Tap Through The Beat

Un Poco Loco

As we rode towards the designated spot where the competition was about to take place on a train, Miguel looked at Hector in awe.

"You told me you weren't a musician yet you know how to play a guitar?!"

"Well how did I ever meet your great great grandpa? We use to play together"

Hector said as he played a few notes. I smiled "I'll say, I had the same feeling whenever Miguel played" Miguel looked at me in confusion.

"What feeling?"

My face must have looked dreamy because Hector was looking at us in amusement "The feeling of dancing forever and losing myself" Realizing my mistake, I turned my face away from Miguel.

Awkward silence fills the train until the sound of cheers and trumpets blaring came.

The train came to a stop and Hector along with Dante jumped down "Showtime chamaco" Hector said as he held out the guitar.

Miguel eagerly took the guitar and we raced towards the stage in hopes we weren't late.

"Who's ready for some musica?" The host asked and cheers erupted from the excited crowd, I wonder how my ears didn't begin to bleed.

"Tonight is a battle for the bands mi amigos. The winner gets to play with the maestro himself: Ernesto de la Cruz and his fiesta tonight!"

"That's our ticket muchacho" Hector smiled. The host gave a yell "Let the competition Begin!"

A series of bands began doing their songs and some of them were great but...it didn't rouse the crowds attention.

As Miguel's number drew closer, Miguel couldn't help but look at the performers on stage. Hector gave him a confused and concerned look.

"Were you always this nervous in a competition?"

Miguel smiled nervously at him "Actually, we never joined in a competition up until now" Hector's face went paler than he already was "What?! You said you were a musician!" Miguel chuckled nervously.

"I am, I mean...I will be once I win"

Hector groaned "THAT'S your plan! No, no, no, you have to win. Your life literally depends on your winning Miguel yet you've never done this before? Let me play" Hector said, making a move to grab the guitar but Miguel held it away.

"No! I need to do this!"

"Why?!"

"If I can't go out there and play one song. How can I call myself a musician?" Miguel explained.

"Why does that matter?!" Hector asked, I had to hold back my laugh. He looked stressed out already.

"Because I don't just wanna get de la Cruz's blessing, I need to prove that I'm worthy of it"

I smiled at Miguel's words as did Hector "Oh, that's such a sweet sentiment...At Such a BAD TIME!" Hector screamed the last part. Miguel leaned away, stunned at the sudden shout. Hector held his skull between his hands and let out a frustrated groan.

"Okay, okay, okay, you wanna perform? Then you've got to PERFORM!" How is it this skeleton can change his emotions by just a second? Does he have a split personality?

"First, you've got to loosen up, shake off those nerves" Hector began rattling his bones so much that his skull popped out before he popped it back in. I followed as did Miguel but he only shook his hands and arms and made shivering motions like he was being electrocuted.

"Now give me your best grito" Hector said with a smile "A what?" I asked before Miguel added "My best grito?" Hector nodded "Come kid, belt it out, yell. AAAYYYYAAAYYYYAAA!" Hector belted out the loudest grito he had and I was surprised no one heard it yet.