Cigarettes & Coffee Hearts

Final Battle

          This is it. Tonight's the night. Tonight we'll find out if we win, or if we lose. 

I was shaking. I felt every wave of anxiety, every pulse of fear through my veins. I set up the microphone to the height of my mouth and I heard the band start up behind me. The guitar started up and I decided to finally cheer up this crowd. I sang deep, inviting the audience to sing along. 

"It's taken a lifetime to lose my way. A lifetime of yesterdays. All the wasted time on my hands turns to sand, and fades in the wind. Crossing lines, small crimes. Taking back what is mine." 

I grabbed the microphone from the stand and threw a fist into the air as the band joined on in unison. 

"I'm fine in the fire".

"I feed on the friction".

"I'm right where I should be - Don't try and fix me". 

There was stairs on the side of the stage, which I walked down into the crowd. I kept singing, but ran into the crowd as well. I had people singing along, in fact everyone was. Once I knew the crowd was loud enough, I ran back to the stage and jumped and waved my hand to the beat. 

The song ended, and I put the microphone back on the stand. I took a moment to regain my breathing and screaming filled my ears. I knew our perfromance was over but I wanted to say something before we had to leave. 

I took a deep breath, and began to talk. 

"I wanted to say something before I got off this stage. First off, thank you for this week - you guys have been an amazing crowd so thanks for that!" I laughed and the crowed screamed their welcome. "But seriously guys - this was more than just Band Jam to me. This was an experience that I'm going to remember forever. I would never have made such a connection with these losers if Band Jam didn't give us the opportunity. And if we don't win tonight; that's okay. I think we've already won by performing like this for you guys. So you guys were the best, thank you." I said and the students appluaded us as we walked off the stage. 

We waited a few moments to be rushed onto the stage. I took my place in between my friends and Midnight Wolves took their place on the other side of the stage. The usual man ran onto the stage yelling at the crowd to excite them. 

"Alrighty guys! THIS.IS.IT." The man waved at the audience. The audience screamed and waved in return. "I know we are all desperate to know the winner of Band Jam so I'm just going to tell you guys right here. Right now. So guys, the winner this year is...."

I breathed in.

The crowed stopped breathing. 

And then I breathed out.

"FORSAKEN SHADOWS! Congratulations!" 

I screamed and the group jumped into a group hug of tears and laughing. I hugged them and laughed.  Without even thinking of what I was doing, I pulled Derek into a kiss. Although I didn't mean to, I definitely didn't regret it. And even as I pulled away, and I felt his hand caressing my cheek, and the 'oohing' of the audience. "Tomato face"he said, and I felt his laugh as he pecked my lips one last time. I looked over at Midnight Wolves to see the boys slightly disappointed but they also looked bored. Ashley, however, was furious. Not only did we win, but I just kissed Derek. She stormed off stage, her band slowly following behind. I looked at my group of friends, crying and being an absolute mess of emotions. 

But I knew one emotion: Happiness.

And I could not have been any happier than I was right now. 

I grabbed Derek's hand, he grabbed Sam's, and everyone else formed a line on the stage hand in hand. And in a wave we all raised our linked hands. 

And just like that:

We won band Jam.

~~~~YAY THEY WON. NEXT CHAPTER WILL BE THE WINNING PERFORMANCE AND SADLY THE LAST CHAPTER. THANKS SO MUCH IF YOU HAVE STILL BEEN READING THIS STORY DESPITE HOW BAD IT IS. THANKS AGAIN, I WILL SEE YOU IN THE NEXT CHAPTER :)