The Girl

chapter six

It was half an hour before school finished and five hours before the battles officially begun. The battles started at 8 but, we had to be there at 7, so we can have a warm up and sound check and our pre-contest rituals. It would take us at least three hours to get ready. Four, if you include everyone being a bit slower due to nerves.

I was sitting in biology, listening to sir's monotonous voice talking about mitochondria, the powerhouse of the cell. Getting bored by the second, I picked at my nails and doodled the band logo at the back of my book.

When the bell rung, everyone met up outside the school then, piled into Jordan's van, all heading to my house to have an early dinner and get ready. Everyone dropped their things off at my house last night. Luna even cancelled her therapy appointment so she could help us get ready.

Luna did hair and makeup. Daysha's hair was left in its natural waves, crowned with a daisy chain. She wore a simple black lace dress.

Since I have an undercut at the nape of my neck, Luna shaved my hair again yesterday, to make it look tidier. She quickly straightened my hair and re-curled it. Then swept it all back to its usual part. It looked unruly yet, oddly neat. Us girls all had simple makeup, which pretty much consisted of foundation, dark red lipstick and winged eyeliner.

We all wore black and white to match. I wore my black velvet dress with a white collar and paired it with my Doc Martens. The boys all wore black jeans. Sam had a white sleeveless shirt and a black blazer because apparently he wanted to classy. Jordan had his Rubens merch on and Simon just had a black tee. I swear the boys share a wardrobe, they always wear similar clothes. 

Once we finished getting ready, it was 6:30 the boys had already packed everything into my ute and Jordan's van. We ate some more dinner just in case and packed some snacks. And off we went to the battles.

~~~

We arrived at 7 on the dot, thanks to Jess shouting. Jess left us to check us off and pay the registration fee.

"How are you feeling?" Luna quietly asked me

"I'm nervous, it's a big deal singing. You know I don't really like singing in front of people and it's stressful knowing that this could make or break the band." I reply

Luna stays silent but I know she understands. She slips her hand into mine.

"Children of the Lost? It's time for your sound check." a lady calls us over to the stage.

We plug in all our instruments and quickly rush through San Francisco because that's all we could fit in.  

After sound check, we all decide to warm up together in our cramped dressing room, Jordan and I singing improv lyrics while others make up a riff on their instruments.

"Oh well, you know about that old bag?

Well, guess what, no surprise she's a hag!" Jordan sings as we go along

"All fortunate horses have at least one mane,

but those who don't are probably on cocaine!" I struggle to rhyme as I make up lyrics

Bubbles of laughter can be heard from Luna, who's sitting in the corner.

"Simon thinks he's pretty cool,

but he's actually just a fool

for thinking a straw is a tool" Jordan continues along

"Hey, I was five!" Simon chuckles

"I've always wanted to-" I started but was interrupted by the shrill tone of Daysha's mobile ringing.

"Sorry, I'll just be a second." Daysha excuses herself

We decide to skip the rest of the activity as the band does personal rituals. For me, it's eating a couple of Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, then brushing my teeth. For Jordan, I know it's listening to Shia's 'Just Do It' speech on repeat.

It's been a good ten minutes when Daysha returns at 7:50, with a tear-streaked face.

"Grandad had a heart attack." was all Daysha could whisper before we pulled her into a group hug. She sobbed and sobbed, continuously apologising before leaving us to walk to the local hospital.

We all sat in a circle, listening to what's happening onstage.

"Welcome to the annual Battle of the Bands. Introducing our judges, actor Nick Cory... DJ Kiana K... and drummer of last year's winning band, it's Eric King from Staged Death!" the announcer well, announced, "The winning band will take their share in $1 000, and a one album record contract with local Star Records!

"First up, we have the Jungle Kids. Let the games begin."

As the soft drumbeats from the Jungle Kids filled the air, we all realised something important.

"We're missing a guitarist." Jess finally voiced what we were all thinking.

~~~

Jordan can't play any instruments and no one else knew how to play bass or guitar, so I couldn't replace Daysha. We didn't have any backup, and everyone at school was attending a party. We'd been stressing for 45 minutes. It was ten minutes before we were onstage and we were running around like headless chooks, trying to find a solution to this impossible situation.

Suddenly a quaint voice drew me out of my scattered thoughts. "I'll play."

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this is to make up for not updating :/ i hope it's okay.

so who do you think is going to play?

vote, comment, do whatever. it's all appreciated here :)

much love,

boomboxed xx