Once they were all back on the bus, the prepared themselves for the last leg of their journey. It was only going to be about five more hours on the bus then they would be in LA. Kate was more excited than ever. She had always wanted to see LA and now she got her free ticket.

The guys were all sitting in the living area and Kate had the whole bunks to herself. She had her laptop open and her ipod on. She decided to work on some photos to send to the guy’s PR manager. The song changed on her ipod and she couldn’t help to sing along.

“And I’m blasting off my way into the stars, with my hand held back just waiting here, so come grab on and fly along but I called out one too many times, for you to meet those glassy eyes, you were not around and that’s okay.”

The song was called “Baby Doll” and it was written by a local band she followed in high school. It was a slower acoustic song and she loved it because she had the biggest crush on the lead singer at the time and she loved how when she sang the words back to him, he’d smile at her.

She kept on singing along with her eyes closed. She hadn’t noticed Brian leaning in the doorway listening to her.

“And I BET you call him baby doll, cause THAT'S exactly what you called me sweetly lying desperately each night, and I’m BLASTING off my way into the stars, with my hand held back just waiting here, so come grab on and fly along, but I called out one too many times, for you to meet my glassy eyes, you were not around and that’s okay, you were not around and that’s okay.”

When the song was finished, she heard clapping behind her. She jumped and paused her ipod. When she turned and saw Brian standing there with a smirk on his face, she blushed hard.

“How long have you been standing there?” She asked nervously. He took a step towards his bunk.

“At least the second chorus.” She dropped her head and covered her face.

“Oh God.” She said quietly. He chuckled.

“You have a pretty voice.” She slowly brought her head up.

“You think?” He smiled at her and nodded.

“Who wrote that anyway?” He asked, pulling out an acoustic guitar.

“Some local band I was into when I was in high school.” She said. Brian strummed his guitar until it was tuned up then sat on the edge of his bunk.

“Can you play it for me?” He asked her. Kate raised her eyebrow.

“Why?”

“Because I want to hear all of it.” She sighed and unplugged her headphones and plugged the ipod into her laptop. Then she pressed play.

“Strangely I write, to get you off my mind, but as my fingers strum these chords I don’t feel fine. It don’t make much sense cause you’re lingering in this mess, when I sing these mellow tunes I’m wrecked at best. And I promised you I’d write you the happiest of tunes, and believe me dear I’m trying oh I promise you I’m trying, and I’m blasting off my way into the stars, with my hands held back just waiting here, so come grab on and fly along, but I called out one too many times for you to meet these glassy eyes, you were not around and that’s okay.”

When the song ended, Brian was smiling and Kate was blushing.

“They’re pretty good.” He said. She smiled.

“You think so?” He nodded.

“Yeah, whatever happened to them?” Kate sighed and shut her laptop.

“They broke up a while ago.” Brian shook his head.

“Too bad, they could’ve gone somewhere.” She nodded and laid down in her bunk.

“How much longer til we get there?” Brian stood up and smirked.

“Like 10 more hours.” Kate groaned and covered her head with a pillow.

“How do you stand being on a bus all the time? It’s driving me crazy.” She said. He chuckled and sat on the edge of her bunk.

“It’s really not that bad Kate. You just need to find something to do.” She sat up.

“Well that’s the problem. I don’t know what to do.” He shrugged.

“Take a nap, write, read.” She rolled her eyes and laid back down.

“Guess you’re taking the nap then?” He said. She tossed a pillow at him and he caught it and tossed it back on his bunk.

Kate tucked herself in her bunk and closed her eyes. Brian watched her body relax and start to drift to sleep. He smiled then walked out of the bunks.

~~~~

“Welcome to LA Kate.” Zacky said as they stepped off the bus. She stretched then put her sunglasses on.

“It’s awfully bright.” She said. He chuckled and shook his head. She smiled and followed him and the others into a tiny restaurant.

“Someone order me a drink?” She said. Brian nodded and she went in search of the bathroom.

There were two other girls in the bathroom when she walked in. One had a short black skirt and a tight white top on and had bleached blonde hair. The other was an older woman who would be easily classified as a ‘cougar’. She had bleached hair as well and a tight knee length red skirt. Her blouse was partly unbuttoned, and did nothing to hide her black lace bra. Her red heels were higher than any Kate owned and her face had more makeup on it than Kate owned.

Both women looked her up and down when she walked in. Kate raised an eyebrow for a second before walking into a stall. After doing her business, she walked to the sink next to the ‘cougar’. She pulled out her tube of red lipstick and put it on her overly Botox injected lips. Kate shook her head and washed her hands then splashed some water on her face. The cougar posed in the mirror and gave it a kiss before walking out.

“Toto, I have a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore.” Kate said to her reflection. She chuckled and dried off her face then walked out of the bathroom.

As Kate walked over to the table, she saw the teeny tiny thing that was in the bathroom with her leaning against the table practically drooling over the guys. This made Kate both sick and amused. Instead of walking over, she sat down at the bar and just watched. The girl giggled loudly and twirled her hair with her finger. Then she absentmindedly put her hand on Brian’s arm and lightly dragged her nails across it. Brian smirked at the girl and Kate grew furious. She clenched her fists and stood up from her ring side seat. She marched over and stood behind the blonde bimbo. Matt and Zacky fought to hold back laughter as Kate imitated the girl. She even went as far and flipping her hair like her.

“I can not believe I’m talking to Avenged Sevenfold!” She squealed.

“Oh My God I know!” Kate squealed behind her. The girl jumped and turned around. Brian put his head down and laughed.

The girls stared at each other. Kate had a glare in her eyes that made all the guys shiver.

“Well, I better go. See you guys around.” She said with a wink and a smile. Kate swayed her hips and giggled annoyingly before sitting next to Matt.

They ate lunch in silence then got back on the bus to go to venue. Kate sat in the bunks alone while everyone else was in the living room.

“You have to admit, that was pretty hilarious. It looked like Kate was gonna kill that girl.” Zacky said.

Kate rolled her eyes from the bunks.

“I was not gonna kill her, seriously maim her maybe, but not kill.” She said to herself.

They pulled up to the venue shortly after and the guys filed out. Brian stayed behind to tell Kate. She was in the bathroom when he walked back.

“Um, Kate we’re here.” He said softly.

“Yeah I know.” She said sharply. He swallowed and walked out.

Kate looked at herself in the mirror and smiled then walked out of the bathroom. She was wearing a short leather skirt with a chain for a belt, a black Pantera t-shirt that had been cut to be an off the shoulder top and was tied in a knot in the back so it was tight. She also had on a pair of chunky boots and fishnets to top her outfit off. Her hair was straight but teased, and her makeup was thick and dark. She checked her reflection once more before grabbed her equipment and pass and leaving the bus.

“Holy Shit.” Said Janet from her place backstage. Kate smiled and did a little twirl.

“What do you think?” Kate asked. Janet smiled and clapped her hands.

“You look so hot!” Kate laughed and leaned against the counter.

Soon after, the guys walked in. All of them stopped in their tracks.

“Aren’t you gonna say something?” Kate said. Janet smiled and opened her makeup bag.

“God Damn!” Zacky said. Kate smirked and put her hands on her hips. Brian couldn’t keep his eyes off her.

“Damn girl you’re full of surprises aren’t you?” He said. She smirked at him and wiggled her hips.

“I guess so.” She said softly. Janet cleared her throat and began getting the guys ready for the show.

Kate took this as her cue to leave and went to her place in front of the stage.

“Wonder what made her dress up like that?” Jimmy said. Matt chuckled.

“Isn’t it obvious? She’s trying to get your attention like every other girl does.” Janet said. Brian looked at her.

“What do you mean?” She rolled her eyes.

“Do you really not notice it?” She said. Brian shook his head.

“Look at every girl out there tonight and tell me what they’re wearing, barely anything because they know you’ll notice them that way. I bet Kate feels threatened for some reason and feels the need to dress slutty to get your attention.” Janet said. Brian closed his eyes for a moment then opened them.

“Shit.” He said under his breath. He pushed himself off the counter and went towards the stage.

“Dude, where are you going?” Zacky asked. He ignored him and went to find Kate. When he spotted her, she was talking to Chuck. He was blushing a little and she was giggling. He went to the stage and crouched down.

“Kate.” He called. She turned around and walked over to him.

“What are you doing?” She asked. He held his hand out for her and she took it. He easily lifted her up and took her backstage, but not where everyone else was, the other side.

He gently pushed her against the wall and stood real close to her. She started breathing heavily and felt herself blush.

“Kate, you don’t have to dress like this to keep my attention, trust me you already have it.” He whispered in her ear. She gasped a little and he pulled back. Their eyes locked and a tiny smirk played on his lips. Their faces were still really close to each other. Kate could feel his breath on his face and it made her nervous.

“Brian! Come on man!” Zacky called from the stage. The curtain was down and their set was about to start. Kate blinked and he was gone. She shook her head and walked off to her place in front.

She picked up her camera with a shaky hand and got ready to work.

To be honest, she hardly took any photos during the set. She couldn’t think straight. All she thought about was ‘did that really happen?’ ‘Did he really say that?’ She would have to wait until the show was over to find out.