Chapter 1

12 Years Later

"Kells hurry up! We're going to be late!" I yelled down the hall to my roommate, Kellie. We were on our way to see my cousin's band in concert and we were already ten minutes behind schedule. I hated arriving anywhere late and Kellie hated arriving anywhere on time, but she was my best friend and I wasn't about to drive six hours without her.

"Kells!" I yelled again.

"I'm coming!" She yelled back and then more softly added, "Amy, have you seen my sunglasses? I can't find them anywhere."

It took only one look at Kellie to find her glasses. "Kells hun, have you looked in a mirror?" I pointed to the small mirror hanging on the wall.

"Oh." She pulled her glasses off the top of her head. "I knew they were there. Just so you know."

"Right." I rolled my eyes. "I swear Kells you must die your roots brown because there's no way that can be your natural hair color."

"You, Amy, of all people should know that blonde is not a hair color but a state of mind."

"Then your mind must always be in a state of blondeness."

"I resent that."

"Whatever. Are you ready?" I asked.

"Yea I guess. Where are we going again?" Kellie asked as we walked out of the apartment and locked it.

"To see my cousin in Hollywood, his band is playing at one of clubs tonight."

"Right. And what's the band's name again?" She asked as we got into the car.

"You had to ask me that didn't you? Honestly Kells, I can't remember. It was something like The Monties or The Mommies."

"The Mommies?"

"I said didn't know. I don't even know why he called me and invited me last week. I mean we've hardly spoken since his father died last year."

"Maybe he wants to apologize for being an ass and missing your birthday party." She suggested. I raised my eyebrow skeptically. "I don't know. I don't try to understand guys, it's no use. So Music," Kellie said, changing the subject. "What do you want to listen to first, Chicago, Kellie's Wild Mix, or the Twilight soundtrack?"

"Twilight soundtrack? Please tell me you didn't actually buy that?"

"Oh but I did, and it's really very good. Look, you can make fun of me all you want to, but the movie is great and the book is even better." Kellie defended. Lately Kellie had become a big fan of the movie and book series Twilight. She went around these days talking non-stop about the different characters and trying to convince me to at least watch the movie. I insisted that I didn't have the time, but mostly I enjoyed teasing her about it.

"I'm sorry Kells, but I just don't get the point of a vegetarian vampire." I laughed.

"Well, don't look at it like a vampire story, but a love story."

"Let's go with Chicago." I said.

"Fine, but I will make you watch the movie one day."

"Good luck with that."

Kellie rolled her eyes and slid the Chicago 25th Anniversary C.D. into the player as I exited onto the ramp for Interstate 5.

*~*

Several hours later I was sitting at a table in the back of the 24K Lounge in West Hollywood with a pounding headache. The music was still echoing off the walls even though the band had finished playing at least a half hour ago. I'm sure the little bit of alcohol I had consumed wasn't helping either, nor were the bright lights and screaming girls. I was relaxing against the back of my seat and massaging my temple with my fingers as the last of the fans were leaving, when Kellie came running up to me and shook my shoulders.

"Oh my god Amy! Why didn't you tell me your cousin was Ben Johnson of the 100 Monkeys?!"

"I told you I couldn't remember the name of the band." I said as calmly as I could.

"Yea, but 'The Mommies?"

"He's very soft spoken and he kind of mumbled it over the phone. And I was too astonished that he even called to really focus."

"Excuse me ladies but you have to leave now." A burly man with a thin goatee said.

"Oh but I'm…" I began but was interrupted by another man who appeared at the table.

"She's with me." He said. I smiled my thanks as the goateed man nodded and turned to escort Kellie out.

"And she's with me." I spoke up. The goateed man looked to second man for confirmation before heading off.

"Well," the second man began after a brief pause. "Do I get a hug from my baby cousin?"

"I was considering the possibility." I replied teasingly.

"Come here you little brat." He grabbed my hand and gently pulled me up before wrapping his arms around me in a hug. I wrapped my arms around him in response.

"Eww gross, you're all sweaty." I said pulling back.

"Well, it gets a little hot on stage." Ben responded. "I'm really glad you made it Aims."

"Yea well it was no problem Benny. We were a little late," I fired a look at Kellie, "and a guy named Marty had to let us in but other than that…" I faded off and shrugged my shoulders.

"So, what did you think? Of the show I mean?" Ben asked, suddenly sounding nervous.

"It was…" I began.

"Amazing." Kellie jumped in. "Absolutely amazing. I loved it. It was very exciting, full of energy, never a dull moment."

"I'm glad you enjoyed it."Ben replied with a smile as his cheeks turned slightly pink.

"Ben, this is my best friend and roommate, Kellie Pinkler. Kells, this is my cousin, Ben Johnson." I said.

"It's nice to meet you Kellie." Ben said sticking out his hand.

"Likewise." Kellie smiled as she shook his hand.

"Well, I guess now it's my turn to introduce you to the guys." Ben said.

*~* Meanwhile, across the room *~*

"Dude, check Johnson out. He didn't waste any time getting over to those girls." Ben G. said, nodding his head towards the far end of the room. I looked, and sure enough there was Ben Johnson hitting up two girls.

"I think he knows them." Jerad said.

"Good, maybe he'll hook us up then. Oh, man check out the legs on the blonde, though the brunette's not looking so bad either. Heads up, they're coming this way. It's alright boys, just play it cool."

"Well then maybe you should shut up." I said.

I tried my hardest not to stare at them, but since Ben G. had pointed out the legs on the blonde I just couldn't help it. She was wearing a pair of shorts that probably stretched no further than her pinky and her flawless legs flowed out from underneath the thin cloth. Above the waist didn't look too bad either, with a top that hugged her perfectly proportioned figure, and hair that stopped just above the shoulder. She was just the kind of girl that you couldn't pull your eyes off of. But somehow I managed and caught a look of warning from Johnson in the process.

"Guys, I want you to meet someone very special to me." Ben Johnson said as he draped an arm around the blonde's neck. "This is my baby cousin Amelia Cox and her oomph…" The blonde had shoved her elbow into Ben's rib cage.

"It's Amy." She said. "And this is Kellie, my best friend." She indicated to the brunette standing next to her.

"Amy, I'm Jackson Rathbone." I introduced myself as I reached out to shake her hand; she had soft hands and a sweet smile. I reluctantly let go of her hand to greet her friend and the introductions continued down the line.

After everyone had introduced themselves, Johnson spoke again. "Amy and Kellie will be coming to our place tonight."

"We are?" Kellie asked; her enthusiasm didn't escape me.

"Benny no." Amy protested. "You don't have to do that; we can get a hotel."

"Don't be ridiculous Aims; there's plenty of space for the two of you to crash at the house. Right guys?" Johnson said.

"Absolutely." I replied.

"It's settled then."

"Fine. You good to drive Kells?" Amy asked.

"Yup. After you boys." Kellie said smiling at me. I smiled back politely, but then turned my gaze back to Amy's legs as she walked in front of me towards the door. Johnson kept his arm draped loosely around her neck on the way out as if to say "Hands off Jackson." I reluctantly looked away again.