Chapter Seven: “ First Glance - Mate.”

"There's two other bands playing in addition to you tonight, I'm sure you recognize them?" I look at the paper in my hand and scan the names and I smile.

"Yeah, of course!"

Kai walks past me to grab a box of cables. "One of

them wanted me to ask you if you would help them

with a couple songs, I'm pretty sure it's ones you've

done for them before, but you can always chat with

them later about that. You ready for soundcheck

now?" I nod.

"Guess that's my cue!" Lynette says and she hugs

me and heads backstage with her bag. Kai hands

me the microphone that he just finished setting up

and I step on the stage, feeling that oh so familiar

sense of belonging.

After soundcheck, I head backstage to find

Lynette and to talk to Ciara, the lead singer of

one of the other bands playing tonight. As soon as I

enter the space, I see them both near the back left

of the room on the couches, laughing hysterically.

Ciara sees me first, and it warms me to see the

huge smile that forms on her face as she ris