The Drummer And The Actor Book 1

Chapter V

Boom, tap, boom boom, tap, boom, tap, boom, tap, boom, boom boom, tap,

The bass guitars chime in, so do the electric guitars soon after the bass guitars.

"Been working so hard, I'm punching my card. Eight hours, for what?"

"Oh, tell me what I got, I've got this feeling that time's just holding me down. I'll hit the ceiling, or else I'll tear up this town!" He sings. "So now I gotta cut footloose, kick off the Sunday shoes. Please, Louise, pull me off of my knees!"

The rest of the song goes very well, almost exactly like the song. There were a couple slip ups, not from me of course. I never miss a beat!

"Yeah! That was really good!" Retz cheers. "What song should we do next?"

"Let's Hear It For The Boy?" Natalie asks Retz, motioning with her bow as she uses her other hand to fidget the strings of her cello.

"Fuck yeah! We just need a singer, the boys can't sing it. Any volunteers?"

There's silence among us.

"I'll do it." Khai volunteers. Now, this is a rare sight.

"You will?  Don't you have to play the keyboard too?"

"Yeah, I can multitask.  I can't guarantee the singing will be good.  But I'll try."

"That's all that matters!"

"Y'all ready?"  I shout out, startling everyone a bit since I've been quiet the entire time the conversation has been going on.

We start the song, and, who the hell knew that Khai could sing?!  I didn't think she could, she always said she couldn't to get out of singing, I guess she's just self conscious of her voice.  Just like I am of mine, but I have a good reason to be self conscious of my voice.  I literally sound like a bird being strangled with barb wire while singing.  Which is why I play the drums.

"My baby, he don't talk sweet.  He ain't got much to say.  But he loves me, loves me, loves me, I know that he loves me anyway."

"And maybe he don't dress fine, but I don't really mind. 'Cause every time he pulls me near, I just want to cheer.  Let's hear it for the boy, let's give the boy a hand, let's hear for my baby."

The irony of this song is that Khai is gay. The song goes surprisingly well, too. Khai plays the keyboard and sings all at once, not even I can talk AND play the drums at much, let alone sing.

"Good job, Khai!"

"Yeah, you did great!"

Khai smiles at all the comments and blushes slightly, which I find odd since she HATES being complimented.

Natalie pats her on the back and slings her arm around her shoulder. "You should sing the rest of the songs!"

"No, just this one."

"Come on. Guys, what do you think?"

"She should sing the rest of the songs!" Everyone shouts.

"No!"

—Time Skip To After Practice—

I take one step into the living room and Alluka is there waiting for me already, tapping her foot on the ground impatiently with her arms crossed over her chest, an angry expression painted on her face.

"Explain yourself, Killua!"

"What?"

"Why was Khai crying?!"

Oh shit, I forgot about that. Khai seemed perfectly fine at practice and everything like that.

"Okay, so-"

"Sit down on the couch!" Alluka yells and points at the couch, I sit on the couch and she stares at me.  "Continue."

"So I was teasing Khai about her crush on Isabella and then I decided I should call Isabella over and then Khai started crying and, yeah..."

"Wait.  Khai has a crush on Isabella?"

"Yeah."

"I forgive you."

"You do?"

"Yeah, I would be  guilty as charged of doing the same thing."  Alluka sighs before sitting in the couch besides me.  "I ship it though."

"Same."

"I mean, like, they'd be so cute together! The contrast SO well!"

"I know right!"

"Hold on ima call Retz and have him fan over this with us."

I pull my phone out of my pocket and FaceTime Ritz Cracker. The phone buzzes for a second before Retz picks up.

"Wassup Killua?"

"Me and Alluka are fanning over Khai and Isabella. Wanna join us?"

"Hell yeah!" Retz positions his phone so we can see his face. "Like, omg they would make such a good couple!"

"I know, they're both SO gay too." Alluka says, Retz nods his head in agreement on the other side of the line.

"Mhm, they both get along so well too!  You can feel the gay tension between them."

"We should totally set them up just like we're setting up you and Gon!"

"Yeah!  Wait, you're setting Killua up with Gon?!"

"Uh, duh!"

"Oh my god, yessss!!!" Alluka shouts. "I ship it almost as much as Khai and Isabella!"

"Speaking of which, we should come up with ship names!"

"Yes!"

This has now turned into a disaster.

"How 'bout Killugon?"

"Nah, I like Gonkillu better."

"Ooo, Gonkillu does sound pretty good."

"What about the ship of Isabella and Khai?"  I say, trying to get them off of the topic of ME and GON.

"Hmmm, what about Khasabella?"

"No, Isabelai."  Retz says.  I have to agree with Retz, Khasabella sounds weird. I mean, you pronounce it K-eye-sa-bell-a, whereareas Isabelai is pronounced Is-a-bell-eye.

"Anyway, I know you just got home Killua, but like, do you want to spend the night at my house. Remember, on Sunday we're having the party and we need to practice."

"Yes, Gon will be there."

"I was going to say yes anyway."

"Cool, I'll be there to pick you up soon."

"Bye bestieee!"

"Byeeee!"

Retz hangs up and I turn off my phone and go upstairs to pack my things for an overnight stay. I get my duffel bag out of my closet and pack my clothes, deodorant, shampoo, body wash, conditioner, phone charger, and headphones. By the time I'm done Retz pulls up into the driveway and I head out the front door.

"Bye Alluka!  Remember no having any boys or girls over!"

"Yeah, yeah, I know.  Bye Onii-Chan!"

I pop the trunk and throw my duffel bag in it. I shut the trunk and get into the front seat next to Retz.

"So, who else will be there?"

"Just us!" Retz says as he shifts the car into reverse and pulls out of the driveway.

"I thought you said Gon would be at your house!"

"Nope! I was trying to convince you to go!"

That dirty son of a bitch!

"Anyways you have a long next two days of practicing ahead of you. So buckle up, 'cause here we go!"