I'll Be

Chapter Six: Girls

“…I’m not saying it’s impossible.”

            “But you’re saying that women can’t…”

            “Women can. You can’t.” Robbie shook his head at Caia, who looked up in disgust; such a small girl, but damn, she had spunk, and there was no way in hell she was going to let Robbie tell her anything.

            Bree stood between them, “Hey, hey, hey. Easy; we’re not here to start a fight.”

            I walked up, touching Bree’s shoulder, “What’s going on?” I look over, seeing the boys walk back inside. Robbie gave me the once-over, shaking his head and laughing in disgust.

            “You know what, Bree’s right.” Caia backed away, “Just because you think I can’t play with the big boys doesn’t mean you’re one of them. Enjoy the show.”

            Robbie scoffed, “Yeah, tell that to your Barbie Doll frontman. Oh, excuse me, front-person.”

            Before I could think of a witty comeback, the stage manager came down the hall, and told us it was time for us to walk to stage.

            Liv stopped, but I grabbed her by the arm. “Come on.” I said, the click of my shoes more amplified in my head now than they were before.

            “Teddy!” Sawyer called to me before we headed out the door. I turned, and he hesitated, picking his words carefully “Are you really…gonna wear that on stage?”

            I looked down at my lace and navy dress, my platform black MJs, and knee-highs; I told the girls I’d wear this, and I did.

            I glanced back, and smiled “Watch me.”

            “Please welcome, Try As We Might.”

            Jules walked out slowly, Bree and Caia zipping out after her as the found their places on the stage. Liv looked over at me, and squeezed my hand.

            “Ready?”

            I nodded, squeezed back and waited as she greeted her guitar, the ever-present security blanket.

            My feet moved without me, and I could’ve sworn there was a version of myself that was standing on that stage, while I was cowering in the sidelines waiting for it to be over.

            The crowd was attentive, shifting their weight as they evaluated us with intrigue and suspicion. Caia looked down at her keyboard, and I reached up, readjusting the mic. My toes curled, and I wondered if I’d made a horrible mistake in choosing my outfit. But there was no time to worry about that now. I scanned the audience, trying to capture the vibe.

            And there they were, leaning against the back wall, Robbie’s smirk holding the ‘I Told You So’ behind his lips. But I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction. I wouldn’t give him the chance.

            “Good hello, everybody!” I greeted, not caring if I sounded like a complete idiot; I knew somewhere in the room, at least Auden remembered. It used to be how I greeted everybody. I swallowed, “Thanks for coming out, and I hope you enjoy our set.”

            I looked at Jules, and she counted.

            One, two, onetwothree.

            Just strum, I thought to myself, Just strum, and let it happen. I kept the count, taking a breath.

            “Think of me when you’re out, when you’re out there.