Ghost Of You *SLOW UPDATES*

Chapter 2

The auditorium is pristine.

The stage is the shade of ivory and looks freshly polished for a new year as a group of four guys stand there in a huddle, each one with their selective instruments. One has a set of drumsticks that he twirls through his fingers at a rapid pace, another with a bass guitar that seems to have spray paint on it in an 'x' shape. The other two both have their own electric guitars but before we have a chance to see them properly, the curtains shut closed and a masculine voice calls out to us.

"What do you think you're doing in here? This is a private rehearsal." He shouts as he storms our way. He's dressed in a heavy trench coat with a dark red scarf and a matching beret on his head to hide his shaggy brown hair.

"I'm taking the students through on the tour Mr Giles." Our guide explains with a hand propped on her hip whilst the other clutches her clipboard.

He nods in reply and mumbles a brief apology before disappearing again. Our guide turns to us once more and goes on to talk about what the auditorium is used for and when we'll be required to utilise the stage and its many benefits.

I however, lose track of what she's saying and instead find myself staring off into the distance whilst I watch the curtains open once more and the boys no longer standing there. My gut lurches when I see them beginning to walk our way but our guide quickly cuts off what she's saying and begins to hurry us towards the front of the stage before the band reaches us.

I still watch the boys walk out of the auditorium, chatting and laughing easily, before they disappear from the room behind the closed doors and I manage to drag my gaze back to our guide who now leads us up on to the stage.

"For the assembly, you will all sit up here and await your calling where you will then stand up and shake the dean's hand. Then, you will go sit in the audience in the front row with the rest of our peers. Questions?" She explains as we all shake our heads and look towards the two rows of plastic seats that have been organised in lines of 9, one row up higher than the other.

"You will now find a seat and sit there whilst the rest of the students, staff and guests come into the auditorium. Don't move, don't speak and sit in the seat that has your name on it." She continues, a wide smile on her face as we all shuffle as a group towards the chairs. 

I find my seat in the front row, first seat on end which therefore means, I'm going to get through this first and out of the spotlight.

Thank the lord.

I sit down calmly and whip out my phone as a backstage crew of types begin to wheel out a lectern into the middle of the stage whilst the rest group begins to set up an elaborate drum kit behind it as well as a litter of stands and musical instruments. Two guitars, one bass and a microphone in front of each area.

I roll my eyes as a loud chorus of voices begin to flood the auditorium and various people begin to flood into the room in droves. I manage to pull my phone out of my jacket's pocket and unlock it to find many texts from a desperate mother and a singular missed call.

I reply to mum's various texts with a simple 'hello' and tell her how great the campus is. I then tell her that I'm in an assembly and I now need to become independent.

With a tap of my finger, the text is sent, and I recline in my chair, crossing a leg over my knee and bouncing my heel slightly as I watch the auditorium doors close and a lady in a pastel pink pin suit walks on to stage with a microphone. The audience quietens in her presence as she wears a large smile and stands behind the podium.

"Hello students and welcome back to Scintilla Music Academy. For you new faces," She says turning to face us slightly. "I am Hannah Ustamu, the dean of this fine school and we are here today to not only welcome you into our community but show you what we're all about here."