LOVE SICK : The Chaotic Lives of Blue Shorts Guys

CHAPTER 41 : DETERMINED

All members of the music club were still running around trying to get things done the morning of the Live Contest. Om and I were especially busy since Brother Sakda made things worse for us by giving our class a pop quiz. We couldn’t ditch to help prepare the event. By the time we made it out of the classroom, it was already past 11 am. We ended up rushing around, covered in sweats.

The amplifiers kept breaking down to this very day for no apparent reason. I have turned into the club’s repairman now (heh heh). When something broke down, they called me to fix it. At first, I didn’t know how to fix the amplifier myself (since I was afraid of getting electrocuted) but then I took everything apart and examined every wires without any fear to find out what the heck was wrong with it. It couldn’t be helped.

Eventually, the screwdriver and the wrench became my 33rd and 34th limps. Go on. I dare you to break down again. I’ll fix them all! Bring it on! Even Om was being especially nice to me because he noticed how I was fixing so many things to the point where he said he felt exhausted just watching me.

“The bands will go on stage in half an hour. The event will start in 15 minutes. The first and the second band please head backstage and standby.” I walk (with the screwdriver and the wrench still in my hands) to into the room full of the contest participants. And here I thought we made enough room for everybody. The room looks cramped all of a sudden. I guess it’s due to each band bringing their own instruments too.

I finish reminding the bands before I turn and stick the list of the participants on the door for those that cannot remember which order they’ll be playing. But because I am in such a rush, I don’t get a chance to look around and see if there were any familiar faces in the room. I still need to head over to the soundboard where nong Knott is the sound engineer for today’s event. He still has some troubles handing the responsibility and I fear that he might break the soundboard if I take any longer getting there.

“Noh!” A voice that I recognize calls out from behind me while I am still putting up the list of bands. I reply without having to look at his face. “What’s up, Earn?”

“You tired?” He asks as I bang on the door to make sure that the paper sticks to the door. I pound it a couple of times more before I answer him. “Freaking tired. I gotta go though. The sound engineer guy’s in a daze.” Hm…did it feel like I abruptly cut our conversation short? Realizing that, I turn around and look at Earn who seems to have a slight disappointment look on his face.

What should I do? I reach over and pat his back twice to show my support. “Fighting, man. Can’t wait to see you on the stage.” That is enough to bring a smile on his face.

I smile to myself and plan to leave so I can check on Knott (who is probably out of his mind by now) but it feels like someone is staring at me. I turn back to look inside the waiting room.

P’Oak’s band (the previous music club president) is grinning widely at me. I quickly nod to greet him. His band definitely fits the name All Star because each member has incredible talent. The band is filled with some of the best musicians from the club, so how am I supposed to give them high scores? His band is definitely the one to beat.

I greet p’Oak’s band before I look around the room. the members of the band Mafia are sitting close by. Phun is chatting with his friends. He seems to be really into the conversation since he hasn’t even noticed that I entered the room. My eyes meet with Fi’s instead.

I use my hands and ask if Fi can get Phun’s attention for me and he quickly does so. It takes a couple of strong nudges before Phun finally turns to look my way. He looks surprise to see me standing here. That’s funny, I’ve been standing here for ages.