Chapter 14 - "Rock Star" -Tweedle-Tay's Story
March 3rd, 2000 - Beverly Hills, California

"Every time that I stare into the sun...... Angel dust and my dress just comes undone...." Michaela sang into the microphone, looking every bit the angry young woman...... except for her purple, shimmery, Calvin Klein dress.
Michaela had joined this band called 'Miss Demeanor' with some girls from our music class at school, Josie, Lisa and Skye, and I was watching their first gig. Michaela had begged me to come, even though we had a chemistry test on Monday, and I'd agreed, but I hadn't been able to get any of my friends to come, for the aforementioned reason. Michaela's friends were all here though, obviously they didn't do chemistry..... or didn't care about it. But like you would care about chemistry? I mean, it wasn't very useful in life, just useful for getting into college.
"Was she asking for it? Did she ask you nice? If she was asking for it did she ask you twice?" Michaela sang.
I shuddered. It felt as though she was singing it at me. But she wasn't. I was just paranoid. Michaela knew that what had gone on in the attic was just as much her fault as it was mine. Actually, she didn't seem to be thinking about that much lately. Since we'd come to LA, she'd barely been thinking at all. That was good. It was easier for both of us this way. I went back to concentrating on the band. They were pretty good. Not great. Not as good as Manson had been. I know you'll all think I'm up myself for that, but if you think about it carefully, you'll agree with me. And why not? It's right.
I lifted my glass of Dr Pepper and took a sip. It was empty. Damn. I'd have to get myself another drink. I walked over to the buffet and ordered a drink. "A Dr Pepper thanks," I said, handing over my glass. The barmaid looked surprised. I must have looked older than I thought I did. The barmaid filled my glass and handed it back to me in return for a $5 note. Rip-off. I began to make my way back to where I'd been standing before, my eyes on Michaela, who'd begun to do a grunge version of Jewel's 'Daddy'. Don't ask.
"Hey! Watch where you're going! Ew!" a high pitched voice shrieked.
I turned my attention away from my sister, to see what had happened. Most of my Dr Pepper was no longer in my glass. It was on a short, red- haired girl who was trying to clean up her black dress. "Oh - I'm sorry," I said apologetically. I smiled, hopefully mischievously. "Steins don't show on black....."
The girl acknowledged my joke with a little smile. "No. But - what was that you were drinking?"
"Dr Pepper."
"Thank god. If it had been alcohol my parents would have killed me. I have to use breath freshener as it is," the girl looked relieved.
I didn't understand what she meant. "I guess I'll have to get myself another one. Do you want a Dr Pepper......?"
"Alisha. And no. I hate Dr Pepper. It tastes like cough medicine," Alisha explained. "I wouldn't mind a beer though....."
"Are you over 21? Because that's how old you have to be in this state before you can drink," I said, looking at her doubtfully.
"No. And you're not either, evidently. But don't worry, it's not like they care. They'll sell it to you anyway," Alisha said, with a challenging tone to her voice.
I thought for a second. My parents had always taught me the dangers of booze and ciggies...... But then again, Alisha was very pretty and I didn't want to look like a wimp in front of her. I laughed. "Of course I'll buy you a beer. I was just kidding with you. My name's TJ," I added, as we walked over to the bar.
We bought our drinks and walked back to where I'd been standing originally. "So," Alisha said. "Do you come here often?"
I shook my head. "No. This is the first time I've been here, ever. My sister's in the band. She's the lead singer. What about you?"
"Me? Oh, I don't really care where I go. Just as long as it's out of the house, away from my parents. They're so uptight. They gave me a 2AM curfew? Can you believe that?" Alisha looked sad.
"I don't have a curfew. I never have. I don't live with my parents, only my Michaela, and I'm older than her, so she can't boss me around. But she does try to sometimes," I said, explaining my situation.
"What's the age difference?" Alisha asked.
"Hmmm? Oh, four minutes," I explained.
Alisha smirked. "Well then, you certainly should be in charge."
"Exactly. That's what I try to tell her."
"I have an older sister. Her name's Jordan and she's 21, a fashion design major. She's such a pain. She won't buy me drinks. I asked her once and she told our parents. Can you believe that?" Alisha complained.
"What a bitch. Sometimes Michaela doesn't let me read her magazines because she thinks I'll kiss the pictures," I joined in.
Alisha looked unimpressed. "Right....."
"Hi TJ, who's your friend?" said Rod, who'd approached from behind. He leered at Alisha and smiled.
"Alisha, this is Rod, Michaela's boyfriend," I said.
"Hi Rod," Alisha acknowledged. She didn't seem all that attracted to him. Good.
"Hi," Rod said dismissively. "So TJ, you know how it's your birthday in a couple of weeks?"
"How could I forget?" I said, sarcastically.
"Well, I think you and Michaela should have a party. It'd be really good, seeing as you don't have any parents and all. Everyone'd have a really great time," Rod said enthusiastically.
Alisha nodded sympathetically. "Parents," she said, shaking her head.
I thought for a second. A party would be great chance to see Alisha again. "Yeah. I think we'll have it on the Saturday after our birthday You wanna come Alisha?"
"The eighteenth?" Rod asked.
I nodded. "Sure. How old will you be?" Alisha asked.
"Seventeen," I replied.
Alisha seemed to approve. "I'm sixteen too," she added, seeing me stare at her.
"Hi TJ, hi Rod," Michaela said, running over. Rod put his arm around her possessively.
Alisha looked at Michaela, seeming quite excited. Great. This was all I needed. Alisha was a lesbian. "Michaela!" Alisha said excitedly. "Michaela Morgan! I'm Alisha Reed, you know, from Beverly Hills High?"
Michaela looked around her nervously. "Excuse me? I think you must have the wrong Michaela. I'm not Michaela Morgan, I'm Michaela Hanson." Rod and I nodded in agreement. Poor Michaela!
"No, you're Michaela Morgan. You look so much like her," Alisha was certain she had the right girl.
Michaela shook her head. "I'm sorry, you're wrong. Uh TJ, I'm so tired. I just want to go home and sleep. Can we go now?...... You can drive." Michaela looked at me meaningfully.
"Um, yeah," I replied. I looked inside Michaela's bag, which I'd been carrying with me and took out a pen and paper, and scribbled my number and address on it. "Here's my number and address," I said, handing it to Alisha. "See ya at the party!"
"See you TJ," Alisha said, uncertainly.
Michaela kissed Rod goodbye. "Bye!" she said, weaving as we walked out of the bar. "Shit, I went to junior high with her too," she said as we walked into the carpark.
"Cool, can I see the photos?" I asked.
Michaela frowned. "Why'd you have to invite her to our house?" she moaned. "Out whole life is going to be ruined because of your hormones! But then again, what else is new?"