Although she frowned slightly at the sound of the smooth female voice, Keely didn’t lift her head from where her forehead was pressed on the bar. “Oh, well, I’m more of a bitch usually. But those were song lyrics, sorry, I’m off my game tonight. Not my best analogy.”

“Oh,” the faceless voice responded sounding rather confused. Yet her voice strengthened with her next words, giving the impression of a hint of laughter. “You were really great up there.”

Wincing slightly at her cowardly behaviour while someone was trying to comfort her, Keely lifted her head from the bar, staring straight forward as she brushed her hair from her eyes. “Yeah, freaking brilliant, right?” she replied dryly, tucking ginger curls behind her ears. “I’m wondering how long until security shows up, I bet they think I’m going to start stealing jewellery soon.”

“Plenty to choose from,” replied the voice, holding a note of disdain that made the sides of Keely’s mouth quirk up slightly. “Do these people even like music? I thought this was supposed to be a concert.”

She shook her head ever so slightly as the next band started up, but the crowd hadn’t learnt the lesson from her screaming at them before and just continued to talk. “I think it’s less about the music and more a “let’s show off how much money we have” kind of thing,” Keely sent back smoothly, tilting her head towards the side.

Immediately she choked in the back of her throat in surprise when she met the light brown eyes that slid over to a tint of gold.

Coughing at the sharp intake of breath, Keely spun around in the stool, making sure she was face to face with the dark haired girl. The same girl who belonged to Burn To Shine, the same band who had made the album that was still in her record player in her hotel room.

“You’re Rosemary Adams?” she managed to get out, her eyes bulging slightly.

The girl blinked, but a slow smile spread across her lips as she spoke, “You know me?”

Feeling a bit blindsided, Keely leaned her arm against the bar, rubbing her other hand over her forehead blankly. “Yeah, of course I do. I saw a video of Burn To Shine covering Doesn’t Remind Me months ago, I’ve pretty much been following you ever since. I have your album on vinyl and CD,” Keely laughed slightly, realizing she sounded a bit like a hysterical fan, but not able to control herself yet. “And when I was teaching myself to play the piano, I would learn a lot of your compositions by ear.”

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Rose responded disbelievingly, letting out a shaky little laugh. “You’re pretty much my hero. When you were on that talk show and you threw your headband offstage and sang Bad Reputation, I was watching it on my computer cheering you on from hundreds of miles away–” her pale cheeks tinged with red at the words “–oh and your music is amazing, of course. God, your voice,” she breathed, seeming to sink back into memories as her eyes focused inwards before closing them. “I’ve never heard anything like it.”

In response Keely couldn’t help the sarcastic smirk that flitted onto her mouth even though she could feel her heart swell in her chest at the words. “Oh, yeah, I’m great at screwing things up for myself,” she answered with a little roll of her eyes. “But seriously, I really want to learn the guitar part of your guys’ song Counterfeit, I’d love to be able to play a cover. The song is…” she trailed off, trying to find the words as she stared absently over Rose’s shoulder. “Well, I think it’s incredible, but I don’t think that word is enough.”

When the other girl let out a chuckle, her eyes twinkling with excitement, Keely felt an answering smile come onto her mouth.

“So it’s safe to say we’re fans of each other,” said Rose as she shook her head. “I’ll make you a deal, I’ll personally teach you Counterfeit, if you’ll teach me Yesterday’s Gone. Fair warning, I’m going to sing because there are a few things that I’d like to get out and screaming seems like a good idea at the moment.”

As the laugh bubbled out freely from her stomach, she ran a hand through her hair, shoving it away from her face again. The moment seemed almost surreal, meeting someone who had been an icon to Keely when she’d been a child, but she was quite content to stay there. “I’ll take you up on that. And I understand that completely, screaming a song is the best kind of therapy. I almost blew Seth’s–” her voice cracked over the word and she hastily corrected herself “–my producer’s eardrums a few times when I was in the studio and needed to get something out.”

“It’s awesome, isn’t it?” she put in, her eyes becoming slightly unfocused.

Sighing, Keely leaned her cheek into her hand, propping her elbow on the bar. “Yeah, yeah, it is.”

After a moment of silence, she sent her eyes to her companion who looked ready to speak. Yet before the words could leave her mouth, the familiar beginning riff of Nowhere Fast exploded through the room without warning, causing more than a few people in the crowd to jump violently.

It was familiar for Keely since she heard the same song every concert without fail, it had been chart topping for NSR when it came out. The sound of it made Keely’s heart clench painfully in her chest, flinging her back to the previous argument with Seth, the one she’d managed to push from her mind for a few moments while speaking to Rosemary. Her heart began to race, making each passing beat more painful.

Unable to help herself save her own threading sanity, her eyes flickered up to the stage as if captured by some magnetic pull. However the pain only increased when she saw Seth standing with his back to her, his whole body moving as he played the guitar, matching the drums to his playing as his head moved up and down. Did that guy, the one she didn’t doubt she’d do anything for, really think that of her? As she watched, he turned away from the drums to face the crowd without glancing at them, focused solely on the guitar in his hands.

Her breathing began to strain as she stared, yet her focus was turned away when Rose’s voice saved her from hyperventilating. “Hey,” she whispered, leaning forward with a concerned look in her eyes, “You okay?”

For a moment Keely just blinked at her, unsure of everything going on in her entire life.

“Um,” she choked out through her tight throat, “No, I’m not. I’ve got to go-right now,” Keely tripped over her words, shoving up from her seat and pushing away from the bar. “I’m going to go get some air.”

“All right–” Rose cut off her words, making Keely send a glance her way. The other girl’s work fixed on someone cutting through the crowd, a mixture of panic and pain shining brightly from them. “Actually, some air sounds great right about now.”

Nodding, she didn’t bother to ask; apparently she wasn’t the only one running from something at the moment. Without a word, Keely hooked her arm through Rose’s thoughtlessly, pulling her into the midst of the thick crowd in hopes of finding an exit. Seth’s voice was pulsing in through all about her and she could hear the power gaining behind it as he went from a smooth quiet voice building to the raspy shout that he did so well.

Refusing to look back as NSR hit the hook seamlessly, she tried to dodge through the crowd. But it was getting more difficult with each passing second.

It was as if something was against them, trying to keep them from escaping the stuffy hell.

Cutting through the people dressed up in their best clothing was difficult enough on her own, but with Rose it was almost impossible yet Keely didn’t let go of her arm. She was too panicked to go on her own, and it brought her some comfort to know she wasn’t the only one who was scared at the moment.

Becoming more frustrated, she began to speak loudly, trying to clear them a path. “Excuse me – sorry – please, we need to – can we get through? Excuse me.”

More than a few scowls were shot in their direction, but she couldn’t help but feel their shoving through the congested crowd wasn’t the cause. She hadn’t exactly been polite while on stage when she’d been speaking or singing, not to mention she’d flipped them off. It was odd, if she was standing face to face with a stranger, she’d never be able to speak the way she had earlier, no matter what had happened. Her polite upbringing too enforced into her bones. However, when she was on stage, it was like she gained a new power, becoming louder and more outspoken, the music giving her a protective barrier and allowing her to say what was on her mind to a room of complete strangers.

Although, it had been that way for a long time, but it had grown from what she said in her music to what she spoke to the people. She sang things and released feelings in her music that she’d never dare to show people in ordinary life.

Eventually they broke through to the point where Keely could see a dark door almost melding into the walls, and a sigh broke through her lips.

Yet when they were a mere step from pushing through the door, an arm shot out across it protectively, effectively blocking an escape from the party that was making her more and more claustrophobic. “I’m going to have to search you again, Miss Staub.”

Hearing the familiar voice, Keely finally dropped Rose’s arm, rubbing her hands over her face wearily. “Seriously?” she snapped, sending a glare in the stoic woman’s direction. “You checked me when I came in; it’s only been like half an hour at the most. When was I supposed to get drugs in that time?”

The woman’s mouth was tight as she looked down disdainfully at them, no hint of apology in her eyes as she shrugged. “It’s procedure.”

“Really?” piped up Rose sardonically, causing Keely to look around in surprise at the person jumping to her defense. The dark haired girl was scowling fiercely at the security guard, obviously displeased as her voice got louder than before. “That’s weird because unless I missed something, I wasn’t searched when I came in and you don’t seem overly concerned with me now.”

“And I’d love to watch you search the rest of the people at this party,” Keely jumped in afterwards, throwing her arm to the side to gesture to the crowd.

Yet the security guard stayed stock still, blocking them from getting out. “You won’t be getting out without being searched.”

Momentarily Keely opened her mouth, about to argue the point more, realizing that she was getting a very potent hatred of authority figures. Yet from behind her, NSR started up a new song and she couldn’t help the panic that leapt into her throat, shoving her forward to just give into the woman's demand so she could escape.

The slower song pulsed forward her fear of being stuck in there any longer, she could remember being closed up in the studio at UAE writing that song with Seth. The allusions to death and pain that she had never truly understood at the time were much clearer to her now.

“Okay, fine,” she snarled succumbing.

Holding her arms out, Keely let herself be patted thoroughly down and once again the woman found nothing.

When the woman stepped back, an obviously disappointed look gracing her face, she didn’t wait for the go ahead. Instead Keely just glared at the woman and straightened her jacket before shoving past her and into the crisp cool air that was in New York at night in early January.

Keely groaned slightly, the weight of everything pressing down on her as she leaned back against the brick wall.

A humorless laugh had her looking up to where Rose was standing straight, glaring around the thankfully empty alleyway. “Maybe we should’ve stolen some jewellery. As long as you weren’t carrying it, we would’ve been golden.”

Snorting, she leaned my head back against the wall, closing her eyes as the wind nipped at her bare throat. “That would’ve been interesting,” Keely murmured.

Silence settled down upon them as if a blanket of snow had fallen, cutting them off from the rest of the world for the precious moments.

However while the quiet had started off comfortable, Keely began to feel a question itching at the back of her mind, asking what Rose was thinking about to make her so quiet. Unable to keep her eyes closed, she looked at the other girl who had started to pace ever so slightly back and forth, her arms crossed with a thoughtful expression heading towards pained.

“I’m not a drug addict you know,” Keely blurted out without thinking.

The other girl answered with an unsurprised, “Okay.”

Yet she was far from listening, the panic coming back as she realized that most people who knew who she was would believe it. She was the heroin addict in their eyes because of one song, and though she didn’t see it as a mistake or feel the need to explain it to the public, at the moment she needed to tell somebody–anybody the truth.

“Seriously, nothing was true, well; I guess some of it is. I got arrested twice, but only for underage drinking. I could count on my fingers how many teenagers I know that haven’t gotten drunk. I’d never even been pulled over before I moved here. And, yeah, Seth did punch somebody one time and we weren’t exactly nice to the cops the other, but it’s not like I’m some badass. I get annoyed and I swear at people, but that worst thing I’ve ever done is get thrown into the drunk tank. Seriously, if I wasn’t signed onto UAE no one would care. All I did was sing a song that most people get sung to them as a lullaby when they’re kids,” Keely finished ranting, finding herself out of breath by the end.

“I know. Not that it’s anybody’s business either way but I believe you,” Rose paused, her eyes fixed on her, “You good?”

Nodding she just took in deep breaths, sending Rose what she hoped was a reassuring smile though she felt it probably came of rather vague. It was nice to know that one person besides the band knew without out a doubt she was lying.

In response the other girl sent her a smile, but it quickly fled when the door beside Keely slammed open.

Jumping violently Keely had a mere moment to be thankful that she was standing just out of reach from the door, or else she would have been flattened. With wide eyes, she turned her head, meaning to share a surprised look with the girl she’d just met minutes before but Rose was focused on the door. Seeing the blood rush from her face and take in a sharp breath, her eyes swerved towards whoever had opened the door.

The tall guy who stepped out of the door didn’t even spare her a glance, taking a step forward. Even though his shockingly vibrant blue eyes didn’t shift over to her for a mere half a second, Keely couldn’t help but notice that he was more than attractive not to mention he was the lead singer of Burn To Shine. From the loosened tie around his neck that fell over the black dress shirt across his broad chest to the long lean legs, then to the unruly dark brown hair that fell easily over his forehead; the guy simply screamed sex appeal.

Yet she didn’t miss the fact that he was completely and utterly focused on Rose, and Keely knew just enough to know that he was more than taken. Absently she couldn’t help but think the single-mindedness that he had on Rose was sweet.

“Rose,” he began with his voice low as he took another step towards her.

Suddenly Rose stood up straighter, meeting his eyes boldly. “Mac, what do you want?”

Without a word, just an incredulous look sent in her direction, he took a step forward. However instantly she shifted away from him and although he hid it quickly, Keely caught the flash of hurt that flickered across his expression. “We need to talk.”

In response she gave a derisive snort; Rose shook her head, saying, “I don’t think so.”

“Don’t do this,” he told her, his jaw clenching obviously. But even with his clear anger Keely could hear the underlining pain. “Don’t shut me out.”

Feeling bewilderment rise up in her stomach, Keely couldn’t help but wonder if she should interrupt and excuse herself. Or would it be better to just sneak away, leaving them to deal with what they needed? However she couldn’t bring herself to leave, not when Rose was so bent on refusing to speak to him. If anyone understood not wanting to talk about something, she did.

“All right, sure, let’s talk. I’ll start,” she said, giving a manic laugh that sounded dangerously close to panic, successfully freezing Keely in place. “I love you. I love this guy,” the girl informed her, gesturing over to Mac who sent Keely a startled look, both their eyes focused on her momentarily. Feeling the confusion settle in even more, Keely nodded slowly, unsure of what to do when Rose was heading towards hysterical.

“I love you and it scares the shit out of me, Mac. Do you know why? Because I could lose you just like I lost everything else in my life that mattered to me.”

“Rose–” Mac began, but she cut him off immediately.

With her fists clasped tightly at her side, Rose shouted, “I’m not finished! Here’s the thing, Mac. The band is my family. It’s my only family which you already know and today, this morning, you jeopardized that because you couldn’t lie to Ferrari Brown about your feelings for me. So yeah, I’m pissed off and no, I don’t really want to talk right now because of all the ways I’d imagined our relationship being exposed, you confessing to Ferrari Brown was not one of them!”

Speechless Keely stayed in spot, staring dumbfounded between the couple. But even in her baffled state, she felt her heart clench at Rose’s words. Losing all family, that was something she could relate to. Maybe her family was still alive and in Bellingham, but she wasn’t even sure if they wanted her around anymore.

“Rose,” he repeated, sounding as if he was at a loss for words as he ran a hand through his dark hair with a pained yet guilty expression on his face, making Keely’s heart twist now. Why was it nothing could go right for anyone lately? “I–”

However he was cut off once again by the door beside her slamming open. Before Keely could stop herself, a surprised squeal burst from her mouth as her heart leapt into her chest, her hands flying to cover her mouth. She really should move, it was getting to be a dangerous position.

Recovering from the shock, Keely stared wide eyed back at Seth who had stepped out of the door, letting it slam behind him. Groaning, she ran her hands through her hair, noticing that they were beginning to shake slightly.

Losing all the anger that she’d felt before, she looked back up, her eyes feeling moist as she stared up at him, her hands resting on the back of her neck. “Just-don’t,” she told him, pressing her lips together.

“No,” he responded firmly, taking a step in her direction. Keely hurriedly tried to step back, but her back pressed against the brick wall making her throat clog in panic at her trapped position. “We are going to talk about this for once,” Seth informed her, his eyes not for a moment flickering away from hers.

“We don’t do that!” she exclaimed hysterically, throwing her arms to the side even though she still felt close to tears. Some part of her knew she shouldn’t be doing this with to strangers standing to the side awkwardly, but she couldn’t stop herself.