Avery looked at me through narrowed eyes as I attempted to keep my featuresblank.
“She’s good. I wasn’t sure how I felt about a girl in the band at first, especially someone who already liked another member. I worried she might be an overzealous groupie or something. It turns out my worrying was in vain. Jenny is great. She’s professional in practice, really knows her instrument and came up with all her parts without much guidance from the other guys. Plus, I think she adds something special to the overallsound.”
She was ranting like such a music nerd, but I knew she was probably right. Avery had spent enough time at their practices to know what she was talkingabout.
“That’s great, Avery. I’m happyforyou.”
“Thanks, Michelle. I know this had been a weird summer for you. Working for your dad, and whatever that was with Rainier, but it means so much to have you say you’re happy for me and know you mean it. You’re my bestfriend.”
“Iknow.”
“Andhumble.”
“I am the best at beinghumble.”
She giggled and pushed me, which soon had me laughing. It felt good. Avery and I had been on the road to recovery for our friendship. I could already see us getting back to how we usedtobe.
When our laughter quieted, Avery spoke again. “I hate to ask, but will you consider coming to the show next week? I hate going by myself, and this is a big one. Carter hasn’t told the other guys, because it might not work out and he doesn’t want to get their hopes up. But there might be a scout in the audience this week. Technically, he’ll be there for Chasing Sunsets, but it couldn’t hurt to have someone in the industry listening totheirband.”
“Whoa. This news is what you open with, Aves. That could be huge fortheband."
“I know, but there are so many variables, we’re trying not to get excited about it,youknow?”
“I understand. And as much as I’d rather not bump into Rainier, I want to support you, soI’llcome.”
“Really?”
“Yes, really. Seriously, where did I get such a horriblereputation?”
Avery gave me a skeptical look that had us both laughingagain.
“Oh!” I said, thinking of how big next Thursday could be for the band. “If you’re going to be a rock star’s girlfriend, we need to have you dressingthepart.”
“What did you haveinmind?”
“Let’s take a trip into Boise and shop until we can’t walkanymore.”
"That sounds likefun.When?"
"Now? It would be a welcomedistraction."
Avery agreed without a fight, and soon we were driving into the capital with the top down on my convertible and the music blaring over the speakers. We sang dramatically to every song and got quite a few stares and honks as we made our way down theinterstate.
Once there, we spent the next several hours walking in and out of stores in the mall, as well as some boutiques that were nearby. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d gone shopping for fun. The time we spent together was special to me. It was funny how small events like this made me feel like I was myselfagain.
It was weird to think I hadn’t been forsolong.
It was easy to pour all my energy into finding the perfect outfit. I watched as Avery tried dress after dress on. I insisted she wear leather, but she didn’t want to go so extreme. We finally agreed on a red dress that fit her body like a glove. Carter wasn’t going to know what hit him when he saw herwearingit.
“Okay, now it’s your turn,” Avery said as we left our final store, bagsinhand.
“Oh, no. I don’t need to stand out. In fact, I think I’m going to find the frumpiest shirt and jean combination I have in my closet, just to make sure I don’tstandout.”
“I hate to break it to you, Michelle. But I don’t think you could blend into the background, even if youtried.”
“Maybe not, but didn’t you say you were going to the band’s practicetonight?”
Avery pulled out her phone and cursed aloud. “I didn’t realize it was so late. Can you drop me off at Matt’s house on the way home? I’m sure Carter can bringmehome.”
