The Elite Forces

Chapter 9

At first I'm totally against the idea.

"Street singing is one thing. But why would anyone come to see us?" I argue.

"Because we're famous." Leo counters, fingers flying over the screen of his smart phone.

I shake my head. "No we're not."

Leo's grin turns mischievous. "Our fans don't know that."

"What fans?" I ask, throwing my hands up in exasperation. "And anyway, all someone has to do is look us up online."

"Leave that to me." Says Leo, unconcerned, sharing a smile with his phone.

"If I'm such a famous singer, people who saw me before might wonder what I was doing looking for donations." I argue.

"We're an up and coming band. We need all the donations we can get." Leo answers lazily.

"What are you gonna do, put us on the web?" I growl. Leo looks unperturbed. "I'm an internet hack, you know that. Just leave this to me."

"I'd love to." I glare at him. "Except I just broke juvie. Ever thought that I might have people looking for me? Getting up in front of this whole town ain't exactly called "inconspicuous" y'know."

Leo sighs. "We'll get you a haircut, some shades. Listen, Thad. We need more money. Unless you want to see Thia go hungry?"

As usual, he knows exactly which buttons to press with me.

I give a visible sigh of defeat, my shoulders slumping forward.

"Tell me what you need me to do."

The only reason I get through the next few hours is because I've got Thia on my mind. I can't have her starve.

Leo takes me to a small outlet of stores nearby. In the first, I get the neatest haircut of my life. Leo tries to convince the barber to gel my hair too but since I can't see how that will help my disguise or Thia's hunger, I give a firm no and he doesn't argue.

In the next store Leo holds up a bunch of leather jackets for my inspection.

"Seriously, DiSappio?" I growl, but Leo just shrugs. "You have to look the part, man."

We walk out of the outlet at last and in the mirror Leo pushes me into on our way out, I am unrecognizable. Thin green bandana holding back hair so neat it doesn't need to be held back, cool shades, spanking blue jeans and black leather jacket over green t- shirt.

While we were shopping, the others took care of renting the instruments we need and spreading the word that "The up and coming band Wolfgang is in town". Hmmm, wonder who they could possibly be?

Elphie tells us we'll be doing the concert in Bella Park, where they've got a stage for Shakespeare in the park and stuff like that. She's even got us permission to use it.

I've got no excuses left then except, feebly, "We've never practiced together."

Leo gives me a mischievous grin. "I guess this is when we pray then."

I pray.

Never in my life did I think I'd be where I am now. Never. And yet, here I am, standing backstage with the rest of the band, discussing what songs we can do.

"But I don't know how to play Titanium!" Elphie whispers fervently.

"Fake it." Leo advises. "Play something similar. Folks won't know the difference. It's called a pre set, when you go into something expecting it to be a certain way, you convince yourself that it is. If our fans are expecting to hear Roar, they will."