Static Sound (Muke)

fourteen

// fourteen // michael //

It was our first band meet ever. I was just a kid, now in year 10, in a band. And it was going to be the literal coolest shit ever.

We all met in Luke's garage, Ashton promised that he'd show up sober to each one. We'd set up everything on mats across the floor to set the instruments on. The studio room was pretty much empty besides the couch and few guitars. Everything had been set up in a nice circle. Ashton helped Calum plug in microphones and hook up guitars to the speakers.

This was the first time we were gonna play an original song for our channel, I helped Ashton earlier to learn the correct guitar part for 18. He seemed to love it, excited to play it. He was rusty on them because he hadn't even held his drum sticks in the longest time. But he'd been practicing all morning and we were set to go.

Luke ran up behind the video recorder and hit the red button, giving us the thumbs up to start the song up.

"1 2 3 4!" Ashton yelled, hitting his sticks together.

Picking up his guitar, Luke tripped over a cord but finally made his way onto his own little platform behind the microphone. He threw his guitar behind him as I backed him up for the first verse and he began singing on his own.

"I wish, that I was 18, do all the things you read in a magazine but I'm not saying that I wanna be Charlie Sheen.."

There's this thing about Luke where he starts singing like any other person, but once he gets into it and works up his voice he is absolutely incredible and unbeatable. The sound rung in my ears and made the tip of my head from the end of my toes tingle, I can't help but smile about it.

"So tell me what else can I do? I bought my fake ID for you!

"She told me to meet her there, I can't afford a bus fare.. I'm not old enough for you, I'm just waiting 'til my 18.."

All four of us started singing through the chorus, absolutely having a grand time and becoming closer and closer to each other each second. For the first time, I'd gotten more into something than I ever had, jumping around with an electric guitar in my hands and singing out my lungs.

Finally, after the chorus and half the second verse, it was my turn to start singing. I was a little nervous, just because Ashton and Calum haven't heard my voice much and I didn't want them laughing, and also because I was so nervous I didn't want my voice cracking or hitting the wrong note- but as the camera kept recording and the music kept playing, so I had to start singing quick or else I'd mess the whole thing up.

And then I started to sing with everything I had inside of me.

It was honestly hard for me to say 'she' over 'he' because it wasn't what I was used to. I stutter to speak correctly but eventually get the hang of it and let my heart on the loose.

"She's got a naughty tattoo in a place that I wanna get to but, my mum still drives me to school.."

This part made me laugh because although I was used to the serious songs I wrote, this one was playful and completely outrageous, but I really liked it.

"So tell me what else can I do, I bought my fake ID for you.."

The second that the beat picks up again, I notice someone outside on the sidewalk peering into the garage area. Ashton had left the garage doors open so anyone could've just walked in or saw through and heard what we're playing. The guy looked extremely familiar though I didn't have on my glasses so I couldn't see exactly who.

I stood with confusion until he called his friend along, that is. The first boy began laughing while his friend covered his mouth like he was absolutely shocked and humoured by the scene. By then, I could tell that it was Louis and Niall; just watching us as we play. I felt my cheeks get warm and turn red, trying to hide my face from them seeing me, but by then it's far too late.

They're both laughing and holding their stomachs, thinking it is hilarious that we are trying to record ourselves playing an original song in the garage. The other members continued playing and remained oblivious that Niall and Louis were there, but they were soon about to make themselves noticeable.

I watch Niall reach over and whisper into Louis' ear, which causes the two of them to giggle and disappear for a second until they show up with stones in both their hands.

Everyone else in the room finally realises that they're there once Louis chucks a rock right passed us and hits the video recorder, smashing it against the floor and splitting it into little pieces everywhere. Ashton, Luke, Calum, and I all turn our heads towards them, looking scared and surprised.

The rocks come flying at us more and more, some break the garage windows, a few dent the door, one I feel hit me in the foot and it hurts worse than hell, I cover my face and so does Calum and Luke. The only one not protecting himself from the storm is Ashton, who immediately gets pissed and walks out to the front yard and first starts yelling from the top of the driveway. I'm too distracted by my heart racing and my ears ringing to figure what he's saying, although from what I make out it's very harsh and is filled with swear words everywhere.

After one last shout from Ashton, the rocks stop and I hear Louis voice. "Who the fuck are you to tell us not to throw rocks?"

Niall laughs.

I look up from the ground and so do Luke and Cal, watching as Ashton walks down the driveway and takes Louis by the collar. Compared to Louis, Ashton is a giant.

"I'm the drummer, asshole."

Ashton takes his fist and uppercuts him in the jaw, smashing his teeth together and making his face go numb, causing him to fall down on the ground. Niall looks scared, but not scared enough to run, apparently. He jumps at Ashton, trying to hit him back for punching Louis, but he doesn't stand a chance.

Right as he brings his arm up to get ready and sock him one right on the nose, Ashton grabs his hand the split second before he strikes and twists him around, nearly breaking his arm. He collapses on the ground too, moaning as he falls.

Both of Ash's hand look bloody as hell, he turns around and stares at us, all beginning to relax and sit up. His jaw is quite tight, his veins pop out and muscles get real tense as he breathes hard.

"Did you just punch Louis Tomlinson in the face?" Calum says, getting up on his feet and rubbing out his hair.

Ashton smiles, laughing at us all.

---

I couldn't get over the boys laughing. Was it really that lame to be in such a band? I thought it was cool, one of the most amazing things ever and I would die to be in a band. But I let myself stay up late wondering why they would laugh.

I understand that we were not very good yet, but they wrecked our camera and came so close to puncturing the drum set. I knew that they were asshole and did whatever they wanted, but it still struck me.

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