Monstercat University I

Chapter 025

[Dilumi's POV]

"Yo, how we feeling tonight?!" I shout. I hear lots of screams go up, and several people make hearts with their hands. Then I hear a chant rising up out of the crowd in time with the beat. It gets louder and louder. Soon everyone is chanting "LEVELS! LEVELS! LEVELS!" over and over. The Tristam remix is near the end, but I'm not letting them down now. I decide to make the Rameses B remix come in. The crowd loves this too, and Rameses B is going absolutely crazy, like he never expected someone would actually play one of HIS songs. About halfway through I glance back to the stage entrance and notice Soulero, who is scowling at me. What the...oh crap! What time is it?! Yep, sure enough, it's 10:02. My set is supposed to be over. Monstercat is usually pretty strict about times...and worst of all, I promised Soulero I would end close to 128 BPM so his set would sound good coming from mine, and here I am playing DnB. I can't just let him down. I gulp and look frantically back at my computer. What do I do now?! Then I remember Droptek telling me never to panic no matter what happens. Let's see, what does this song remind me of? The Anthem. Right. I slide my headphones on and carefully make the transition, slowing the remix down to 128 BPM as slowly as I possibly can. Once The Anthem is in full force, I exhale deeply. I'm good. I forgot how amazing this tune feels. And it's even more incredible through the speakers, in a way that sends chills through me. When I look out, I can see everyone getting carried away in the memories of Monstercat's first anniversary. Everyone has their own memories with this song. Back when I was just a fan, and I loved to make EDM mashups...I'm so glad I followed my dreams of making EDM and ended up here. I close my eyes and let myself feel it. This is perfect to end on and leave everyone else with the perfect memory of my set. Then the builddown starts. "WHO'S READY FOR SOULERO?!" I yell into the mic. Everyone screams. I motion for Soulero to come out so we can set up for him to start, then end The Anthem on a hollow fadeout. As quickly as I can, I unplug everything of mine and get out of the way, standing by just in case Soulero needs any help. When everything seems fine, I walk off the stage. Droptek is sitting backstage on the sectional. "Hey Drop," I say as I set my equipment down on the table and then fist-bump him. "You ready?"
"Hope so."
"Well, good luck out there. And have fun," I say, walking towards the door to the hallway.
"Where are you going?" I turn around and see Principal Monstercat staring at me.
"Uh...to find Tristam," I say nervously.
"It's fine. You can go," Monstercat says, breaking out into a smile. I roll my eyes.
"Tease," I mutter to myself, starting to walk out.
"I heard that!" Monstercat calls after me. "Hey! Dilumi! Come back here right now!" Oh gosh, what have I gotten myself into...I trudge back and poke my head anxiously around the door.
"Yeah...?"
"You did amazing," Monstercat smirks. I sigh with relief.
"Thanks."
"Of course. You really did." I run down the hallway (as fast as I can with 3" heels), the muffled sound of Soulero starting Reasons in the background, and smile. What a great song to start on. When I open the door to the auditorium, I immediately spot Tristam towards the back with a white cast on his arm, standing with Braken and his other dorm mates. I run up to him, grab his hand and pull him out. We stand in the hallway and hug each other for what seems like a long time before I pull away. I have so many questions.
"So what happened?" I ask curiously.
"Well...all I really remember is the smoke, everybody panicking, someone yelling that there was fire, and then blacking out. I don't know what time it was when I woke up, but there was nobody there. I guess they put the fire out and then just gave up finding me. I was trapped beneath a bunch of stuff and I couldn't move my arm without it hurting. But eventually I got out."
"Have you eaten anything? Is your arm okay?"
"Well...it is broken, but yeah, they fed me while I was there. They did let me watch your set on the computer in there. But I wanted to watch it for real," Tristam says, grinning. "So I...uh...made them let me go as early as they could." I laugh. "Which was about half an hour through. You did an amazing job."
"Thanks," I say, beaming with joy and pride. There is a little pause before Tristam speaks again.
"Hey, I'm sorry I didn't answer your question the other night," he says.
"Pffft. I'm sorry I ran off so quickly."
"Well, my answer is yes," Tristam says, taking my hands in his. "I do want us to be more than friends."
"Me too," I respond, smiling.
"Well then, let's be more," Tristam says, smiling back at me.
"Okay." I lean forward and pull him into a kiss. After about ten seconds, I break the kiss and hug him tightly again. "I love you, Tristam."
"I love you too, Dilumi."
"Oh, I've always wanted to tell you you have a beautiful smile," I tell Tristam when we pull apart.
"Thank you," he says, smiling even bigger. The second buildup of Reasons is just coming on in the auditorium. I grab his hand again.
"Come on, he's playing one of my favorite songs!" I exclaim, pulling him towards the door. He laughs and follows me back into the auditorium, where Reasons instantly enters my ears at full blast. A huge smile on my face, I jump to the beat, pumping my fist in the air and screaming out the lyrics at the top of my lungs as my heart soars higher than the sun. Noisestorm, Aero Chord, Braken, Tristam and I stand with our arms around each other jumping up and down to the second climax, which feels amazing. After that, Alive by Krewella comes on, and Tristam and I lean into each other, singing the lyrics. I've always loved the Pegboard Nerds remix, but for the first time now, I recognize the beauty in the piano of the original. I sink into the feeling and let it flow through me, feeling alive once again.