work experience ~ s.w

nine

Sam and I walk through the car park towards the small studio in front of us. I'm about to push open the door before Sam grabs my arm nearly making me spill the drink in my hand.

"I just want to warn you. There's a lot of guys in there and you'll be the only girl. They turn into animals when a beautiful girl is around and they're all together."

"I can handle it but thanks" I smile. "For the heads up and the compliment" I wink, pushing the door open confidently. Sam shakes his head of my flirtatious outburst and quickly follows me inside.

"Yo" He yells as we enter the dimly lit room. I jump slightly at the sudden noise. I quickly do a head count of 5 boys all around my age, maybe a little older. I already recognise the long haired boy from the diner and Skate from the party. How could I forget the face that almost attacked my best friend? They all stand up bar Skate and look me up and down. I receive a few lip bites and winks before Sam introduces me. "So this is Viola. She's on work experience with me."

"I'm sure you'll give her the full experience Sam" Skate rolls his eyes, smoking something on the couch at the other side of the room.

"What's that supposed to mean?" I mutter. He doesn't hear me.

"Ignore him. " A short blonde haired boy steps forward and smiles. "I'm Jack. Johnson."

"Hey" I smile brightly.

"This is Gilinsky." He introduces me to his tall brunette friend. Damn.

"Oh I know who you guys are" I smile. I did my research before I got here. Sophie's little sister was a big help with the Jack and Jack research. "Jack and Jack"

"Yeah" They back away slightly.

"I'm not a stalker." I say defensively. "I was looking up Sam online and I found you guys too. I like your music." I smile. "Before Saturday I had no idea that you guys were a thing" I try to make myself sound normal.

"She's not" Sam says coming to my rescue. They both nod uneasily and join Skate on the couch. Gilinsky immediately takes the splint from Skate but Johnson seems to stay as far away as possible.

"I'm Nash" The long haired boy from the diner introduces himself. "And you are stunning."

"Hey Nash. It's Viola actually" I smirk playfully. "Stunning works too" I shrug. He winks before turning away. The last person steps forward to introduce himself.

"I'm Dillon. But everyone calls DJ Rupp" The short tanned boy before me smiles.

"Hey" I smile. I definitely wont be calling him that. He scratches the back of his head uneasily before joining the rest of the boys. I turn to Sam. "Can I talk to you for a second?" He nods, taking my hand and leading me outside once again. I take in a deep breath of fresh air and a sip of my drink, draining the cup of all moisture.

"What's up? Don't you like them? I can ask them to leave?"

"No! It's not that. It's just they're-"

"Bunning?"

"Excuse me?"

"Doing drugs" He explains. "I know."

"I can't afford to die from being hotboxed" I say deadly serious but something seems to make Sam laughs.

"Viola chill. It's this new thing called Vape. It's just flavoured water vapour. You don't die and you don't get high." He takes my hand in his own. He intertwines our fingers as I start to feel slightly uncomfortable at the gesture. "I won't let you get hurt okay?"

"Okay" I smile.

"I won't let Zach lose his sister."

"I'm glad to hear it" I say pulling my hand away once again. I refuse to fall in love. I won't do it. "Should we go back in?" I say awkwardly. Sam nods and I follow him inside.

"Viola you should take a step in the booth. Show us what you're made of." Johnson smiles as soon as I walk in. I look to Sam who shrugs moodily. I frown slightly but then agree and slide into the booth. "What song?"

"Uh, do you have anything country?" I say embarrassed. My mom was a real country girl- I grew up listening to all the classics. I've tried to keep up to date with the most recent stuff. Hunter Hayes is my weakness. The boys let out a laugh but Johnson turns off the sound to my headphones so I can't hear what they're saying. He steps inside the booth quickly.

"Sorry about them." He says as I look through the glass to see Sam saying something with a disgusted look on his face.

"I can do just about anything else" I tell him. "Ariana Grande maybe?"

"You sure?"

"Yeah" I assure myself. "Put on Love Me Harder"

"Okay. If you say so." He shrugs disappearing back to the outside of the booth. I hear the music kick in and I immediately start singing note perfect. Ariana is one of Sophie's favourite artists so I'm pretty much forced to listen to it. I tend to pick up the words extremely quickly. Mom always said that my talent would get me far in the world. I can learn anything within a few minutes- especially song lyrics. I throw in a few body rolls as I really get into the song. I let my hips sway with the music as I close my eyes the pitch gets higher. As soon as the song is over I open them again to see all the boys gawping at me on the edge of their seats. I smile innocently as I pull the headphones off and smooth out my hair, walking into the main studio.

"Wow" Johnson says, his mouth wide open.

"Was it alright?"

"You could say that" Gilinsky smiles.

"Good"

***

After Dillon and the Jacks have recorded their separate parts of their new song 'Party of the Year' they all sit around me smiling at me innocently.

"Can I help you?" I smile.

"We need a female voice to do some harmonies and la la's." Dillon smiles.

"And you want me?"

"Well you are a girl right?"

"Yeah I'm a girl." I smile. "Unless you need proof" I smirk.

"Well-" He wiggles his eyebrows at my remark.

"She said she'd do it" Sam says angrily.

"I didn't actually say that but I will." I say looking at Sam.  I record my parts carefully instructed by the 3 boys.

"I'm going to get food" Sam announces. "Anyone wanna come?" He shrugs not making eye contact. Johnson nods over to Sam as if to say that I should go.

"I'll come"

"I wouldn't want to drag you away from your new boyfriends." He groans. I scowl at him and shove him outside.

"What's your problem?" I say sternly.

"You're my problem. You flirting with my friends is my problem."

"Why? Am I not allowed to be friendly. You know I'd never get with a guy I just met."

"How long would you have to know them?"

"It's not about time. It's how well I know them. How I connect with them. I've never been in love so.."

"Well you seem pretty head over heels for Johnson."

"Are you kidding? He's exactly like Zach- friendly, playful, happy. I wouldn't date a guy who reminded me of my brother. Why do you even care?" I say walking towards the car. Sam suddenly pins me against the car. Our faces are inches apart. He's going to kiss me now. I know it.

"I care because I care about you."

"Why do you care about me?"

"Because I'm falling for you. Hard"