You've been dying to know who Rose battled? Well, it is obvious, but hey, everyone has battled him. XD This may be a short chapter, but it's the least I can do for updating. Also, I want to know that yes, my cover's been updated again. I would like to give a big thanks to Amanda Hart for uploading my band play two songs from AFI. You're awesome, and to those who are huge fans of Johnny like me, but instead, him in demon form, come check out her story Intrinsic Value. Full of good stuff and rather nice smut, I might add. ^_^ Enjoy this chapter as well!

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~Chapter Eight: The Big Break~

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By the time the four headed back to California, they were met up with fans that were just plain happy they were in front of them. The process of stardom is really paid off, and it has only been a month for them to be re-discovered. First a backyard performance, then the foreign country England, and finally Shanker's Island. If it wasn't for Lou, they would still have their first gig times ten. Luckily, since they just got back from the one night only performance at the island, Lou offered them five days of free time.

Point is, she'd never expect to be asked to battle with a former Guns n' Roses band member. Due to being a punk rock fan, she'd never come across to it. However, "Welcome to the Jungle" pumps up her blood and puts her on the driver's seat. That was the song she first played on guitar, actually. When Slash asked her to have a battle with her, she couldn't say no.

For the break, Rose was glad that she earned it, since she missed her mom and friend Kate. Sure she called and text them, but seeing them would be even better. What was better for this, is that it's her birthday.

"Hey, sweetie," her mom said as Rose opened the front door. She smiled and ran to her mom, hugging her tight. As soon as they left the embrace, her mom admired Rose's new rock look. "The new look looks so ravishing on you," she told with a smile.

"Thank you. Kate called and said she couldn't be here for my birthday, but at least she bought me this," Rose replied, showing her set of guitar picks of different bands she love. Her mom nodded in approval, just before Rose's phone rang.

"Who could it be?" she asked, touching the call symbol. "Hello?"

"Rose, can you come by here? We have a something urgent to discuss," Pandora said. Rose looked at her mom with a slight frown.

"Of course. I'll be there in five." She hung up, looking at her mom again.

"You have a band meeting, don't you?" her mom replied smiling. "Go on, you do have week of free time, since you told me." The brunette nodded with a grin, heading out to her car and driving up to the band house. She's going to kill Lou for telling that they have another performance tonight. He can be such an ass for telling when it's just a minute later. But hey, since it was Pandora that called, it probably wasn't that.

At the house, she noticed that the lights were out. Power outage or something? The guitarist used her phone as a flashlight, trying to find the others.

"Guys, just because I'm the brains, that doesn't mean I have to fix the power outage here. Where are you—?"

"Happy birthday!" the three strangely said, revealing themselves behind the television with the lights on. For some reason, Rose would smack her forehead that would leave her into wondering why rockers like them even do that as well. With a kind of fake, but pleased smile, she was surprised.

"W-wow... I didn't expect this, guys! Thanks—oh!" Rose said as Izzy hugged her tight.

"You're ever so welcome, Rose," he purred, letting his hand get into her hair, as for it being silky and different than her original hair.

"All right, Izzy, I think you had enough alcohol," Pandora said, smiling at Rose. "I remember being nineteen; it was when I got my first drum kit. Of course, I'm just twenty-one, but I treat that kit like it's my child." Rose looked at her as she got out of Izzy's bear hug.

"Surely that was a big year for you," Rose said. That was all she could say, but at least it wasn't bad. Her eyes laid at Johnny, who had been silent, but showing off his rare smile. "Frog in your throat or something?" she asked sarcastically. Before he continued, Izzy and Pandora went to the couch and turned on the television.

"Not really, it's just that I moved here to America when I was nineteen. Three years later, I have grown into a twenty-two year old bastard. I always wonder what would've happened if I haven't started the band idea with Izzy: I wouldn't have met Pandora, and more importantly, you." Rose blushed, but with her smile, she took his large hand compared to hers with her two hands.

"Hey, this is a time to celebrate my birthday, not feel agony when turning my age. I don't want you to be sad." Johnny blinked, looking at her eyes with his, the same color, yet, just a coincidence. "So here's what I want for my birthday: always smile when I'm around, that way, you won't have to worry about me." His eyes sparkled, and no, not like a little girl's or anything like that.

"You're really sweet, you know that, right? Compare to my spiciness, we kind of are opposites." Opposites, huh? At least it's not conflicting like when they first met anymore.

"Hmm. It seems so."

"Hey, guys! Check this out!" Izzy said while with Pandora. Luckily, he didn't interrupt, because Rose made Johnny feel slightly better. The two watched the screen with them, which appeared to be the news. A woman was talking about music updates, so it's probably MTV.

"As of last month, Knight of Hearts grew popular, but when controversy broke out as the guitarist battled former Guns n' Roses guitarist Slash, their popularity increased by five times its regular fan base! By next week, they will perform in the Desert Rock Tour, so catch up with them before the tickets are gone!" A random commercial appeared after, leaving the four surprised.

"No way... I increased the band's popularity...?" Rose asked in shock. The three went up to her and embraced her, making it as if they were trying to strangle her to death.

"Oh, you're so awesome, Rose!" Pandora said with her smile.

"Yes, she is!" Izzy replied.

"I... can't breathe..." Rose said, trying to resist their tight hugs. The British man smiled at her, like he told her to.

"Thanks," he told her. "Perhaps you are better than Casey." Rose smiled at him, admiring the compliment. Time to get serious now.

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Yeah, yeah, I have to put in her birthday in this. :P "Behind the scenes included," I said. :) Let's just say that it will feature more drama and "romance". Oh yeah, Rose is gonna get some (not that "some"), but with who exactly, which is what will be surprising. XD See you in the next update. ^_^