Just when things are getting interesting, I feel a bump on my shoulder. Apparently, Ben is trying to grab my attention.

Really dude? You want to talk now? Right now, I want more ogling, less talking.

But of course he doesn't hear my internal monologue and talks to me anyway. He juts out his chin towards the other guitarist at the back. "That's Jake. He's a senior at our high school."

He points to the bass player on Hot Guitar Guy's left. "That's Rick, also a senior at our school."

Ben finally faces me. "And that guy singing? His name's Adam."

Adam . It fits him, I guess. I don’t know why, but he sure doesn’t look like a Jeremy or a William to me.

I whip my head around when my sister magically appears behind me, her chin resting on my shoulder.

"Adam? That's the vocalist’s name?" she asks.

Oh, good lord. "What the hell, Colbie? You almost gave me a heart attack."

She’s unapologetic as always. "Wah wah. Just answer the question."

My eyebrows rise as I give her a dirty look. "Seriously? You're on a date right now and you’re asking about another guy?"

She looks at Sean who is now talking to Ben. "He keeps on talking about all the places he's going to bring me to."

I giggle. "You basically told him you're a tourist, you idiot!"

She appears scandalized. "I couldn't say no. That would be rude."

I shake my head. "No. That would have been honest. You should tell him the truth because sooner or later he’ll find out that we’ve been spending our summer vacations here since we were kids.”

She huffs, sitting back on her chair and completely ignoring me for the rest of the song.

Good. I can finally go back to watching the band play. Ben seems to take the hint as well because he remains quiet.

When Hot Guitar Guy strums the final chords the café erupts in applause. The girls are cheering and some guys are whistling.

The band is good. Really good. They sang more covers for the next hour and I lost myself in the music until I check my watch. It’s almost ten.

As lame as it sounds, I’m the type of girl who wants to be in bed before midnight because I still believe sleeping early helps me grow taller. I intend to be at least 5’ 8” by high school graduation. So I stand up, grab my jacket and wave goodbye to Sean and Ben.

Ben wears a perplexed expression when he asks, “Where are you going?”

Before I could answer, Colbie beats me to it. “She needs to be tucked in before twelve.”

I look daggers at my sister.

Ben checks his watch. “But it’s only ten.”

Colbie laughs slightly. “It takes her years to get ready for bed. She’s got all these rituals.”

She puts air quotes on “rituals” like it’s weird or something. It’s not weird. My mom has simply taught me very early in life that a girl has to take care of her skin as early as possible. I mean, who wants saggy and discolored skin when they get older?

I put on my jacket, choosing to ignore my sister’s comments. I don’t want to encourage any more questions from these guys. Besides, I don’t want to explain what I do before sleeping. A girl’s got to keep her secrets.

Ben abruptly says, “I’ll walk you.”

But when he starts to stand up I put a hand on his shoulder to stop him. “It’s only five blocks. I’ll be fine.”

I do a little wiggle of my fingers and blow my sister a kiss.

As I start moving towards the door, Hot Guitar Guy speaks to the microphone. “Thanks for coming tonight. We’ll do one more song before you go.”

I feel my heart beat a little harder and when I’m almost at the exit I turn around to listen to him play one last song.

He looks at the crowd, seemingly searching for someone, then says, “This is an original and I hope you guys like it.”

The café quiets down as the sound of the guitar fills the room. The vocalist is alone on stage now; the other two bandmates have moved to the bar. And as I draw my eyes back towards Hot Guitar Guy—Adam—he closes his eyes and starts singing.

Look into this empty heart

With no words i fell apart

It’s so strong and deep

Yet time can only keep

How can something so wrong feel so right?

Tomorrow has to change, but for tonight

Send me up a spiral staircase

Even if it’s just a phase

Give me chaos, give me madness

Bring me bittersweet sadness

Send me up a spiral staircase

Win me over, make me fall

But I won’t ask you to catch me anymore

I know this is so wrong

We’re having a world of our own

Guess I can walk away

But, baby, tonight please stay

I want to feel your breath on my face

So tonight give me your warmest embrace

When he’s done, the applause inside the café is deafening and I touch my cheek to find that it’s wet. I’m crying.

To clarify, I’m not crying because I’m touched by the song. I’m crying because I’m absolutely, completely appalled. Because while the music is definitely Adam’s, the lyrics are mine.

The asshole has stolen my words.