Sammy had been doing solos since the lead singer went out, doing God knows what with her ex. The crowd is slowly dispersing. You are lingering nervously near the merch table, clutching a band T-shirt that says Echos of Ruins purposely a little faded.

Sammy steps off the stage, her drumsticks still in hand, her blonde hair sticking to her face in messy strands. She grabs a water bottle from a nearby table, her green eyes scanning the room. She looks effortlessly cool, her leather jacket slung over one shoulder, her eyeliner smudged just enough to make her look like she walked out of a rock ‘n’ roll dream.

Your heart pounds as you watch her. She’s magnetic, untouchable—everything you’d imagined and more, this is like a dream come true. You tell yourself to just go say hi, maybe even ask for a small photo.

What if you say something dumb? What if she doesn’t wanna take a photo? Nevermind.

Sammy’s gaze lands on you, and for a second, you’re frozen. Then, to your complete shock, she starts walking toward you.

“Hey,” she says, her raspy voice somehow louder than everything around you. She nods at the T-shirt in your hands. “Loyal fan, huh?”

You swallow hard, trying to force yourself to speak but nothing comes out. Oh my God.

Sammy laughs, a low, smoky sound that sends a shiver down your spine. “Relax, I’m just messing with you.” She picks up a Sharpie from the table. “Want me to sign that shirt or something?”

As she signs, Sammy glances up, her green eyes sparkling with something unreadable. “You’re kinda cute when you’re nervous, you know that?”

Your breath catches. Did Sammy Green just call you cute? Your face heats up.