Maybe, I Could Also Be Your Girl...

Ashley was not jealous of Brian's guitars. No, she definitely wasn't. How could she be? They were inanimate objects. Yet, as she watched Brian twirl The Old Lady and then dip her, Ashley couldn't help but feel resentment bubble up in her chest. She mentally cursed herself.

She was jealous of a guitar. She had reached a new low. She couldn't manage to turn her camera away from the frustrating sight of Brian and his guitars. How could he be completely over the moon in love with his instruments and yet barely know that she existed? If she wasn't such a big fan, she would think it was completely unfair.

No, wait, she DID think it was unfair. Yes, okay, Brian was a rock star and his guitars were his passion, but come on! Unlike a guitar, Ashley could actually dance AND talk back. Clearly, she was just as entertaining as The Old Lady.

"Hey Ashley," Hope said as she sat down beside of her. Ashley quickly shut off her camera and turned to face her best friend.

"Hey, Hope," Ashley said with a soft smile. "How are you holding up?"

"Holding up? I'm fine, no need for 'holding up' I'm totally fine," Hope said with a forced smile and tearful sniffle.

"Aw," Ashley said as she gave Hope a side hug.

Hope sighed as Ashley released her, "What about you? How are you?"

"Me? I'm awesome. My favorite band is getting ready to go on tour and I've officially ordered tickets to not three but FOUR of their shows. Yep, my life is pretty perfect," Ashley gushed.

"You're not at all upset that the guys are leaving and you'll be here all summer without them?" Hope asked curiously.

"What do you mean?" Ashley asked in confusion.

"Freddie, John, Roger and Brian, Ashley. They're leaving for the summer," Hope told her sadly.

That's when it hit Ashley. They weren't just her favourite band anymore. They were her friends! They were her friends who would be traveling the country for the summer... without her. That meant waking up every day and no longer being able to just call up the Queen boys to hang out. She was suddenly depressed.

"And now I'm a little less excited about this tour," Ashley said sadly as she rested her head on Hope's shoulder.

"Aw, I'm sorry, Ashley," Hope said in a guilty tone. "I shouldn't have said anything."

"Why do our friends have to be famous rock stars?" Ashley asked pathetically.

Hope chuckled sadly, "I don't know."

"So, I know you have your rock star connections and they would probably just let you stand in the wings for any show you wanted to see, but I have an extra ticket for all of the shows I'm going to," Ashley suggested. "You know, in case you want to come with."

Hope smiled and hugged her friend, "Of course I want to come with! That sounds fun!"

"Yay!" Ashley squealed as she hugged Hope tightly in return. When they pulled apart, Hope squinted at Brian curiously.

"Is he slow dancing with his guitar?"

"The Old Lady," Ashley told her seriously.

"The Old Lady?"

"That guitar is The Old Lady. He's dancing with The Old Lady," Ashley informed her with a frustrated sigh.

"See, this is why I try to avoid Brian when he's picking his guitars for the tour. I see things I'd rather not see," Hope said with a shake of her head.

Ashley grinned, "I don't know, I think it's kind of cute."

"But you wish he was dancing with you instead?" Hope asked knowingly.

"How did you—"

"Ashley, I'm your best friend. I know everything. Why don't you just ask him if he'd rather dance with a real girl. One that doesn't have strings running up and down her face."

Ashley's eyes widened, "Oh no, I couldn't do that. That would feel rude, I mean, they're having a moment."

Hope turned her scrutinizing gaze to Ashley, "I'm sorry, what?"

"The Old Lady and Brian, they're having a moment. How would you feel if I walked up and interrupted you and Freddie while you were having a moment?"

"Are you actually treating that guitar like it's a person?" Hope asked in confusion.

Ashley shrugged, "Brian does. I'm pretty sure he would feel slightly miffed if I interrupted him. I know I would if he tried to interrupt me while I was practicing with Benny and Jenny."

Hope blinked, "Benny and Jenny?"

"My drumsticks, I call them Benny and Jenny and practices with them are sacred," Ashley told her with a confident nod.

Hope rubbed her temples and spoke up dryly, "Then maybe you and Brian should set The Old Lady up with Benny and Jenny so you guys could have some alone time."

Ashley's eyes widened excitedly, "That's a great idea!"

"Oh no, Ashley I was just being sarcas—"

"Brian would love that! You're a genius, Hope!"

Hope's brow furrowed and she smiled at her friend in amusement, "You're welcome."

The slow dance between Brian and The Old Lady came to an end and Hope watched curiously as Ashley approached Brian about the Old Lady-Benny and Jenny date. The two chatted animatedly. Brian was practically jumping up and down with glee. Hope laughed lightly at the sight. Only Brian and Ashley would seriously consider going on a double date with their most prized possessions. Ashley beamed at Hope as she returned to sit down.

"So, how did it go?" Hope asked.

Ashley blushed, "He thought it was a great idea, but he'd rather it just be the two of us. He said he could probably get John to watch Benny, Jenny and The Old Lady for us."

Hope's mouth dropped open, "You're going on a date with Brian!"

Ashley squeaked excitedly and nodded. She was too excited to form words. Hope wrapped her best friend in a hug.

"I better hear about every little detail as SOON as the evening ends, and I mean a phone call. Not a text. I need to hear your tone and your smile for the full effect. Got it?"

"Got it," Ashley said with a laugh.