Catra strummed her nails impatiently on the bar. Her jaw was set tight and her mind focused on tonight's main event. A rep from The First One's team was coming to watch the Thursday night show and meet them afterwards to discuss potential opportunities. Catra had run the entire night through her head multiple times but still felt like the show wasn't going to be good enough.

"Um, does anyone work here?" A man yelled from the other side of the bar. Catra rolled her eyes and turned on him, walking as slow as possible and leaning against the bar as she stared at him. He seemed to instantly regret opening his mouth.

"Another drink? At…," Catra checked her watch, "Oh goody it's noon now." The man nodded and Catra reluctantly filled his glass with whiskey before returning to the farther side of the bar where she could work in peace. Etheria in the daytime was not nearly as fun as the night shift, but Catra needed the cash and wanted to make sure everything would be running smoothly for tonight. She started to restock the bar when Scorpia strolled in, carrying her work gear and a tea.

"Oh," Scorpia said, stopping in her tracks and looking around like maybe she had made a mistake, "It's Thursday right?"

"Of course it's Thursday. Please tell me you didn't forget about tonight," Catra snapped back. Scorpia's eyes went wide but then she just nodded, practically saluting Catra as she walked past her into the back.

"No ma'am! That was… just a test!" Scorpia fumbled with the door and gave an agreeing smile before disappearing behind it. Catra rubbed at her temples, reminding herself that she couldn't take out her frustrations on an essential member of the band.

"I didn't know you were working!" Scorpia yelled happily, reappearing with her stuff dropped down and her bartending apron on. Her hands were on her hips and a typical happy smile was on her face, as if Catra had not been incredibly rude.

"I needed to be here," Catra responded flatly, refocusing her attention on stocking the bar. Scorpia picked up a bottle to help and Catra groaned. "Can't you go do something else?"

Scorpia paused, looking slightly put out but then shrugged, turning her attention to the feisty woman beside her. "Hey, it's going to be fine. They're going to love us," Scorpia gave an endearing smile and clasped a hand on Catra's shoulder. Catra huffed but nodded, looking up at Scorpia apologetically.

"Right. Sorry, I'm a bit on edge." Catra said, turning away to hide her red cheeks. She rubbed at the back of her neck feeling the tension she was holding there. Scorpia released her hand, giving an understanding nod. She pulled out a rag and started to clean off the bar, giving Catra some space.

"You're not the only one who's nervous. Trust me," Scorpia said, keeping her eyes on her work but Catra gave a small smile anyways, feeling a little less alone. "Maybe we make it big though! Or, if not, you get more time with… Adora," Scorpia added, still keeping her eyes glued to the rag in her hands. The color drained from Catra's face but Scorpia looked back at her and softened. "I saw you two at her party. Well, I saw how she looked at you anyways." Scorpia cleared her throat and shook her head like she was trying to get the image out of her head. Catra opened her mouth and then closed it. This must have confirmed Scorpia's theory. She gave a curt nod and, with a tight lip and a set jaw, rubbed the rag repeatedly over a stain that had been there since probably opening day.

Catra thought about apologizing or explaining. She had intended to tell Scorpia when there was something to tell but she wasn't surprised to hear she already knew. Instead she bit her cheek. "Well, you better not be leaving the band or something because we need you," Catra said finally, with neither an apology nor explanation included. Scorpia stopped scrubbing to give an exasperated look at Catra, who was looking around the room, feeling awkward and uncomfortable. Scorpia must have picked up on this because she let out a sigh and laughed.

"Has anyone ever told you you're a good friend?"

Catra's brows furrowed. She thought about it for a moment. "No," She concluded.

"Good," Scorpia responded, throwing the dirty rag at Catra's face and laughing as Catra shrieked in disgust. The man at the end of the bar yelled something about health codes and Catra flipped him off.

The rest of their shift went by painfully slow as they waited for the show. Scorpia suggested that they add "Howl" back into their setlist and Catra reluctantly agreed. It was their best song. She crossed her fingers that Adora wouldn't kill her. Scorpia hummed the lyrics the entire shift which drove Catra nuts but ultimately made her feel better that at least she would be prepared.

When it hit 5pm, Catra and Scorpia booked it out of there and back to their respective homes to get ready and meet the band a few hours later. Adora had sent Catra a good luck text with a photo of her and Glimmer wearing homemade "Fright Zone" t-shirts that they had apparently made as a surprise. The shirts were black with the band name written across in large neon green letters that stuck out at all angles and looked like they were oozing slime. Catra felt a rush of emotion when she opened it and sent back a request for a personal shirt immediately.

Meanwhile, Catra stuck to her usual wardrobe and slipped on classic maroon ripped pants, high black boots, and a fishnet tee over a black bralette. Across the front of the shirt read WildCat in a pink bubblegum font. It was a shirt she had come across at a thrift store a few years back that had simply called her name. She loved it. She took a final look in the mirror, fluffed up her hair to maximum height and ultimately decided she looked show ready. She grabbed her equipment and shoved them into the back of her tiny sedan with a huff.

Bow was already at the venue when Catra arrived, lugging in her guitar and a pile of paperwork with info for the band. Thankfully, the stage was already set up for their usual show time. Bow was lounging in one of the booths in the back, totally relaxed. His feet were crossed in rolled up jeans and he was wearing the same homemade t-shirt as Adora and Glimmer, with his version ripped into a crop top. Catra was thankful that at least someone was there and ready.

"Where's Lonnie?"

"We have time," Bow responded, waving her off and smiling distractedly at his phone. Catra ripped it out of his hands. "Hey!"

"This is a very important night. I expect big things here Bow. Big," Catra looked him square in the eye and Bow nodded. Catra stared him down another moment, making sure he got the message, before throwing him back his phone. "And wipe that smile off your face you look like a lovesick puppy."

Bow laughed, returning his puppy dog smile to his face as he returned to texting. "Have you ever seen your face when you talk to Adora?" He shook his head, "Never seen a cuter kitten in my life." Bow looked up at her then like she was the most adorable animal he'd ever seen. Catra glared at him.

"I am not cute," She mumbled.

"The cutest," Bow responded quickly, laughing to himself as Catra groaned and stomped away.

Within a half hour Scorpia and Lonnie had arrived and after a brief yelling from Catra, the band seemed good to go.

"We're playing "Howl" tonight," Catra reminded them.

"Wait what? We haven't practiced it," Bow looked at her dumbfounded.

"It's our best song. Of course we're playing it!"

Bow still shook his head, "But…"

"Sorry. You've been outvoted," Catra said firmly, understanding why Bow didn't want to play it but this was not the time. He looked at her questioningly and she shrugged, "This isn't about her." Catra added softly, avoiding eye contact.

"Does she know?"

"It'll be fine," Catra shook him off. She returned to going over their setlist, making a note to send Adora a warning text. Bow groaned but pulled out the sheet music to review, mumbling that they were lucky he was so talented.

The time got away from them and soon enough people were starting to pile in for the evenings event. Catra looked around the room, trying to find the rep and keeping her fingers crossed that they were there. A tall blonde and a flash of pink and purple hair caught her eye as Adora and Glimmer pushed through the crowd towards the front. Catra gasped, realizing she never texted Adora. "Shit shit," She mumbled. The lights started to dim. "Shit!" She didn't have time. She shook her head but decided it would be fine. It was too late now. It was time to focus.

"Ready?" Scorpia whispered to her. Catra nodded, giving her a smirk.

"Always." Catra looked back to the others and found all of them smiling in return. Even Lonnie looked ready to take on the world. Catra felt a familiar rush fill her chest and turned to lead them out past the curtain.

The floor was dark but the elevated stage was brightly lit as Catra emerged. The crowd cheered and Catra gave them a familiar chuckle as she checked the mic.

"Hey there Kittens," Catra recited, in a smooth silky voice that the crowd ate up. They wooed at her entrance. Scorpia followed, slipping to the front of the stage and giving them all a big smile. Bow took his place at the drums and Lonnie wrapped her bass guitar strap around her neck. Catra followed suit. Scorpia went to speak but Catra quickly grabbed the mic again. "Tonight's show is pretty special folks. There's a chance, that The Fright Zone goes nationwide," Catra smirked as the crowd cheered, "Now don't you want to see your favorite locals get out of this place?!" Another shout of approval along with a few boo's. Scorpia gave her a look to shut up but Catra just laughed. Her eyes wandered the crowd and fell to Adora who was tucked in a corner in her homemade tee and a bright smile. Adora gave her a look of approval and Catra felt a warmth fill her, she winked at her. "Let's do it."

Catra started them off and Scorpia joined in as they started their set. Catra found moments like this to be the most mesmerizing. No matter how many times she did it, she always felt this rush like she was exactly where she was supposed to be. She could scream and sing, whether they were someone else's words or lyrics from her own mind put down to paper. It was a magical experience to hear the crowd sing them back to her.

Her fingers glided across the guitar and Catra's memory flickered back to this hand moving just as smoothly across Adora's hips, playing her like she played now, in total and complete bliss. She could feel the band matching a strong rhythm and let her head hang back, flashing a grin at Bow before pulling herself back upright and pulling the mic to her lips.

As the set continued, Catra's worries of the day slipped by. This was a routine the band knew well and played often, their hands and mouths moving in memory, adding energy each time. Finally, it came time to play "Howl" and Catra's attention focused on Adora. Adora was jumping around, sweaty and smiling. Catra gave her an expression of apology and Adora furrowed her brows questioningly. Catra started into it, counting them off, and watched Adora's face turn to confusion. A hint of something else crossed her face, worry perhaps, but whatever it was she buried it in an instant. Catra looked away, focusing on getting through it.

The place was packed now, too many bodies and too little space. Catra's eyes continued to sway towards the corner where Adora was standing, but she could no longer find her. Glimmer was still there, although she was talking to someone Catra didn't recognize. She scoured the audience distractedly, looking for Adora. Scorpia stopped singing just as Catra's eyes fell to a blonde at the bar, her mind momentarily consumed, and she missed her cue. The crowd started to howl back at them and Scorpia took only a moment to jump back in and cover for her. She sang sweetly to the crowd but stole the smallest of glances at Catra. Catra shook her head and joined back in, filling in the gaps. Anger pulsed through her and Catra pushed the emotion into the guitar. Get it together.

The rest of the set went off without a hitch and the entire place including the band found themselves hot and sweaty from dancing to the show. The Fright Zone finally bid their audience a goodnight and slipped back behind the curtains.

"That. Was. Amazing!" Bow yelled, throwing his hands up in the air and promptly throwing them around the group, hugging them together, "I love you guys!"

They piled on top of each and Catra cried out as 3 sweaty bodies stuck themselves to her like glue. Their arms wrapped around her and pulled her to the center. Her head was scratched like a cat's and she purred. Scorpia was holding on the tightest, mumbling about how she gives the best hugs. The band's arms tangled around each other, and they laughed.

"Alright. Are we ready for this?" Catra asked, finally escaping the grasp of the group and looking at each of them individually, seeing their red faces and happy smiles. Once they left this area, it would be time to meet with the rep. Their last chance to show them they belonged. The group all nodded and Catra gave them a smirk, slicked her hair back and led them out to the main floor.

There was someone waiting by the edge of the stage who turned when they heard them walking out from behind the far curtains. Catra made eye contact with them and gave a smirk. The expression was returned, and the rep waited, tall and patient, as the band approach. Catra obliged and the others followed suit. It was the person she had seen Glimmer speaking too when she got distracted. She made a mental note to have a little talk with Glimmer.

"Catra and the Fright Zone," The rep said cooly, reaching a hand out to shake Catra's. Catra took it and gave a firm handshake, peering up at the person in front of her. They were dressed in a tight green suit and were quite thin and tall, although not as tall as Scorpia. Their blonde hair was laid sleeked down their back, heightening already high cheekbones and dagger like eyes.

"They call me Double Trouble," They smirked

"I'm Catra and this is…,"

"Yes yes, the band," Double Trouble's eyes swept over the group, giving a forced smile, "Let's sit, shall we?". Catra nodded, leading them all to a table in the back, away from the rest of the bar where music had started playing from the speakers and people were continuing to dance.

Double Trouble pulled out a notepad from their suit jacket and opened to a fresh page as the band piled into the booth with them.

"Cozy," Double Trouble smiled, holding their notepad in front of them, squished between Lonnie and Bow. They coughed, tried to move away from the two squishing them, failed, and finally turned their attention to Catra. "That was quite the show."

"Thank you," Catra nodded. Double Trouble eyed her with pursed lips.

"I'm going to get right into it, if you don't mind?" Double Trouble said, clicking their pen. Catra had no idea what "getting right into it" meant, but she thought they might as well. She nodded.

"The First One's like you. You have some talent here. Unfortunately, I have some reservations," Double Trouble smiled and Catra set her jaw.

"Alright," Catra said, hoping to sound pleasant and not hostile. Double Trouble ignored her regardless.

"How long has the band been together?" They asked.

"Um, two and a half years," Catra answered.

"Two and eight months," Scorpia corrected her, happy to jump in.

"Hm," Double Trouble took a note, "And your last bassist quit."

They waited. "Was that a question?" Catra asked, Double Trouble looked up from writing, their eyes focused on Catra's tight jaw. They smiled.

"No, I guess not," Double Trouble peered at Lonnie, who looked to Catra for support.

"Our last bassist wasn't the best," Scorpia jumped in. Catra gave her a thankful smile, trying not to think about how she had personally thrown their last bassist, Shadow, to the curb after an altercation that Catra may or may not have started.

"Lonnie kills it," Bow said, patting a hand on Lonnie's shoulder and giving a bright smile. Lonnie smiled back at him.

"Lovely for… Lonnie," Double Trouble said, in an unreadable tone, "And you all get along?"

"Of course," Catra answered, crossing her arms defensively. Double Trouble looked down at something and then back up at Catra.

"Oh, you two are together?" Double Trouble asked, nodding to Scorpia. The pair looked at each other and then back at the rep. Double Trouble waited and then slowly put the pen down on the table, "Or maybe not."

"No," Scorpia answered. Catra felt this conversation was not going very well. Double Trouble mumbled something.

"This is our dream," Catra cut in, pulling the rep's attention back up to her. She was leaning forward onto the table, baring into Double Trouble with focused eyes. "We have each other's backs. We're a group, no matter what. We've put all of our time and energy into this band and we're good," Catra continued, "You want us." Her eyes never tore away from the other and Double Trouble gave her a suspiciously happy smile as she finished her point. They tapped the pen against the table and finally closed the notepad.

"You'll hear from us in the next two weeks. We would need 5 song picks from you with lyrics and video recordings of each. Information will then be sent to you about the tour," Double Trouble nodded to them and looked for an escape out of this booth.

"That's it?" Catra asked, giving Lonnie daggers to not let them up yet. Double trouble practically pushed her to get by and Catra nervously following them out from their seat.

"Yup."

"But you barely asked anything," Catra continued, pushing to keep talking as Double Trouble started walking. They stopped and turned back to the band.

"Patience kitten," Double Trouble smiled at her, looking at her like they could see right through her. Catra stood tall, unchanged. "I like a little drama," They whispered to Catra and then to the group sound loudly, "It's a good thing I didn't have many questions. Some of these bands are… well," Double Trouble made a face like they had just stepped in something awful but then shook their head. The band seemed to relax at once. Double Trouble chuckled and turned to leave, "Either way. You'll hear back soon… probably." They gave a wink to Catra but then Scorpia was running over, jostling the pair.

"Thank you!" Scorpi swung her arms around the rep with Bow quick to join them. Catra tried not to laugh at the look of panic in Double Trouble's eyes.

"Alright, mhm," Double Trouble replied, peeling the pair off of them like something sticky. Catra's heart was beating out of her chest, but then Double Trouble gave Catra a genuine smile. "Anything else? No? Great." They were backing away from the group, eyeing them in case anyone tried to hug them again. They must have decided they were safe because they turned and strutted towards the exit in a bit of a hurry, throwing a wave back in their direction.

The band tried to act cool as they watched the rep leave but, once out of earshot, they started to give each other little high fives and hugs of congratulations, their smiles bursting off of their faces. Catra's eyes caught on Adora, who was sitting alone at the bar, watching her. When their eyes met, Adora dropped her attention to the glass in front of her. Catra mumbled that she'd be right back, waving a hand at the band and strolling over to her girlfriend. She rested her forearms loudly on the bar beside her, hoping to get a reaction. Adora barely glanced at her, taking a sip of her drink. Her eyes looked foggy and Catra carefully pried the drink away from her.

"I think that's enough," Catra said, holding Adora back as she pushed the drink down the bar for the bartender to grab.

"Hey, I wasn't done," Adora huffed.

"You're drunk."

"You're drunk," Adora shot back. Catra chuckled.

"I'm not actually but good try," Catra offered Adora a hand and she took it, allowing Catra to help her get her coat on. Catra put an arm under her girlfriend and gave a small wave to the band that she had it covered. Adora mumbled in annoyance as Catra walked her outside into the cold.

"You have stuff inside. You don't even have your jacket!" Adora yelled in concern, wrapping her drunken arms around Catra to keep her warm as if Catra wasn't a walking furnace. Catra rolled her eyes.

"I'm not leaving Adora. I'm just going to call you a ride," Catra said, letting Adora lean into her as they made their way over to the curb. Adora dropped down, sitting with an ooph.

"Oh," Adora rocked back and forth, humming Howl. Catra grimaced. Glimmer had followed them outside and started walking towards them, but Catra held up a hand. She had many questions for Glimmer to be asked at a later date, but right now she needed a moment alone with her girlfriend.

"I forgot to text you," Catra said, waiting for Adora to react while also watching Glimmer step back, waiting under the awning for Catra to give her the thumbs up. Catra tried not to roll her eyes at Glimmer's massive fluffy purple coat. Adora seemed in her own world and continued to bob her head as she hummed. Catra opened her mouth to repeat herself but then Adora nodded once in understanding. Catra chewed her lip.

"It's really catchy," Adora said, looking displeased but continuing to hum, "Why is it so catchy?"

"Well, I wrote it so there's that," Catra smirked, crossing her arms across her chest. Adora nodded again, avoiding Catra's eyes. There was a pause where Catra just continued to watch Adora, feeling uneasy. She was sitting on the curb curled up in her jacket, shivering. "I'll take it out of the lineup," Catra said decisively. Adora shook her head.

"No, you will not," Adora replied, attempting to stand up and almost falling again. Catra caught her arm, helping her stand. Once Adora was fully standing she turned to meet Catra's eyes and sighed, eventually giving her a small smile. Catra's heart skipped a beat as their eyes met. Adora reached for Catra's face, holding her cheeks in her hands and giving her a soft hazy smile. "I am incredid…incredubl… I'm really proud of you," Adora stumbled on her words, laughing and turning red as she tried to get a sentence out.

"Thank you but I'm not going to perform a song that you need to drink to get through." Catra watched Adora, who appeared to be thinking.

"I think… I just wish you had told me," she said quietly, this time maintaining her eye contact with her girlfriend. Catra nodded and reached around Adora under her jacket to pull her towards her. Adora pulled back, her eyes somehow clearer than they were a minute ago. "Not just about the song Catra. It's about the competition. It's about choices. You knew you'd do well. Of course you knew. Why the secret?" Adora's walls seemed to crack for a moment and Catra saw the hurt behind her eyes. Her joking expression dropped.

"You know why," she said simply, wishing this conversation would just be over. Adora must have seen this because she stepped back and Catra felt a pang of guilt in her chest.

"I wouldn't have let you kiss me? I wouldn't have agreed to do this?" Adora asked, clarifying.

A heavy silence fell upon the couple.

"Would you?" Catra asked quietly.

"That's not.. of course I…that's not the point," Adora stumbled again and then huffed, deciding to sit again. Glimmer made eye contact with Catra and gave her a questioning look but Catra just held up another finger before joining Adora on the curb, making a mental note that the next finger she was going to put up was her middle one. "Don't keep things from me," Adora said simply, "I want to be included."

"I just didn't want you to reject me," Catra said softly, "Again."

Adora looked at her in surprise. "I thought you knew me better than that," Adora said, her eyes swiveling over to Glimmer, "But I guess I thought I knew you too." Catra felt her heart plummet. When Adora turned back to her, her expression softened and she placed a hand gently on Catra's cheek. Catra closed her eyes at the touch. "You aren't alone. I'm just asking to be a part of it all," Adora's voice was clear despite the haze behind her eyes. Catra nodded, ashamed of herself as watched Adora get up. Afraid to say more, Catra looked longly at Adora and then moved to wave a hand at Glimmer but found her already standing directly behind her.

"Ah!" Catra jumped back, reaching her hands up like claws, "Stop doing that!"

"Sorry," Glimmer said, looking rather pleased with herself despite her apology. Catra cleared her throat and pushed her hair back, nodding to the car that was pulling up.

"See you later then," Catra whispered lamely to the pair, her eyes set tight on Adora. Adora gave her a small smile that slightly undid the tight knot in Catra's stomach. Then Glimmer was pulling her into the car.

"Wait!" Adora turned quickly, sudden concern on her face. Catra couldn't think of anything more Adora would want to discuss right now but looked back. "I didn't even ask how it went," Adora said, shaking her head in disbelief. Catra's heart swelled in her chest and she let out a laugh. Instead of answering she gave Adora a sly smile and raised her eyebrows mischievously. Adora took that as a good sign and nodded in return before piling into the car with Glimmer.

Catra watched the car pull away but didn't head back inside immediately. Instead, she closed her eyes and felt the cool air on her cheeks as a single tear fell from her eye. You aren't alone anymore, Adora's words swam in her head. Catra took a deep breath, letting it sink in, Goosebumps had started to appear down her arms but she ignored it. She opened her eyes to look up at what would have been a star filled sky if it wasn't for all of the city light.

"Coming back in?" Bow asked, peering out at her from the side door of Etheria. Catra gave him a nod and he gave her a grin in return. She waited another moment before decisively following Bow back into the bar, where a happy go lucky band had bought round of beers. Catra's chest filled with love as she rejoined them and gave a large cheers to "The Fright Zone, Etheria, and this group of musical misfits".