The Tuners

Chapter 4: The Big Day (Part 1)

A week has passed since Carter first joined the music club as he is walking to school while listening to 'Stay' on his phone with his earbuds on and singing to it, "When I'm away from you, I miss your touch. You're the reason I believe in love. It's been difficult for me to trust. And I'm afraid that I'ma mess it up!" he sang with excitement in his voice. I mean, who wouldn't be excited as it was Homecoming Day for his school. As he arrived at his school, he immediately saw Michael, Henry, Ryan, and Seth by the fountain, "Hey my brothers." he said as he got to them. "Hey man." Ryan said as he and Carter fist bumped. "Well it's nice to see that you have the happy feet today." Michael said. "Well, can you blame him? I mean, it's Homecoming Day today after all." Henry pointed out. "Not to mention that you guys have your first gig tonight at the dance." Seth mentioned. "Yeah. Though I'm just glad that the dance is an hour after the game. Cause seriously, I wouldn't want to go to the dance in my uniform and all sweaty and dirty from the game." Carter said before realizing something, "Wait, I just thought of something." he said. "What's up?" Henry asked Carter, "Who here has a date to the dance?" he asked in response. "I'm taking my lovely gal, Angela." Ryan said. "I will be going with my girlfriend Marinette." Michael said as he crossed his arms. "I'll be taking my honeycake Luisa." Henry said. "So you 3 are taking your girlfriends, huh?" Carter asked. "Yep." Henry, Michael, and Ryan said at the same time. "What about you Seth?" Carter asked as he turned to face him, "Uh, will you try not to kill me if I tell you?" he said as he started to sweat. "Why would I kill you?" Carter said curiously. "That's because I'm going to the dance with...Sara." Seth said hesitantly. "You're going to the dance with my ex?" Carter asked shocked. "Yes. I'm sorry man I should have said this to you before the dance." Seth apologized. "No no no, you're okay man. I'm cool with you and Sara going. You guys would make a better couple than me and her." Carter said. "Yeah, about that..." Seth said before Michael spoke up, "They're already dating." he said surprising Carter. "Oh. You are?" Said boy asked as he turned to Seth, "Yes. I'm also sorry about that man. I should have told you earlier but I just didn't know how you would react." he said apologetically. "Seth, like I said, you're okay. I'm also okay with you dating Sara. Just promise that you'll take great care of her." Carter said. "I will." Seth said in return. "Come on, let's get to class. We don't want to be late." Henry said as he grabbed his things, "Good thinking." Ryan said in response as he grabbed his stuff. As the boys were walking to school, Carter felt something grab his backpack before turning to see it was Maya, "Hey Maya." he said to her. "Hola mi hermano." Maya said in Spanish. "So Maya, who will you be going to the dance with?" Carter asked the girl, "I'm actually going by myself." she replied. "Really? You don't have a boyfriend or anything?" Carter asked tilting his head. "No not really, a lot of boys actually avoid me because they think I'm a weirdo." Maya said as she crossed her arms. "Well don't listen to them. They only say that because they don't know what you're really like, a fiery girl that stands up for what she believes is right." Carter said to her. "You're right. Thanks for the encouragement Carter." Maya said to her band mate, "Don't sweat it." he said as he and Maya fist bumped. After Carter stopped at his locker and grabbed his books, he made his way to his homeroom. As he was walking, he saw Sicily getting bullied by some girls before approaching them, "Hey! Leave her alone!" he said as the girls turned towards him. "Leave us alone, this doesn't concern you." One of the girls said. "Yes it does. You're bullying one of my friends." Carter said as he got in front of Sicily. "Ugh, so annoying. Let's go girls." the lead lady said as she and the other girls left. "Phew. You okay Sicily?" Carter asked as he turned to face her, "Yes, thank you Carter." she replied. "Good. Come on, I'll walk you to your homeroom."  Carter said with a smile as he and Sicily walked to her homeroom. As they got there, Carter saw that his homeroom was just next door to her's, "Wow. Never knew your homeroom was next to mine. Well, see you at lunch." Carter said as he was about to walk into the classroom only to be stopped by Sicily, "Carter, wait." she said as Carter turned to face her, "What's up?" he asked her. "So I was wondering if you would be interested in going to the homecoming dance with me tonight?" Sicily asked nervously. "Yes. I would be happy to go with you Sicily." Carter replied with a genuine smile, causing Sicily to smile as well, "Great. Seth and I will come over to your house to pick you up. Can you please give me your address?" she asked. "Yeah, sure." Carter said as he wrote his address down on a sheet of paper, "Here you go." he said as he gave it to Sicily. "Thank you. And good luck at the game." Sicily said as she walked into her homeroom. Shortly after, Carter walked into his homeroom and sat at his desk. As lunchtime came, Carter makes his way to the club room to meet with the others. As he is walking, he sees Xavier approaching him. "Hey Carter, I need a favor from you." Xavier said to the brunette, " What do you need?" Carter asked. "So my girlfriend's friend needs a date to homecoming and I told her that I would ask you. And I know that you don't have a date for homecoming so think of this as a double whammy. So what do you think? You interested?" Xavier asked Carter, "Sorry man, I can't." Carter replied. "What? How come?" Xavier asked in confusion. "Well, that's because I already have a date to homecoming." Carter said as he rubbed the back of his head. "Wait, what? Since when did you get a date without me knowing?" Xavier asked. "Sorry man. But the girls you're into just really aren't my type of girl. Besides, I think Tyler is looking for a date." Carter said before Xavier thought of it, "You know, I just might ask him. Thanks bro." Xavier said as he left. "Well, dodged that bullet. Now to get to practice." Carter said as he made his way to the club room. As Carter got there, he walked in and saw everyone else was there, "Hey guys." he said. "Hey hombre." Maya said. "So is anyone else excited about the dance tonight?" Ryan asked. "I'm more excited for performing at the dance." Carter said with Henry, Sicily, and Michael nodding in agreement. "Alright everyone, if we're all here may we please get started on rehearsal?" Sara asked. After everyone had gotten into their positions, rehearsal began.