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Follow your yellow brick road.

A young girl I knew said that. The kids were why I loved my job as an after-school volunteer, and even now, the words rang true.

Especially now.

Today, I knew exactly how Dorothy must've felt. Except instead of a tornado, I got a lift here from my parents—whose endless questions kind of felt like a storm . And instead of a gingham dress and ruby slippers, I was wearing my Chapel Hill Prep uniform—the standard black blazer, white shirt, plaid skirt, white knee-high socks, and black shoes . I came straight from school, so there wasn't time to change. Oh, and unlike Dorthy, I didn't have a cute little dog.

Nope.

I was Toto-less.

It was just me and my violin.

And as I stood in the large parking lot, gripping the handle of my suitcase with one hand, tapping out a nervous rhythm on my thigh with the other, I felt so out of place.

Who knew my yellow brick road would lead to a tour bus with tinted windows?

Two roadies walked by, and I ducked closer to the tree whose shade I was under. I'd always loved the shadows. That was possibly why I hadn't moved in the last five minutes.

But hey, maybe six would do the trick.

Sighing, I glanced down.

My phone was blowing up with texts from my family.

Viola: Adventure lives just outside your comfort zone.

Lottie: YOLO. Seize the freaking day —oh, and bring plenty of books!

Scarlett: I am so jealous!!! But I love you, Ror . I t's never too late to start living your life…unless you're dead. Which you're not, so yay!

Dad: Love you, baby girl. I know you can do this.

Mom: You're amazing, Aurora! I believe in you! Also…y ou can always come home.

My cousins and d ad were all, You got this! So was my mom, but she was obviously worried.

Couldn't blame her really.

She was nervous about me leaving.

I was nervous . As an introvert with a side of shyness and anxiety issues , I preferred staying home to being social. I'd never even gone to sleepovers or camp. And then the summer before my senior year, I decided to accept an invitation to go on tour for two months.

With a rock band.

A band full of hot guys who I'd only met once—well, twice if you count my first meeting with their drummer, during which despite his hotness, I somehow was able to talk with him like an old friend.

Or like one of my cousins.

Speaking of which, Freya should be here soon.

We were doing this together, I reminded myself. The rest of our quintet had already made plans they couldn't get out of , but we all agreed.

Touring with HERS was the opportunity of a lifetime.

I loved playing violi n. I'd always wanted to travel. And I wouldn't let anyone—including me and my issues—stand in the way.

I wanted this.

Plus, technically, Freya was lead violin, and I'd just be backup . B ut I was good with that. So good. My super -talented, confident cousin would no doubt draw everyone's attention, and I could just do me in the background . I was the quiet Kent cousin, so it worked out perfectly.

I was reading the texts again when my phone rang.

"Hey, Mom," I said.

"Hi, baby," she said, "how's it going?"

"Good."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah."

"Okay, I just wanted to check in. Did you get my text?"

I bit my lip.

"It's not too late to change your mind. If you want us to come back, it's no problem. We'll just turn this car around and—"

"Mom, I see you," I said.

"Excuse me?"

"I can see you at the edge of the lot. You and Dad haven't even left yet."

"Oh," she said sheepishly . "W ell, your father was a little nervous."

Dad scoffed.

"You know how he gets."

" I do," I said. " Mushy with goodbyes."

"The mushiest," she said back.

"Whatever," he said. " You're our kid, and we love you, Ror."

"You're also a brilliant violinist—the best ever—and that band is lucky to have you," Mom said. "I just…want to make sure this is really what you want and that you're okay."

"I am," I said again, willing myself to believe it.

" Hmmm. Hey, Aurora?"

"Yeah, Mom?"

"Why aren't you on the bus?"

"What?"

"You're still where we dropped you off," she said softly.

"I know." I swallowed. " I was waiting for Freya to get here."

"Have you heard from your cousin today?"

"No, but you guys can go. I'm sure she'll be here any minute."

I hoped so anyway.

She better be.

If I got back in the car with my parents, it would feel kinda like failure . And I refused to give up. I really did want this.

Dad jumped in then as if he could sense my need for encouragement. "I'm sure she will too. And if she's not, you already know that one guy, right?"

"Ryker," I said with a smile . "Yeah, he's cool."

Mom sniffed. "Ryker sounds like he rides a motorcycle and enjoys breaking hearts."

"Actually, Hayden's the one with the bike."

"Hmph."

"And Santino's the playboy of the group ," I added. "Elliot's lead singer, and he's a nerd. Like me. Or at least, that's what I read online."

"Stay far away from that Santino," Dad said. His voice was so serious I struggled not to laugh. " You hear me, Ror?"

"I don't think that'll be a problem."

"Try to avoid all of them," Mom added.

"Might be kinda hard," I mumbled, "considering the tour and everything."

"Just trust me . Musicians are the worst. They only want one thing."

"To hit the perfect note?" I said brightly.

"They want to hit something," Mom muttered.

Luckily Dad stepped in.

"Annnd we're going now ," he said. " Your mom and I said our piece. We love you, Ror."

"Bye, Dad," I said, waving as I saw their car finally, finally , exit the lot.

"Wait," Mom hissed —and my finger paused above the end call button, thinking she was talking to me. But then she said , "What if she needs us?"

"Then we're just a phone call away," Dad said.

"But what if one of those guys tries something?"

"Then HERS will have one less band member."

There was a pause, then Mom's voice came through deeper than before, "You know, I love it when you get all protective."

"Oh yeah?"

"It's so sexy."

"You're sexy," Dad purred back, and I wanted to bleach my ears.

"Still here," I said before it could get any worse. "Please, please stop."

"Aurora," Mom said with a laugh, "didn't realize you were there."

"Obviously."

"I'm glad you didn't hang up."

"That makes one of us," I muttered.

"I wanted to tell you something," she went on.

I waited.

"I love you more than the sun, moon, and stars."

I softened at that. "Ah Mom, that almost makes up for all the therapy I'll need after hearing you and Dad flirting."

"Ha ha," she said.

"Anything else?"

"Yes. Never fall for a rockstar."

"Huh?"

"Never fall in love with a rockstar ," she repeated. "They're moody and selfish, and honestly, despite the good looks, they suck."

Dad sputtered. " No love period," he said fervently. "No dating, no hooking up, not until you're at least 30."

"Okay," I said.

"Promise on your violin."

"No hooking up, I promise." Dad's relief was palpable, and just to mess with him I added, "Unless they're too hot to resist."

The silence that followed made me laugh.

"Kidding," I said finally.

"Not funny, Ror," Dad said.

Eh, it was a little funny.

Mom chuckled . "You should se e your dad's face."

Movement out of the corner of my eye caught my attention . It was just a shift in the air, but suddenly , I got the feeling I wasn't alone.

"Um, I should go," I said quietly.

" Okay," Mom said, "be safe! We love you!"

"I love you too."

"And remember: Don't—"

"Don't fall in love with a rockstar," I said quickly before she could finish. " Got it. Bye, Mom."

After we hung up, without anyone talking in my ear, I became more aware of my surroundings.

And I was right.

I wasn't sure when they got here or who it was, but as gravel crunched beneath their feet, I felt a presence seem to melt out of the shadows and settle at my side.

Turning my head slightly…I blinked.

The guy was wearing black sneakers, black jeans, and a white tee underneath a black leather jacket. When I got to his face, I paused—then looked away before he could catch me staring. The chiseled jaw. Those sharp cheekbones. Sensual lips and dark brown hair you just want to run your fingers through. Was he for real? I couldn't see his eyes—they were currently covered by a pair of sunglasses (black, of course) —but I'd bet money he wasn't lacking in that department either. Whoever he was, he'd been blessed with the kind of good looks that made people swoon.

But I just wanted to turn invisible.

Was that odd?

Maybe.

But I didn't crave attention, and pretty people scared me, so...

Still, I had to know.

"Were you there the whole time?" I asked.

A small sound of acknowledgement.

"So, you heard everything?"

I glanced at him and watched as his lips pulled up on one side . Definite yes to that one.

"It's rude to eavesdrop, you know."

I didn't think he'd answer. He hadn't so far. I was working on the invisibility thing, trying to disappear into the scenery, when he spoke. His voice was warm and deep, distracting like the rest of him, so it took me a second to comprehend the words.

"I was here first," he said.

"What?" I asked.

"You just ended up under my tree."

My brows lifted .

His tree?

Yeah, right.

Though I guess he did have a point about being there first.

"Nice costume," he added.

"Excuse me?"

"The na?ve schoolgirl look . I bet the guys will like it."

"I don't care about that."

"Sure you don't."

The words were soft but edged with sarcasm, and I frowned as I looked at him.

"Also, this isn't a costume. It's my uniform."

"Ah, my mistake."

We were silent a beat, but something about him lit a fire in me.

"Speaking of costumes," I said, " I like yours. Cliché bad boy rockstar must be making a comeback."

Instead of just his head, his whole body turned to face me. I knew I had his full attention even if I couldn't see his eyes beneath the shades. So much for being invisible.

"Cute," he said.

Heat suffused my cheeks, but I doubted he meant it as a compliment.

"You with the band?"

"Maybe," I said then threw the question back at him. " Are you?"

"Maybe," he echoed.

"Oh. I guess that means we'll be seeing more of each other then."

One corner of his lips lifted at my morose tone . "Try not to sound so excited . It'll inflate my ego."

I laughed in surprise.

"And she has a pretty laugh. Good to know."

" She has a name," I said , ignoring his words—or trying to. I knew I wasn't special. He probably called everyone cute and pretty.

"Are you going to tell me what it is?" he asked.

I shook my head. "You first."

" Pretending not to know who I am. That's cute."

There was something oddly familiar about him . Like I'd seen him somewhere before. But that couldn't be right. There was no way I'd forget that face. I wracked my brain, but I just couldn't place it.

"That's the second time you called me cute," I pointed out.

Ignoring this, he said, "So, are you getting on the bus?"

"Yeah, I was just about to," I lied.

"You want to walk together?"

It was a question and a challenge. I heard it in his tone and could see it in the smile playing around his lips. Almost as if he didn't think I'd do it.

"Sure," I said. "Let's go."

Taking a deep breath, I walked past him and gave a mental hooray . I was doing it , chasing my dreams. As he fell into step with me, smoothly, hardly making a sound, my brow furrowed.

"What were you doing under that tree anyway?"

"Hiding. Same as you."

"I wasn't—"

He shot me a look, and my mouth snapped shut.

We both knew I was hiding. There was no use denying it. The thought that he'd been there as I tried to work up my courage was a little embarrassing . But that wasn't what struck me.

"What could you possibly have to hide from?" I asked.

We'd almost reached the bus when he paused—then cursed.

Removing the sunglasses, he turned to me with the strangest look on his face.

Soft.

Warm.

With a devastating half-smile that could melt hearts.

Nothing like the guy I'd just met.

"Hey," he said.

"Hey…?"

"I missed you."

"What?"

In the next breath, he pulled me to him in a hug. His lips were right next to my ear as he whispered, "Listen, I need your help."

"Okay, what kind of help?"

"I think a kiss will do."

" What?!? "

I pulled back, and he let me go. But as we separated, he still had that look on his face.

"The reporters just want a good story," he said barely moving his lips. "To escape, I told them I was coming to see my girlfriend."

I spotted them hiding in the bushes then looked around.

"Well, where is she?" I asked.

He gave me a real smile then, seeming genuinely amused.

"Ah." I nodded. "There's no girl."

"I just need you to pretend with me for 10 seconds." He reached out, pushing a strand of my hair behind my ear, and I shivered in response . "Think you can do that, princess?"

"That's not my name," I mumbled. "But okay . Since you asked so nicely and you're desperate."

He laughed softly then pulled me closer.

Raising his voice, he said, "Missed you so much."

In the next breath, his lips were on mine.