The Tuners

Chapter 15: I'm Still Standing

After 3 weeks of rehearsing, The Tuners are finally ready for the competition. As Carter was walking to school, he couldn't shake the feeling of excitement off him, "Don't you know I'm still standing better than I ever did! Looking like a true survivor, feeling like a little kid! I'm still standing after all this time! Picking up the pieces of my life without you on my mind!" he sang with glee. As Carter arrived at school, he sees a huge banner that read "Good Luck Tuners!", "Wow." he says. "Pretty fantastic, huh?" a voice spoke. Carter then turned around to see Principal Winters. "Principal Winters? Did you put this together?" Carter asked. "Actually it was the art club who was responsible for this. I just gave them permission to hang it up." Principal Winters said. "That's amazing." Carter said as he walked into the school. As he walked in, he was greeted by students lined up from the door as they cheered him on. After walking through the crowd, Carter arrives at his locker and opens it. After grabbing his things, Carter closes his locker door and walks to his homeroom. As he is walking, he spots Cameron and Ryan chatting before Cameron sees Carter, "Well if it isn't Mr. Lead Singer." he says. "Hey guys. You excited about the competition as much as me?" Carter asked as he high-fives his bandmates. "You bet I am." Ryan said. "Not gonna lie, I'm actually pretty nervous." Cameron said. "Don't worry Cameron. Just think of it like singing at church." Carter said as he encouraged his friend. "You're right. It can't be any different. I can do it." Cameron said feeling confident. "Atta' boy." Carter said patting his friend's shoulder as he, Ryan, and Cameron walked into the classroom. A few hours later, lunchtime rolls around as Carter is walking to the music room. As he arrives, he sees everyone else had made it. "Hey guys." Carter says as everyone turns towards him. "Hey man." Henry said as he high fives his bandmate. "Yo Hermano." Maya said as she and Carter did a handshake. "So Carter, is there anything you should say to us?" Seth inquired with a devious smile on his face. "What do you mean Seth?" Carter asked in confusion. "Oh, I don't know. Something about you going out with someone, perhaps?" Seth once again inquired. "W-What!?" Carter asked in exasperation. "Carter, you can't hide it. Just tell us." Sara said with a smug look on her face. Carter then nervously looked at Sicily, who nervously nodded. "Okay fine. I'll confess." Carter said in defeat. At that moment, Sicily then walked up next to Carter before he spoke, "About 3 weeks ago Sicily confessed her feelings to me and I accepted them. So as of 3 weeks ago, we are officially dating." he said. The music club, aside from Seth and Sara, then huddled around the new couple. "Way to get the girl, dude." Zeke said. "Thanks Zeke." Carter said to his friend. "Now while I am very happy for you two getting together, do not let this get in the way of our rehearsals. Remember, the competition is tonight and we can't make any mistakes, especially since how you were when we were together." Sara said as she approached the two with her arms crossed. "I promise Sara, I'm not gonna let this get in the way." Carter said. "Alright. Now then, let's get to rehearsing." Sara said to the others. "Yes ma'am!" The others responded. Everyone then got into their positions and started rehearsing. About a few hours later, Carter is in his bedroom getting ready for the competition. Carter then walked towards his mirror to give himself another look at his outfit, which consisted of a white dress shirt with the top button undone under a black vest with black pants, black converse sneakers, as well as a cyan necktie and a black and blue football jacket. "Man, tonight's the night." he said to himself. "You nervous Kiddo?" Carter's mom asked as she stood by his door. "Not gonna lie, I'm really nervous." Carter said while dusting his jacket off. "Well don't be. You and the others worked really hard to get here. If anything, you should be proud of yourselves for working so hard. And I'm sure your father would be giving you the same speech as me if he was here." Amanda said. "Yeah. Yeah he would." Carter said. "He would also probably say that your zipper is down." Amanda commented before Carter looked down and zipped his zipper up. "Thanks for that." Carter said. "Don't sweat it. Now let's get going. You don't want to be late for your big event." Amanda said as she left with Carter following behind her. A few minutes later, they arrived at the event center the music competition is being held in. After exiting the car and parting ways with his mom and sister, Carter walks towards the backstage. After a few minutes, he sees the others, with the guys and Maya wearing the same outfit as him while Sara, Sicily, and Aphia are wearing a black dress with the same football jacket as the others. "Hey guys." Carter said as he got to them. "Hey bro." Ryan said as he high fives Carter. "About time you got here. We're going on just after the group that's already performing." Michael said with his usual tone in his voice. "Sorry, traffic was not good. But at least I made it." Carter said. "Yes, that's a good thing. Did you remember to do those warmups I told you to do?" Sara asked, "Sure did. My mom helped me out with them on the way here." Carter responded. "Good." Sicily said. "Out of curiosity, is anyone else scared out of their pants right now or is it just me?" Zeke said while fidgeting with his fingers. "Nope Zeke, you're not the only one." Cameron said to his best friend as his arm shook. "Oh come on guys, just think of it as performing in church." Aphia said encouraging her friends. "Hey Carter, do you think you could please do a prayer for us?" Zeke asked. "R-Really? You want me to do a prayer for us? " Carter asked in response. "Well why not? You always did it when you were on the football team." Cameron pointed out. "Guess that could work. Anyone against the idea?" Carter asked as he looked at the other members, who shook their heads in response. "Alright then. Everyone, huddle up, bow your heads, and close your eyes." Carter said as the others huddled together and bowed their heads. "Dear Lord, I pray that you give us the strength to perform tonight. I ask that you let us play to our hearts content and let us have a great time playing together as not only a band, but also a family. And please let us have a wonderful time as we play our music. In your glorious name I pray, Amen." Carter said. "Amen!" the others said in unison. Just then, a group of men wearing black blazers with white outlines, white shirts, black jeans, and white shoes came walking off the stage before a man with black hair and was wearing a tuxedo and was carrying a clipboard in his hand came up to the group, "Ridgeway High School Music Club, you're all set to go on." he said. "Alright guys, let's do this!" Seth said in excitement as the others followed him. After the group got onto the stage, the announcer spoke up, "And now, performing a cover to "I'm Still Standing" by Elton John, please give it up for the Ridgeway High School Music Club." he said before the crowd applauded. After the crowd died down, the band started playing. "You could never know what it's like! Your blood like winter freezes just like ice! And there's a cold lonely light that shines from you! You'll wind up like the wreck you hide behind that mask you use!" Sicily sang. "And did you think this fool could never win? Well look at me, I'm a-coming back again! I got a taste of love in a simple way. And if you need to know while I'm still standing, you just fade away!" Carter sang shortly after. "Don't you know, I'm still standing better than I ever did! Looking like a true survivor, feeling like a little kid! And I'm still standing, after all this time! Picking up the pieces of my life without you on my mind! I'm still standing!" Carter and Sicily sang together, "Yeah yeah yeah!" Seth, Sara, Aphia, Cameron, and Zeke sang shortly after. "I'm still standing!" Carter and Sicily repeated. "Yeah yeah yeah!" Seth, Sara, Aphia, Cameron, and Zeke also repeated. "Once I never could hope to win! You starting down the road leaving me again!" Sicily sang. "The threats you made were meant to cut me down! And if our love was just a circus, you'd be a clown by now!" Carter joined in. "Don't you know, I'm still standing better than I ever did! Looking like a true survivor, feeling like a little kid! And I'm still standing, after all this time! Picking up the pieces of my life without you on my mind! I'm still standing!" Carter and Sicily sang together, "Yeah yeah yeah!" Seth, Sara, Aphia, Cameron, and Zeke sang shortly after. "I'm still standing!" Carter and Sicily repeated. "Yeah yeah yeah!" Seth, Sara, Aphia, Cameron, and Zeke also repeated. Carter and Sicily then backed up as Ryan and Maya did their guitar solos. "Don't you know, I'm still standing better than I ever did! Looking like a true survivor, feeling like a little kid! And I'm still standing, after all this time! Picking up the pieces of my life without you on my mind! I'm still standing!" Carter and Sicily sang together, "Yeah yeah yeah!" Seth, Sara, Aphia, Cameron, and Zeke sang shortly after. "I'm still standing!" Carter and Sicily repeated. "Yeah yeah yeah!" Seth, Sara, Aphia, Cameron, and Zeke also repeated. "I'm still standing! Yeah yeah yeah! I'm still standing! Yeah yeah yeah! I'm still standing! Yeah yeah yeah! I'm still standing! Yeah yeah yeah!" Carter, Sicily, Seth, Sara, Aphia, Cameron, and Zeke then sang as they closed out the song. The crowd then stood up from their seats and applauded for the band as The Tuners took a bow and left the stage. As they were backstage, the group exploded into cheers. "Oh my gosh! I can't believe we pulled it off!" Seth said in pure excitement. "I know! I seriously can't stop shaking right now!" Cameron said. "Okay everyone, let's settle down. Sure it was exciting, but we shouldn't celebrate too early." Sara said. "That's right. Let's save the celebration for when we win." Carter said. "Got a point there Carter." Zeke said. After an hour of listening to the other contestants, Carter and the others were called to the stage one last time. "Now before I announce the awards, please give a warm round of applause for all those who have participated in this competition tonight." The announcer said before the crowd applauded. After the crowd died down the announcer spoke up, "Now then. In third place...The Beatbops!" he said as the crowd cheered and a group of people wearing breakdance clothes came up and were given the award. "In second place...The Baritones!" The announcer said as the audience cheered for a third time as the group of men wearing black blazers with white outlines, white shirts, black jeans, and white shoes came up to grab their reward. "And now, the moment you've all been waiting for. The winner of this year's competition is..." The announcer said with anticipation as Carter and the others held hands. "The Ridgeway High School Music Club!" The announcer said as The Tuners jumped up in excitement and joy as Carter went up and was given the trophy. "Ladies and gentlemen, please give another round of applause for all those who participated in this competition tonight." The announcer said as the audience stood up and applauded. A few minutes later, Carter and the others were celebrating their victory in the lobby. "Oh my goodness! I can't believe we won!" Aphia said. "I know! I can barely control my excitement right now!" Sara said. "But I think I know who we owe this all to." Seth said as he and the others looked at Carter, "Huh? Me?" Carter asked. "Well of course. If you hadn't joined the club, we wouldn't have been able to win." Ryan said as he patted his friend on the back. "So thank you Carter McAlister for joining the music club." Sicily said as she kissed her boyfriend on the cheek. "Aww." Zeke, Cameron, Henry, and Seth said in unison. "You're very welcome." Carter said letting out a chuckle. "Alright guys, can I get a photo of the winners?" Carter's mom asked. "Oh yeah, sure thing mom." Carter said as the others got in position for the photo. "Say "Tuners"." Amanda said. "Tuners!" Carter and the others said as the photo was taken.