Right Place, Right Time {Michael Clifford}

11. Fück That Guy and What He Thinks

-Cylan-

Nerves are running wildly throughout my body as we start walking down the block towards some record company. Remember when I said that we had a meeting to discuss signing us to their label and releasing our EP? Yeah, well today is that day. Make it or break it. Michael and the guys sent us their wishes and Mikey left me the cutest little stuffed penguin and Mike Wazowski plush toy. Everyone knows that my love for Monsters Inc. is almost insane but I love it, the movie is my childhood.

I run my hand through my mop of hair in anxiousness. "You've got this girls," Dave eagerly smiles. "you all look so great!" My cheeks heat up at he looks at my attire. I'm wearing... A skirt! Not some frilly pink shit, just a black skater skirt. We wanted to look professional-ish but still all of our own styles. Lainey still made me wear a colorful band shirt tucked into my skirt, to make me look like less of the slob I am.

"I have to go attend to the restaurant but Marg will be here when you girls get done, winning over this label." Dave gives us all big bear hugs and jets off towards the van. Maddie steps in front of us and leads the pack into the glass-made skyscraper. My heart beats out of rhythm when we pass a girl with gorgeous red hair, running out of the elevator. She jumps into some boy's arms, in glee screaming about how they signed her.

"Babe, I knew they would take you." Her boyfriend enthusiastically kisses her and swings her off the ground. "C'mon, let's go celebrate." I'm not paying attention but as soon as I run into the happy couple, the run in breaks me from my concentration.

"Oh I'm sorry! I'm just a bit nervous." I awkwardly apologize. The girl sends me a sweet look, almost angelic and lightly pats me on the shoulder.

"Record label meeting? Well good luck," she smiles and intertwined her fingers with this guy. "my name is Kaliana and you should totally come down to the bar on 24th street tomorrow at seven o'clock! I have a gig there." I send her a polite smile and tell her that I'll think about it.

I look past them to see that the girls were waiting for an elevator to come down. "I'll see you later, I can't be late for my band's meeting. Congratulations." I smile and quickly run off to catch up with the band. They both wave goodbye and walk out of the building. My skirt brushes along my thighs as I reach out to Lydia's arm. "Are you ready for this?" I mumble. The numbers on the monitor start beeping down to the level 1: the lobby.

Lydia grabs onto my hand and squeezes it till my hand begins to throb. "I'm about to pee my pants." She squeaks, her hand sweating against mine. "I haven't been this nervous in forever." The elevator doors slide open, revealing a bunch of business men and women, rushing out with their briefcases.

Finally once they all pile out of the shaft, the girls and I stumble into the lift and quickly press for the needed level. "You guys have this, but I'll be in there the entire time answering questions." Maddie encourages.

~

My feet dangle off the floor as I sit anxiously in one of many board meeting rooms. "Oh I'm so sorry that we are late. It's been a busy morning! My name is James Wright but you can call me whatever makes you comfortable," a few professional looking men walk into the room and find their places along the table. "So you girls are the band Legendary. Lainey, Lydia, Cylan, and Geordie. Correct?" The head of the label politely asks.

We all nod in response, too frazzled to speak. "I've seen you girls perform and I see true potential in the four of you. Do you have the four songs and video that were required?" Maddie quickly hands one of the men her laptop she carries around and logs onto our music.

James scrolls through the four songs names and then listens to two songs, then pauses the music. He slides his glasses off his face and slowly rubs his eyes. I feel my stomach drop at the sight of this. That's the action my mom does when she has bad news or when she is stressed. I'm hoping he is just stressed from his work and not bad news.

"I think you girls have talent, you really do but you just don't have stage presence. If you just put something in there, like some personality I think you girls could be so much better. I'm sorry but we are looking for a band with the "it" factor. You girls are all beautiful and work well together, you just need to show it on stage."

~

"Fuck that guy and what he thinks. We need to just find the right label that's all." I attempt to lighten the mood, but obviously it wasn't working. I don't blame them. We've been working so hard for this moment and it was shot down within fifteen minutes. I lay down onto the air mattress and try to take a nap. Geordie walks over to me and lays across my body.

"I appreciate the cheering up but it's going to take awhile." She sniffles, resting her head on my torso. I slightly pat her arm and put my head against the pillow. Maybe if I fall asleep, I'll wake up and we'll have the record deal? That'd be a wish and a half. My phone starts blaring out my ringtone, telling me I have a phone call. I reach over Geord's lanky body and quickly slide the answer button without looking.

"Hello?" I answer, monotone laced through my voice.

There wasn't an immediate response, just muffled breathing and the sound of a door slamming shut. "Aye!" Mike shouts in the phone receiver. "How was your meeting? When do you start recording for your official EP?" He blurts out, asking a million questions per second.

Tears quickly make their way to my tear ducts, blurring my vision. "We didn't get signed, Michael. It's not going to happen." I whisper, trying to force back the lump in my throat. There was an awkward silence, as I can tell he was trying to think of something to say.

"Cy, I'm really sorry. Honestly, I am. You girls are incredible, you'll find your label sooner or later and rock the world with your amazing drum solos." I can almost hear the grin in his voice as he tries his best to cheer me up.

"Thanks Clifford. I should probably hang up, the girls aren't in the best mood so they probably don't want to hear me on the phone." I sigh into the receiver.

There is a quiet pause and the sound of Mike's own sigh. "Okay then. I'll text you whenever you want to talk. See you later Workman, you'll be in my dreams." He cheekily hangs up.

And as strange as it is, that night Michael Clifford and his hair dye were in my dreams as well.