Enjoy Things While We Can

Good Luck Clockworks

Finally, the competition day has come. A day to determine the worth of their passion and hard work amongst other powerful bands in Melaka. They'll only find out which bands they'll be competing with at the venue itself. So, there's no use dwelling and worrying about it on the way there. Though, the group already knew some bands they'll go up against.

Namely, The Black Panthers, Farihin's band. They also knew they'll go up against the twins' band, Ranni and Rajesh. Cherry, the forth place member of 'The Five Bassists' group created verbally by the students of the Music Faculty at Kokomi and Albert's university. She joined Ranni out of the same interest and goals. Though Ranni was Kokomi's junior, Kokomi didn't know the name of Ranni's band yet.

Either way, Carter was more motivated than the rest of them. Probably because he hadn't compete against other singers before, so the lad didn't know the feeling of being defeated. Kokomi wanted him to experience it by himself so she didn't reveal her feelings and thoughts about band competitions despite Carter trying to coaxed it out of her by groveling. Kokomi didn't gave in.

The Clockworks piled their stuff into the back of Beyond's van. Carter wanted to help, but Beyond instructed him to take a seat the van instead. He didn't want Carter accidentally dropping something. Instrument equipment are very fragile and precious to Beyond. If his most prized possession, his expensive guitar were to be dropped or scratched or broken in half, he wouldn't be able to adapt playing another one. Carter understood and went to take a seat in the car, despite feeling useless, he thought this'll be the best way to help.

"Do we have everything?," Albert questioned.

"Lemme check," Kokomi said, then proceeded to do a thorough check to make sure they didn't forget anything.

"Keyboard case, with keyboard inside. Guitar case, with guitar inside. Bass case, with bass inside. Drumsticks, four pairs. Amplifier, check. Input and output wires, check. Guess that's everything," Kokomi concluded, dusting her hands off.

"I can use the keyboard at the venue but I packed mine just in case," Albert explained.

"Did you replace the strings, yesterday?,"Nahida asked Simon.

"I replaced the ones on Kokomi's bass. Not sure about Beyond's though, I had to go home early yesterday," Simon said, scratching the back of his neck.

"Not to worry, I replaced mine already," Beyond said, crossing his arms.

"Good, what about the costumes, Nana?," Kokomi questioned.

"All packed, thanks for helping me iron them yesterday Mimi," Nahida smiled.

"You can count on me always, Nana!," Kokomi cheered.

Albert looked at the others, presuming that he had done his work, he took a seat inside the van beside Carter. Carter heard the van door slide open with a woosh and felt some weight sink into the seat.

"How are you feeling?," Albert questioned him.

"I'm feeling fine, great even. Though I feel kinda guilty for not helping out physically," Carter admitted.

"Staying out of trouble helps you know," Albert tried to cheer him up.

"Yeah, I know. That's how it's like at home as well. Guess, there's no changing this part of my life," Carter agreed.

Carter's words silenced Albert when he realized how Carter's been feeling this whole time. But, he couldn't help him, only Carter could learn to accept this harsh reality of his. Albert maybe could only give a few hints and push him forward.

Then the van door slide open with a loud woosh to reveal Kokomi and Simon. They both scooted into the seat, Kokomi ended up taking a seat on Albert's right while Simon sat beside her. Carter was seated comfortably on Albert's left . Simon slide the van's door close. Beyond sat behind the wheel while Nahida sat in the shotgun seat.