Halloween

Chapter 9

        "Wow, you guys play so marvelously!" Sasha beamed, eager that she was able to take part in a band for the first time in her life. They had just finished playing along to the song a couple of times in order for Sasha to get the beat down and act appropriately with her own musical skills. As soon as she got the melody down, the song became even better than the original. At least, that was her opinion. It may just have been because she really enjoyed her newfound bandmates- they gave her the opportunity of a lifetime! (Or, after-lifetime.)

"Dude! You totally rocked it with the synth pad, you just have to play with us tonight on stage!" Suraya said with excitement. "What do you say?"

Sasha bobbed her head up and down. "Absolutely! It would be a dream come true!"

"Alright!" The band members cheered in unison.

"Now, let's get this show on the road and load the truck up with all the equipment! Our performance is in like fifteen minutes," Dana commanded.

The women all gathered their instruments, placing them carefully into their cases before loading them into the bed of Dana's truck. "Tonight, we're gonna have the best performance ever!" Suraya stated confidently, pumping her fist into the air with a tremendous amount of energy. "And it's gonna be all thanks to our honorary band member!" She placed a hand on Sasha's shoulder, making the smaller girl blush from embarrassment.

"Oh man! I'm flattered! But just listening to you guys play already brings the energy in the room up! I wished we had a band like you in my tim- I mean in my town! Haha..." Sasha fiddled with the glow stick around her neck, anxiously. Getting to play with people who treated her so splendidly made her happiness skyrocket through the roof. The night was only getting better and better with each minute that passed, and the ecstatic high was still yet to come. They still had yet to perform for an audience. "I cannot believe you guys just accepted me in so quickly, like, gosh! I imagined you guys wouldn't even bat an eye towards me since I'm new and all.

"What?! Why would we turn down a chance for one awesome 80s gal to join a whole band of 80s gals? Not to mention, you totally embody the 80s better than we ever could!" Ashley chirped. "Now, what kind of a band would we be if we just abandoned another valuable player?"

The comment nearly made tears spill from Sasha's eyes. "That's the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me! Ah! Thank you again!"

"Alright guys! In the truck!" Suraya motioned to the vehicle. "Or else!"

The band members (plus Sasha and Percy) all piled into the car, having to cram inside for everyone to fit in. Once they got a hold of what they were doing, Dana took off, carrying everyone back to the school for their grand performance.

On the way there, they sang along to other iconic 80s tunes such as Girls Just Want to Have Fun by Cyndi Lauper, Total Eclipse of the heart by Bonnie Tyler, and of course Africa by Toto. The energy was only growing as they prepared for their grand performance to top off the night.

After parking and unloading the instruments back into the school, they stood by near the stage waiting for the costume contest to conclude before they set up their own production.

Sasha could've sworn she saw Ben leave the stage with a trophy in hand, but she wasn't entirely sure if it truly was him. That would be awfully weird, right? She decided to dismiss the thought, focusing on the women at work who seemed to be busy tuning up their instruments.

"Oh, hey! Looks like the contest is over, better start getting ready so we can really shred this," Dana eagerly commented. Before the band got up on stage, they stood in a circle, putting their hands together.

"Sasha! Get over here!" Suraya called.

"Oh! Are you sure? It seems more like a band thing, and I'm technically not a real member..."

"Are you kidding me? Of course you are! Now move it, we can't keep our audience waiting!"

Sasha dashed over frantically, placing her hand on top of everyone else's, a feeling of honor flowing through her as she took part in their tradition.

"Alright ladies!" Dana started, darting her eyes between everyone. "Tonight we are gonna rock it more than we ever have before okay? Now let's give it our best shot! On three.! One.. two... three!"

Everyone shot their hands back up into the air. "Mutiny Matrimony!" They shouted altogether. As one entity as they climbed onstage, gathering the attention of almost everyone in the gym.

"Ladies, gentlemen and everyone in between," Dana stated into the microphone in front of her. "Tonight, with the help of a special guest, we are here to rock your world as we conclude this fantastic Halloween night! Are you ready?!"

The crowd began to cheer in response, getting hyped up from the concert that was about to begin.

"Then hold onto your socks, or we will be sure to blow them away!" Dana looked back at Anika, giving her the signal to start them off.

Anika nodded as an unspoken response and raised her drumsticks in the air, tapping them three times before the classic tune of Take on Me began to play. Their music filled the gymnasium, the bass rocking the floor beneath them. Back in the crowd, Katy could feel it surging through her feet.

"Dude, holy shit!" Gabby exclaimed, peeking over the sea of people in front of the stage.

"Listen, I know they're playing Take On Me, but now's not the time to dance!" Katy shouted over the music. "We still have to find-"

"Sasha's on stage!" Gabby interjected.

"What?!" Katy stood on her toes to see. Sure enough, there Sasha stood- in the corner of the stage, performing her heart out. "Oh my god!"

"No fucking way!" Amyx placed his hands on his hips, starting to laugh.

Victoria raised a brow. "How did that even happen?" she asked.

They all stood in disbelief as the rest of the town danced around them. "Well, at least we found her," Gabby added. "And you have to admit, they sound pretty good."

Katy just sighed as her head sunk into her hands, the music continuing on before the song came to a close.

"Thank you, South Warren!" Dana graciously spoke into the mic, sweat rolling down her forehead. "And thank you to our special guest, Sasha!"

Sasha walked to the front of the stage with a smile plastered across her face before they all joined hands, taking a bow. The crowd roared with approval.

"So much for inconspicuous," Gabby poked an elbow into Katy's side.

After their bow, Sasha disappeared along with the rest of the band behind the stage curtain. Almost simultaneously, Ben and Irene made their way over from the crowd and back to the girls and ghosts.

"Howdy," Ben greeted, his mustache bent into a smile. "That was mighty neat, wasn't it?"

"Oh, thank god you're here," Katy sighed. "We need to get the heck out of here."

Rune's crystal feet clanked against the floor as he towered over Irene. "What's this?" he asked, poking at her cake. "What's in this tiny box?"

Irene let out a hiss and turned the box away from him. "It's mine! I won it fair and square! Back your grubby little hands away from it before Walter does something he'll regret," she eyed him, stroking her box.

"Ew, what the hell?" Rune replied, darting back over behind Victoria.

"She won some sort of pastry at some euphonious chair sittin' game thing," Ben added. "I think."

"You won- what?" Katy asked, stretching her hands out. "Oh, nevermind, let's just go," she said, starting her way out of the gym as the rest followed suit.