Something New {Completed}

Part Two

    The Kid finishes applying his eyeliner and smooths his hair back in the mirror, taking a good look at himself.

Him and his band members were on in 60 seconds and all he could do was hear the song they're playing over and over in his head. He fixes his jacket and grabs his guitar before leaving the dressing room, Mark and Fink following close behind him.

Morris and his band was exiting the stage as they came up and of course had something to say. "I warmed them up just for you sweet cheeks."

"So sexy." Jerome pretended to pinch his cheeks. Kid rolled his eyes and said nothing, going onto the stage and plugging in his guitar to get into place.

"Ladies and gentlemen, The Revolution."

The spotlight behind him came on as he walked up to the mic and Lisa started playing her synthesizer. "Dearly beloved..we have gathered here today to get through this thing called life. Electric word life it means forever and that's a mighty long time..but I'm here to tell you there's something else. The afterworld."

I got this. Almost instantly he turned into another person and thought about almost nothing as he sang and dance around the stage. The notes he played on his guitar was second nature for him. As the crowd got more enthusiastic, so did him and his band members. "Oh no, let's go!" They rocked the place better than they had before in weeks.

He smiled and finished the song, shredding his guitar and hopping up on the piano which was like a ritual then hoped off as the last beat dropped and the lights went out. The cheering didn't stop as they left the stage.

"That was great!" Bobby Z gripped the Kid's shoulder.

"Hell yeah, did you see that crowd?" They went back to the dressing room and talked amongst themselves. He put on his coat and got his things together to get ready to leave. "I'll see you guys tomorrow at practice." Kid left out and went to exit through the front of the club to get a drink before leaving. As he came out the doors he almost ran into someone.

"Sorry." They said at the same time. The Kid looked in the eyes of the woman in front of him. They were cocoa brown, a shade darker than her skin and full lips.

Jill, one of the waitresses got her attention and he sized her up once more before walking away. He went over to the bar and watched the mysterious girl look around from him. "Jay, you know who that girl is that Jill was talking to?"

The bartender looked over where the Kid nodded his head. "That's the one that was looking for Billy earlier. I think she said her name was Indigo when Morris headass was trying to talk her up."

He rolled his eyes at Morris' name. "Why? You want her? She sure is fine and definitely not from around here."

Damn right. Kid shrugged and sat his drink down. "Thanks for the drink. See you later man." He left out the back of the club and unchained his motorcycle. He hoped his dad was still gone as he rode home, but knew he could never catch a break.

Pulling into the driveway, all the lights are on and the kitchen window is up. Kid nervously locks up his bike and makes his way to the front door hearing his parents arguing.

"You do as I say! Don't leave this house without my permission!" There's a loud slap and anger rises in the pit of his stomach. He busts in and runs to the kitchen, his mother on the floor and dad about to hit her again, but he jumps in the way.

"Stop! She heard you dad! Please stop!"

"You get outta my way Kid. She needs to be taught to obey me!"

"Please dad—" His father pushes him out of the way and slaps him down. "Don't get in the way. I told you that before."

He holds his face, wanting to cry but stops himself because that'll make his dad angrier. "Be a man and go to your room."

His mother sits on the floor crying and looks over at him. "Go.."

He gets up and runs to his room, the image of his mothers bruised face stuck in his head. Kid locks his door and turns his cassette player all the way up. Jimi Hendrix filled the room as he took off his jacket and sat down at his vanity. His face was a little red and he prayed that it would go away before morning.

Everyone knew what went on in the Kiddings household. They felt sorry for him yet never stepped in to help him or his mother. He sighed and leaned back, closing his eyes. Letting the shredding of Jimi's guitar take him far away. Far, far away...

•••

The next morning he woke up in his bed, the sun beaming down on his face. Thank you for waking me up another morning.

Kid turned over and saw that it was going on ten. He didn't feel like staying home until practice at 12:30 so he got up and dressed to ride around for a few hours.

It was still freezing outside with the sun at its highest as he hopped on his bike. Driving his motorcycle made him forget about everything and just enjoy nature. Sometimes Kid would write whole songs in his head by just going to the next town over and back.

He made his way to to the club around practice time, noticing that nobody was really there like usual. Jill sat at a table painting her nails.

"Hey, where is everybody?"

"On Lunch I guess. What are you doing here so early?"

"We're supposed to be practicing in a little while."

She put the top back on the polish and turned to him. "That reminds me, Wendy and Lisa left you a tape in you guys' dressing room. They let me listen to it and I think it's something special."

"Oh yeah? Why didn't they give it to me themselves?" Kid remembered how they didn't say much to him last night.

Jill blew on her nails, "I don't know. You can be intimidating Kid."

He furrowed his eyebrows. Intimidating? "How about now?" He slipped on his sunglasses.

She giggled and rolled her eyes, "Now you just look like a diva."

"Good." Kid left her to go back to their dressing room. He turned the light on and went over to his vanity seeing the tape. Why now of all times? Are they doubting me like everyone else? Like I didn't bring them together and make this band? Like I didn't get us a paid gig almost every night?

"Kid."

He turned and saw Bobby, Fink and Mark at the door. "Where's Lisa and Wendy?"

Bobby cleared his throat, "Wendy called and said they weren't feeling good. Trying to rest before the show tonight."

Bull, shit. Kid put the tape in his coat pocket and walked past them. "Practice is cancelled. Show up ready at nine." He left the club and snatched the chain off his bike angrily. Lately everything seemed to be going to hell. In the middle of the night he'd sometimes wonder if it was even worth it anymore.

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