IT HURTS to see him kiss the girl - a beautiful girl. But then I come to my senses: I am proud. No guy will be the cause of my pain.
Kimiko Callaghan is a highly gifted student at MIT. At 15 she is very young, but at the same time levelheaded, stron...
This story is dedicated to Isidora - my little metalhead
"Today: Audition for Dysfunctional Minds" the poster on the big wooden door announces. I shudder, as I feel my flight instinct kicking in. Fear of humiliation creeps its way through my brain and for a few seconds, I consider to give in...to flee the scene and hide. But then I recollect myself and my fears to make a fool of myself entering this audition, dissolve. With slightly sweaty fingers I open the door of the lecture hall carefully. It's a big space with a pitched floor like in a Greek theatre, hundreds of seats for the audience ... and they are full of students. Dear God! I gulp down, feeling my heartbeat accelerate, my fingers automatically grasp my guitar bag in a steely grip. People don't take notice of me - I am grateful for that, because I gain a few more seconds.
On the left front of the hall, next to the platform, there are four guys leaning on the large windowsill with crossed arms. They all look slightly impatient, even deflated. Huh?! Was the audition that bad? Or are they in a sour mood because I am a few minutes late? I am new here and didn't have a map, so I asked around to get here. Although all four guys are impressive in their own unique way: the first has a tattoo sleeve, the second one blue hair, the third is built like a football Quaterback - it's the fourth that catches my immediate attention. He looks like a warrior of a martial arts film: lean-muscled, dark haired with an exotic appearance, you can't put your finger on. But it's not his good looks that strikes you nor his well built body: it's the aura of self-confidence that hits you hard. The way his eyes roam the space, the pride, they showcase, sends a clear message: "I am not someone you should mess with." He is a total stranger to me, but I know, that he is physically but also mentally strong. My instincts tell me, this isn't a trait you can learn or achieve. You are born with it. "Interesting", my brain registers, but I've got other things to do then to drool over a handsome face: I am here to apply for the position of the lead guitarist.
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I try to get in front with my heavy electric guitar, without making too much noise. In vain. "Hey kiddo, middle school is on the other side of the road", the tattooed guy on the windowsill snickers. All eyes whip in my direction ... and everybody starts laughing softly. I huff but keep calm. With nearly 16 years of experience, I am accustomed to this reaction. I am always the youngest, everywhere. My rational side accepts this behavior. I know, what they see: a small girl, dark haired with a boy hair cut and a little quiff. I straighten my spine. No way am I easily intimidated. "I thought this is the band audition?", I ask, feigning ignorance. The tattooed guy rubs his chin, the other three glance at each other quizzically. Their speculating eyes seize me up and down, curiously. Only the martial art guy keeps a blank face.
"Yeah, it is, but what is it to you, shorty?", blue hair asks. Now that I am near, I see his striking arctic blue eyes. His hair matches his eyes perfectly. "Well, obviously I want to perform as a lead guitarist", I pronounce every word slowly in a mocking way. The audience laughs again but I know, it's ABOUT me not WITH me. Okay, now I am a little bit pissed. I hate prejudices and I hate when people are judgemental. Are they laughing because I am young or because I am a girl???
