The library

January 31st 2004

"From nineteen eighty four... from ninety eighty four." Alex finished off I bet you look good on the dancefloor... but it was clear he wasn't into it. He wasn't anywhere near giving his all.

I tagged along to the band's rehearsal at Yellow Arch. They had another show at the boardwalk lined up in mid-March.

More importantly, the boys were recording songs for an as of yet untitled demo album.

They began playing a new song I hadn't heard.

"Get on your dancing shoes... there's one thing on your mind."

It was great. It had a lovely riff lead by Jamie, with Alex and Andy copying and a brilliant drum pattern by Matt, not to mention the solo.

I clapped quickly as they finished the explosive outro of the song. Matt laughed from behind the drumkit, Jamie smiled and nodded and Andy bowed sarcastically. But Alex just looked down at the ground and fiddled with the microphone stand. There was definitely something up with him.

*****

Alex rushed out of the rehearsal with his guitar clutched in his hand whilst I walked with the rest of the band. What was wrong with him?

As we reached the cars, Matt and Andy went to theirs as Andy put away his bass while me and Jamie walked and talked to Alex's car.

Alex was already sat in the driver's seat of the Mini whilst I helped Jamie pack away his guitar case.

"Matt's lucky you know. He always complains about being forced into the drums but at least they've actually got a drumkit here and he doesn't have to lug it around." Jamie shook his head as he closed the boot.

I laughed. "Surely it's not that hard to take your guitar everywhere. It's not that heavy."

Jamie thought as we walked to our respective doors. "Yeah maybe I'm just making an argument outta nowt." He chuckled as he opened the door and got into the backseat, myself doing the same on the passenger side.

I sat down and leaned back in my seat, reclining it, making the most of nobody sitting behind me.

Alex started the car and pulled away from the studio in complete silence.

Jamie decided to speak up from the backseat after a minute. "Hey Al can you put the radio-"

"No, Jamie, I can't." Alex shot back instantly, cutting off the rhythm guitarist.

I frowned at Alex for a couple seconds. "What the fucks been your problem today Alex?"

Alex glanced at me. "What?"

"You were fine when you drove us to Neepsend but as soon as you stepped into the studio you've just become a little bitch."

"I honestly don't know what you're talking about."

I glared at him before turning my gaze to look out the window.

There was silence in the car for a couple seconds before Alex spoke again. "You're just blowing everything up out of proportion, Mardy Bum."

"What?" I turned back around.

Alex shrugged. "You're being a Mardy Bum Lottie."

Jamie laughed in the back of the small car.

"Oh I get it. You're using your cool Northern lingo to take the piss. Cool." I nodded and looked back out the window.

I heard Jamie hold in a laugh and Alex sigh. From that point onwards it was silent in the car.