Ready, Set, Go! - tom kaulitz

unexpected spotlight

Before the girls knew it, they were being led by security backstage after the unforgettable concert. Renee could still hear the pulsating beats of the last song in her ears, and as she was following the security guards with Avril beside her, she felt as if her body was moving on it's own.

She hardly realised that security had stopped walking, and that they were now facing a door with a sign that said 'Band room'. She and Avril exchanged nervous (more like terrified) glances as security opened the door and they stepped inside. 

"Heyyy who are the lucky fans?" Gustav smiled when he saw the girls. He put his towel down and shook both of their hands as they introduced themselves, and the other guys shook their hands too. 

Avril immediately walked over to Bill and started chatting with him. "Hey, I'm Avril! Can I just say, you were so amazing out there, that was one of your best performances yet!" She hugged him and they started talking, leaving Renee watching.

How was Avril so good at conversation? She could just strike it up so naturally, even with one of the most famous singers in the world. Renee looked around at the room, taking it all in. Lined up against the wall were about four or five electric guitars, all different shapes and colours. There was also a storage cabinet with microphones and two drumsticks were lying on a coffee table near a couch, where Gustav and Georg were sat, eating chips out of a bowl on the table. 

As Avril continued to swoon over Bill, Renee felt a bit like a bystander at her own adventure. She didn't really know what to do - Tom was nowhere to be found, Bill was being held hostage by her best friend and Georg and Gustav were scoffing down those chips like wild animals. They were making them look so good that she decided to try one herself. 

Just as she was getting closer to the bowl Tom appeared in front of her. He'd taken his layers of clothing off and was now just wearing jeans and a singlet that showed off his arm muscles.

"Ah, so first you steal the spotlight and now you're stealing our chips, I see," he teased, a playful grin on his face as he eyed her up and down.

Renee raised an eyebrow, caught off guard by Tom's sudden appearance. "Spotlight? I was just trying not to trip over my own feet out there." 

Tom chuckled, shaking his head. "Nah, you were stealing the show - the audience was freaking loving you out there. Any chance you're trying to put us out of business?"

Renee laughed and rolled her eyes. What was this boy on about? Well, she could tease back too. 

"Maybe this just shows that I'm better at singing than you, have you ever wondered that?" she watched his face carefully and waited for his reaction. 

Tom huffed and crossed his arms. "Oh I can sing. And anyway, I can play guitar and you can't, so that automatically makes me better than any of you fans."

How dare he assume that Renee couldn't play guitar? She wasn't just some silly fan girl, and she wanted to prove it. 

"Really? Is that what you believe?" Renee said angrily. "Pass me a guitar, you'll see."

Tom looked taken aback at her tone, but also curious to see what she could do. "Hey Georg, pass me one of those guitars," he said, and Georg, who was sitting at the end of the couch next to Gustav, passed the guitar across the table to Tom. 

Tom gave the guitar to Renee and she was surprised at how heavy it was. Georg noticed and said, "Hey careful, it's heavy, don't drop it."

Renee looked up. "I can manage," she said firmly. 

"She can manage," Tom repeated, almost condescendingly, as if he didn't really believe she could do it.

Renee felt her cheeks flare up. Enough was enough - she was a good guitarist and she knew it!

And without another word, she strummed away at the guitar, causing everyone to look up and watch. Even Avril and Bill, who had been so deep in conversation, craned their necks to see what Renee was doing. 

Without even a pick in her hand, Renee played the bridge of a song she had taught herself years ago. She didn't pay attention to anything else in the room but the guitar, and when she finally finished, silence hung in the air. 

She realised that she'd perhaps made a few mistakes while she was playing, so she quickly explained that, "I'm self taught - I've never had any proper guitar lessons."

The expressions on the guys' faces were hard to read. Georg and Gustav were wearing faces of shock, Tom looked a mix of amused and surprised, and Bill looked overjoyed.

"What's your name again?" Bill asked, peeling Avril's hands off his arm and coming closer to Renee.

"I'm just Renee - Renee Bell," she replied, trying to understand what was going on. Why was everyone looking at her like that? She tried to catch Avril's eye to calm her nerves, but Avril was wearing an indescribable expression too.

"Well Renee, I think you'd be perfect for our band," Bill continued, a glint of excitement in his eyes. "With a little voice and guitar training, you'll be the ideal fit.

"Me?" Renee laughed nervously as the other band members nodded, not used to being in the limelight.

Tom leaned in slightly, his tone light and kind. "Yeah, you know, singing harmonies with Bill and being our guitar partner. If you're self-taught and you just played that, I think we've found real talent here."

Renee blushed at the unexpected compliment. "I appreciate the compliment, Tom, but I'm just an amateur compared to you guys. There's no way I can join your band."

Tom flashed a charming smile that made Renee's stomach jump. What was going on, why was she feeling like this? 

He continued, "Modesty suits you, but I'm serious. You've got something special. Plus, it's refreshing to see someone who isn't a crazy fangirl."

Renee couldn't help but smile back, appreciating Tom's friendly banter. Hopefully Avril wouldn't be too upset about that fangirl comment. "Well, I'm not used to being part of the spotlight."

Tom winked. "Maybe it's time you get used to it. You're the unexpected star of tonight."