"Don't deny it. You like her." Ashley gave Andy's arm a little nudge.

A few weeks had gone by and the boys were all starting to get along now.

"...No..." Andy denied.

"Andy, we can all see it. It's written, clear as day, all over your face." Jake said.

Andy sighed. "Is it really that obvious?"

All the boys looked around each other and then back at Andy. "Yes." They all said in unison. Andy groaned.

"Then how come she hasn't picked up on it yet? Huh?"

"Because girls are in denial. Even if they think you like them, they'll tell themselves that you don't because they don't want it to hurt as much if you reject them. That's also why girls never make the first move." Ashley explained."Which means you have to make the first move. When she comes back downstairs, walk right up to her and ask her out on a date. Deal?"

Andy ran his hands through his hair, trying to process all the information Ashley had just thrown at him. "Okay, deal." He said.

A few seconds later, there was the sound of light footsteps on the stairs and Lily's voice calling down to them.

"Boys! I have amazing news!" She skipped down the last few steps and ran over to them.

"What? What is it?" Andy pressed.

"Okay, two things. One: I got you guys a gig!" She exclaimed and the boys cheered.

"No way! Where?" CC high-fived her.

"At that new place that just opened down the street." Lily said.

"Okay, what's the second thing?" Andy asked.

"Oh, yeah! Almost forgot. Well... I'm going out on a date!" Lily squealed.

Andy's heart sunk in his chest and his whole world collapsed in front of his eyes. The gig didn't even matter anymore. If Lily couldn't be his, nothing mattered anymore. He tried to mask his disappointment and act happy for her.

"With who?" He forced a small smile.

"Tyler Montana from school. You know Tyler, right Andy?" Lily smiled.

"Oh yeah... Tyler..." Andy said. That guy who is way more attractive than me with his plugs and his hipster glasses that he pulls off so well... And his skinny jeans and his Vans and his overall nice style... I could never compete with him... Andy thought to himself.

"Andy?" Lily's voice broke his thoughts. "Are you okay?"

Andy looked up to see everyone staring at him. "Yeah... Just tired... Let's call it for today. I'll see you all here tomorrow to practice before the gig."

The boys packed up their instruments and headed up the stairs one by one. Andy grabbed his backpack and swung it over one shoulder before going to follow Ashley up the stairs.

"Andy, wait." Lily called him back.

Andy stopped on the stairs where he was and looked back at her.

"Are you sure you're okay?" She asked.

"Yeah." Andy stated. "I'll see you tomorrow, Lily." He turned and trudged up the stairs, out of sight.

*****

Backstage was crazy and hectic. Lily was running around making sure everything was set and ready to go for the boys. The crowd out front consisted of fifteen to twenty people at the most but Lily wanted to make sure this show went perfectly.

"Okay, you guys are all set?" Lily asked before the boys went out on stage.

"Yes, Lily." Andy assured."Everything will be fine."

"Okay, go!" The stage manager signaled and the boys walked out onto the dark stage.

The lights flashed on, bright and blinding. Andy counted down and the guys began to play the opening of one of their songs but there was no sound.

Lily's eyes widened in fear. "What the fuck is going on?!" She ran her hands through her hair.

Derek, the amps aren't working... The stage manager's walkie-talkie sounded.

"Well, get on that, you idiot." The stage manager responded.

Andy shot Lily nervous glances as the crowd began to boo. Lily stormed over to the stage manager and gripped his shirt angrily at both shoulders.

"Fix the goddamn amps and his microphone now." She growled.

"We're working on it, trust me." The stage manager held his hands up in defense.

Suddenly, the sound of a guitar riff sounded through the small building but by that time, almost everyone had left. Everything that could possibly go wrong did.