Swallow

Chapter 1.3:

I followed JD back to his place that he referred to as the 'band house.' It looked like it was held together by strings and tape, but it was exactly what I expected for a group of guys our age. I wasn't expecting a mansion or a five-star resort.

I had seen a lot worse.

JD led me through the kitchen and over to the basement door. Liquor bottles were lining the counters. Almost every inch was covered with some different kind of bottle that was about half full. They were drinkers, but I was hoping that was their only vice. Drinking I could handle, it was the one thing I hadn't given up yet. I would have to come up with a good excuse to leave if they pulled out anything harder. I was not at a point where I could be in the same room with anyone else using.

I could hear the muted sound of someone fumbling with cymbals below our feet. JD opened the door and led the way down to the basement to meet the other guys in the band.

The first person he introduced me to was the lead singer, Aiden. He had dark auburn hair spiked strategically on top of his head. He was a pretty boy and looked like he belonged on stage fronting a boy band.

The other guy behind the drum set was named Mark. He was overly sweaty with long brown hair that hung down past his shoulders. I got the distinct feeling that standing next to him would make me pass out. He was a little rough, but he smiled and greeted me like he had known me for years.

JD walked over and picked up the bass from the corner of the room. He looked like a bass player. It's not that I didn't respect bass players; they were usually the glue that held the band together. In my experience, a lot of them reminded me of cave dwellers with fat sausage fingers. They would pluck a string or two and give this surprised expression when they found the right note to play.

JD thumped a string with his meaty stubs, releasing a deep note that bounced off the cement walls. He made a face and jumped excitedly. He fit the bill perfectly. It was hard not to laugh at his enthusiasm.

The prissy-looking guy, Aiden, walked over and lifted a guitar strap over his neck. I guess he played guitar too, but he looked awkward and uncomfortable holding it. He made playing the guitar look like a punishment.

With Mark leading them in with the bass drum, they began playing a rhythmic rock-inspired song. It was very cliché, but it was mildly passable, which surprised me. They were at least aware of maintaining tempo, which was a good start.

I was always overly critical of music. I could hear imperfections in almost everything I listened to, even music that was professionally produced and playing on the radio. I had studied music on my own for a long time. Besides drugs and alcohol, it was the only thing in life that ever held my attention for more than ten seconds.

Girls were lucky to get five.

Aiden began singing and he wasn't half bad, a little undisciplined, but he had a lot of natural talent. He was looking down at his hands as he played a rhythm that was a little too fast for his skill level. He looked distracted by the chord fingerings as he played. He was a much better singer than a guitar player. He was slightly better than a standard rhythm guitarist at a middle school talent show. He should really just stick with singing.

These guys needed someone stronger to carry them.

When the song was finished, JD looked at me for approval. I wanted to lie and tell him it was great since he was going to be my new boss, but I had never been that person. I was brutally honest when it came to music.

"It's missing something," I laid it out there without hesitating for one second.

"Like what?" Aiden asked like he was annoyed. Out of the three of them, he looked like the one who had the biggest stick up his ass.