Page 14 of For One Night Only

It feels like the first time we all played together at camp twelve years ago. We were doing a cover of “Should I Stay or Should I Go” for the final performance, and we decided to mess with the arrangement to split the vocals between Valerie and me. We’d practiced it a hundred times that week, but on the night of the showcase, something clicked. Even at fifteen, Valerie sang like an angel, and when I jumped in to harmonize with her…

It felt like destiny.

Valerie catches my eyes as we sing together, something strange and beautiful and determined crossing her face, and it makes my pulse pound even faster. We’re not miked, but the room is small enough that we don’t have to be.

our destination’s in the sky

we’ll chase the stars in our eyes

Despite her earlier reservations about singing, Keeley joins in on the bridge so Val and I can both jump the octave, and it justworks. Like magic.

After we finish the song, Riker whoops. “Fuck yeah!”

“That was solid,” Keeley says. “I knew we could do it in our sleep.”

Jane’s tearing up. “I’m sorry, I might be a little tipsy from that stupid rosé, but I can’t believe it took us so long to play together again. I’m really glad we’re doing this.”

Valerie is suspiciously silent. I turn to her, expecting to see joy or triumph on her face. Instead, she’s frowning at her hands.

“Val?”

“I’m tired. I’m going to go to bed,” she says.

And then she leaves the room without another word.

EXCLUSIVE: Glitter Bats to Reunite at Hollywood Stadium

By Mary Kate Hampton, Staff Writer,Buzzword

I got my start covering Glitter Bats when I was a college intern forBuzzword. They were a bunch of kids from Seattle with a weird-sounding band name, so no one else wanted to write the story. I jumped at the chance, and as they took off, I was lucky enough to keep following them. It didn’t hurt that I fell in love with their music from the first few bars of “Midnight Road Trip.”

But I never thought I’d get to say THIS: Glitter Bats are back! I know what you’re thinking—it’s Valerie Quinn, Riker Maddox, Keeley Cunningham, Jane Mercer, and whatever bass player they’re able to find for the event. But nope, it’s even better than we could have hoped.

I received an exclusive confirmation from Caleb Sloane’s team that the butter-voiced legend himself will be returning to the stage! The official statement from Ortega Management stated, “Caleb Sloane is eager to be back onstage with his friends. He’s been working closely with Valerie Quinn to plan some surprises they know fans will love.”

Is “working closely” code for “back together”? For years, rumors flew that Sloane and Quinn were more than friends and bandmates, but those rumors were never confirmed. It didn’t stop fans from shippingCalErie(truly the worst portmanteau, Glitterbugs), drawing art, and writing epic fanfiction. I haven’t checked FanficDreamArchive yet, but I’m sure there will be a wealth of new fic inspired by this reunion.

When we reached out to Label Records, they confirmed the concert will be pro-shot in high definition. No news on if this means a livestream or if they’re partnering with a streaming service to release a concert film—but my money is on a collaboration with The Network since Mercer is working on a project for the streaming service, and Quinn stars inEpic Theme Song. Go stream the show if you haven’t already—it’s delightful, and we’re all hoping for a season three.

Glitter Bats will be playing at the Hollywood Stadium August 15th. For tickets, visit TicketChampion.Live.

Wondering what the rest of the band has been up to since that last concert? Click here for more:Your Favorite Bands: Where Are They Now?

5

Valerie

The next day, I take advantage of the quiet house and sneak in an early-morning shower.

After, I slip back to my room with plans to stash my toiletries and head down to find coffee, but when I hear Riker’s always-bouncing footsteps in the hall, my first reaction is to hide. I acted so weird last night.

Cringing, I sink onto the bed. There’s no good reason for the way I left rehearsal, but after that first run-through of “Midnight Road Trip,” I thought I was about to cry from howperfectit felt, playing with the Glitter Bats again. Before anyone could see me lose control, I had to get out of that room.

It might feel like the old days, but this band isn’t my family anymore. They can’t see me as anything other than poised and ready to bring my all.

And any vulnerability? I have to smother it.

So instead of facing the rest of the Glitter Bats, I wrap up in the fluffy white duvet and google myself, trying to figure out the response to the reunion news. Some sources even say nice thingsabout me. Others complain that reunions are “money grabs” or “desperate attempts to cling to relevance,” but a lot of fans are excited to see us again. Every member in the band has fans, but people are excited to see me and Caleb sing together, specifically.

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