Road To Nowhere by Christopher Pike

when they talked with her about her job. They weren’t totally out of touch, she realized.
    Finally the big night arrived. Teresa dressed with care, or rather, she tried on everything in her closet and decided nothing would do. Fortunately, she had Rene with her, and the two of them wore the same size. Rene drove her over to her house – or started to at least. The two of them planned on going to the club together. Bill was already at the Summit, making a last-minute equipment check for Teresa. She didn’t have a direct pick-up on her acoustic guitar and the microphone attached to the main mike was often filled with static. Mr. Gracione had promised her a new mike and Bill was there to make sure it was installed properly.
    “Maybe my red dress would look nice under the lights,” Rene suggested once they were on the road in Rene's black Miata. Teresa was far too nervous to be behind the wheel of a car.
    “I’m sitting on a stool,” Teresa said. “I’m leaning towards trousers.”
    “How about my green suit?” Rene said. “You know the one?”
    “Yeah. I don’t know. Green is such a nature colour. This is a nightclub. I think I should wear black.”
    “Black is so sober.”
    Teresa nodded. “You’re right. How about white?”
    “I don’t have anything white. You’re the one with the white trouser suit.”
    “I am? Where is it?”
    “In your closet,” Rene said.
    “Oh, yeah. Did I try it on?”
    “No.”
    “I want to try it on,” Teresa said.
    “You want to go back home?”
    “Yeah. Quick, let’s hurry. I’m supposed to go on in two hours!”
    Rene laughed softly. “I'm glad it's you and not me,” she said as she turned the car round.
    “Just don’t you and Bill start hooting me as soon as I come out.”
    Rene nodded. “I won’t make a peep.” She added, “I’m glad I'm finally getting to meet Bill. Is he really as cute as you’ve told me?”
    Teresa considered. “I think so. But I can’t tell anymore. I like him so much I don’t even think I can see what he looks like. Do you know what I mean?”
    Rene shook her head. “I’ve never had that experience.”
    “You will one day soon.” Teresa giggled. “Just don’t have it tonight with my boyfriend.”
    Naturally, the white trouser suit looked perfect to Teresa – until they were back in Rene’s car, heading for the club. But by then Rene wouldn’t allow Teresa to change her mind. It was less than ninety minutes to curtain. Teresa had never had a car ride that went so slow. Her nervousness was intolerable. She kept trying to pretend that the show wasn't that night, but her pounding heart and dry throat were not fooled. Again and again she went through everything that could go wrong. Her single worst fear was that she would freeze up and not be able to sing a word. But she also knew if she could just get past the first song, and hear people clap, even one person in the crowd, she would relax. She reached over and touched her best friend on the arm.
    “I’m glad you’re here with me tonight,” she told Rene. The sentiment in her voice surprised Rene for they didn’t normally expose many deep feelings to each other. Rene was reserved – probably always would be. She lived with a father who was a public prosecutor in the district attorney’s office downtown, and a stepmom who had never wanted to have children of her own.
    “I’m glad you’re glad,” Rene said. “Are you sweating?”
    Teresa clenched and unclenched her hands. “Blood. I don’t know why I let myself be talked into this. I hate feeling this way. It’s like waiting to be led to the gallows and all the people are watching, waiting to see you fail.” She briefly closed her eyes. “If I screw up I know I'll want to die.”
    “I envy you,” Rene said.
    Teresa opened her eyes. “You just think you do. I'd give a lot to be able to change places with you right now.” Rene glanced over at Teresa. She had such dark eyes – they almost cast their own shadow.