Page 38 of Rocked: The Price of Dreams

“Ew! I did not need to know that.” I glanced at my reflection once more. In my leather pants, black sequined vest, and glamorous makeup, I looked good. I felt good. I couldn’t wait to hit the stage. I turned back to the guys. “This is all thanks to Claire.”

“Thanks, Mom.” Kyle dumped the food on the table, kissed Claire on the cheek, then rushed over to me. He flung his arms around me, picked me up, and twirled me ’round. “Oh my God, Gem. This is so you. You’re so beautiful.”

I giggled as he placed me back on my feet.

The praise from my best friends and my transformation for the stage had ignited a new confidence inside me. I’d always been petite and average in looks, and had always fought to tame my crazy wavy hair. But I’d finally found my look. My identity. I was born to be a rock star.

We took to the stage with our guitars and blew the Tigers crowd away. But as I sang our song “Bonfire,” our ode to Claire, the song etched itself deeper into my heart. I hadn’t thought that was possible. She was the best and only mom I’d ever had.

I always knew something burned inside of me,

A flame that no one understood or could ever see.

But you were the only one who always believed,

You spurred me on, always to succeed.

You brought out the best in me.

So I could touch the stars,

Set the night on fire.

Climb any mountain,

Do anything I desire.

Your love had a power,

You’re the one I admire.

You made me dream.

Yeah, I’m never gonna look back.

’Cause I’m a live wire,

Gunfire,

A blazing bonfire.

Yeah...I know who I am,

Thanks to you.

Thanks to your love,

Nothing’s gonna stop me now.

Nothing’s gonna hold me down.

Thanks to you.

After playing for ninety minutes, I ran off stage with the guys. At the bottom of the steps, dripping in sweat and panting to catch our breaths, we fell into a hug. The adrenaline from performing spiked my veins and spun my head. Best. Feeling. Ever.

But new screams and cheers caught our attention.

Four police guarded the little table we’d set up outside our dressing room tent for Claire and Derek to sell our T-shirts and CDs from. Behind them, a small crowd of about thirty college-aged guys and girls waved event flyers in the air as well as some of our merchandise.

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