OCTOBER || T.Z

🎵 | PROLOGUE

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Pearson Park's trees were going through a variety of leaf color changes as late October rolled in. It seemed there was no difference in temperature compared to the summer which was only months earlier. There were tables and fold-out chairs scattered all over the place near a tiny little stage that currently held musical equipment. There was a group gathered at the park for a party, celebrating Patricia's 70th birthday.

She requested a lot of things including a blue-themed party, a red velvet birthday cake with flowers on it, her family and closest friends to be in attendance, and most importantly, a live band to perform her favorite songs growing up.

Gary, her husband, knew that the bands who made the songs she so dearly loved were dead by now, so she went to his son. "I need a band to perform some songs for your mom," he said to Jacob. "You know how much she loves her music."

Jacob laughed in response to his father's joke, gradually growing quiet as he began to think of any solutions. "Well," he hummed, his finger tapping against the stubble of hair on his chin. "I might have someone."

It was convenient that he had sparked up a relationship with a woman at work recently by the name of Janene Clarke. Janene had a daughter who was in college named Hayden who started up a band where they would cover certain songs.

"I'll give her a call and see what she can do," Jacob said to the satisfaction of his father.

The name of Hayden's band was Pink Slip. It held 3 college kids and a high schooler and they performed covers of popular 2000's punk songs, stuff from Avril Lavine, Paramore, and more. Not similar to any of the stuff Janene had asked her to perform.

"I don't know any of these songs, mom," Hayden groaned as she plopped on the bottom bunk reserved for her in her dorm room. "The only Billy I know is Billy Idol."

"Well Jacob asked a favor and I really think this gig could get your names out there." Janene was someone you couldn't say no to, which only led Hayden to let out an even longer and far more exaggerated groan. "Who knows? Maybe you could slip a song of your own in there."

Hayden has always had a hidden talent of writing songs — having notebooks filled with lyrics throughout her high school years. There was a variety of songs in there, ranging from depressing all the way up to romance and love.

Her mom was right though, not only would it be a good way to put themselves out there but she could also perform stuff of her own. After a long silence from Hayden, she let out a sigh and asked, "Time and day?"

Now the day had finally come where they were going to perform. Everything leading down to the aesthetic was perfect. Well, except Hayden. "I don't know," Hayden sighed as she ran her fingers through her dark loose curls. "Maybe we should cut Betty from the set list. She specifically requested stuff like Fleetwood Mac and that 'Breakfast at Tiffany's' song."