"She didn't tell you? She told me to do whatever I want. She doesn't care, so whyshouldI?"
"Are you really that stupid? You know what? If you are that stupid then she's right, go do whatever you want. But if anything in you cares at all about my friend, then you'll get on that buswithher."
She stormed off to a darkened corner and covered her face with her hands. Why was she so emotional? What was this guy doing to her? They'd barely spoken yet she was falling apart. She was officially beingridiculous.
Once she composed herself, she rejoined Kat, Ross, Mark, and the other people in their caravan. Looking over her shoulder, she noticed Dylan getting on the bus. She smiled to herself, proud that she had stepped up for herfriend.
Lucky really didn't want to go bar hopping, but it was something the group seemed to want to do so she was willing to give it a chance. Spending most of her life as sheltered as she was, she looked at everything differently than other peopleherage.
They split into two cabs and headed to a rowdy karaoke bar Kat heard was a lot of fun. Ross kept trying to put his arm around Lucky, but she wasn't interested. After being near a man like Jude, a cute boy like Ross simply couldn'tcompete.
"Hey Luck, I wanted to talk to you," Kat whispered as the cab pulled up in front of an old brownstone that had been turned into a bar. "You gotta let Ross and Mark on the bus. There's plenty of room and they've been hitchhiking to ourshows."
"Seriously? Hitchhiking's dangerous,"Luckysaid.
"I knew you'd feel that way. So what do youthink?"
"About them coming on the bus? I guess it's alright," Lucky said with ashrug.
Lucky didn't think she had a choice. She would never forgive herself if something happened to them as they hitchhiked to hershows.
Looking around the old neighborhood, Lucky felt disappointed. She was hoping that if they were going out, she'd see some sights. The only sight she saw was a bum passed out against an old wornbuilding.
Ross put his arm around her shoulders again but she quickly shrugged it off. The bar was dark and smelled like stale, old beer. At the far end was a small stage with a video screen and a DJ in the corner. They sat in a black cornerbooth.
"What do you want to drink, Lucky?" Rossasked.
"I don't know. What isthere?"
"It's a bar, girlie! They can make whatever you want,"Katsaid.
"I've never had much alcohol except for the other night," Lucky said. "What should I get? Pick something sweetforme."
"No problem, I know exactly the drink,"Rosssaid.
When he came back, he set down a brownish drink in front of Lucky that was garnished with cherries and an orange slice. Leaning towards it, she sniffed the drink before stirring it with a thinstraw.
"What is it? I smell juice but can't figure it out. Orange orpineapple?"
"Both. And some other stuff. It's called Sex on the Beach,"saidRoss.
Lucky took a sip. "Mmm, that's pretty good." She took another sip, enjoying the fruitiness of thedrink.
"You should get up and sing a song. These people don't know they're in the presence of a rockgoddess!"
"I'm far from that. If you want a rock god, go lookforJude."
"Again? You sure mention himalot."
Lucky took another sip of her drink, hoping the topic would change. She couldn't help it – Jude consumed her thoughts. It wasn't something she was even aware of until thatmoment.
"Why don't you sing something?" she yelled, trying to hear herself over thenoise.
"Nah, I just thought people should hear you. Get to know you." He stood up in the booth and yelled, "This is Lucky Saldano!Righthere!"
Lucky slumped down in her seat and hoped no one heard him. Embarrassed by how Ross was acting, she kept drinking from the straw and finished her drink in minutes without realizing it. When he got up to get another round of drinks, shestoppedhim.
"No, nothing for me. I need to get going. Stan likes to leave by eight so he's not driving in the dark. We have a long drive tomorrow and I need some sleep before that. Geez, I'm talking a lot," Lucky said. She rubbed her cheeks, thinking her face felt strange, then shook her head. "Must be the tour catching up with me. I really should get back to thehotel."
