don't worry about it. They'll let you in; they know me."

Aaron led the way to the door, paying the cover for each of them and entered the club. Rickie was stunned. It was like another world. The crowd was made up almost entirely of men. Aaron allowed him a minute to take it all in before saying anything. They made their way to a booth in the back with Aaron saying hello to a few of the patrons as they passed. Rickie remained speechless, taking his seat.

"You okay?" Aaron smiled at him. "I guess you've never been to a place like this before, huh?"

"I never even knew a place like this existed." Rickie surveyed the crowd once more before bringing his eyes to rest on Aaron. "So you're..."

"Gay? Yeah."

"Do the guys…I mean, does Jordan…do they know?"

"Nah, I have no reason to tell them and every reason not to."

A waiter came to the table. He smiled at them, more so at Aaron. "What can I get you boys tonight?"

"I'll have whatever's on tap, an order of wings…hot, and an order of nachos with everything."

"My, my, we have quite the appetite tonight. And what can I get you, handsome?" The waiter looked at Rickie, who was dumbfounded.

"Uh, I'll have, uh..."

The waiter looked at Aaron and smiled, "First time?" Aaron nodded.

Finding his words at last, Rickie placed his order, "I'll have a Coke and an order of nachos."

A/N: Well there you have it, the end of the longest spring break in history, lol. Remember to review, especially you lurkers. That reminds me, thanks to all of you for reading. This month, I had an amazing number of hits and visitors to this story…very encouraging. Last, but most certainly not least, thanks to GoodnightGirl23 for her awesome beta skills.