CHAPTER 2:

INFORMATION:

Name: Abbi Jones

Age: 19 Hair: Blue, long

Eyes: Blue Body Type: In shape/Slender

Style: "punk"/"rocker"

CLAIRE:

I said goodnight to Ben and closed the door after him. What had just happened? You just kissed your boyfriend's best friend, idiot. Shit. Technically, he had made the first move, but I hadn't stopped him. Instead, I had kissed him back. Some girlfriend I was. I just hoped no one else found out about it.

The next day, I found Danny on the tour bus. He was sober and drinking a Coke, humming the tune of Don't Pray For Me. I felt awkward around him, and he wasn't making eye contact with me, either. Feeling terrible about what had happened with Ben the night before, but also still angry about Danny's escapades, I decided I'd spend the day in my bunk until we reached the venue.

"Claire, I want to talk to you," Danny said as I walked past him. I stopped, my heart beating out of my chest. Had he found out about Ben and I? Had Ben told him? I took a deep breath and went to sit with him. I didn't say anything, so he spoke first. "I'm sorry about yesterday."

Mentally, I breathed a sigh of relief. "Which part?" I asked. "The part where you got drunk? Or the part where you did cocaine with some random groupie? Or maybe"

"But what?"

I didn't answer her. Instead, I pulled her to me, my lips on hers. I thought for sure that she would resist, but one of her hands went to my waist; the other was tangled in my hair. My hands moved up her shirt; she pulled away from me long enough to take it off and throw onto the floor. And then my shirt was off and we were kissing againthank God.

"Shit," I whispered, running for the closet.

"Uhh...hold on!" Claire called, pulling her shirt on. I heard the door to the room open just as I saw my discarded shirt still lying on the floor in the open. Damn. "Danny, what are you doing here? I thought you went out with the guys."

"Have you seen Ben?" Danny asked.

"No, I haven't. I thought he went with you guys." Claire's voice was shaking.

"He said he was going to stay in and watch a movie tonight. Can I come in? I want to talk to you about something."

"Uhmm..Sure." I saw Claire quickly pick up my shirt and shove it into her duffel bag. She sat down on the edge of the bed. "What did you want to talk about?"

Danny pulled a chair up and sat in front of her. "I met a girl at the bar," he said. I bit my lip. Was he breaking up with her? If so, what did that mean for us? Claire and I...Danny and I..the band...

"A girl?" Claire asked.

"Yeah, some fan with blue hairyour girlfriend."

"I don't know what to believe."

I stood and walked over to the door. I opened it and gestured for Danny to leave. "Well let me know when you decide."

Danny stood and left without saying another word. I locked the door behind him and told Ben to come back out. For a minute, we just looked at each other. Ben was still shirtless, so I grabbed his ripped tee and handed it to him wordlessly. I so wanted to kiss him again, but I wasn't sure what to do at this point.

I frowned. Ben moved as if he were going to touch my face, but let his hand drop back to his side. Apparently, he wasn't sure what to do, either. He pulled his shirt back on and attempted to smile.

"I think you should go," I said. "I need to think." Ben nodded and left me alone.

DANNY:

"Guys, this is Abbi," I said, introducing Abbi to the band. I had decided to let her come on tour with us. After all, she had told me some vital information, and helped me choose how to go about dealing with it. Claire and I were still at odds and she didn't look too happy to see Abbi. Neither did Ben, for that matter. Curious. "She's coming on tour with us."

"Why?" Claire asked. "So she can cause more problems?"

"Someone's hostile," Abbi said with a grin. "Angry that I exposed you?"

"Exposed her for what?" Sam asked.

"This is ridiculous," interrupted Ben before Abbi could answer. "You can't just invite anyone you want on tour with us."

"Fine, we'll take a vote." I winked at Abbi. "Who has a problem with Abbi joining us, raise your hand." I watched as Claire and Ben raised their hands. Of course. I was starting to believe Abbi more and more. "Majority rules. Abbi, you can have the bunk above me and Claire."

After everyone had dispersed to do their own thing and we were on the road again, I sat beside Claire, who was reading a book on the sofa. She didn't look up when I sat down, just ignored me. I put my hand on her knee, which she brushed off. She wasn't going to make this easy on me.

"You're angry," I said.

"No way; how'd you guess?" she replied sarcastically.

"Care to explain why?"

Claire closed her book and glared at me. "Gee, I don't know. Maybe it has to do with the fact that you invited some random fan on tour with us. Maybe it's because she's a chick, and she got you and I into a fight. Or maybe I'm just PMSing."

"I'm guessing all of the above," I muttered. "Look, she didn't cause us to get into a fight. She just told me that she thought you and Ben had a thing for each other. If you don't, then there's nothing to worry about is there?"

"Just leave me alone." Claire got up and went our bunk, leaving on the sofa alone.

ABBI:

I glanced back at Danny. I was sitting at the table, listening to music. Well, I had my earphones in, but my music was paused. I had heard everything that had just happened between Danny and Claire. I smiled. Claire was on the fast track out of here. And I was working my way in. I wanted Danny. I wanted Claire's place in the band. And I was going to get it.

Sooner, rather than later.