Life Is Challenging (RE-MASTERED)

Chapter 21: Metal and Bullets

    
    "GRANT!!!!" Grant looks back as I rub up to him.  "Dude! Didn't you hear? We get the day off from school to practice for the concert tonight!"  I say happily.

     "Oh fuck yes dude, let's go!!"  We head to the choir room as the class in there is just starting.  That's where our instruments our for class when not in use. 

     "Oh Mr. Carswell, I forgot Principle Wells gave you use of this room for the concert tonight.  Good luck!"  The teacher chaperones his class of 8 to the next room over. 

     "If you guys want a taste of what's tonight come back in about an hour and take a listen."  Grant says as I smack the back of his head. 

     "Dude, Chloe doesn't get to hear pre concert music nobody else does, sorry folks.  Grant is just dumb." I pull out my phone and text Reg but nothing back yet.  "Hopefully he shows, if not we have to forfeit which I don't want to do.  Jimmy Carswell does not forfeit.  Okay, so I've decided we should do a metal song-"

    "Agreed." Grant interrupts

     "And it should be a cover I believe, how about..... since we only have me, you and Reg, Feel Good Inc. By the Gorillaz?" 

    "Fuck yes dude!!! Let's do this!"  I smile and pick up a bass.  I bring up the song on Spotify and play it.  I start strummin with the bass and Grant starts with the drums.  Then an announcement on the intercom rings through the room.

     "James Carswell, you have a visitor at the Principles office.  James Carswell, to the Principles office."  I sigh and stop the music. 

    "I'll be back."  I smile at Grant and leave.  I walk to Wells office and smile as I see Reg.  The 21 year old I met at the game shop in Portland. 

     "What's up bro? My mom lives here so I'm crashing with her for the rest of the week.  You guys start jamming yet?"  He gives me a crooked grin. 

      "Yeah man, come on.  Follow me.  I'll introduce you to our drummer.  I'll wait until we are in the room to tell you what song we are doing."  He follows me to the choir room and whistles.

     "Damn dude, this place has changed since I was here.  I was only here for a year when I got expelled for alcohol in my locker.  Wells forgot thank god but it's just weird being here again."  I pick up a guitar from the stand, it's not mine but I can tune. 

       I tune it to drop D and play a few riffs and smile.  "This is Avenged Sevenfolds tune....  fuck yes dude."

     "Yeah it is, now let's jam to some Gorillaz.  Feel Good Inc."  Grant starts spotify again and Reg plays the notes perfectly, heavier than the original and I start strumming away.  We are sounding amazing.  Really amazing.  We practice until I notice someone standing in the room listening.  It's Max.

      "You guys are gonna kill it tonight.  That sounds amazing."  She smiles and continues listening.  When we finish playing again, I look at my phone and it's almost 7 o'clock. 

     "Fuck dude, it's been 8 hours?! We are gonna wreck this Battle." I say.  We head outside and see the Stage is all set up.  There are posters with Grant and I on them with our instruments with 'Blackwell: Battle of the Bands' on them.  I smile wide and realize we still have to suit up.  "Grant! REG!!! To the drama room! Max get Juliet."  We all run to the drama room as Juliet walks in with Max.  "Juliet, can you help us with war paint?"

     "Of course I can, you all sit down and let me get to work."  She cracks her knuckles and gets out some black paint.  My faux hawk gets a black bandana wrapped around underneath it, wrapping around my head.  Grant gets a blue one, and Reg's mohawk gets a white one.  Juliet puts two lines of paint under both eyes and one line going between my eyes.  Grant has bear claw marks on his face and Reg gets camo pattern.  I take my shirt off and reveal a Blue Öyster Cült tank top.  Grant is wearing a Mastodon Muscle Shirt and Reg is wearing his leather jacket with the spikes on the shoulder.  We look hella badass.