Battle Of The Bands

Chapter Three

"Uh what are you four doing here?" James asked as he saw the Window Girls.

"We heard you boys singing," Oakley said, "and we thought we would join you."

"You thought," Bert said, walking behind James, "that you could join us?"

Oakley nodded meekly. "That sounds perfect!" Bert exclaimed.

"Perfect?" Alexander said while raising his eyebrow.

Bert blushed slightly but nodded. "It would help us get better," he said. "And see how good they are."

"I guess you're right," Chad said, nodding as well.

"What are we gonna sing?" Aaron asked.

"Um, I don't know," Janelle said.

"How about 'A Whole New World' from Aladdin?" Anika suggested.

Bert nodded while smiling. "What a great idea," James said, grinning. Aaron strummed a few chords on his guitar while Bert hit his legs for the beat.

"I can show you the world
Shining, shimmering splendid
Tell me, princess, now when did
You last let your heart decide!
I can open your eyes
Take you wonder by wonder
Over sideways and under
On a magic carpet ride
A whole new world
A new fantastic point of view
No one to tell us no
Or where to go
Or say we're only dreaming
A whole new world
A dazzling place I never knew
But when I'm way up here
It's crystal clear
That now I'm in a whole new world with you
Now I'm in a whole new world with you
Unbelievable sights
Indescribable feeling
Soaring, tumbling, freewheeling
Through an endless diamond sky
A whole new world
(Don't you dare close your eyes)
A hundred thousand things to see
(Hold your breath it gets better)
I'm like a shooting star
I've come so far
I can't go back to where I used to be
A whole new world
(Every turn a surprise)
With new horizons to pursue
(Every moment, red-letter)
I'll chase them anywhere
There's time to spare
Let me share this whole new world with you
A whole new world
(A whole new world)
That's where we'll be
(That's where we'll be)
A thrilling chase
A wondrous place
For you and me."

"That was pretty good, guys," Anika said after they finished singing.

"I didn't know you girls were that good," James said jokingly. The guys laughed at his joke while the girls just shook their heads.

"Well, we better go. We have . . . some talking to do," Braelynn said, looking at the girls.

"Bye," Aaron said as they left. Bert walked to the mini fridge and grabbed a yogurt.

"We have some competition guys," Bert said in between bites of his yogurt.

"Duh. That's why there's 24 other bands here," Alexander said.

"I mean, they are really good," Bert said. "We just gotta be careful. And even better than they are."

James nodded. "All bands meet in outside in fifteen minutes," someone said. Chad looked up and saw a speaker above their heads.

"Well, I gotta go brush my teeth," Bert said.

"Maybe you want to shower as well," Alexander said. "You kinda smell."

"Only Alexander showered. I don't think we have time for all of us. Just put on deodorant and cologne," Bert said, walking into the bathroom. He grabbed his toothbrush and started brushing his teeth. James joined him.

"Do you think we'll make it to the end?" James asked him.

Bert nodded, still brushing his teeth. "I mean, we kinda got this 'band' together at the last second," James went on.

Bert finished brushing his teeth so he said, "I think we will do good. We all were in choir together in middle school and we all know how to play several instruments."

"OK," James said.

"I thought the paper said we didn't have to do anything for the show," Chad said, walking into the bathroom.

"Me either," Alexander said, joining them.

"Maybe its just for them to talk to us," Aaron said, completing the band in the bathroom. 

The boys hurried outside as the clock hit fifteen minutes later. "We have brought all of you out here for a little challenge," Toby said, grinning at everyone. "Every week, there will be different challenges for the bands to win. If you win, you get to go first on the show."

Some people muttered to each other, obviously wanting to win. "Now, the show will be aired on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday because of how many bands have to perform and in each episode, one band will go home. For example, on Monday the episode will air. No one will go home because no one has performed yet. But on Wednesday, three bands will be in the last three and the public will vote for who will leave. We will figure that out at the end of the episode," Toby explained. "They will go home and then it will continue on Friday. Does anyone have any questions?"

Someone raised their hand and they said, "What type of challenges are there going to be?"

"Ah good question. There will be all sorts. Trivia, guess that song, and many more. Any more questions?"

Alexander raised his hand. He said, "You said that there will be cameras watching us for now until the end. What did you mean by that?"

"The public will be able to see what you do here with the hidden cameras everywhere. They will be able to download an app for the show to get things they won't see on the show. They will be able to watch you guys by choosing which rooms to watch, they could see behind the scenes, and interviews for the bands," Toby said.

"That's a little creepy," Chad commented.

"Yes but people want to know what the newest bands are doing," Toby said. "Now, let's get to the challenge. Let me have all the band leaders up here."

The boys turned to each other. "Who is the leader?" James asked.

"You," the other boys said. James looked shocked.

"Me?" he asked.

"Yep," Bert said, nodding. "Go on up there."

James ran up to the front with the other band leaders. "So today, you guys will have a scavenger hunt to start off the games. You have to find your band mates."