❝here i go again on my own, going down the only road i've ever known. like a drifter, i was born to walk alone, and i've made up my mind. i ain't wasting no more time, but here i go again.❞
song of the chapter: raise your horns by halestorm
CHAPTER THREE (! doesn't just happen !)
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MADELYN POV
"So Mads, you excited for your Corroded Coffin tryout today?" Alora asks as we're eating breakfast with our stepmom, and I just hold up my hand.
"Can you please wait to ask me questions like that until I've finished eating? I am violently hungover right now." I mumble, rubbing at my temples. "I cannot wait until I'm able to take a nap."
"I've been meaning to ask you girls, how did the party go?" My stepmom Amelia asks, and Alora shrugs.
"It was alright, just the normal kind of party." Alora says, prompting everyone to look over at me as I'm mid sip of my coffee.
"What about you Maddie?" Amelia asks, her eyebrow slightly raised. "Did you have fun last night?"
"I promise I'm not tying to sound rude, but did you miss the part where I just said that I was violently hungover?" I ask, causing Amelia to chuckle. "No, I didn't enjoy the party."
"How come?"
"It turns out that my ex boyfriend from California that broke up with me before he moved out of state ended up moving here not long before I did." I mumble, practically glaring down at the table. "So seeing him after the break up kind of ruined the entire night for me."
• • •
As I'm driving around Hawkins, I glance down at the piece of paper Eddie gave me at the birthday party for what seems like the hundredth time in the last five minutes.
If there are any higher beings above that are currently listening, please don't let me get lost. I really, really don't need to get lost right now...
I sigh, scanning mailboxes and breaking into a wide grin when I finally find the address that I've been looking floor. Eddie's van being parked out front also helps me further solidify the fact that I'm at the right house.
"There she is! Nice of you to finally grace us with your presence Maddie!" Eddie calls out as I'm getting my guitar case out of my backseat, and I flip him off with my free hand.
"Need I remind you that I grew up not here, but in California?" I yell back, causing Eddie to quietly snicker. "Asshole..."
"I'm just giving you a hard time Maddie, did you really have that much trouble getting here?" Eddie asks as I shut my car door, and I nod. "Jesus, I'm sorry. I could've came by your house and got you, or had you follow me over here at the very least."
"Don't worry about it, I made it here just fine on my own." I set my guitar case down on the floor of the garage, crossing my arms with a light grin on my face. "So Eddie, are you gonna introduce me to everyone or an I gonna have to play twenty questions to figure out everyone's names?"
Eddie let's out a small chuckle in response, holding his hands up in surrender. "Alright, alright, fair enough. Maddie, this is Jeff and Gareth. Guys, this is Maddie Cahill. She's the sister Alora's always telling us about."
"Wait a second, my sister talks to you guys about me?" I raise an eyebrow, and Eddie nods. "What does she talk about?"
Eddie just shrugs. "You'll have to ask her that yourself."
• • •
"Maddie, are you sure you don't want to take a quick break?" Eddie asks, his eyebrow lightly raised. "I'm not gonna lie to you, this last song is one of, if not our most difficult song to sing. I can't even hit most of the high notes."
I roll my eyes, holding out my hand for the papers that Eddie's currently holding. "Just give me the damn lyric sheets Munson."
"Alright, alright..." Eddie sighs over-dramatically, handing me the sheets of paper in his hand. "Tell us when you're ready."
After a few seconds, I give Eddie and the others a small nod. "I'm ready."
"You all heard the girl, let's get this show back on the road. We're almost done anyway."
*short beginning instrumental*
Burn every fear, every doubt like a funeral fire. Scream every anthem and follow your reckless desires. Take back the crown that hangs at the gate. Ready your march, steady your aim for the heart is a soldier that never loses its way.
So raise your horns, raise 'em high. Let 'em soar, let 'em fly up through the heavens. Forevermore, let 'em reign down. Raise your horns.
Sing every verse, every sermon, for the dead are unheard. Shout from the rooftops while you still live every word, 'cause the pendulum swings for those who dare wait, through flesh and through bone to where nothing escapes. So follow true north on the road that will lead you away.
And raise your horns, raise 'em high. Let 'em soar, let 'em fly up through the heavens. Forevermore, let 'em reign down. Raise your horns.
Forgive every fear that convinced you to put out your light. Show every flaw, every scar that this world made you hide from who you are; from who you are, are, are, are.
Raise your horns, raise 'em high. Let 'em soar, let 'em fly up through the heavens. Forevermore, let 'em rain down. Raise your horns.
Let 'em rain down, raise your horns. Let 'em rain down, raise your horns.
The song comes to an end, and I look over at Eddie to see him already staring at me with wide eyes.
"What?"
"Maddie, where did you learn to do that?" Eddie asks, running a hand through his hair. "I mean, that was truly incredible."
I set down the lyric sheets in my hand so I can get a quick drink of water. "I don't know, it kind of just happened I guess."
Eddie lets out a sigh, shaking his head. "That kind of talent doesn't 'just happen' to a person. You don't learn to sing like that unless you've truly been through some shit."
I let out a quiet sigh. "Alright, you might have a point there."
