Free Lucky Break by Liliana Rhodes

her face with her hands. Why was she so emotional? What was this guy doing to her? They'd barely spoken yet she was falling apart. She was officially ridiculous.
    Once she composed herself she rejoined Kat, Ross, Mark, and the other people in their caravan. Looking over her shoulder she noticed Dylan getting on the bus. She smiled to herself, proud that she stepped up for her friend.
      Lucky really didn't want to go bar hopping, but it was something the group seemed to want to do so she was willing to give it a chance. Spending most of her life as sheltered as she was, she looked at everything differently than other people her age.
    They split into two cabs and headed to a rowdy karaoke bar Kat heard was a lot of fun. Ross kept trying to put his arm around Lucky, but she wasn't interested. After being near a man like Jude, a cute boy like Ross simply couldn't compete.
    "Hey Luck, I wanted to talk to you," Kat whispered as the cab pulled in front of an old brownstone that was turned into a bar. "You gotta let Ross and Mike on the bus. There's plenty of room and they've been hitchhiking to our shows."
    "Seriously? That's dangerous."
    "I knew you'd feel that way. So what do you think?"
    "I guess it's alright."
    Lucky didn't think she had a choice. She would never forgive herself if something happened to them because they were trying to get to her show.
    Looking around the old neighborhood, Lucky felt disappointed. She was hoping that if they were going out, she'd see some sights. The only sight she saw was a bum passed out against an old worn building.
    Ross put his arm around her shoulders again but she quickly shrugged it off. The bar was dark and smelled like stale, old beer. At the far end was a small stage with a video screen and a DJ in the corner. They sat in a black corner booth.
    "What do you want to drink Lucky?" Ross asked.
    "I don't know. What is there?"
    "It's a bar girlie! They can make whatever you want," Kat replied.
    "I've never had much alcohol except for the other night. What should I get? Pick something sweet for me that doesn't taste gross."
    "No problem, I know exactly the drink," Ross said.
    When he came back he set down a brownish drink in front of Lucky that was garnished with cherries and an orange slice. Leaning towards it she sniffed the drink before stirring it with a thin straw.
    "Was is it? I smell juice but can't figure it out. Orange or pineapple?"
    "Both. And some other stuff. It's called Sex on the Beach," said Ross.
    Lucky took a sip. "Mmm that's pretty good." She took another, longer sip.
    "You should get up and sing a song. These people don't know they're in the presence of a rock goddess!"
    "I'm far from that. You want rock god go look at Jude."
    "Again? You sure mention him a lot."
    Lucky took another sip of her drink hoping the topic would change. Jude consumed her thoughts. It wasn't something she was even aware of until that moment.
    "Why don't you sing something?" She yelled trying to hear herself over the noise.  
    "Nah, I just thought people should hear you. Get to know you." He stood up in the booth and yelled, "this is Lucky Saldano! Right here!"
    Lucky hunched down in her seat and hoped no one heard him. Embarrassed by how Ross was acting, she finished her drink without realizing it. When he got up to get another round of drinks, she stopped him.
    "No, nothing for me. I need to get going. Stan likes to leave by 8 so he's not driving in the dark. We have a long drive tomorrow and I need some sleep before that."
    Lucky didn't know why she was talking so much. Guessing it was just the tour catching up to her, she suddenly needed to get back to the hotel and sleep.
    The drive back to the hotel seemed to fly by. Kat, Ross, and   Mike weren't ready for their night to end so they headed to the bar. She thought she saw Jude sitting in the lobby but it was someone else. Then she thought one of the bell hops looked like him.  
    Figuring she lost her mind, the only way to get it back was