Chasing Conspiracy [ON HOLD]

A Lead Singer is What we Want

It looks like someone went through a lot of growing up in the last few years. That wasn’t necessarily bad. No, not bad at all. I slowly absorbed in his silvery eyes that glistened against smooth, tan skin. The arm muscles attached to the driver’s wheel weren’t so hard to look at either.

“Well?” I blinked in confusion. Well what? Ryder’s eyes narrowed. “Are you going to tell me your name or not?”

“Oh,” I tried to laugh off my embarrassment. I smiled before telling him my name. “Chase. Chase Riley. Nice to meet you…?” I paused, waiting for his name despite already knowing it.

“How many friends do you have named Chase?” Ryder suddenly asked Christian, turning his head towards him. Christian just shrugged. His apologetic gaze shifted back to me. “Sorry about that. Christian hasn’t said much about his…pen pal. The name’s Ryder.” I nodded in response.

So he really didn’t recognize me. Maybe this would work. After all, Christian hadn’t known who I was at first glance. And apparently Ryder foolishly believed my façade as Christian’s pen pal.

Christian thought I was insane for wanting to come back as a whole different person with a new identity. To be honest, I’d rather hack a toe off than come back as Chastity Schitz. No, I’d much rather have it as a joyful surprise after I kick Drew Fletcher’s ass.

“Guys we should get going otherwise Wheeler’s going to flip a kid,” Christian interrupted hastily.

I was pretty sure the expression was flip his lid, but I wouldn’t put it past Wheeler to flip a child.

After Christian slid into the passenger seat, I find a comfortable spot in the back. As inconspicuously as he could, Ryder spoke loudly to Christian. “Your friend seems to have trouble communicating with humans,” he mused.

“Well, you know, coming from a foreign country and all,” Christian replied.

“She’s from London,” Ryder said dubiously while raising a brow. “Where they speak English.” Christian drew a blank at that.

“I can communicate just fine, thank you. I was just thrown off by that atrocious dye job,” I muttered.

Ryder tilted his head in amusement as he looked at me from the car mirror. Honestly, I could care less if he heard me. It’s not like the conversation that had occurred a few moments ago was meant to be secret.

“That’s too bad. I like your hair.”

I was angry that his comeback was a compliment and even angrier that my face darkened slightly into red.

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Later during the car ride, they began to speak amongst themselves.

“How long has Wheeler been waiting at Melting Mango? I hope he hasn’t killed anyone yet,” Christian sighed.

“Nah, if anything he probably knocked out somewhere,” Ryder said. Right, because that’s totally normal. “Don’t worry, Thorne, Melting Mango knows that Chasing Conspiracy would never miss a gig. And we have a special event today.”

Christian leaned back into his seat and placed his arms behind his head. A spray of worry crossed his face. “I hope we’ll find one. I don’t know how we’ll win against Fletcher and Abby in the Battle of the Bands without Ty. This is the first year that he isn’t singing for Chasing Conspiracy,” he worried.

That’s impossible. How could Ty no longer be a part of Chasing Conspiracy? He freaking created the band! And since when was Drew Fletcher more popular than Chasing Conspiracy? Oh right, because that slimeball plagiarized my songs.