Pasadena, California, USA
1979

Nina Van Halen was lost. And she was crushed.

Tears stained her cheeks as she lay in bed, embarrassed and upset that she had allowed herself to get in yet another argument with her parents over her studies at the dinner table. Nina had always loved learning, and had always been keen for learning more about history and language. She taught herself her native Dutch, as well as snippets of the other Romantic languages that were not English. History had always been her best subject, and she was able to form solid and strong opinions on everything based on what she had learned. Nina was okay with being considered nerdy. She knew what she was, as well as who she was, and was okay with it.

The ones who were not okay with it were her parents. Her parents constantly got onto her about a more proper and professional job, and could not support the idea of her going on to higher education in a way that they didn't see fit. It stunned Alex and Eddie to no end, considering they were of some help getting their band started, but not even on board with Nina's possible career path.

Much unlike her brothers, Nina was much more reserved. She preferred to keep to herself and most of her qualities between those she trusted, but the reservation came with a fierce sense of independence and ability to love like no other. Alex, Eddie, and Nina's explosive sibling relationship was like most others, but louder. With Alex and Eddie suddenly finding their way in show business and the Rock and Roll scene, there came a lot more bad attitudes, lax morality, and a work schedule that seemed more grueling than anything usual. But Nina loved them more than anything. They were still her big brothers, and always would be.

Alex and Eddie decided that an hour after her leaving the dinner table on a visit home for the night was a good idea to check on Nina. They approached the situation as gently as they could try, not wanting to create another situation in itself. All they wanted to do was help, if anything.

Alex knocked on her door lightly. With no response, he slowly opened the door to reveal Nina lying on her back, arms splayed out. "You okay?"

"Why would I be okay after being lectured and yelled at again?"

"Fair." Alex laid down next to her and tucked his hands behind his head. Eddie followed suit on Nina's other side, so the three siblings were all staring up at the ceiling together.

"I don't understand it. You'd think they'd be excited that I'm as ready as I am to go to college."

"Cause you're not doing what they want you to do." Eddie concluded.

"As if they want to keep controlling me! To them I'm just a nerd that will get nowhere in my sad life." Nina crossed her arms and crossed her legs, her tone growing in anger.

"Hey now. . ." Alex warned.

"Yeah, you are a nerd. But you're a nerd who has purpose for being a nerd." Eddie shrugged. "You said you wanted to be a teacher, right? Or something like that?"

Nina mumbled in reply. "Something like that."

"You've got dreams, Nina. We know you're not bullshitting around." Eddie turned over on his side to face them.

"God, if only you could make mom and dad realize that." Nina rolled her eyes.

"Then what can we do?" Eddie threw his hands up in reply. "Neither of us want you sitting around hating yourself cause of this. Let us help."

"Please don't." Nina groaned sitting up against her headboard. "You say that as if I'd get in anywhere just because I'm related to you guys. It's not going to happen."

"But what if it did?"

The three went silent as Nina and Eddie turned their heads to Alex incredulously. Alex awkwardly shrugged and leaned against the wall.

"Al, I'm not letting you four pay me in like a millionaire's kid." Nina gestured to her brothers.

Alex leaned back forward and grabbed her hand. "Ninny I'm not asking you to let us pay your way in completely. I'm asking you to come work for us and let the money you make from that pay your way in."

"So quit my job. Just like that." Nina's voice lowered to one of more concern.

"And add another to the resume." Alex met her gaze wishfully.

Nina sat back and looked up at the ceiling again. "What will David and Michael say?"

"Mike adores you. And Dave is so in love with you that he would probably be begging at the foot of God to make sure you came along at some point." Eddie laughed maniacally at the end of his sentence.

"You won't need to tell him twice." Alex laughed along.

Nina groaned loudly. "Do I really need to be reminded of this?

Eddie shrugged. "Dude, Dave would jump in front of a truck cause he's that smitten with you."

"Dave would jump in front of a truck cause he feels like it!" Nina snapped back.

"Touché."

Silence fell over the siblings once more. Nina didn't have a lot of options left, though it would be a way to help her get to college and guide her towards a new life she could make. Sacrifices had to be made sometimes. She would be knowledgeable enough and could learn very quickly to keep up with the band. No more watching them from afar. No more wondering about what her future would hold. It was time.

"Screw it." Nina climbed over Eddie and stood up, facing her brothers.

"You in this or what?" Alex perked up.

"I'm in this, asshole."