Metal Storm

Running Down A Dream

I stared at him in disbelief. Was this really happening?
"You know, if you've managed to impress even Eric, then you're certainly one hell of a guitarist," Ace told me, dragging me out of the whirlwind of thoughts that were spinning around and around in my head, "I've seen you around school by the way. You were probably the last person I'd expect to play guitar."
"I-I mainly just kept to myself," I stammered.
"Girl, you play like you were born to play," Kristina said, with a small smile, "there's nothing to be embarrassed about here."
"Alright, enough with that," Eric snapped, "She's in and that's all that fucking matters. Welcome to Hell's Gate, Marlene."
"Hell's Gate?"
"The name of our band." Eric said, nodding towards the wall.
Looking closer, I saw that the wall was covered in scribbles. Rough drawings of demonic creatures along with the words "Hell's Gate" written in dark red letters decorated the walls where band posters hadn't taken up all the space.
I knew a few people at school who had been in bands but it was mostly just to have an excuse not to do schoolwork and none of them had lasted very long.
These guys on the other hand were clearly serious about it, it was more than simply some after school activity for them.
"We're releasing our demo in a couple of months so you gotta be comfortable with playing with the entire band by then," Eric said, fixing me with a stare that told me that I absolutely fucking better be prepared for hours upon hours of band practice if I wanted to keep my spot in his group, "our next rehearsal is on Sunday in the afternoon."
Judging from the way he carried himself, I assumed that he was the leader of the band. I wasn't quite sure what to think of him yet but so far I wasn't too impressed by his bossy attitude.
"I'll be there," I told him curtly, "also do you guys live here?"
    Eric laughed. "dude, I wish."
    "I do. The others come and go when they please. It's 60% rehearsal space and 40% party house," Svenn said with a shy wink.
    He looked older than the others so it definitely made sense for him to own his own place.
"I'll quickly show you around our shithole," Eric said, opening the door again and jerking his head at the exit.
I followed him out, a little fascinated by all the posters and graffiti on the walls. The whole place looked just like the band rehearsal spaces that I'd seen on television. Cluttered and reeking of sweat and alcohol with more unknown stains on the floor than the average McDonald's kitchen.
Stepping over piles of dirty clothes, Eric showed me where the bathroom was (which I wasn't too excited to eventually use), the laundry, and the kitchen.
Leaning against the wall, he dug out two chocolate bars from one of the cabinets and offered one to me.
"That's not very metal of you," I joked as I took it from him gratefully. I hadn't eaten anything in hours so any small bite was a welcome to my growling stomach.
"Yeah yeah, I know. But even we evil Satanic metalheads can't resist a sugary treat every once in a while," he chuckled, tossing back his long black locks, "we do need a break from gobbling up babies and drinking the blood of goats don't we?"
I snorted.
Fair enough.
Looking at my watch, I realized with a start that it was nearly 9. God, my parents are gonna be pissed...
"You need a ride or something? Kristina's getting picked up pretty soon and her mom probably won't mind dropping you off at your place," Eric said, taking a bite of his chocolate bar.
"I'm alright to walk home," I said, "I only live about 10 minutes away, anyways."
"Suit yourself, I guess," Eric said with a shrug, "don't get eaten by a bear or some shit though."
"I won't. I got my guitar and that things pretty heavy."
Eric raised his eyebrow doubtfully.
"Well, goodnight and don't forget the rehearsal on Sunday. We usually do rehearsals every weekend and sometimes after school. Write it down on your hand, I don't know. Just don't forget about it."
"Yeah, I'll do that," I assured him, placing a mental note in my head to write it down. Yes, that's how I remembered (and still remember) things to do.
Saying goodbye to the other members who were now my bandmates and thanking Eric for his chocolatey gift, I gathered up my guitar shit and practically skipped into the night.
Crickets chirped in the bushes, filling the air with their melancholic song and an owl hooted somewhere way off in the woods. It was tranquil. Peaceful. The perfect time to process everything that had just happened in the past hour and a half.
Since band practice was on the weekends and sometimes after school, I still had just enough time to cram in schoolwork as well as chores.
    I made it home in time to be congratulated by both my parents who even forgot to yell at me for coming home so late at night. I had never thought that they would be proud of me  for joining a metal band but it was a surprise that I welcomed.
    This was the beginning of a new life and a new Marlene Fjörsberg.