"You can even shower if you want. Quickly though if you would. We'd like to hear you sometime tonight."
   Nodding, Noni accepted the demand, already knowing they had a right to cut the band's pay for being as late as they were now.
   "Is Noni short for something?"
   The direct question snapped her out of her reverie. "No. Noni is my full name." She shrugged when Taylor gave her a curious look and explained slowly, "My mom is Australian, and I was named after her best mate in Sydney."
   He nodded slowly, and showed her to the bathroom. "I've been there, it's a beautiful place."
   Noni shrugged, "Don't know, so I'll take your word for it."
   Ducking past him, she entered the bathroom and shut the door behind her without looking or waiting for anything more to be said.
   She took use of their shower, quickly washing away the scent of fried foods, sweat, and classroom from her self.
   Hurrying as much as she could, she let her long main of hair drip down the back of her tank top and sheer over shirt. They'd dry.
   It was after slamming her feet into her combat boots that she was ready enough to leave the bathroom. And run almost headfirst into another person.
   He steadied her, placing his hands on her hips and waiting until they were both steady on their feet. "You okay?"
   Feeling heat on her neck, Noni stepped back and nodded mutely. She swallowed, "Yeah. Fine. Sorry about that."
   She moved to go past him when she saw him nod as well. "Much my fault as yours."
   Glad to know he took the responsibility as well for being incredibly klutzy, she smiled to herself and slid the big glass door back and headed for her band mates only to be instantly instructed to take the stage and check her instrument.
   When it was to her liking she was to signal them and they'd come on as well to start their set.
   She grabbed Chad's elbow. "If you don't stop drinking, I'll leave now."
   He laughed in her face; almost making her reel at the alcohol soaked breath of his. "Who's gonna take ya, Non?" He sneered, "No one here will, and Matt can't."
   The smirk on Taylor's face snapped her reserve.
   Stalking to the stage, she idly strummed her guitar, making sure it was in tune. She half-heartedly scanned the crowd. Everyone here was people she didn't know. Excluding Chad and Mathew of course, she didn't count Taylor because she didn't know him.
   She watched as Chad tossed back a drink with him and a few other guys. Watched as Mathew tried to stop him and hated the smile that played on Taylor's face when he noticed her frown.
   She noticed the guy she ran into inside was still in the house, but watching her from behind the glass door.
   Her gaze went back to Chad and Mathew. Standing up, she tapped her microphone and started playing angrily. The words, even though not hers, spilled from her lips in bitter truth.

   She stopped then, then unplugged and tossed the chord from her guitar. Walking to the side of the makeshift stage, she started packing her stuff with numb fingers.
   This was it. "Glass Ceiling" was through. She wasn't taking anything like this from anyone.
   "What're you doing?" Chad yelled, furious at her.
   Noni shrugged, "Packing up and going home. What else?"
   He went to grab her wrist, but Noni was faster and pulled back. She raised blazing eyes to his; "It's over, Chad. Forget the music we've played."
   Lifting her guitar case in one hand, the amp case in the other, she started walking away.
   Nodding towards Mathew who looked away guiltily, she continued on towards the house.
   "You won't get paid for leaving." Taylor notified roughly behind her.
   "I don't care. I'm not part of this band anymore." She responded without turning around.
   Setting down the amp she went to open the glass door when someone else did. She looked up and smiled at the guy she'd run into earlier. "Thanks."
   Stepping inside, she noticed that Taylor had stalked off and sighed in relief.
   "He'll go blow off some steam." The guy informed her. "It's those tight clothes of his." He explained, "stops the blood from rushing to his head and he becomes dumb now and again."
   Noni laughed outright and nodded, "so I'm beginning to notice."
   He nodded towards her stuff, "want a lift?"
   She perused him; "I don't know you."
   Smiling he held out his hand, "Zac."
   Nodding she accepted his handshake and returned it. "Noni."
   He nodded as well, "Pretty. Want a lift?"
   "I'd be grateful." She answered truthfully.
   Zac's smiled grew into a grin and he picked up the amp case for her. "Let's roll."