A/N: I know, an update so soon? But I wanted to get this out in time for St. Patrick's Day (if you celebrate!). Plus, I wanted to focus on getting to the nitty gritty on "Wish You Were Here."

I think I might take a break from this anthology for a little bit. Juggling the two very different stories has been tough for me. Normally I welcome the challenge but these conflicting emotional payoffs are just too much! I don't think I can focus on anything else until I bring that saga to a close.

And since this is an anthology, nobody's closing the door on it. I churned out quite a bunch of entries already. Once inspiration strikes me and another one comes to mind, I'll update here. But I don't want this to distract from my larger projects, know what I mean? I think I'll reserve this for when I'm in between big writing projects so I can stay on task.

Thank you for understanding and stay tuned for what else I have coming in the future. Like I said, I have plans for this year!

SONG:

"Super Trouper" was written by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus

After their stint in Denmark, the tour was packed and prepared to go to Scotland. Once the northern-most countries were out of the way, the band would travel mostly by speed train between Spain, Portugal, France, etc.

If the tour was a success, Raven's Claw was planning to make a comeback but this time go to Iceland and much of eastern Europe.

And next, who knows? Australia? The Pacific Rim? Latin America?

But the future had yet to be written for the rising stars, including its opening act.

Tori enjoyed her time, despite being very nervous, for those first couple of shows. But now she was kind of pumped up because she had come to discover that she was a bit of a big deal in the UK. The numbers on YouTube were ridiculous and reportedly a few people on social media were going to the concert just to see her, but would stay if they liked the main act.

She'd be overcome with joy if she wasn't so sad that there was nobody around she could share this with. One person in particular would have been amazing to have by her side right now. The band members were fun but Tori was getting pretty homesick.

When not at rehearsal or performing for the crowds, Tori was just alone in her hotel room. Again, her accommodations lent to being big enough for her and her guest. That only emphasized her loneliness.

After a short flight across the North Sea, they arrived at Scotland.

Tori was impressed at the gorgeous green landscape.

"It's so beautiful," she whispered to herself.

They landed at the airport and were immediately taken through VIP customs. This was reserved for well-to-do business types and famous people coming into the country. Tori figured that her passport is going to be full when this thing is all over.

When asked where the hotel would be, the band was informed that their hotel was not in town but out in the country. It would be a 40 minute drive for the band but were told it would be worth it. They looked at each other and shrugged and were led to the cars that would escort them.

Indeed, it was a long drive but through such picturesque surroundings, the Americans enjoyed it.

"This is the most beautiful place I've ever been to!" noted Jeremy.

Mikaela snuggled close to him.

Tori looked away from the happy couple and her eyes met Mike's.

"Been there," he sighed.

She knew about the band's history but didn't know much else beyond the surface stuff. When they stopped for "petrol" Tori had to ask Mike.

"What was it like, seeing you know, them?"

Mike adjusted in his seat.

"I was a little taken aback in the beginning. It is my best friend and my sister. But, I got used to it. One day I realized they make each other happy so I was like, fuck it."

Tori smiled.

"I'm still looking myself," he said. "What about you? Don't you have a special someone back home?"

"I did, I mean I do, but..." she looked worried as she thought about Jade. "I'm worried she thinks I abandoned her."

Mike felt like he should say something when Bob dove in front of him to see out the window.

"IT'S A FUCKING CASTLE!"

"What?" Tori asked.

Mike shook his head, "Dude, what are talking about?"

"LOOK!"

They all gazed out the window of the car as it approached a big stone building that looked at least a couple of centuries old.

"Oh my God, it is a castle," Mike muttered.

(FUCK! Jade would've loved this!)

The castle, which was still presided over by a Lord and Lady, was a fortified fortress that had been restored to an exclusive getaway for the more eccentric traveler. They were hesitant about have a band stay here but their reputation of being nothing but courteous to staff and leaving their rooms in good condition convinced them.

Everyone was starving so they opted to just leave their stuff in their rooms and go straight into town for a leisurely supper before tonight's gig.

There was a pub restaurant that got rave reviews in Glasgow and it was in walking distance to the venue.

After another ride through the lush country, the gang made it to the brick building with the iron sign hanging on the side that read: The Bonnie Lass.

They were greeted by the smiling redhead at the foyer and were led to a table big enough for everyone.

Bob looked as the fair woman walked away.

"Ah," he sighed. "I've died and gone to Scotland."

"Dude, you fall in love at the drop of a hat," chortled Mike.

"No I don't!" Bob protested.

"What about that blonde from Stockholm?" asked Mikaela.

The drummer folded his arms and made a puss.

"Fucking hate all you guys."

A loud raucous was quickly approaching the band.

"OI! LOOK GUYS! IT'S RRRRRRAVEN'S CLAW!"

"I thought Spanish were the only ones that rolled their R's," Tori quipped.

"WE' GO-IN TO THE CONCERT TA-NIGHT!"

"Awesome!" nodded Jeremy. "We'll see you there."

"HEY! HAMISH! GET A 'ROUND TO THE BAND HERE!"

Then the man wandered away toward the barkeep.

The whole table chuckled at the brief but memorable encounter.

"Well, people are very friendly here," said Ian.

Mike sipped some water. "If the crowd's gonna be anything like that guy, tonight's gonna be a helluva show!"

Tori was feeling down before but that really broke the ice and provided a much-needed laugh.

"Okay, you wimps," Bob started. "Who's going in on haggis with me?"

The rest of the group became astronomers.

"I guess I'm on my own," he huffed.

After a hearty meal and a brisk walk for a couple of blocks; everyone worked off their tavern torpor and was ready to put on a show.

Tori prepared for her set while the band did final checks on their equipment. The house band of the venue typically played for Tori while she sung. They always had someone available for these kind of occasions.

She wished she knew how to play an instrument beyond her rudimentary piano skills. Tori would love to be out there with a guitar, belting out her songs.

Her anxiety was creeping up as the sound of the audience grew louder. They were excited and Tori knew more so here than in Scandinavia people knew who she was. Some of that applause was for her and she had to psyche herself out to have the guts to get out there.

The announcer came on and welcomed everyone to the concert. Then it happened. Tori was introduced and people clapped as the curtain raised.

Tori walked slowly onto the stage, the darkness of the venue combined with the blinding light from above made it next to impossible to discern the individual faces out there. But she remembered the dress rehearsal and knew how to gesture for the technicians to ease up on the arc lights.

She rubbed her eyes and began to adjust to the point that she can make out actual people.

"How we doing tonight, Glasgow?"

The house exploded with cheers.

"We've never been to Scotland before," she said. "Let me tell you, we love this place!"

The thunder came around again, drowning out Tori's mention of how nice everybody has been since they got here.

The Latina looked down and noticed a lively bunch in the front row, holding a pride flag and homemade signs, trying to get Tori's attention. She smiled down at the fans and waved.

(I was nervous in the beginning about being out, but seeing the connections with other queer people its made, it was totally worth it.)

It was a tough decision but she knew how lonely it felt for many youths struggling with their identity and if she could make one person feel better about who they were, Tori considered herself fulfilled. Music, like other art forms, is a way of laying your soul bare and communicating across nations and cultures to remind people that we are all a part of this screwed up earth and we're in this together.

Tori never forgot that when she was on stage and that helped with any nervousness that dared to make her doubt herself.

She began with one of her songs:

"Paradise lost

My soul is bound

By the love drug across

The cold, wet ground."

The lyrics shot from her lips like red hot embers from a fire.

"She screams my name

She struggles through the pain

Think I'm going insane!

Will we ever be the same?"

The audience hung on her every word, swaying on their feet.

"I don't know what to do!"

I'd lay my life for you,

Oh, how our sadness grew!

I was told that love would make it through!"

Tori's own words didn't hit hard like they did right now.

Fresh tears streamed down her cheeks as she finished the melancholy tune. Her next song was as somber and no less effective on preying upon her current state.

The light shined on her at the end of her third song. Tori raised her arm to shield her eyes from the brightness.

She was nearing the end of her 35-minute set and the crowd was in her hands.

What she wouldn't give to have one girl in particular in her hands right now.

The Latina was content that she was able to warm up the audience for the main attraction. She usually waited in the wings, watching the concert from afar. But this night, Tori was feeling like she didn't have the stomach for it and was probably going to lay down on one of the backstage couches.

Tori was midway through her final song when movement up front caught her peripheral vision. She thought she heard something amid the swath of fans but figured it was her imagination. Then she saw a streak of green in the darkness.

(What is that?)

One of the fans signs came down to reveal, in the front row, just feet from Tori: Jade.

Brown eyes widened and her breath hitched.

She didn't realize in her surprise that she had stopped singing and the band was playing, hoping that the singer would finish the song.

Tori couldn't believe that she was looking Jade in the eyes right now.

Then the goth did something else unexpected. She flipped the giant white board to reveal a message written in Sharpie on the other side.

It read: I LOVE YOU, TORI!

The tan girl smiled broadly and managed to get her senses back and turned back to nod at the band that she was back on track.

"The say its written in the stars

But they don't know who we are

To hell with tomorrow, to hell with stormy weather

I don't care 'cuz I'm gonna live forever!

She was looking right at Jade with these next words.

You and me

We can be

Our own destiny

Set each other free!

Tori walked closer to the edge of the stage.

You have my heart but I gave you the knife

Death tries to reach but you hold on me tight

He can take my damn life,

Because nothing can steal my brightest light.

When she finished, Tori was deaf to the house coming down for her.

She just single-mindedly jumped off the stage and scooped up Jade into a ferocious twirl hug. The fans closest to the action were cheering them on, like something out of a romantic comedy. Jade hated such things but she felt differently being on the receiving end of this loving embrace.

"I missed you so much!" Jade said.

"Kiss now," Tori said, out of breath. "Talk later."

The goth didn't have to be told twice and she wrapped her arms around Tori's neck and she Tori held onto Jade's waist. No distance existed anymore. No ocean or barrier between them. They quickly broke the gap and their lips met for a deep, incendiary kiss.

Raven's Claw were peeking behind the curtain at the raucous out in the audience and no sign of Tori coming backstage.

"Awww," said Mikaela.

Mike nodded, "Good for you, Tori."

"Well, shit" sighed Bob. "How are we gonna follow that!"

A/N: I am NOT a songwriter by any means. But I wanted to give a taste of Tori's style so I dusted off my poetry mittens and gave it a shot.