I wake up to a cold chill running through me. I realize it's the vent, so I close it. I pull the visor down, checking myself. "Astrid, are you ok?" Hiccup asks, watching me. 

"yeah. I just had a bad dream. Um, how much longer do we have?

"About twenty minutes." 

I turn around in my chair, peering at the others as they snore in the back. "This must have been really boring for you, huh?"

"Eh," he shrugs. "It was kind of entertaining watching your facial expressions change in your sleep and Jack would say something in his sleep every now and then," he admits, still staring out the windshield." I smile shyly at the thought. "What was the dream about?" he presses.

I shake my head, pursing my lips. "It doesn't matter. It wasn't real," I assure him. "Are you nervous about performing tonight?" I ask, changing the subject. 

'Not really. I mean, if Mr. Summers doesn't sign us, there will be other labels that could take interest in us. There are tons of record labels out there. At least one is bound to sign us. You guys are too talented for them not to." 

His words relax me quite a bit. He's right of course. "But, you're the one that pulls us all together. I mean, you're extremely gifted."

"Thanks."

When we get close, I wake the others so they aren't groggy at the club. "Punzy, wake-y wake-y," I say, shaking her knee. She opens her eyes, looking around. 

"Are we there?" she asks, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes. 

"Almost. Can you wake up Merida and Jack?"

She nods, leaning over and shaking Merida. She yawns and stretches herself out some. "Jack, Jack wake up," Punzie croons. 

"Is it time?!" he asks, jolting up right. We all laugh at his worried expression. 

"No, man. We are almost there though," Hiccup reassures him, looking at Jack through the rearview mirror. 

Hiccup pulls into a large lot full of cars and people heading into a massive building with bright lights and loud music playing. Hiccup lets us out and drives to the back so the workers can unload the instruments for us. We wait out front for him to return so we can walk in as a group. People pass by, staring at us. I recognize most of them from TV or the radio. 

"OMG, Merida! It's the Backwoods Band," Punzie squeals, pointing to four boys that just walked by. 

"No way! It's Hans Westleton!" Merida says drewlingover a tall boy with a fancy hair-do and side burns. I roll my eyes at them. But, I will admit, it is pretty cool being so close to them. The boy smiles at me as he enters the building. 

"Ooo-oo-oooo," Merida and Punzie coo at me.

"Shut up," I say, rubbing them off of me. They laugh at my reaction. 

"You guys ready to go in?" Hiccup asks, walking up to us.

"Yes!" Jack says brushing past us.

My breath is taken away from me when we step inside. The room is dark with strobe lights and shining disco balls illuminating the floors and walls. A stage is set up against the back wall, a bar on the left, an open floor for dancing and watching the performers and rows of tables full of food line the right side. Round tables are set in front of them, but hardly anyone is sitting at them. We catch sight of Mr. Summers, and walk over to him. 

"Good evening, kids. Do you have the new song prepared?" he asks when we stop in front of him. 

"Of course, sir," Hiccup says. 

"You please me and more importantly the crowd, you're looking at a full on record deal," he tells Hiccup.

"Thank you, sir." They shake hands and he heads off to mingle. "Alright guys," Hiccup says, facing us. "Anyone feel like eating?" 

We follow him over to the tables with food, grabbing plates. Punzie and Merida save us a table not wanting anything. "Ok, now are you nervous?" I ask Hiccup, watching him grab a slice of chocolate mouse cake. 

He laughs. "Not really."

"Hello," a girl says walking up and grabbing a piece of cake as well. "I don't think I've seen you here before," she says, wiping her finger across the frosting and putting it in her mouth. I look harder at her, finally recognizing her. Camicazi Searing. She's smiling at Hiccup. I feel my jealousy level boiling upward again. 

"Um, this is our first time performing here. We are trying to obtain a record deal tonight," he answers.

"That's it then. What's your name?" 

"Hiccup." 

She nods. "Mind if I hang out with you, Hiccup? I can point out the important people to you." 

"Sure," Hiccup replies, smiling sweetly. 

"I'm Astrid," I say, stepping out from behind him to shake her hand. 

"Nice to meet you. Oh, are you two together?" she asks.

"Uh, well I--" I mumble.

"We are in a band together," Hiccup says helping me out.

"Thank you," I mouth to him. He smiles leading Camicazi to our table. 

We sit down across from Merida and Punzie, their eyes wide. "Hi, I'm camicazi," she introduces. 

"Merida."

"Repunzel."

"Hey, man. You've gotta see some of these gir--" Jack says sitting down, but looks up to see camicazi. "Jack, pleased to meet you," he says, kissing her hand. I glare remembering how he greeted me the same way when we first met. 

She smiles at him. "So are you guys performing tonight?" Jack nods, eagerly. "I am too. Will you watch me?" Hiccup nods innocently. I don't think he understands that she's flirting with him. He's so oblivious. 

I get up to go refill my drink, since I downed it while glaring at the two boys. I stand by myself, listening to my friends laughter mixing with the other peoples. This isn't real. Meeting and playing for famous stars. I pour the D.P. into my glass and set the pitcher down. I decide to go get a small bowl of salad too, heading over to the table. 

"Hi," a male voice says. Hans stands behind me with his hands in the pockets of his jeans.

"Hi," i say.

"Need help carrying anything?" he asks, looking at my full hands. 

"No," I smile, walking off. He follows me.

"I insist." He takes the salad bowl from me. I take him to my table where he sets it down in front of me.

"Thanks," I say looking up at him. 

"My pleasure." He walks off back to where he came from. 

"I see you met Hans. he's a good buddy of mine," Cami tells me. 

"He seems alright," I lie. 

"Now let the party begin!"  an announcer calls from the stage. We make our way to watch. A girl with a pixie cut takes the stage. She's small, but wearing extreme heels. She has a strand of green and yellow in her  black hair. 

"Hello everyone. I'm Tooth," she says. The crowd screams excitedly. She adjusts her short purple dress, then nods to the band behind her to begin. Punzie and Merida jump up and down ecstatic. I think of the poster of Tooth in Merida's room. This must be a dream come true for her, to be this close to her idol.

  (Bad Boys by victoria justice)

All the rules you break

Make me wanna run, but I can't escape
All the things you say
Most of them are lies, but I'm listening

(La, La, La, La La La, La, La, La)
That's my heart talking to my head, head, head
Talking to my heart
(La, La, La, La La La, La, La, La)
That's my heart talking to my head, head
Saying that

You're a bad boy
I'm a good girl, and I'm gonna get my heart broken in time
You're a bad boy
Baby, your world is gonna chew me up and spit me out alive

If I could help myself, you know I would
Why do the bad boys always look so good?

Baby, when you smile
I can see the trouble that's in your eyes
When you touch me there
I know for certain that I'm loosin' all control, oh o--o--oh no, no

(La, La, La, La La La, La, La, La)
That's my heart talking to my head, head
Talking to my heart
(La, La, La, La La La, La, La, La)
That's my heart talking to my head, head
Saying that

You're a bad boy
I'm a good girl, and I'm gonna get my heart broken in time
You're a bad boy
Baby, your world is gonna chew me up and spit me out alive

If I could help myself, you know I would
Why do the bad boys always look so good?

I gotta let you go
I gotta let you go, go, go oh

I gotta let you go
I gotta let you go

Cause
You're a bad boy
I'm a good girl, and I'm gonna get my heart broken in time
You're a bad boy
Baby, your world is gonna chew me up and spit me out alive

If I could I could help myself, you know I would
Why do the bad boys always look so good?

La la la la la

That's my heart saying that...

"See. I told you. People want bad boys," Hiccup whispers to me.

"Thank you everyone!" Tooth calls, running off stage. 

I meet Hiccup's gaze. "I don't," I whisper back. He looks at the ground smiling, then back up at me again. 

"How's everyone tonight?" I hear Hans' voice through the speakers. 

"Wooooh!" the crowd responds. 

(Hot Mess by cobra starship)

 You were a problem child

Been grounded your whole life
So now you running wild
Playing with them good girls
Naw that ain't your style

You think your hot 
and I love it, I love it, I love it
Yeah, yeah
Stumbling but yeah, you're still looking hella fine
Keep doing what you're doing and I'ma make you mine

Well, you're a hot mess and I'm falling for you
And I'm like hot damn! let me make you my boo
Cause you can shake it shake it shake it
Yeah you know what to do
You're a hot mess
I'm loving it-hell yes!

you've been hypnotized
The city's your playground,
I watch you take a bite
At 5am roaming in the streets
Drunk all night

You think your hot 
and boo I looooove it, I love it, I love it
Yeah, yeah
Stumbling but yeah, you're still looking hella fine
Keep doing what you're doing and I'ma make you mine

Well, you're a hot mess and I'm falling for you
And I'm like hot damn, let me make you my boo
Cause you can shake it shake it shake it
Yeah you know what to do
You're a hot mess
I'm loving it, hell yes

You're a hot mess and I'm falling for you
And I'm like hot damn let me make you my boo
Cause you can shake it shake it shake it
Yeah you know what to do
You're a hot mess
I'm loving it, hell yes

If you're dancing up on tables
You go you go, you got it girl
Say that you're unstable
You go coco, you got it girl
Dancing up on tables
Say that you're unstable
You're a haha haha ha yeah you're a hot mess
Haha haha ha we're singing hell yes

Well, you're a hot mess and I'm falling for you
And I'm like hot damn let me make you my boo
cause you can shake it shake it shake it
Yeah you know what to do
You're a hot mess
I'm loving it, hell yes
You're a hot mess and I'm falling for you
And I'm like hot damn let me make you my boo
Cause you can shake it shake it shake it
Yeah you know what to do
You're a hot mess
I'm loving it, hell yes (hell yes)
Hot mess
I'm loving it, hell yes (hell yes)
Hot mess

I'm loving it, hell yes 

I noticed him looking at me as I swayed to the beat of the music at different times during the song. I tried to ignore it the best I could. 

"I've got to go," Cami says, running off. She hugs Hans as she climbs up the stairs to the stage. "Good evening! Ready to kick it?!" she asks, laughing as the crowd screams. I can tell she's the crowd favorite, especially with the guys. I realize that we are on after her. I clench my sides in anticipation. 

(U+Ur hands by p!nk) 

  Uh uh uh uh uh uh uh oh

Uh uh uh uh uh uh uh oh
Check it out
Going out
On the late night
Looking tight
Feeling nice
It's a  fight
I can tell
I just know
That it's going down
Tonight
At the door we don't wait cause we know them
At the bar six shots just beginning
That's when dick head put his hands on me
But you see

I'm not here for your entertainment
You don't really want to mess with me tonight
Just stop and take a second
I was fine before you walked into my life
Cause you know it's over
Before it began
Keep your drink just give me the money
It's just you and your hand tonight

Uh uh uh uh uh uh uh oh
Uh uh uh uh uh uh uh oh

Midnight
I'm drunk
I don't give a 
Wanna dance
By myself
Guess you're outta luck
Don't touch
Back up
I'm not the one
Buh bye
Listen up it's just not happening
You can say what you want to your boyfriends
Just let me have my fun tonight
Aiight

I'm not here for your entertainment
You don't really want to mess with me tonight
Just stop and take a second
I was fine before you walked into my life
Cause you know it's over
Before it began
Keep your drink just give me the money
It's just you and your hand tonight

Uh uh uh uh uh uh uh oh
Break break
Break it down

In the corner with your boys you bet 'em five bucks
You'd get the girl that just walked in but she thinks you suck
We didn't get all dressed up just for you to see
So quit spilling your drinks on me yeah

You know who you are
High fivin, talking, but you're going home alone arentcha?

Cause I'm not here for your entertainment
No
You don't really want to mess with me tonight
Just stop and take a second
Just stop and take a second
I was fine before you walked into my life
Cause you know it's over
Know it's over
Before it began
Keep your drink just give me the money
It's just you and your hand tonight
It's just you and your hand

I'm not here for your entertainment
No no no
You don't really want to mess with me tonight
Just stop and take a second
Just take a second
I was fine before you walked into my life
Cause you know it's over
Before it began
Keep your drink just give me the money
It's just you and your hand tonight

Yeah oh 

I'm officially freaking out now. She was absolutely stellar and we have to go on afterwards. We're screwed. I take a deep breath, following after the others to the stage. "Get that record deal, guys," Camicazi tells us as we pass. 

I take my spot on stage, slinging my guitar strap over my shoulder. I stare wide-eyed at the large crowd in front of me. "I can do this," I whisper to myself. 

"Hello ladies and gentlemen! We are going to play for you tonight if you don't mind. This is our first time performing here... so we're a little nervous." The crowd chuckles, so I take it as a sign that things are going well. "Allow us to introduce ourselves. I'm Hiccup."

"Punzie."

"Astrid," I choke out.

"Merida."

"Jack." 

"This song is called, 'I've Got All This Ringing In My ears and None On My Fingers'. Hope you like it!" Hiccup finishes. 

  You're a canary, I'm a coal mine

Cause sorrow is just all the rage
Take one for the team
You all know what I mean

And I'm so sorry, but not really
Tell the boys where to find my body
New York eyes, Chicago thighs
Pushed up the window to kiss you off

The truth hurts worse than anything I could bring myself to do to you
The truth hurts worse than anything I could bring myself to do to you

Do you remember the way I held your hand?
Under the lamp post and ran home
This way so many times
I could close my eyes

The truth hurts worse than anything I could bring myself to do to you
The truth hurts worse than anything I could bring myself to do to you
Bum bum bum bum bum bum ba-da-da-dum

Bum bum bum bum bum bum ba-da-da-dum dum oh-oh-oh-ohh

The truth hurts worse than anything I could bring myself to do
The truth hurts worse than anything I could bring myself to do to you
The truth
The truth

(Now press repeat)

We stand huffing and puffing from playing our hearts out. We move to the front of the stage, hands linked together. "We are the Big 5!" we shout, hands above our heads, smiles on our faces. I notice Mr. Summers standing in the back of the room, nodding. We exit the stage hugging each other.

"We did it!" Jack shouts. 

"Alright settle down! You know what time it is... Song Battles! Any volunteers?" the announcer calls.

"I do!" Camicazi hollers. 

"Ok, folks. Now remember, the audience is the judge of who performs and sings the best," he reminds everyone. This sounds stupid,but if I have a chance to prove I'm just as good as Camicazi, helping to show Mr. Summers I have talent, and screw Hiccup's head back on strait, getting his attention away from camicazi and back on me, now would be the best time to do so. "Ms. Searing are you ready?"

"Always," she smiles.

"Who would like to challenge Ms. Camicazi?"

"i would!" I shout, raising my hand. My friends stare at me wide-eyed. I run up on stage, standing beside her. 

"Ok. Take it away, ladies,' the announcer concludes, getting out of the way.

"Do you mind if I go first?" Cami asks me.

"By all means," I say, gesturing for her to walk up to the mic.

"Thanks," she smiles.  "Hit it boys," she calls as soon as her band is ready.

(Walk of Shame by p!nk)

  One step, two steps, counting tiles on the floor

Three steps, four steps, guess this means that I'm a
Uh oh,  no, how long 'til I reach the door?
 me, my feet are sore

I'm wearing last night's dress and I look like a hot ass mess
Although my hair looks good 'cause I haven't slept yet

Make the elevator come a little faster
I'm pushing all the buttons but nothing's happening
Please god don't let anybody see me
Please god, I'll do anything you ask of me
I promise no more walks of shame,
So walk this way!

We're walking, we're walking
Walk this way!
We're walking, we're walking

Last night's bubblegum, no more bubbles, no more yum
Where'd I get the wristband? tell me there's no tramp stamp
One two three shoot, no I know this ain't cute
But man, it sure is fun
Party 'til the sun wakes up

Okay now raise your hands if you've ever been guilty
And clap clap clap like if you walk with me

Make the elevator come a little faster
I'm pushing all the buttons but nothing's happening
Please god don't let anybody see me
Please god, I'll do anything you ask of me
I promise no more walks of shame,
So walk this way!

We're walking, we're walking
Walk this way!
We're walking, we're walking

I shouldn't have let them take my keys, take my keys
And left me here with too much beer
My friends, they hung me out to dry
It's not my fault and that's why.
I'm doing the walk of shame

Make the elevator come a little faster
I'm pushing all the buttons but nothing's happening
Please god don't let anybody see me
Please god, I'll do anything you ask of me
I promise no more walks of shame,
So walk this way!

We're walking, we're walking
Walk this way!
We're walking, we're walking

So walk this way!

We're walking, we're walking
Walk this way!

We're walking, we're walking

What have I gotten myself into? The way she moves her body and flips her hair and dances is so perfect and reels the boys in, there's no chance of me winning this thing. Hiccup and the others climb up on stage to play for me. 

"What the heck are you doing?" Hiccup asks,worried. "Were you even thinking?" 

"Do you not believe in me?" i challenge. "Just because she's a star, doesn't mean I can't take her on. Besides, it will give Mr. Summers another chance to see us perform." Hiccup sighs and takes my normal place. 

"Good luck," Cami says, sweetly. 

I breathe in and begin, a little bit of anger and jealousy mixing. Jealousy from Cami, anger from Hiccup not thinking I can do this. 

"What song?" he asks. 

I give him a sly smile. "Rock n Roll."

   Let 'em know that we're still rock n roll

I don't care about my make-up
I like it better with my jeans all ripped up
Don't know how to keep my mouth shut
You say, "So what (what)?"

I don't care if I'm a misfit
I like it better than the hipster bull
I am the mother freaking princess
You still love me

Some-somehow
It's a little different when
I'm with you
You know what I really am
All about
You know how it really goes
Oh, oh, oh, oh, yeah
Some some way
We'll be getting out of this
Town one day
You're the only one that I
Want with me
You know how the story goes
Oh, oh, oh

When it's you and me
We don't need no one to tell us who to be
We'll keep turning up the radio
What if you and I
Just put up a middle finger to the sky
Let 'em know that we're still rock 'n roll

Rock 'n roll
Hey hey hey
Rock 'n roll
Hey hey hey

Call it a bad attitude dude
I'm never gonna cover up that tattoo
I might have a couple issues
You say, "Me too." (yeah)
Don't care about a reputation
Must be living in the wrong generation
This is your invitation
Let's get wasted

Some-somehow
It's a little different when
I'm with you
You know what I really am
All about
You know how the story goes
Oh, oh, oh

When it's you and me
We don't need no one to tell us who to be
We'll keep turning up the radio
What if you and I
Just put up a middle finger to the sky
Let 'em know that we're still rock 'n roll

Rock 'n roll
Hey hey hey
Rock 'n roll
Hey hey hey
Rock 'n roll, yeah

Oh, oh, oh, oh, yeah

When it's you and me
We don't need no one to tell us who to be
We'll keep turning up the radio

What if you and I
Just put up a middle finger to the sky
Let 'em know that we're still rock 'n roll

When it's you and me
We don't need no one to tell us who to be
We'll keep turning up the radio

What if you and I
Just put up a middle finger to the sky
Let 'em know that we're still rock 'n roll

Rock 'n roll
Hey hey hey
Rock 'n roll
Hey hey hey

I jumped up and down, kicked my leg in the air, danced and played the life out of my guitar. The announcer returns to the stage, clapping. "Give it up for these two girls!" The crowd screams. "Who won?" I think you can guess who won. Let's just say I didn't prove Hiccup wrong and I didn't prove that I was better than Camicazi either.I sigh, and walk off the stage. My friends follow. 

"Wai- wai- wait," Hans calls. "I challenge Hiccup!" Hiccup groans and walks back to the stage. 

"Now remember, he's a star and there's no way you can possibly beat him," I tell him smiling sweetly, putting my guitar strap back on. 

"Ha-ha," he mocks.  Hiccup gestures for Hans to go first.

"Allow me to show you how it's done, newbie," he says, but looks at me at the end, winking. I roll my eyes. 

(Nice Guys Finish Last by cobra starship)

I was just a kid workin' for the man for the first time
He said "listen kid, you'd better hear my advice:
Treat 'em like dirt, they'll stick
forever to the bottom of your shoe"
Oooo

I said "Mr. Man, that ain't nice
you gotta treat a girl right
Take her out, wine and dine her, always be polite"
"Kid, all good-just do you but soon you'll see
she don't want no goody two shoes"

Boy, you're just a goody two, goody two shoes
You're just a goody two, two shoes!

You got style, you got grace
But kid you try so hard
she just laughs in your face
Yeah you're a nice guy
With the wrong attitude
She want a bad boy
(bad boys, bad boys, all we want is bad boys!)
I treat her bad, she loves me good
And I just hate to have to tell you
Cause you're a nice guy
But that just won't do
She want a bad boy
(bad boys, bad boys, all we want is bad boys!)

Listen kid, you hear them sirens comin' for me?
But when I get downtown she will already be
postin' bail in her favorite dress
Smilin' at me because I'm no good

You can buy her everything she likes
And I'm sure she'll be obliged to let you steal a kiss,
maybe even spend the night
Kid, all good-just know that
She'll be thinking of me even when she's with you

Boy, you're just a goody two, goody two shoes
You're just a goody two, two shoes!

You got style, you got grace
But kid you try so hard
she just laughs in your face
Yeah you're a nice guy
With the wrong attitude
She want a bad boy
(bad boys, bad boys, all we want is bad boys!)
I treat her bad, she loves me good
And I just hate to have to tell you
Cause you're a nice guy
But that just won't do
She want a bad boy
(bad boys, bad boys, all we want is bad boys!)

Whoa, alright now
Single ladies (yeah)
I'm gonna need your help now
(Tell us what ya want us to do now [x2])
I need help girls
(You're a bad boy)
I say I need help now (help now)
So bad (so bad)
So good (so good)
So bad (bad)
Good (good)

God damn, you got style, you got grace
Kid you try so hard
she just laughs in your face
Yeah you're a nice guy
With the wrong attitude
She want a bad boy
(bad boys, bad boys, all we want is bad boys!)
I treat her bad, she loves me good
And I just hate to have to tell you
Cause you're a nice guy
But that just won't do
She want a bad boy
(bad boys, bad boys, all we want is bad boys!)

Boy, you're just a goody two, goody two shoes
You're just a goody two, two shoes!

"Your turn Fishbone," Hans tells Hiccup. Hiccup glares at him, furious. Hans during the song, kept looking at Hiccup, directing the words toward him. I think Hans is the only one besides me that sees through Hiccup's bad boy act. It makes me smile to see Hiccup clench his fists, jealous and mad. 

"Novocain," he tells us. My smile widens because he knows how I was feeling when I volunteered.

This is a black, black ski mask song
So put all of your anger on
In the truly gruesome do we trust
I will always land on you like a sucker punch

Singing I am your worst, I am your worst nightmare
I am your worst, I am your worst nightmare

If you knew, knew what the bluebirds sang at you,
You would never sing along
Cast them out cause this is our culture
These new flocks are nothing but vultures

Because they took our love and they filled it up
Filled it up with Novocaine and now I'm just numb
Now I'm just numb
And don't mind me, I'm just a son of a gun
So don't stop, don't stop until your heart goes numb
Now I'm just numb
I don't feel a thing for you

I'm just a problem that doesn't want to be solved
So could you please hold your applause
Take this sideshow and all its freaks
And turn it into the silver screen dream

Singing I am your worst, I am your worst nightmare
I am your worst, I am your worst nightmare

If you knew, knew what the bluebirds sang at you,
You would never sing along
Cast them out cause this is our culture
These new flocks are nothing but vultures

Because they took our love and they filled it up
Filled it up with Novocaine and now I'm just numb
Now I'm just numb
And don't mind me, I'm just a son of a gun
So don't stop, don't stop until your heart goes numb
Now I'm just numb
I don't feel a thing for you

I said one day the valley's gonna swallow me whole
(Hijack the hype! Hijack the hype!)
and I feel like a photo that's been over-exposed
(Hijack the hype! Hijack the hype!)

They took our love and they filled it up
Filled it up with Novocaine and now I'm just numb
Now I'm just numb
And don't mind me, I'm just a son of a gun
So don't stop, don't stop until your heart goes numb
Now I'm just numb
I don't feel a thing for you

The only downside to this was that Hiccup won. Though he is a much better singer than Hans anyhow. I'm still proud of him even if I was upset with him. We get off stage, the crowd screaming our names.  Merida gestures to Mr. Summers, so we head over, nervous again. 

He claps slowly. "Well done kids. You definitely have tallent. Be at my office Monday evening at 5:30." And with that, he walks away.

"AHHHHHHH!!!!"