Tig Ripley Hard Rock seats for the band and gone off-camera Tig and her friends sat down in the chairs next to her uncle Paul Carolyn Kirk introduced the girls by name along with which instrument each one played They waved and smiled when their names were called So tell me ladies said Carolyn Kirk how does it feel to be famous She looked directly at Tig I wouldn’t exactly call us famous Tig said Yet Robbie interjected Carolyn Kirk laughed I see you have some ambition here huh That’s great It sounded so condescending that Tig immedi ately felt embarrassed but Robbie didn’t seem to feel that way at all Instead she held her two middle fingers down with her thumb and sort of fist-pumped All right then said Carolyn Kirk What’s next for Pandora’s Box The sky’s the limit said Kyra smiling right at the camera Olivia and Claire never said a word They seemed nervous 4
Chapter One How exciting said Carolyn Kirk I’m sure I speak for all our viewers in the Tuscaloosa area when I say we wish you the best of luck and look forward to hearing more from Pandora’s Box in the very near future Cheesy music began playing and Carolyn Kirk said Coming up next we’ll teach you how to take your grandma’s lasagna recipe to the next oh-so delicious and cost-effective level Don’t go away We’ll be right back Thanks Professor Ripley Thanks girls Carolyn Kirk said as the countdown guy whisked them off the set The entire interview had lasted all of about three minutes total I’ve got to get some papers graded Tig’s uncle said If your mom’s not here to pick you up in the next few minutes let me know I’ll just be right upstairs in my office We’ll be fine Tig said She hugged her uncle good-bye and the girls went outside to wait for Tig’s mom 5
Tig Ripley Hard Rock The sky’s the limit Tig said to Kyra What was that all about It’s called media training Kyra said My mom taught me everything she knew from being in the Miss Alabama pageant Did I ever tell y’all she was third runner-up Yes Robbie said I believe you’ve mentioned it about eighty-seven times Well Kyra said she showed me how to look poised on camera and she said you’re always supposed to say something energetic and fun The judges love that There were no judges Kyra Tig said We weren’t in a pageant At least I didn’t mumble and squint the whole time Kyra replied Can we go get ice cream Olivia asked Text your mom and ask if we can meet her at that little place on the Strip We could walk over there in less than five minutes Olivia’s hungry Robbie said What a shock 6
Chapter One The girls were always joking about Olivia’s insatiable appetite and her twiggy frame Two words Olivia said Waffle Cone What are we waiting for The girls agreed so Tig texted her mom to pick them up at the ice cream shop Robbie and Tig hung back while Olivia Claire and Kyra walked a few feet ahead The sky’s the limit Robbie asked Your cousin does realize that she can play all of two songs on the bass right And even those not very well Don’t look at me Tig said I never know what’s going to come out of Kyra’s mouth Who knows Maybe this will inspire her to practice more Robbie said I can hardly wait to get back to the studio and start practicing Maybe Kyra put in some time on the bass this week Maybe she’s about to blow us all away Maybe said Tig But she very much doubted it 7
