"I DON'T WANT TO! I HATE THE GUITAR! I HATE THE DRUMS TOO!!" Fourteen year old Briana Peterson shouted, slamming her bedroom door, causing her framed poster of the late, great Steve Clark from Def Leppard to fall off her wall. "Stupid poster," she grumbled, kicking it out of her way.
"YOU DON'T PLAY THE DRUMS!!" Briana's father, Davy Peterson, shouted from outside her door.
"SO?! IF I DID, THEN I'D HATE IT!!" Briana yelled, and picked up her pink Gibson Les Paul guitar that had sparkly black stars on it. She turned the amp on, and banged on the strings, making tons of pointless noise, just to drown out her drunken father.
"BRIANA LEE PETERSON!" Davy shouted. He tried to open her door, but it was locked. He kicked it in anger, and made her entire room shake.
After she heard her father stomp downstairs, probably to drink some more liquor, she turned down her amp, knowing she heard an all-too familiar 'be-eep' sound.
Be-eep, be-beep, be-eep. Bree looked over at her broken-down desk, wondering if she had left the black Army walkie-talkie in a drawer. Be-eep, be-eep.
"Ohmigosh! Eric!" She exclaimed, throwing the guitar onto her 'bed' which was really just a bad mattress with stained sheets. Stains from the grass, cocoa, toothpaste, and smeared in dirt. The comforter was really just a sleeping bag that had no insulation, and no longer zipped. It was a 'gift' from her father a few weeks ago. "Hey Eric!" Briana exclaimed into the old, black, Army walkie-talkie; holding down the little black button. She quickly released the button, waiting for her next door neighbor, - and best friend in the entire world - Eric McIntyre, to reply.
"Hey Bree. Are you okay?" Eric asked, sitting down on the window seat in his room that faced Briana's room. He opened the window to be greeted by a cool breeze of autumn air. Briana followed suit, only she actually climbed outside her window to sit on the little ledge. She drew her legs up to her chest, and hugged them with her arms, not wanting to look over to her right, and see Eric's piercing eyes.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Why wouldn't I be?" Briana asked quietly, trying to control her flooding emotions.
"I heard you and your dad fighting again...was he - ?" Eric asked very slowly, trying to spare her feelings.
"Drinking like the crazed, idiotic, mad-man that he is? Yeah. Since six this morning," Briana answered quickly, feeling anger towards both her father and Eric. She took a deep breath. "I think everyone in Lake Hills heard us fighting. Mrs. Malloy actually came over," Briana admitted, referring to her other neighbor. She liked the Malloys. Especially Omar Malloy, because he also really liked Def Leppard.
"She's braver than me," Eric said honestly, continuing to watch his friend. He pulled the sleeves of his Abercrombie & Fitch sweater closer around his arms, sighing deeply, not really able to understand all that was unfolding in front of him, not that far away. "What were you guys fighting about anyway?" He asked, looking past her, and into her broken down, torn apart room.
It was light pink, and in a disarray because her early Christmas and birthday present from her father was to have her room remodeled, and the adjoining room turned into a bathroom. Briana though, thought that her dad felt just a little guilty for neglecting her; always drinking, and also for the sudden, hard-hit, death of her twenty-five year old brother, Caleb.
Briana had two brothers. The twenty-five year old Caleb, and forty-two year old Stevid. Stevid¡¯s real name was Steven David. 'Steven' after the late, great Steve Clark from Def Leppard (and Briana's long-time idol), and 'David' after Davy. Caleb Brett was named that because of Davy's middle name of 'Caleb.' 'Brett' was after their only uncle on their dad's side; Brian Brett Peterson. Briana was named after her Uncle Brian, as well as her mother, Analee Allen. Bree's middle name, which was 'Lee,' was also, after her mother. Analee had pasted away four years ago, from getting into a car accident with a drunk driver. The drunk driver being Davy.
"The guitar and how I hate playing," Briana admitted guiltily.
"Did you quit since Caleb died?" Eric asked.
Even though Caleb died just a week ago, it was more than enough time for Briana to quit something she once loved.
"Hey, do you know what would rule?" Briana asked, changing the subject.
"What?" Eric asked, turning on the TV in his room. Two Guys and a Girl was on. It was one of his guilty pleasures.
"If I could come over, and watch TV with you," Briana said, already ready to slide down the drain pipe next to her window.
"Of course," Eric replied, looking down the Petersons' living room side window.
After Briana climbed up to Eric's room, she pulled herself in, wincing as her belly button ring got caught on the window frame.
"Ow!" Briana cried out.
"What?" Eric asked, helping her through his window.
"I caught my belly button ring on that thing," Briana told him, going over to sit at his desk.
"Has your dad figured out you have that pierced?" Eric asked.
"Of course. I've had it for a year," Briana reminded him, finishing off his can of Pepsi.
"Hey, I wanted that," Eric said, realizing what Bree just did.
"Sorry. Hey, wanna go crash the mall? Then maybe later we can head over to Lakeview, and see what's going on down there," Briana suggested.
Lake Hills was where Briana and Eric lived. It was a teeny, tiny little 644 population town, just one of the nine "micro towns" that made up Laketon, California. Besides Lake Hills there was the 632 population Lakedale, which was another cool little town like Lake Hills, except, Lake Hills have better people; 228 populated Lakeport, where most of the jobs were; 224 populated Lake Rapids, where the ¡°dalers¡± and half of the "Shirers" attended school; 212 populated, classy, snobby, and rich Lakeshire; 200 person populated Lakeshore, located on the beach; 636 populated Lakeview, which was where everything happened. It was the "Times Square" of little ol' Laketon. Then there was 216 populated Lakeville, where the "Hillers" and the other half of the "Shirers" attended school, and of course, the "ghetto," which was called Lakewood, and had a population of 408.
Those nine tiny towns were all lumped together to form Laketon - population 3,400. Everything in Laketon was within walking distance, and everyone knew everyone else. There was one ammusement park, and one town pool. One movie theather, and one ice cream shop. All of these things were located in Lakeview. The 2 story mall was located in Lakeshire though. In all there were only 3 sets of school districts. Lakeville Elementary, Middle, and High Schools; as well as Lakedale Elementary, Middle, and High School, and Lakewood Elementary, Middle, and High School.
"Sounds good to me," Eric said, going to his dresser, and pulling out an Abercrombie & Fitch shirt.
"You're such a prep Eric," Briana said, retying her shoe laces.
"And you're such a....Briana," Eric said, getting out a different pair of jeans. He glanced up at Briana, and smiled. "Cool outfit by the way," he added, before heading across the hall to the bathroom to change.
Briana had on green, Army print socks, bright orange Joe Boxer boxers, bright yellow pajama capri-pants, and really ripped up jean capris. Holding up her pants was a white belt, with silver rings on it, and it jingled when she moved. She called it her "Jingly Belt."
She also had on a tight, purple, long sleeved shirt, a black, long sleeved, fishnet shirt over that, and her red Steve Clark shirt she made herself. Plainly across the front it read; "STEVE CLARK."
For now, her natural white-blonde hair was dyed blue, but it was fading fast. She had pulled her hair into high pigtails, but just the hair on the sides so she would still have some hair hanging down. She had on her black Def Leppard beanie with two holes cut out on the top, and the pigtails pulled through the holes.
She had a hot pink guitar pick on a grey piece of thread. In black marker on both sides it said 'Steve Clark.' She also had on pink and black jelly bracelets, and a hot pink digital watch.
Since she only wore Converse - usually only Chuck Taylors too - she had on orange Chucks, low tops, with lime green laces.
"Thanks," Briana said graciously.
"Almost ready. Hey, will you get my cell phone? It's right next to you," Eric asked, from inside the bathroom.
"Sure. Why are you changin' anyway Er'?" Briana asked, grabbing the cell phone.
"I got grass stains on my clothes. Stupid Derek Klein shoved me today during lunch," Eric answered.
¡°I don¡¯t like that kid. I swear, he¡¯s the devil or something,¡± Briana said, voicing her opinion on the some-what preppy, trouble-making, senior. ¡°Hey Er¡¯?¡±
¡°Yeah Bree?¡± Eric asked, coming out of the bathroom, now in a pair of Abercrombie light blue jeans, a short sleeved, white button up the front shirt, and a red, long sleeved Abercrombie & Fitch shirt that had a yellow little stripe around the neck.
¡°I¡¯m gonna sneak back into my room, leave my dad a note, and change my clothes. I forgot that I got blood on the sleeves when I cut myself in science,¡± Briana said, already climbing out Eric¡¯s window.
¡°Okay. I¡¯ll see if my mom will bring us to the mall so we don¡¯t have to walk. Meet me out front, ¡®kay?¡± Eric questioned.
¡°Okay,¡± Briana replied. Once she got back into her room, she scribbled out a quick note to her father, and then ducked into her closet to change. A minute later, she was running down the steps, and peaked into the living room, to see her father passed out in front of the TV. She got her cell phone from the front table, and grabbed her house key, and left.
¡°Hello Briana Lee. How are you today?¡± Mrs. McIntyre - Janine - asked. Janine had a habit of calling everyone by their legal first and middle names.
¡°I¡¯m good Janine. How are you?¡± Bree asked.
¡°Good. Hop in, I¡¯m taking you two to the mall,¡± She replied, holding open the car door for her. She got into the black Ford Focus¡¯ backseat, next to Eric.
¡°Thanks Janine,¡± Briana said a few minutes later, as Janine stopped to drop them off in front of the Lakeshire mall, which was called ¡®The Lakes Mall.¡¯
¡°You changed fast,¡± Eric said, trying to make conversation.
Bree gave him a weak smile. ¡°Yeah...¡± She said, looking down at her purple low top Chucks. She had on a white T-shirt that said ¡°Don¡¯t Label Me¡± on it, and it had black piping around the neck and sleeves. She also had on her light pink, short sleeved, button up the front shirt, yellow boxers, baggy green hand-me-down jeans from Stevid to Caleb, and from Caleb to her. Holding up her jeans was a sparkly red belt. She had pulled off the hat, and no longer had in her pigtails.
¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± Eric asked, opening the mall door for her.
¡°Thanks. Nothin¡¯....my dad was passed out in front of the TV again. That¡¯s all really. It shouldn¡¯t surprise me anymore,¡± Briana replied.
¡°Let¡¯s go to the music store, and we can talk to Josh,¡± Eric suggested, grabbing Briana by the arm and dragging her to the nearest set of escalators.
¡°Okay,¡± Briana replied weakly.
¡°Hey, cheer up. I¡¯ll buy ya some pizza in Lakeview, okay?¡± Eric questioned, looking at her.
¡°You don¡¯t need to do that Er.¡¯ I¡¯ll be okay,¡± Briana insisted.
¡°No, I want to Bree. Okay?¡± Eric insisted back.
¡°I wonder if Stevid¡¯s working today...¡± Briana said thoughtfully.
¡°Let¡¯s go see,¡± Eric answered, going into the music shop, Disk Jockey.
¡°Briana Lee!¡± Briana¡¯s older brother, Stevid, called out, spotting his sister as soon as she walked into the store.
¡°Stev! How are you?!¡± She asked, jumping into his open arms.
¡°Good? And you?¡± He asked, setting her back on her own feet.
¡°Pretty good,¡± She answered. She looked over her shoulder and smiled at Eric.
¡°Hey McIntyre. My sister been treatin¡¯ you good?¡± He asked playfully.
¡°She could be better,¡± He answered, going along with it.
¡°Oh quit it you guys,¡± Briana defended, pretending to be angered at the two boys.
¡°Hey Bree,¡± Josh Olsen greeted. He was always working at the store. He was about 19 years old, and lived in Lakeshire, but was really nice.
¡°Hey Josh,¡± Briana replied.
¡°How¡¯s Dad?¡± Stevid asked.
¡°Bad question,¡± Eric muttered.
¡°That bad? Wow, maybe I should come over later. Check things out for myself,¡± Stevid suggested.
¡°Nah, don¡¯t bother. Dad will just get mad, and I¡¯m the one that has to stay with him,¡± Briana said, dismissing the idea.
¡°I¡¯ll bring you back to my house for awhile then. Kari wouldn¡¯t care. She hasn¡¯t seen you in forever anyway,¡± Stevid replied offhandedly.
Kari was Stevid¡¯s long-time girlfriend, but he was proposing to her on Christmas Eve, which was a little over a month away.
¡°No, Stev, don¡¯t,¡± Briana whined.
¡°I¡¯m gonna. I¡¯ll come by about ten or so. Okay?¡± Stevid asked, asking Eric more than Bree. ¡°Hey, maybe you can finally meet Donovan.¡±
¡°Who¡¯s Donovan?¡± Eric and Bree both asked at the same time.
¡°My friend that works for Columbia Records. You two should put a band together, get good, and maybe I can see if Don will sign you guys,¡± Stevid said, smiling.
¡°Or not,¡± Briana whispered.
Eric looked at her quizzically, forgetting her promise not to play the guitar again.
Stevid worked for Arista Records. He signed bands to the label. He would¡¯ve gladly signed Bree and Eric¡¯s band (if they ever got one) to Arista, but it was against contracts because Stevid was Briana¡¯s brother.
¡°I¡¯ll see you guys later. Stay out of trouble. OKAY?¡± Stevid asked, looking at them knowingly, remembering the last time the two got kicked out of the mall for pulling pranks, and just generally raising hell.
¡°Hey, Josh, did my Simple Plan CD come in yet?¡± Briana asked, giving Stevid a devious smile over her shoulder.
¡°Briana Lee...¡± Stevid warned.
¡°It sure did,¡± Josh said, pulling out a big drawer, and going through the CDs in it. ¡°Here it is.¡±
¡°Thanks. Are you gonna look around some more Er¡¯? Or are we finished here?¡± Briana asked.
¡°Uh, I still want to look, if that¡¯s okay,¡± Eric replied as Stevid went over to help some other customers.
¡°Okay,¡± Briana said, following him over to the punk/pop CDs, holding onto her Simple Plan, ¡°No Pads, No Helmets...Just Balls¡± CD.
After a half and hour of looking at CDs, Eric finally bought the All American Rejects, New Found Glory, and Good Charlotte CDs.
¡°Now what? Wander around here until seven when The Harbor opens, or go there and wander around?¡± Briana asked.
¡°What time is it?¡± Eric wanted to know.
¡°Four-thirty,¡± Briana replied, checking her watch.
¡°Let¡¯s go see a movie,¡± Eric suggested, once again, taking Briana by the wrist and pulling her behind him.
¡°What movie?¡± Briana asked, stopping to buy a Mountain Dew freeze from Freezey Shop in the food court.
¡°Well, what¡¯s on?¡± Eric questioned, impatient to start the walk to Lakeview.
¡°I don¡¯t have any clue. I thought you¡¯d know,¡± Briana said, paying for her freeze.
¡°No. Why would I?¡± Eric asked.
¡°Uh...because you suggested it,¡± Bree reminded him.
¡°I was just suggesting a time killer,¡± Eric defended.
¡°Let¡¯s just get there, and see what¡¯s playing,¡± Briana said, taking Eric¡¯s hand by mistake. She glanced nervously at him as she quickly dropped his hand, and just started to quickly move through the crowd, Eric close behind her. ¡°Sorry I took your hand,¡± Briana apologized, embarrassed, once they had gotten outside.
¡°It¡¯s okay,¡± Eric said, brushing it off like it was some dirt on his shoulder.
The two friends walked down the main street, towards Lakeview in silence for awhile, before Eric couldn¡¯t stand it anymore.
¡°When¡¯s Caleb¡¯s funeral?¡± He blurted out, without thinking.
Briana¡¯s throat tightened, and tears started to slip from her eyes. ¡°Thursday,¡± she whispered, wiping away her tears with the back of her hand.
¡°Bree, I¡¯m sorry,¡± Eric said, feeling awful, putting an arm around her shoulder.
¡°It¡¯s okay Eric,¡± Briana said softly.
¡°Whoo-who! Look at what we have here!¡± A male voice shouted behind them. A car engine was running, and Bree and Eric looked over to the road to see who it was. Derek Klein of course. He was in a convertible with his girlfriend, Christina Adams, and thee of his idiot friends.
¡°Shut up Derek,¡± Eric said irritably.
¡°What? You need to be left alone to comfort your loser girlfriend? Bree¡¯s just a poser,¡± Derek commented.
¡°You¡¯re the poser. And I¡¯m not his girlfriend. If you¡¯re gonna talk about me, say it to my face,¡± Briana snapped.
¡°POSER!¡± Derek shouted.
¡°Get out of the car,¡± Briana demanded, stepping off the sidewalk.
¡°Why?¡± Derek asked, pulling over.
¡°Because I¡¯m gonna kick your ass!¡± Briana yelled.
¡°Yeah right,¡± Derek laughed.
¡°Let¡¯s just see,¡± Briana threatened.
¡°Quit it Bree,¡± Eric said, tugging on her pink shirt.
¡°Listen to wussy McIntyre,¡± Derek instructed.
¡°Never mind. Kick his ass,¡± Eric said, backing up.
Briana took a punch at Derek, but he blocked it. He looked surprised, probably because he had never fought a girl before. And also because, even though she was about 5'10,¡± she was really skinny, and looked like she couldn¡¯t hold her own in a fight. But looks could be deceiving.
Derek punched her in the shoulder, and Briana punched him in the jaw so hard you could hear it crack.
¡°You can hit a girl awfully good...have you been practicing on Christina?¡± Briana asked through gritted teeth.
Derek¡¯s fist grazed her right eye, as she punched him in the stomach.
¡°Okay, quit it you guys,¡± Eric said, getting annoyed. ¡°Now!¡± He said, grabbing Briana around the waist, and pulling her away from Derek.
Derek touched his mouth, to feel hot, sticky blood. He glared at the two before getting back into his car and driving off angrily.
¡°I hate that kid, I actually, truly hate him,¡± Briana muttered, touching her eye.
¡°Let me look at that,¡± Eric said, stopping in front of Briana.
¡°Okay, Dr. McIntyre,¡± Briana said sarcastically.
¡°Follow my finger with your eyes,¡± Eric instructed, moving his index finger back and forth in front of her face.
¡°I¡¯m fine Eric,¡± Briana said, her eye hurting.
¡°Sure ya are,¡± Eric replied skeptically. ¡°Now blink.¡±
¡°No, it¡¯ll hurt,¡± Briana whined.
¡°No it won¡¯t,¡± Eric said, lifting her chin gently.
¡°Yes, it will,¡± Briana insisted.
Eric quickly moved his hand in front of her face, by her fast swelling eye.
¡°OW!!! ERIC!!¡± Briana cried out in pain, clutching his hand that was still on her chin.
¡°I didn¡¯t even touch you,¡± Eric said, obviously proud of his doctoring skills.
¡°Whatever Dr. McIntyre. It still hurt,¡± Briana complained.
¡°Come on, I¡¯m bringing you to the hospital,¡± Eric said, grabbing Briana¡¯s wrist.
¡°NO!¡± Briana said, throwing a fit. ¡°I¡¯m fine!¡±
¡°No you¡¯re not,¡± Eric said, actually picking her up around the waist, and carrying her sideways down the street to the hospital just over the hill.
¡°What happened?¡± The receptionist at the Laketon Hospital Emergency Room asked.
¡°She got into a fight Mrs. Malloy,¡± Eric replied, looking at Briana again. The receptionist was Briana¡¯s other neighbor.
¡°Are you okay Briana?¡± Mrs. Malloy asked, getting out the forms that needed to be filled out.
¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± Bree answered, getting tired of insisting that she was perfectly fine.
¡°Here Eric, you and Bree need to fill these out,¡± Mrs. Malloy said, handing Eric a pen and a clipboard that had some papers on it. She pointed to the empty chairs in the waiting room, so Bree could sit down.
¡°What¡¯s your dad¡¯s middle name?¡± Eric asked.
¡°Caleb,¡± Briana answered. Eric filled out the rest of the forms, and a few minutes later, Briana went into the back rooms.
After an hour of pacing around like an expectant dad, Briana came back out with an ice pack over her right eye, and a bottle of pain killers.
¡°Hello Eric,¡± Dr. Lawrence said, following Briana out.
¡°Hey Dr. Lawrence. She¡¯s okay, right?¡± Eric asked hopefully,
¡°Yes. Just a concussion. Thanks for bringing her in though,¡± Dr. Lawrence replied.
¡°Yeah...well, we¡¯d better get going. Thanks for taking care of my friend Dr. Lawrence!¡± Eric called over his shoulder, steering Briana out of the Emergency Room by her shoulders. ¡°Bye Mrs. Malloy,¡± he added.
¡°Yeah, bye Mrs. Malloy. Bye Dr. Lawrence. Thanks,¡± Briana said before leaving.
¡°Come on, we can hang out at the pizza place until seven,¡± Eric said, walking with Briana down the street to the heart of Lakeview.
¡°What time is it now?¡± Briana asked, pushing up Eric¡¯s shirt sleeve to look at his watch.
¡°Five-thirty,¡± He replied, just as she was reading the numbers on the navy blue digital watch.
¡°I¡¯m not hungry,¡± Briana said as they were nearing the pizza place.
¡°You need to take the pain killers that Dr. Lawrence gave you. Come on Bree, I¡¯m buying,¡± Eric said, literally dragging her through the door.
The little bell above the door jingled, and a few curious people looked up to see who had just entered, but then went back to eating.
¡°You don¡¯t need to pay Er,¡¯¡± Briana insisted, sliding into the booth, sitting across from Eric.
¡°But I want to. Just let me, okay Bree?¡± Eric asked, a hint of irritability in his voice.
Briana sighed, giving up. ¡°Okay.¡±
¡°Hey Bree, hey Eric. What will it be today? The usual?¡± Lenny McIntryre¡¯s ex-girlfriend, Kacey, asked, coming over to them, a pencil poised over a pad of paper, ready to take their order.
¡°Yeah. Thanks Kace. Bree, I¡¯m bringing you back to my house later, and I¡¯ll have Stevid pick you up there,¡± Eric said quietly.
¡°Why?¡± Briana asked, tilting her head to the right.
¡°Uh...because...I want to make sure you¡¯re okay,¡± Eric partially lying.
¡°You¡¯re such a liar. Tell me why Eric,¡± Briana demanded.
¡°Well, I mean, I don¡¯t want your dad to have a whack-attack and make everything worse. That¡¯s all,¡± Eric said slowly, trying to use the words that would hurt the less.
Silent tears started to slip from Briana¡¯s light blue eyes.
¡°I¡¯m so sorry Bree. I didn¡¯t mean for you to cry. Bree, I¡¯m sorry. Come ¡®ere, you¡¯re going to make your eye worse,¡± Eric said, sliding over in the booth so she could sit next to him.
¡°I-I¡¯m okay,¡± Briana said, wiping away her tears.
¡°Here you guys go. Enjoy!¡± Kacey said happily, setting down the pizza pan in between the two of them.
¡°Thanks,¡± They both said at the same time. Eric got out a Kleenex from the little packet in his jeans pocket.
¡°Thank you Er,¡¯¡± Briana thanked gratefully.
¡°No problem,¡± Eric said, for the first time seeing Briana through different eyes.
¡ï¡ï¡ï
¡°Thanks for the pizza and everything Eric,¡± Briana said sincerely as they headed down to The Harbor. That¡¯s where all the bands played in Laketon.
¡°No problem Bree,¡± Eric said, not able to resist some-what staring at her.
¡°What? Do I have something on my face or something? Or are you just now realizing that I¡¯m ugly or what?¡± Briana asked, giving him a sincere half-smile.
¡°Nope, you¡¯re per¨Cyou¡¯re fine,¡± Eric replied, changing his sentence half-way through it was out.
¡°Are you sure?¡± Briana asked, turning her head to face him. ¡°Oomph!¡± Briana had just collided with another boy, walking in the opposite direction.
¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± The boy apologized, picking himself up off the sidewalk.
¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± Briana apologized, also getting up. ¡°I¡¯m Briana Peterson,¡± she introduced, not recognizing this boy - or his two friends - from anywhere. ¡°This is Eric McIntyre,¡± she added quickly.
¡°It¡¯s okay. I¡¯m Cameron Sellers. This is Ashley Davis, and Mike Greggor,¡± the boy introduced. ¡°Are you guys going to The Harbor?¡±
¡°Yeah,¡± Eric answered after the five shook hands.
¡°So are we. We were just going to put up flyers, but that can wait,¡± Ashley said, smiling at Briana.
¡°We could help you,¡± Briana offered, looking at Greggor. He seemed a bit shy. He had on a backwards yellow hat, a black T-shirt, blue jeans, and was carrying a pair of drumsticks. He had huge blue eyes, and dark brown hair. Cameron had dark blonde hair, blue eyes, and seemed very sweet. He was wearing a Def Leppard shirt, so he was already awesome in Briana¡¯s book. He was also wearing cut off khaki shorts with black Vans. Ashley had sandy brown hair, and brown eyes. He seemed like the type that went around, picking fights. He was sporting a red Young Marines shirt and blue jeans.
¡°Really? Thanks. That¡¯d help a lot,¡± Greggor said thankfully.
Cameron handed Briana and Eric each some flyers. Briana took two and stuck them in her pockets to read later.
About five minutes later, they were all finished and the five walked back to The Harbor together.
¡°Do you guys play any instruments?¡± Cameron asked, titling his head to the side to look at Briana and Eric.
¡°Yeah. Guitar,¡± Briana answered, realizing that her eye hurt really bad when she talked.
¡°Both of us do,¡± Eric clarified.
¡°You guys should come to auditions. It¡¯d be cool if you guys were the two best ones, and we were all in a band together,¡± The three boys said together.
¡°What kind of music do you guys play? What kind of music do you guys like?¡± Eric asked.
¡°Rock. We all like classic rock mostly. And some punk....a little country,¡± Cameron admitted.
¡°No way! Us too!¡± Briana exclaimed, crawling over Eric¡¯s lap to sit on the inside of the booth in The Harbor.
¡°Who¡¯s your favorite classic rock band?¡± Greggor asked.
¡°Def Leppard,¡± was everyone¡¯s reply, at once. Briana grinned, ¡°Steve Clark rules¡±
¡°He sure does,¡± Ashley agreed. Greggor and Cameron nodded their agreements.
Hey,look guys, it¡¯s stupid F.T.W.,¡± Cameron said with obvious disgust
What?Are you guys are anti-F.T.W. or something?¡± Eric asked, sneaking a look at Briana.
FT.W.?¡± Greggor asked.
"Yeah, remember Gregg? It stand for..uh...'screw' the world," Cam said, turning away from the stage. ¡°So...uh, tell us about you guys.¡± ¡°Uh...well, we¡¯re both 14 years old. We were born on April 23rd, but Eric¡¯s older than me. We¡¯ve been neighbors - and best friends - forever, and uh, yeah,¡± Briana said, not really wanting to talk about herself. After the five slipped into an easy conversation, and learning about each other, F.T.W. finally got off the stage, making Cameron a lot happier. ¡°Why don¡¯t you like them?¡± Briana asked, thinking the same thing as Eric. ¡°They think they¡¯re better than everyone because their name is ¡®Screw¡¯ The World,¡± Cameron said, glaring at the stage. ¡°Oh,¡± Briana said, feeling a bit uneasy. ¡°Why?¡± Greggor asked. ¡°Well, Bree and I both auditioned for the two openings in that band a few weeks ago. Their second guitarist and bassist are only temporary because the other two left to be in Avril Lavinge¡¯s band,¡± Eric explained. ¡°Oh really?¡± Cameron asked, smiling at this new piece of information. ¡°What?¡± Ashley asked, catching a devious gleam in Cameron¡¯s blue eyes. ¡°Oh nothing really. I just think it¡¯s funny that two of Aidan¡¯s guys left for a girl¡¯s band. Who¡¯s the drummer? Shane right?¡± Cameron asked. ¡°Yeah. And Caleb¡¯s the guitarist,¡± Ashley answered. ¡°Who left the band again?¡± Greggor asked. ¡°Evan Taubenfeld and Mark Spicoluk,¡± Briana replied. ¡°Avril Lavinge? Oh my gosh she¡¯s friggin¡¯ annoying,¡± Ashley complained. ¡°Heck yeah!! Oooh, Ash¡¯s defiantly my newest friend...¡± Briana said grinning. ¡°Hey, we all think so too!¡± Greggor defended. ¡°Okay, so all four of you are my best friends,¡± Briana said smiling. ¡°Works for me. Hey, these bands suck, wanna go see how awesome you guys are at the guitar?¡± Cameron suggested. ¡°Uhhh...¡± Briana started. ¡°Yeah! Sure!¡± Eric said, a little too quickly, nudging Briana hard in the ribs. ¡°You¡¯ll pay for that,¡± Briana threatened as the five left The Harbor together. The five walked from The Harbor, over to Music Note, which was the big music store down the street. ¡°Hey Cammy,¡± The guy behind the counter at the store greeted. ¡°Shut up Sammy,¡± Cameron said, rolling his eyes. ¡°That¡¯s my brother Sam. He¡¯s a big butt head,¡± Cameron explained to Briana and Eric. ¡°Hey Cammy, we got in your Avril Lavinge sheet music and guitar tabs,¡± Sam said, obviously finding himself amusing, seeing he started to laugh hysterically. Cameron rolled his eyes, and went to the back of the store, where there were tons of guitars, drums, basses, keyboards, and every other instrument. ¡°Which kind do you guys wanna try?¡± Greggor asked, unplugging the two guitars that were already in the amps. ¡°This one,¡± Briana said, drawn to a pretty Gibson Les Paul. It was bright blue and had the British flag on the body. ¡°Of course,¡± Eric said, selecting a see-through, lime green one. ¡°What do you want us to play?¡± Briana asked. ¡°Doesn¡¯t matter. You can play first,¡± Cameron said, sitting on an un-used amp. Greggor sat on a piano bench next to Ashley. ¡°Uh, okay,¡± Briana said, trying out the guitar. ¡°I¡¯m gonna play ¡®Switch 625¡¯ okay?¡± ¡°Go ahead,¡± Cameron said. ¡°Wow, that was great,¡± The four boys marveled after she finished the minute song. ¡°Thanks,¡± Briana said, slightly breathless from playing her favorite song ever by Def Leppard. ¡°Hmm...and you haven¡¯t played a single thing in the past two weeks,¡± Eric commented, making himself and the other boys all the more impressed. ¡°Really? Why?¡± Greggor asked. ¡°Uh, I just lost interest in it for awhile,¡± Briana admitted. ¡°Oh, I see. Your turn Eric,¡± Ashley said. ¡°Like I can really follow that without looking stupid...¡± Eric muttered. ¡°You¡¯re not lead anyway,¡± Briana pointed out. Eric was a bit shy, so he wouldn¡¯t like to be a lead guitarists. Bree on the other hand, loved the spotlight (though she would never admit it), and glowed in the spotlight. Cameron, Ashley, and Greggor laughed at Eric¡¯s comment, but settled down to listen. ¡°Uhh...I¡¯m going to play Def Leppard¡¯s ¡®Work It Out,¡¯ since I¡¯m feelin¡¯ a little nervous and that¡¯s all I can think of to play,¡± Eric said. ¡°That¡¯s okay,¡± Cameron said. ¡°Hey, that was real good,¡± Cameron, Ashley, Greggor, and Briana said. ¡°Thanks. Hey, do you wanna see what we can play together?¡± Eric asked. ¡°Sure! That¡¯d be great,¡± Cameron said. ¡°Rock-¡± Briana started to ask. ¡°Yeah,¡± Eric answered. And the two played Def Leppard¡¯s ¡°Rocket.¡± ¡°I think you guys are exactly what T.L.F. needs,¡± The three boys told them. ¡°T.L.F.?¡± Bree and Eric asked. ¡°The Leppard¡¯s Five,¡± Cameron explained. ¡°Yeah, we know...we like Def Leppard...a lot.¡± ¡°Works for me!¡± Briana announced. ¡°Hey, wanna play something together?¡± Greggor asked, already getting behind the black drum set that was set up behind Eric and Briana. ¡°Yeah! Let¡¯s do that,¡± Ashley agreed, getting a sparkly red bass off the shelf and plugging it into the amp next to Eric. ¡°Sure,¡± Cameron also agreed, un-wrapping a microphone¡¯s cord and plugging it into the amp he had been sitting on. He found the microphone stand, and put it in. ¡°What shall it be?¡± ¡°WHOA, WHOA, WHOA!!! What the butt do you little punks think you¡¯re doing?!¡± Sam demanded. ¡°Sugar?¡± Cameron suggested, that devious gleam returning to his eyes. ¡°One-Two-One-Two-Thee-Four,¡± Greggor counted out. ¡°NO! QUIT IT!¡± Sam shouted. Greggor started the drums, and Bree, Eric, and Ashley joined in on the guitars and bass. ¡°Wai-wait,¡± Briana stopped. ¡°What?¡± The guys asked, all giving Sam the ¡°die look.¡± ¡°Greggor¡¯s Rick Allen, Ashley¡¯s Sav, Cameron¡¯s Joe, and Eric¡¯s Phil...right? HEY! I GET TO BE STEVE?!¡± Briana asked excitedly. ¡°Yeah, ¡®you¡¯re¡¯ Steve,¡± The boys confirmed. ¡°Awesome!¡± Briana said in a funny, high-pitched voice. ¡°Okay, I¡¯m ready now.¡± Greggor counted it out again, and they joined in. ¡°Love is like a bomb, baby come and get it on. Livin¡¯ like a lover with a radar phone,¡± Cameron sang. He had a calm, soothing, and very melodic voice, unlike most guys. ¡°Lookin¡¯ like a tramp, like a video vamp. Demolition woman, can I be your man? Razzle ¡®n¡¯ a dazzle, ¡®n¡¯ flash a little light. Television lover, baby go all night. Sometime, anytime, sugar me sweet. Little miss ah innocent sugar me, yeah. Hey!¡± Then came the chorus, and the other four joined in. ¡°Come on, take a bottle, shake it up. Break the bubble, break it up. Pour some sugar on me (Oooh, in the name of love). Pour some sugar on me (Come on, fire me up). Pour your sugar on me. Oh, I can¡¯t get enough. I¡¯m hot...sticky sweat. From my head, to my feet yeah.¡± ¡°Listen! Red light, yellow light, green-a-light go! Crazy little woman in the one man show. Mirror queen, mannequin, rhythm of love. Sweet dream, saccharine, loosen up.¡± Cameron said, his mouth very close to the mic. Ashley joined Cameron when he sang, ¡°You gotta squeeze a little, squeeze a little. Tease a little more. Easy operator come a knockin¡¯ on my door. Sometime, anytime, sugar me sweet. Little miss ah innocent sugar me, yeah.¡± Then they sang the chorus again, ¡°Come one, take a bottle, shake it up. Break the bubble, break it up. Pour some sugar on me (Oooh, in the name of love). Pour some sugar on me (Come on, fire me up). Pour your sugar on me. Oh, I can¡¯t get enough. I¡¯m hot...sticky sweat. From my head, to my feet yeah.¡± Briana easily played Steve¡¯s guitar solo, as if she had been playing that song all her life. Which she probably had been. The five all sang, ¡°You got the peaches, I got the cream. Sweet to taste, saccharine. ¡®Cause I¡¯m hot (Hot, so hot), sticky sweet. From my head (My head), to my feet.¡± ¡°Do you take Sugar? One lump or two?¡± Cameron asked. ¡°Take a bottle, shake it up. Break the bubble, break it up. Pour some sugar on me (Oooh, in the name of love). Pour some sugar on me (Come on, fire me up). Pour your sugar on me. Oh, I can¡¯t get enough. Pour some sugar on me (Get it, come get it). Pour your sugar on me, oh, pour some sugar on me. Yeah sugar me,¡± The five sang in complete harmony. ¡°You little heathens better not even THINK of playing another song! I called the cops! You¡¯re kicked out of here! Go!¡± Sam yelled. ¡°Shut up Sam,¡± Cameron said easily. ¡°Hey, wanna play ¡®Make Love¡¯?¡± ¡°Sure,¡± They all answered, starting to play a lesser-known Def Leppard song. But the guys only got as far as, ¡°Make love, like a man. I¡¯m a man. That¡¯s what I am, uh! Come on, all you girls, ¡®round the world. Lookin¡¯ for a guy who¡¯s a real go getter. Every guy, grab a girl, love her like a man, make her feel a lot better,¡± before the Laketon police showed up. ¡°Names please?¡± Officer Omar Malloy asked, knowing exactly who they were. ¡°Oh come on Mr. Malloy,¡± Eric said, rolling his eyes. The five were just standing there, looking at Officer Malloy and his partner, Officer Drew Stelzer. Officer Stelzer lived across the street and a few houses down from Biana and Eric. ¡°Quit it you guys, we¡¯re not screwing around here,¡± Officer said. Ashley sighed, and rolled his eyes at the stupidity of it all. ¡°Ashley Davis.¡± ¡°Jamie Greggor,¡± Greggor said, getting up from behind the black drum kit. ¡°I thought your name was Mike,¡± Briana said. ¡°Jamie Sellers,¡± Cameron told the two officers, glaring at Sam. ¡°Ahh, I see now,¡± Briana said, getting why Cameron went by his middle name, and Greggor went by his last name. ¡°Eric McIntyre,¡± Eric said, glaring at Officer Malloy for being so stupid about the entire thing. ¡°And you?¡± Officer Stelzer asked. ¡°George Washington,¡± Briana said, obviously thinking the whole thing was blown out of proportion. Ashley, Cameron, Greggor, and Eric laughed, but Sam, and Officers Malloy and Stelzer didn¡¯t find it too funny. ¡°Oh my steve, you guys have to personality. It¡¯s Briana Peterson. You know that.¡± ¡°We¡¯ll let you get off with a warning, but you¡¯ll have to leave right now, and you can¡¯t be back in this store for two weeks,¡± Officer Malloy told them, handing Cameron a slip of paper. ¡°What do you want me to do with this?¡± Cameron asked. ¡°You need to take it down to the station, and you¡¯ll get a paper, stating what you guys got into trouble on, and the new rules for the next two weeks,¡± Officer Stelzer explained. ¡°Why can¡¯t you do it? You¡¯re going there anyway. And Mr - I mean, Officer - Malloy can give it to Eric tonight,¡± Briana muttered. ¡°Quit it Bree,¡± Officer Malloy sighed. ¡°Sorry,¡± She apologized guiltily. ¡°Come on, we¡¯ll give you a ride down there,¡± Officer Stelzer said, gesturing for the five to follow them. ¡°Let us put this stuff away first,¡± They replied at once. They carefully re-wrapped the cords, and put the guitars away. Cameron put the microphone in the corner, helped the other four dis-assemble the drum kit, and put that way. ¡°Do you want a ride? Or will you guys come by later?¡± Officer Malloy asked. They all kind of looked at one another, before letting Cameron answer. ¡°I think we¡¯re just going to hang out down here. Get to know each other better.¡± ¡°Okay. You guys sounded great though, I must say,¡± Officer Stelzer admitted, smiling at them. ¡°Yeah, you guys are a good band. What do you call yourselves?¡± Officer Malloy asked. ¡°The Friggin¡¯ Losers!¡± Sam shouted from behind the counter. Cameron flipped him off, before answering with the other four, ¡°The Leppard¡¯s Five.¡± Officer Malloy smiled at Briana. ¡°Figures. I doubt Bree would join a band by any other name...or at least one that didn¡¯t have to do with Def Leppard.¡± ¡°Uhh...Omar - I mean, Officer Malloy? Did you happen to see my dad tonight?¡± Briana asked as worry crossed her face. ¡°Uh, actually Bree, I did. I told him that I was taking you for the night though...I, uh,¡± Mr. Malloy stuttered. ¡°What? I¡¯m not allowed to even go home now?¡± Briana asked, near tears and not even knowing why. ¡°It¡¯s not that Bree...your father has been drinking a lot tonight, and no one wants to see you get hurt,¡± Mr. Malloy explained. Briana¡¯s bottom lip trembled, ¡°Uh, I think Stevid was going to come pick me up tonight anyway.¡± ¡°Bree can come to my house until Stevid picks her up Mr. Malloy,¡± Eric offered. ¡°No, I can¡¯t remember Er¡¯? Tonight¡¯s your dad¡¯s business dinner,¡± Briana reminded him. Only Mrs. McIntyre, Eric¡¯s older brother Lenny, Eric, and Eric¡¯s younger brother, Ethan, were invited from Mr. McIntyre¡¯s family. Bree didn¡¯t have a ticket - or an invitation - to go. ¡°Come over to my house then Bree...Cameron and Ash are going to be there anyway,¡± Greggor offered shyly. ¡°Where do you live? You¡¯re not going to try and kill me or anything, are you?¡± Briana asked. ¡°No! I live in Lakedale. House number five,¡± Greggor answered. ¡°Thanks Gregg,¡± Briana said. ¡°That¡¯s a good idea. I have to be somewhere with Maggie anyway tonight, and I forgot all about it. I¡¯ll call Stevid and tell him, okay?¡± Mr. Malloy questioned. ¡°Okay. Thanks Mr. Malloy. When are you going home? If my dad¡¯s being dumb, I want you there with me when I get my stuff,¡± Briana said softly, feeling everyone¡¯s eyes on her. ¡°I¡¯ll keep a watch out for you guys, okay?¡± Mr. Malloy asked. ¡°Okay,¡± Briana said softly. She hated asking Mr. Malloy to go with her into her own house, where she was supposed to feel safe and welcomed. But her house had never been a safe haven; just an angry, twisting fury of hard liquor, pain, and tears. Everyday she asked herself why her father was not only doing this to himself, but to her also. She racked her brain, trying to figure out why he was the way he was. And each time, came up with so many things, and yet, nothing at all. ¡ï¡ï¡ï The five walked around town until about eight-thirty, then walked back to Lake Hills, so Eric could go home. He waved bye to his new friends before going into the house. Then, in their own, secret, little sign language, told Bree he would call her at Stevid¡¯s later, by moving his wrist, like as if he were opening a door. ¡°Okay Eric. Bye!¡± Briana called. ¡°Bye Eric,¡± Ashley, Cameron, and Greggor all said, before they walked with Briana to The Malloys¡¯ house. Briana went up to the front door, and knocked on it. She stared blankly at the bright maroon color, and the gold door knocker that she and Eric never used. ¡°Come on in Bree!¡± Maggie called. ¡°Come on you guys. Maggie¡¯s really nice. You should meet her,¡± She said, leading the way into the Malloys¡¯ small, but cozy house. ¡°Hey Briana. Oh, who are these guys?¡± Maggie asked, looking up from her knitting. ¡°Oh, my band members?¡± Briana questioned, looking at the boys who were nodding like a bobble head dog on a dashboard. ¡°My and Eric¡¯s band members. Cameron Sellers, Ashley Davis, and Mike Greggor, but we just call him ¡®Greggor,¡¯¡± Briana explained, pointing to each boy as she said his name. ¡°Hello. I¡¯m Maggie Malloy. Please, sit, make yourselves at home. I baked cookies. You guys want some? Of course you do, you¡¯re kids, and kids love cookies,¡± Maggie said, getting up. ¡°Mrs. Malloy is very happy that they¡¯re expecting twins in the spring,¡± Briana whispered to the boys. ¡°Ooooh, okay,¡± Ashley said, getting it. ¡°Hey Briana,¡± Omar said, coming out of the hallway. He must¡¯ve just gotten out of the shower, because his blonde hair was still wet. ¡°They¡¯re having milk and cookies Omar. Just leave them alone for a few,¡± Maggie said, bringing out a tray that had a plate of chocolate chip cookies, and 4 glasses of milk on it. Omar smiled at them, and sat down in his black, leather recliner. After Briana had ate a cookie, Omar insisted that they go over to her house and get her stuff. ¡°There is no sense in prolonging the whole ordeal,¡± he pointed out. ¡°Yeah, you¡¯re right...¡± Briana admitted, not wanting to go into her own house now. Her and Omar walked over to the Petersons¡¯ house, and Briana slowly opened the front door. ¡°WHO IS THAT?!¡± Davy yelled from the living room. ¡°It-¡± Briana started, before Omar clapped a hand over her mouth. ¡°Go get all your stuff packed, and meet me back down here okay?¡± Omar whispered in her ear, and have a little push to the stairs. ¡°But what about my dad?!¡± She whispered to him loudly, turning around. ¡°I got it,¡± He answered, waving it off. ¡°Are you sure?¡± She asked. ¡°Go on, and hurry,¡± Omar replied. ¡°Things...things...things...¡± Briana muttered, grabbing two huge black duffle bags with sewn on pink stars. She grabbed every item of clothing she owned and jammed them into the bags. She found a purple duffle bag, and shoved all her CDs and DVDs into that bag. She grabbed her pillow, and got her bags, and went back downstairs. ¡°YOU¡¯RE NOT GOING ANYWHERE!¡± Davy shouted, trying to get past Omar and get up the steps. Omar pushed on Davy¡¯s shoulders, and pinned him to the wall. ¡°Quick! Go! Now, now!¡± Briana flew down the stairs and out the front door, afraid. She dropped her things on Omar¡¯s front steps, and stood there, panting. ¡°MY GUITAR!¡± She shrieked, and ran back over to her house. She saw Mr. McIntyre in his front yard, and he instantly knew something was up. ¡°Bree, who¡¯s there with you?¡± Leonard McIntyre asked. ¡°Omar. He¡¯s holding off my dad so I can get my stuff,¡± Briana confessed. Leonard quickly came over, and lead Briana into the house. ¡°Leonard, thank God you¡¯re here,¡± Omar said, and the two men struggled to get Davy pinned to the ground. ¡°What are you doing back here Briana?¡± ¡°I need my guitar. He¡¯ll wreck it,¡± Briana explained, suddenly bursting into tears. ¡°Bree, go get Lenny and Joe. My brother Doug too okay. They can get your things,¡± Leonard said in a no-nonsense voice. ¡°LET ME GO!! GET OFF OF ME!! LET ME GO!!¡± Davy yelled at the top of his lungs, growing more and more angry with each passing second. Briana ran out her front door, and over to the McIntyres¡¯ bursting through the already opened door. ¡°LENNY!! JOE!! DOUG!! LEONARD WANTS YOU!!¡± Briana shouted. ¡°What are you doing here Bree?¡± Eric asked, coming down the steps, already dressed to go out that night. Lenny, his friend Joe Andrews, and Doug McIntyre come over to Briana from where they were in the living room. ¡°What?¡± They asked. ¡°Leonard wants you three to go to my house, and get my guitars and my amp,¡± Briana explained. ¡°We need to hurry because my dad¡¯s getting really, really mad. Omar and him are holding him down.¡± ¡°I¡¯m helping too,¡± Eric insisted. ¡°No Eric, you¡¯re dressed already,¡± Doug told him. ¡°So I¡¯ll change if I have to,¡± Eric shrugged. Briana, Eric, Lenny, Doug, and Joe all hurried over to Briana¡¯s house, and Cameron, Ashley, and Greggor joined them, once they saw that Eric was going to help too. ¡°How many guitars are there?¡± Greggor asked. ¡°Fifteen guitars, and three amps,¡± Briana answered. ¡°Okay, Eric, you, your uncle, Joe, Lenny, and uh, Ashley, go get Caleb¡¯s guitars and two amps. Greggor, Cameron, and I will get my stuff.¡± They all went into the house, trying not to look at Davy, who had somehow turned on his back, and was kicking and punching Omar and Leonard. Eric lead his group into Caleb¡¯s old room, and grabbed two guitars, as did Lenny and Joe. Doug, on the other hand, picked up an amp. They went back downstairs, and over to the Malloys¡¯. They laid the guitars on the front lawn, and the amp on the sidewalk. Not far behind them was Briana with her two guitars. Then there was Greggor and Cameron, both carrying the amp between them. ¡°One amp, and seven more guitars,¡± Briana told them, as they hurried back to the house. Once again, Doug got the amp, and Eric, Bree, and Cameron grabbed two guitars, and Lenny grabbed the last one. ¡°Where¡¯s Joe and Greggor?¡± Doug asked, once they had put the guitars and the amp down. As soon as the words were out of his mouth, Greggor and Joe cam out of the house, each carrying some sort of display case. ¡°We saw these, and figured you¡¯d want these too,¡± Greggor explained, showing Briana what they had. ¡°Oh my gosh...Caleb¡¯s guitar pick collection,¡± she breathed, feeling as if she could faint right there in the Malloys¡¯ front yard. There, in each display case, was a collection of 100 guitar picks. Each pick had a special story behind it, and Bree could remember every story. A door slammed and they all looked up. Omar and Leonard were leaving the Peterson house. ¡°Let¡¯s go guys!¡± Leonard called. ¡°Bye Bree,¡± Eric said, moving his wrist again. ¡°Bye Er,¡¯¡± Briana said. ¡°Thanks you guys. Bye.¡± ¡°Bye,¡± Everyone said, waving good-bye. ¡°I¡¯m going to see if I can call my mom,¡± Greggor said, going into the Malloys¡¯ house. A few minutes later, he came back out, ¡°Yeah, she¡¯s coming.¡± ¡°Are you sure that your parents don¡¯t care that I hang out at your house until my brother can come get me?¡± Briana asked, worried that she was inconveniencing them. ¡°I¡¯m sure Bree,¡± Greggor reassured her. ¡°Thanks,¡± she whispered, remembering she forgot her Def Leppard movie. She had a lost look on her face, and could feel tears in her eyes. ¡°What?¡± Greggor asked. ¡°I forgot my Def Leppard movie...the one that was on VH1 last summer. You know...¡®Hysteria: The Def Leppard Story,¡¯¡± Briana reminded him. ¡°I have that taped at my house. You can have it,¡± Greggor told her easily. ¡°Gregg, there¡¯s your mom,¡± Ashley said as the Greggors¡¯ slate grey van pulled into the Malloys¡¯ driveway. Greggor¡¯s mom stopped the van, and everyone still in the yard helped to load all of Briana¡¯s belongings into the van. The four kids got in, and Omar shut the van door, praying that somehow, someway, a guardian angel would somehow appear, and keep Briana safe from the living nightmare she was going through. No one knew what was in store...a turn around a corner, not knowing what was coming at you. Omar wished that the small girl could get through it. He knew she could, on pure heart and soul alone...but it was now in God¡¯s hands to help her out, and he sure hoped he did.
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Chapter 2 - The Riftmaster
