So This Is Love ~~~~ R.P.

xviii. School Dances and Second Chances (Again)

The faint sound of Luke and Reggie's arguing grew louder as Julie and I approached the garage.

"Reggie for the last time, I will not put slap bass in a song! I'm sorry, I really am, but that sound is definitely not who we are," Luke cried.

As Julie and I walked in, we saw Luke and Reggie standing on either side of the piano, crumpled paperes littering the space between them.

"Oh c'mon, Luke. That was Sunset Curve, but we're not that anymore. We have Julie now and maybe this is our new
sound," Reggie smiled optimistically.

They boys still haven't noticed us standing at the doorway.

"Reggie, no offense, but slap bass sounds like a two year old plucking the strings. Like, it's literally ear murder."

"Well, Jaiden would like it. Or at least she'd consider the idea."

"He's right," I speak up, starling both boys. "I'm not a huge fan of slap bass, but I definitely consider writing a song with it," I smile, joining Reggie by his side.

"See," Reggie smiled proudly, gently placing an arm around my shoulder.

Luke rolled his eye, but gave a breathy chuckle as he shook his head.

Just then, Alex poofed in the room.

"Oh. Hey, Alex," Luke smiled as he threw himself on the couch.

"Where have you been? We need to start practicing," Reggie asked, still with his arm on my shoulder.

"Yeah? For what?" Alex questions.

Flynn bursts into the room, raidiant energy beaming off her. "Dance news! I don't have a date," She says bluntly. "But I don't care because I'm so psyched
to see you guys perform."

"Oh man!" Alex whines, "We're playing a dance?"

"Of course, dude," Luke explains. "That's how we get a following nowadays."

"Yeah," I agree. "Besides, this is a like a full circle moment. Remember our first gig at our school dance?"

Alex shuddered at the thought, "Actually, I want to forget that night.

~Flashback to the Winter Formal of 1993~

"C'mon guys! We're gonna be late!" I exclaim as I hurridly grab my guitar and rush on stage.

Reggie and Luke somehow tangled their chords, making it harder for them to get onstage. Alex was busy flirting with the lighting guy to be bothered by the slowly dying time. And Bobby? After just joining the band about two months prior, the boy was filled with nerves anticipating his first perfomance.

After awkwardly standing behind the mic for what felt like forever, Luke and Reggie had fixed their chords and took their resective places with Luke up front, and Reggie right next to me. Alex got situated on the drum set, and Bobby stood on the opposite side of the stage of Reggie and I.

"Okay! Um, hi..." Luke said nervously. "We're Sunset Curve."

"Tell your friends!" Reggie and I smile into our shared mic.

"Right, yeah," Luke coughs. "This is Now or Never."

As we began to play, the crowd started cheering. They actually seemed to be enjoying the performance. Everything felt great, the crowd was loving it, and we werr having fun. That was until Luke blew out the school's old speakers causing a deafening ringing sound to erupt throughout the auditorium. The noise was sudden, frightening Bobby, casuing him to hit Alex's drums. The set dismembered, drums scattered the stage. Alex's snare rolled away, hittting Reggie and I's mic stand, ultimately making it fall; but not without hitting Reggie in the face.