Life Is Challenging (RE-MASTERED)

Chapter 14: Inevitable Breakdown

      "Grant, I want you to try some beats for me, give me a Metallica meets Slipknot beat."  We are at the junkyard and Chloe has set us up a stage.  A makeshift 'backyard' type stage but it works.  I'm really glad she actually did it.  She even got Grants old drum set, set up perfectly.  She'd make an awesome Roadie.

       "Alright man, let me see."  He starts drumming and I can feel something.  Something I haven't yet felt.  I start strumming and match his beat.  I smile and start headbanging with the rhythm and beat blasts.  I hear snaps as I assume Max is taking pictures.  Chloe starts whistling and yelling 'Encore'!! I smile and look at Grant. 

      "City of Evil, track 1! Let's get it!"  Grant gives me that sly smile.  He starts drumming to Beast and the Harlot by Avenged Sevenfold and I start playing.  This is one of the many songs I can do vocals amazingly on.  Max and Chloe both look impressed as Max snaps a couple more shots.  As we finish Chloe kisses me and hugs me tight.

      "Babe! I had no idea you could sing!  That's hella badass!"  She kisses me again and I look at Max.

     "Max, if you want, you can use those in class.  I know Jefferson will like them."  She smiles at me and nods.

       "Yeah, he will.  I appreciate it Jimmy."  Grant walks up behind me and claps my back. 

       "Shit Carswell, you got some killer vocals my guy.  We really should start a band.  Maybe do some small shows around Arcadia or beyond for some quick cash." 

      "Fuck yes dude, I have the perfect name for us too.  'Opendium'"  I instinctually say.

      "Fuck yes, that sounds badass dude, you just came up with that?" 

      "I mean, I've been playing with ideas for band names for a long time now.  My last band was a bunch of assholes that just snorted cocaine and Aderall.  We were called 'FleshRipper'.  It was a death metal band, I mainly do screams but I can sing pretty good too." 
    
     "No lie there, I do want to hear these screams though."  Chloe says with a smirk.  I sigh and give Grant an 'I'm sorry' look as I ask him to get back on the drums. 

       "It's not gonna sound good because it's just me and Grant, but we are gonna do You be Tails, I'll be Sonic by A Day to Remember.  I stand up and shoulder my guitar again as I start playing and instantly start screaming.  Grant hits the drums and I start shredding.  The vocals hit and Max and Chloe both stare at us wide eyed.  Nobody expects me to be able to sing like this.  When the song finishes I get into Chloes truck and pull out a bottle of water and down the entire thing.
     
     "Holy.  Fucking.  Shitballs.  Jimmy you are a fucking god!!! I was not expecting that voice to come out of your mouth."  Grant laughs himself silly as I shake my head.

      "That was pretty cool, Jimmy.  I didn't know you could do that." Max smiles and looks away. 

       "Babe! No fucking way that was you.  Why don't you scream like that in bed?"  She winks at me and I turn 90 shades of red. 

     "Ewwww tmi Chloe."  Grant and Max say in unison. 

      "Would you want sweet innocent Jimmy? Or Satan incarnate?" I lose it as I say that.

      "Well, you are sweet, but no way in hell, are you innocent."  I laugh and enjoy this time with my friends.  I pull out my phone and notice it's already 9 p.m. 

      "Chloe, we need to get them back to Blackwell.  It's late."  She nods.

      "Max you staying the night too?"  Max smiles and looks at us.