Just Do It!

Chapter One: Open Mic Night

Nikki's POV

"Nikki, are you nervous?"

I looked up from my bass to Julie, my twelve year old sister. Her hay colored hair fell down her back in waves, and her clear brown eyes shone with the excitement that always filled them before she saw me preform. She was always so proud afterwards. It made me excited just to see her excited.

"Nope, not at all. I mean I've done it enough before." I answered.

"Yeah, but there's never been this many people here.!!"

Well, I guess she was right about that. During our usual open mic nights at Rob's Coffeehouse, it was just a small group of people with nothing better to do on a Friday night, and three or four performers. But tonight, the Coffeehouse was totally packed, and Rob, the owner, had actually had to move the counter back, and put a few of the tables in the storage room out back. I think that he was just as surprised as Julie and I, but was probably feeling pretty proud, too.

He was standing by the door, greeting people as they came in. Rob was a pleasant, friendly man, in his mid-forties. Tonight he wore a red baseball cap over his balding head, and a pair of jeans with a T-shirt that had the name of the coffeehouse and it's logo, (a steaming cup of coffee and a donut next to it) on it.

"Oh, I think it's because there's supposed to be some professional band playing." I said.

"Really?" asked Julie curiously. "That's pretty cool."

"Yeah, I guess. Rob told me that they aren't very well known, and they asked him if they could be the finale to open mic night, or something." I said.

"Are you excited to hear them?"

"Ask me again after I decide if they're any good." I said. "Go find a seat, Rob's about to start."

"All right. Good luck, Nik."

"Thanks."

Julie scampered off to find a seat, as Rob left his post at the door, and climbed onto the portable stage, with a microphone in hand. He started by welcoming the new faces, and thanking the old ones for returning. For the benefit of the newcomers, he went on, to explain about how it was a bit of a Coffeehouse tradition to have an open mic night every Friday, and said that he hoped that everyone would enjoy it.

"And here's our first performance, Nicole Peterson on bass!!" he finished.

The audience, especially the regulars, cheered, as I made my way on stage with my bass. It was a metallic blue, with a long white strip bordering the edges. It had been a gift from my parents when I'd graduated college, and gotten my own apartment. I smiled, and gave the audience a little wave. I played a chord, and then started into Promise by Simple Plan.

"Breakdown!!

I'm so restless!!

I need somewhere to go!!"

The audience cheered, and I played louder. After Promise, I played a few more songs, and ended with Crazy, also by Simple Plan.

"Tell me what's wrong with society,

when everywhere I look I see,

young girls dying to be on T.V.

won't stop till they reach their dreams!!"

The crowd went wild, and I waved again, as I exited the stage. Julie ran up and practically threw herself at me, nearly crushing my bass between us."