Chapter 5: Band Practice
"Music touches us emotionally, where words alone can't." -Johnny Depp
As Riley and Toby led me down the stauirs to the basement, Connor flicked on the light switch and I saw instruments. Cocking my head to the side, I allowed Riley and Toby to sit me down on the couch that faced the instrument setup. There were three microphones in front, with a keyboard on the left side. There was another bass guitar, which was where Braiden went to, on the right. Thomas walked over to the drum set on the left behind the keyboard and retrieved a pair of drum sticks.
Riley walked over to the middle microphone, Toby was on the right, in front of Braiden, and Connor was on the left, hands on the keyboard.
"Okay, boys, let's start out with Some Nights," Riley said. They grinned and then Connor, Riley, and Toby started singing:
Some nights, I stay up cashing in my bad luck
Some nights, I call it a draw
Some nights, I wish that my lips could build a castle
Some nights, I wish they'd just fall off
But I still wake up, I still see your ghost
Oh Lord, I'm still not sure what I stand for oh
What do I stand for? What do I stand for?
Most nights, I don't know anymore...
oh woah, oh woah, oh woah oh oh
oh woah, oh woah, oh woah oh oh
They were fantastic. They had great sound and had me dancing along.
And then Connor started singing by himself:
And that's alright; I found a martyr in my bed tonight
She stops my bones from wondering just who I am, who I am, who I am
Oh, who am I? mmm... mmm...yeahh
That's when I got the chills. Something about his voice gave me goosebumps. It was a good kind though. He had that voice that made you smile but you had to bite your lip to hide it.
I smiled as the song ended. I clapped and they grinned. "You guys are awesome!" I exclaimed.
"Oh, we're just getting started," Riley said to me with a wink. He turned to the guys and said, "Let's show her I Like That."
I furrowed my brow, thinking that the song sounded familiar.
Then they started playing it, with Connor singing first:
You got that smile, you got it all.
I know I'm right, you think I'm dead wrong.
And I almost lost it. I've heard that song before! On the radio today on our way to Orlando! What was the name of the band?! Umm... Ugh! It's on the tip of my tongue!
Before something.
Before Dawn? No.
Before... Before... BEFORE YOU EXIT! That's it!
I sat on the edge of the couch, taking in their voices. I was pretty dazed. I was sitting in front of Before You Exit. I had heard them before, but I didn't know what they looked like or their names, so I didn't think anything of it.
When the music stopped, they looked at me, expecting something. But I played dumb, like I didn't know theynwere a band.
"It was awesome. I've never heard that song before," I said smoothly.
"Really? Well, we wrote it. Glad you liked it," Riley said, smiling.
"It was great," I said, grinning.
The basement door opened and I heard Mrs. McDonough's voice. "Leilani? Honey, you're parents are getting ready to leave," she called.
"Yes, ma'am! Thank you," I called up to her. I stood up from the couch and smiled at the guys. "Thanks for letting me sit in on your band practice. I liked it," I told them.
They all smiled at me and the three brothers came up and hugged me. "We had fun tonight! Maybe you should come over again soon. You do live right across the street," Toby said.
"I had fun, too. Maybe I will," I said, smiling at them.
"Here, I'll walk you up," Connor offered, smiling at me.
"Sure. Thank you," I said politely.
The two of us headed up the staircase in silence. Mrs. McDonough was still at the door, waiting for me, and I smiled when I saw her. "Thank you for inviting us to dinner tonight. I enjoyed it. Your food was delicious," I told her, using my manners like I was taught.
She smiled a warm smile and hugged me. I hugged her back as she said, "Anytime, dear. Feel free to come over anytime."
"Thank you," I said.
"You're parents are waiting for you at the front door," she said when she pulled back.
"Okay." I turned to look at Connor and smiled. "See you 'round," I told him.
He grinned and said, "See ya."
I left to find my parents and when I did, they smiled at me. "Did you have fun, Lani?" my mom asked.
I grinned and answered truthfully, "Tons."
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FanfictionShe was mystery wrapped in beauty, with a hint of chaos in her smile. she had many things to hide, and no one to unravel those secrets. He was talent wrapped in laughter, with a hint of adventure in his smile. he had nothing to hide, and no one to...
