“HURRY UP!” Scott screamed through the door. I rolled my eyes and fixed my wig in the mirror once more.

“Kate, everyone is waiting for you. Finish now,” Liv whined. I glared at her and checked myself once more to make sure everything was ok.

“Nice costume Kate,” Bob said as he burst through the door. I wrapped my arms around my Marilyn Monroe costume.

“What the hell? Damnit, get out! Or at least knock first,” I shrieked.

“We have been knocking, for the past ten minutes. If you take any longer, we will be late for the costume party,” Dave said, following his brother in. I stopped short and stared at his costume.

“What the fuck are you wearing Dave? Are those...tights?” I asked slowly. He looked down at his Peter Pan costume and turned seven shades of red.

“Um...no. They are stockings. Get it right,” Bob said. He was dressed up as a vampire from Interview with a Vampire. He looked like Brad Pitt.

“Hey Kate. Wipe the drool from your lips ok?” Sara said. She was dressed as a French whore from Interview with a Vampire. Fit her perfectly, little bitch.

“Nati’s getting something to drink. She’ll be back soon,” Liv told them. Nati burst into the room, dressed in her punk Tinkerbell costume.

“Damn machine wouldn’t take my dollar,” she said, and held up a very crinkled and wrinkled dollar bill. She turned around and saw Dave. “I’m soooo thirsty. Dave...your costume...”

“It’s not easy being green,” he said melancholy.

“Where’s Clint? I want to see what he looks like in his costume,” Liv said as we were leaving the room and making our way to the taxis in front of the hotel.

“Oh, there he is,” Nati pointed out as Clint came bounding down the stairs, wrapped up in a trench coat, his bare legs peeking out from underneath it. Scott followed him.

“Why are you wearing that?” Liv asked him. I hated to see what was underneath. “Take that stupid thing off.”

Clint growled and shook his head. “I’m never taking this off. I feel like a dick in this, Olivia.”

“I’m sooo sorry. Take it off now,” Liv said again. He complied, taking off the black trench coat to reveal a little loincloth that only covered so much.

“Oh my fucking god…Liv you did this to him, didn’t you?” Nati said. I burst out laughing at his Tarzan costume.

Clint looked miserable. “I feel so naked. I’m going to go put something else on.”

“Olivia! You tainted him! Tarzan and Jane? What where you thinking?” I shrieked at her between gasps for air. She stood there, not looking very amused in her safari hat.

“Shut up and get in the taxi, Marilyn,” she snapped back at me. I squished in next to Scott. Clint slouched in next to me and Liv sat in the front.

“Scott what are you supposed to be? Everyone else went in couples costumes, what does a leather jacket have to do with Marilyn Monroe?” Liv asked him. Scott looked at me and laughed. I shivered in the tiny white dress and platinum blonde wig.

“Who do you think he is? Leather jacket, slicked back hair, sneer always on his lips. You know, his idol.” Clint said, laughing at his brother.

“Very funny. I happen to be Elvis in his good days,” Scott said very matter-of-factly. I tried not to laugh.

“This is a very interesting situation. Two of the biggest idols and you didn’t even plan it. Wonderful, just wonderful,” Liv said to us. I sneered at her myself.

NATALIA

“Oh my god, look at all the people here! I didn’t know there were so many celebrities on the EMI/Polygram Universal label,” Liv said. Over in the corner, Mel C and Emma from the Spice Girls were talking to the Eagle Eye Cherry guy.

“Is that...5ive?” I said, pointing to Scott and Abs from the pop group 5ive over by the bar. Sara rolled her eyes.

“Where’s Nati?” Kate asked excitedly. She whipped her head around to see Scott and Abs slowly making their way over to us.

“Hey, you’re Nine Lives right? My girlfriend loves you,” Abs said to us. A sinking feeling hit Kate and she gave me a sad look.

“Oh well, Nati,” She whispered into my ear. I pinched her arm. Scott from the Moffatts stood right next to Kate, as if he was guarding her from Scott from 5ive. I had heard the two bands weren’t exactly the most chummy sometimes.

“Hee hee, Hi guys,” Kate said with a smile on her face. I turned to see Kate beaming as her two favorite Scotts surrounded her.

Sara came up beside me and I whispered to her, “Scott...Scott...it’s a Kate sandwich,” Sara burst out laughing and Kate just looked at us confused. I tried to keep in my own cackling.

“Come on Kate, we’ve got things to do,” Scott from the Moffatts said, giving the other members of 5ive the evil eye. We walked past them and continued to our reserved dinner table to drop off our stuff.

“Hey C.T. is that loincloth all you are wearing underneath the coat?” I asked seductively. Kate gasped for air and shook with laughter.

“No...I’ve got underwear on. I’m not that stupid,” He answered. Sara and I looked at each other with, ‘Oh, really?’ smirks on our faces.

“Clint, please, are you going to take off that stupid trench coat?” Liv persisted. Clint shook his head and sat down miserably at the table.

“Fine. I don’t care. If you’re going to sulk, then go ahead and do it. I’m going to have fun,” Liv said, and ran away to find more celebrities.

“I think I’m going to go off too, go see whose around. Um… hey Dave. Want to come?” I said, in the friendliest voice I could without being too eager. Dave looked up at me strangely from where he was sitting at the table.

“Me?” He asked, pointing to himself. Yes, dumbass, who else?

KATE

Where is Scott? He told me to meet him out by the punch bowl after he went to go see some people. I can’t believe he wore that Elvis outfit. But then again, I’m not that surprised. Damn it, this stupid dress is fricken cold. I hope there aren’t any air vents around...

Oh there he is over by the punch bowl!

“Scott!” I called to the leather jacket stud pouring fruit juice into a little plastic cup. I ran up behind him and threw my arms around him. Resting my head on his shoulder, I raised my head to kiss his cheek.

“Um...excuse me?” The boy said. I looked up at the confused face of Taylor Hanson.

“Ack! Oh my god! I’m so sorry! I thought you were…never mind that. I’m so sorry!” I blurted out a string of apologies to Taylor’s blushing face.

“It’s quite ok, Marilyn,” He said, kicking the ground with his suede shoe.

“Hey, what did I miss?” Said the voice from behind me. I spun around, half not wanting to see who was there.

“Hey Taylor, what’s going on?” Scott said to the god who I had just molested. I spurt out a jumble of words and ran away to the punch bowl.

“Scott! Long time no see. What’s been going on?” Taylor said. Scott and he shook hands in the teenage guy way.

“Not much really. Just obsessively touring,” Scott answered him nonchalantly. He was aware that he was talking to THE Taylor Hanson. I gulped down a glass of punch and poured another.

“Yeah, yeah. I heard about that. How’s touring with Nine Lives? I heard they are pretty ‘charismatic’,” Taylor made the quotation symbols with his fingers and Scott began to laugh. Note to self: Kill Scott.

“OH yeah. Everyday’s a barrel of fun with them,” Scott said teasingly. “They’re better than just my brothers all the time.”

“Of course. You were never the one to engage with the incest Scott,” Taylor said laughing his head off. I tried not to laugh at their stupid ass joke. Sara came up behind me and grinned at the sight.

“Here comes the inevitable question Kate. Scott? God? Scott? God?” She said, pointing the two musicians out to me. I sighed slightly.

“Oh God...” I groaned out of habit. I quickly realized the error of my words, but not before Sara was shaking with laughter.

“I mean Scott! Yeah!” I said, comprehending what was really going on. I turned my attention back to the conversation between Scott and Taylor.

“But how is touring with such luscious eye candy? I heard that lead bass player was fucking hot as hell,” Taylor exclaimed very loudly to my surprise. I choked on the too-sweet punch and blushed profusely. God, I hope Scott wouldn’t do anything to embarrass me.

“Yeah, she’s really gorgeous. I can hardly keep my mind on the guitar sometimes,” Scott said, well aware that I was listening to them speak. I whipped around to face Scott, and made wild gestures to shut him up behind Taylor’s back.

“Oh, by the way, I want you to meet someone,” Scott said, reaching for my arm and pulling me in front of Taylor. “This is my girlfriend. Kate, meet Taylor.”

I swallowed hard to make way for the tight embarrassed smile trying to surface on my lips. Taylor was bright red.

“She’s been wanting to meet you for a long time. Don’t be afraid of him, Kate. Taylor doesn’t bite,” Scott said. I stomped my pump on top of his blue suede shoes and he stifled a squeak.

“Hi Taylor. Nice to meet you. I play bass in Nine Lives. I’m a really big fan of yours,” I said, trying to make Taylor realize what as asshole he had just been. His eyes grew wide and all the red splotches on his face faded to pale.

“Yeah. Nice to meet you too,” He said, extending his clammy palm and smiling thinly. I shook his hand and grinned, because I was finally touching Taylor Hanson. Fuck being a famous musician. This was what I had been dreaming about since a little girl.

“Uh...sorry about um...Hi Kate,” He spewed out at me, at a loss for words. It’s not everyday that a major celebrity makes an ass of himself. Wait...

“We have to go find the other people. We’ll come see you later ok?” Scott said as I wrapped my arms around Scott and tried to lay my lips on any part of open skin. Taylor was staring at us awkwardly.

“Bye Tay!” I shouted over my shoulder as we walked away.

“What the HELL was that?” He asked me when we had gotten far enough away from ‘God’.

“You didn’t tell me you knew Taylor Hanson!” I exclaimed pitifully. He giggled profusely. “You enjoy torturing me don’t you?”

“I think it’s the other way around. If I didn’t come and interrupt your little rendezvous by the punch bowl, I would have never seen you again. You would have run away with the Hansons,” Scott said, still laughing. I opened my mouth to defend myself but shut it because I knew he was right.

NATALIA

I searched the crowd, trying to find my way back to the group. I had lost Dave a long time ago to some random band of musicians I had never heard of. Now the little Tinkerbell was all alone and lost with a bunch of dressed up musicians.

“Grrr...Of all the costumes, I had to be Peter Pan’s Tinkerbell. Why couldn’t I just be something by myself?” I asked aloud. A woman in a cowgirl outfit gave me a look and walked past me. I stuck my tongue out at her and laughed.

I thought I saw Bob in a top hat over by the stage with Sara. I stood on tiptoe to make sure, but I couldn’t tell. I edged through the crowd to get to where they were.

“Bob! Thank god, I found you. I thought I was lost,” I said, grabbing his arm and spinning him around.

“Excuse me?” exploded the mad man who definitely was NOT Bob.

“Oh, I’m so sorry. I thought you were someone else. Um, sorry. Bye,” I said, and scampered away before he could speak again.

“Damn it!” I stomped my slipper covered foot and pushed my way onto the dance floor to find someone, anyone else I would know.

“God I hate snotty musicians. All full of themselves, don’t care about the little Tinkerbells in the world,” I said as a melodramatic punk rocker stepped on my toe.

“Jesus Christ! Learn to dance or don’t do it!” I shouted and stomped away from him and into another person. I fell down at his feet and lost my other shoe.

“Not again...” I murmured as I picked up my fallen wand. I straighten my skirt and looked up at the man in the old fashioned suit.

“Are you ok?” He asked me, and handed me the little green slipper. I nodded and started to walk away.

“Hey! Hold on!” The man called after me and I spun around, curious as to what he wanted.

“Who are you here with?” He asked me. I raised an eyebrow and hid a smirk. Did he just try to pick me up?

“Just the other members in my band. Why? And what are you supposed to be?” I questioned him, eyeing his cape and interesting mask.

“Oh, no reason. Just asking, because you look familiar. I’m the Phantom of the Opera,” He said, bowing very regally and grinning widely. He looked up at me and motioned to my light green dress and wings. “I’m guessing you are Tinkerbell.”

I laughed and curtsied. “Of course. How did you ever guess?”

“Um, I couldn’t help but notice you fluttering into people,” he said and smiled. I smirked at him and folded my arms. “You looked upset or lost or something. This place is pretty big and there are many people. Do you need any help?”

I took his arm and led him off the mobbed dance floor. “Actually I am lost. I can’t find anyone. Could you help me find them? There’s a Marilyn Monroe, an Elvis, a Peter Pan, French Prostitute, a vampire in a top hat, Tarzan in a black trench coat and Jane in a safari hat. Have you seen any of them?” I asked Opera Man. I scanned the crowd to see if any of the people I had just named were anywhere to be seen.

“I saw Marilyn and Elvis a little while ago at the punch bowl. I haven’t seen anyone else though. Except for the Tarzan in a trench coat. He’s pretty hard to miss,” he answered me. I looked at him and laughed.

“That’s Clint. He’s feeling naked,” I said between chuckles. Opera Man began to laugh too and we kept searching for the missing members.

SARA

“Bob! Stop it for a second. Oh God,” I shrieked as Bob started to leave little love bites on my open neck.

“Come on, I’m supposed to be a vampire. You’re my prey,” he said, glaring at me sexily with his faux fangs peeking out from behind his lips. He pushed me up against the wall of the little studio.

“We need to get back to the party. People are gonna be looking for us. What if we get caught in here?” I asked him. He shrugged and went in to lick my neck again. I gasped at the touch of his tongue to my neck and arched my head further back to make room for his head.

A noise came from outside the room. I whipped my head around to try to hear the noise better. Bob stopped too and lifted his head.

“What was that?” he asked me. My eyes grew wider as the voices got louder. I ducked down behind a desk and pulled Bob with me as the doorknob turned and the voices with their bodies came into the room.

NATALIA

“Do you see them anywhere?” Opera man asked me. I jumped up and stood on tiptoe to try to find my friends. Finally realizing for the first time how tall he was, I couldn’t help but staring.

“What?” he asked me, and wiped his mouth as if something were there. I longed to take off his mask and see who he was, but every time I got close enough to him to yank it off, he lurched faster ahead to search for the lost members.

“It’s nothing. You’re exceptionally tall, did you know that?” I asked him, as if he’d never noticed his height before. I laughed and blushed at my inane remark.

“Sorry. That came out really stupidly,” I said, and peered over the heads of the crowd. It wasn’t like I was short. I was taller than the other girls in Nine Lives. But this boy towered over anyone near him. I was glad he was helping me hunt for my companions.

“Can you see anyone in a platinum blonde wig? Anyone at all?” I squealed as my already wearing thin patience was stretched even farther. Dave deserted me; my friends lose me in the crowd. All I have is Opera Man to keep me company.

“Wait! I think I see them. Some guy in a leather jacket?” He asked me, and pointed over to a single table in the back of the room.

“THAT”S THEM!” I shrieked and grabbed Opera Man’s hand. He ran with me to the table, bumping and charging down people the whole way there.

“Watch it!” A gorilla with a yellow hat said to me. I giggled and hurried still, with Opera Man close behind me.

“Where were you?” I shouted at Kate and Scott as we finally made it to their table. I was short of breath from the sprint through the mobs. Opera Man came up beside me and laid an arm around my shoulders. I stared at it and then up at him next to me.

“We’ve been here the whole time. Where’s Dave? Wasn’t he with you?” Scott asked, eyeing the masked man next to me. Even if Mask Man left now, Dave would know about it from Scott.

“No. Last time I saw him he was surrounded by a bunch of girls in the corner all wanting to catch a glimpse. I couldn’t stand the scent of sun-ripened raspberry roll-on body glitter anymore so I escaped. Opera Man here helped me find my way back."

“Opera Man? What’s his real name?” Kate asked. I shrugged.

“Actually, it’s almost time for me to leave. Perchance you saw my brothers? One was dressed like Kid Rock. You can’t miss him,” he said, glancing around quickly. His eyes rested on the Kid Rock impersonator. Mr. Opera waved him over and Kid jogged to our table.

“Hey what’s up. It’s not time to go yet is it?” The obviously younger brother asked.

“I don’t know. Have you seen Tay?” Mr. Opera asked Kid, who replied with a shrug and took a chair out from the table.

“I’m tired. I’m actually tired. I can’t believe it. I’m never tired. Feel my head. Do I feel warm? I feel a cold coming on,” Kid Rock asked me and leaned forward for me to touch his forehead. He didn’t have a fever.

“You’re fine. It’s just really hot in here,” I said. Meanwhile, Dave had returned from his escapades with the giggly sluts.

“My my my, it’s been a fun night. I love Halloween,” he said. I stared uneasily at his Peter Pan costume. I hadn’t spent one single minute with Dave while he was cooed over by fans. He looked so damn fine in that green tunic.

“Wait there he is. Hey! Get over here! We’re gonna leave soon!” Opera Man shouted at his second brother. Dave noticed his arm around me, just as I knew he would. He looked hurt.

Kate gave me a look like she had seen the brothers before. I had a feeling who they were but I wanted to keep it to myself unless I was wrong.

Bounding over to our quickly expanding group came a flaxen-haired boy in an old leather jacket. His clothing suggested 1950s. I thought he was another early Elvis.

“What’s up? Give me ten more minutes. I’ve got two girls over there thinking I’m taking them on tour with us,” He said, grinning evilly. The more I thought about it, the more he reminded me of Scott.

“You’re gonna start rumors. Stop it! Just leave the girls, “ Opera Man said. The loud smack of Kate’s hand to her mouth resounded as she finally realized whom we were speaking to.

“Oh, uh. Hi again,” Taylor said sheepishly to Kate and Scott. Again? I need to hear the story.

“Clint. For the last time, you look so sexy. Just take off the damn trench coat! You look like you are going to go bomb a school!” Liv shouted to Clint as they made their way to our table.

“Fine,“ Clint said, half awake. Awww, poor thing. It’s past his bedtime. Clint peeled his black trench coat off, and his lightly sculpted arms glistened in the strobe lights. His leopard skin loincloth was actually longer than was previously thought.

“Come meet our friends, Liv,” Kate said, and got up to introduce them.

“I’m the phantom of the Opera,” He said obviously. I could feel Dave’s eyes burn a hole into my soul and I avoided any eye contact.

“My name is KIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIID Rock!” exclaimed hyper-boy. Liv smiled politely and made a weird face at Kate.

“What are you supposed to be?” She asked the last one.

“Oh, you know the book the Outsiders? Well, I’m Ponyboy.” He said, fingering the leather jacket.

“Oh really! That’s my favorite book. I want to name my child Ponyboy someday,” Liv said, handing out more information than was necessary. “What was your name again?”

Kate beamed and opened her mouth. “Olivia, I’d like you to meet Taylor, Issac and Zac.”

Olivia stared at the three obviously embarrassed boys. I’m sure they had never been forgotten before.

“No I don’t think so. What are your names really?” Olivia asked, laughing nervously. Kate nodded her head vigorously.

“I love you, more than anything,” Zac skipped around to beside Liv and took her hand.

“Than anything, I do,” Taylor sang angelically. Olivia gawked at the boy in leather, still not believing it was him.

“And I’ll give anything, and everything I have, just to be with you,” Issac crooned. My mouth dropped as he took my hand and spun me around. A mixture of excitement and happiness overcame me. I had just spent the past hour talking and laughing with Isaac Hanson. Damn it.

“These feelings I cannot hide, are emotions I hold inside. These feelings will not subside; I’ll do anything. Anything for you...” The Hanson brothers harmonized the remainder of the song just as Sara and Bob returned.

“What the hell did I miss?” Sara shrieked. This was her favorite song and she had just missed a live performance of it.

“Do you believe us now?” Zac asked seductively. He gave Olivia puppy dog eyes. Liv fainted and crashed to the dirty floor.

“Did she just faint? Liv wake up! This isn’t funny!” Clint shook her vigorously and tried to pick her up from the floor. I was laughing so hard I al most fells down too. Kate and Sara were trying to help Clint revive Liv, but they could barely keep in their own laughter. Hanson seemed a bit embarrassed.

“Uh...sorry. She doesn’t always do this,” I said, trying to cover up for Liv’s little downfall. I laughed at what I had said. She never does this!

“It’s ok. We’re actually incredibly used to it,” Taylor said and smiled again evilly. I couldn’t help giving him a weird look.

“Okay...Well...I hope this hasn’t destroyed our chances of ever having a serious conversation with you again,” Sara said, wiping the tears from her eyes.

“Hey...what happened?” Olivia whispered and sat up quickly, banging her head on the table. “Owww...My head hurts and so does my back.”

“Here’s some ice,” Ike said, handing Liv a napkin filled with ice. She took it and applied it to the bump on her forehead.

Kate peered at Sara. “Sara, are you allergic to your perfume or something?”

“No...why?” She replied innocently.

“Because there are all these little red spots on your neck, “ Scott said, voice fading out. He looked nervously at Bob and then diverted his eyes, trying not to laugh again.

“You should lace up the rest of your dress too, while you’re at it,” Zac said, not realizing his words. Sara’s hand flew up to the top of her dress and Bob threw a jacket over her shoulders. Taylor hung his head in shame for his brother.

“Ok! So, I called you over here for a reason guys. Get your jackets and let’s go. I’m gonna get the car and come meet you in front,” Issac said. He waved goodbye to the rest of the two groups and then turned to me.

“I’m glad you bumped into me,” he whispered into my ear and took my hand.

“I’m glad too. You’re really funny. And being tall comes in handy sometimes,” I said. To my surprise he kissed my cheek.

“I’ll see you soon. Bye Natalia,” Ike returned, and started for the exit. I waved to him and then looked down at the paper in my hand. Unfolding it, I read the seven digits and the extension number.