= Wands High =

Chapter 24 - 14 May 1998, Thursday

All four of them went to the side of the scene where a staff member met and escorted them to one of the spaces backstage adapted with portable screens for tiny dressing rooms and equipped with chairs and small tables with mirrors. Of course, soundproofing was practically impossible, but still the separated space and a little magic woven in the screens provided enough privacy for a proper preparation, so they were able to hear each other well enough.

- Okay, I'm just gonna get it out of my system for three minutes and then, I promise, you won't hear another word on the matter from me because it is already draining too much of our energy. But it has to be said! – Orianna growled as they entered the dressing room, then took off her jacket and tossed it on the first chair in her sight. – That's just friggin' ridiculous – and I'm not using worse language just because I respect all of you enough! "Make some space you bunch, we can't fit Mr. Superstar's ego through here!" What the damn hell?!

- I guess there are downsides to all the freedom your teachers show you with organizing this event – Jessie pointed out and started stretching. – But it doesn't matter anyway, it's obvious those guys did it to throw us off our game.

- Sometimes I envy your calmness, sis – Orianna muttered angrily and started combing her hair, then tied it in a high ponytail so it wouldn't fall in her eyes when she played. To her right James was doing some vocal warm-ups and to the left Daynen was seemingly relaxing for a few moments in one of the chairs with his eyes closed, head on the backrest, arms crossed on his chest. – What actually makes me flip out is that I've known the guy for ages and, believe it or not, he wasn't such a jerk back in the days. I can't believe how much he's changed!

Before anyone else could react, thunderous applauses and shouts filled the air, marking the end of Wands High's performance, as expected.

- Great, Team Favorites is done – the bassist hissed.

- With all due respect, Ri, that's not important now – Daynen's voice interrupted her – so calmly that she turned and stared at him, eyebrows raised, hairbrush still in hand.

- Tiberius, is that really you speaking? If so, I gotta say I'm deeply impressed – and disturbed...

- Don't get me wrong, I'm as pissed as you are – he smiled ironically. – I could as easily be pacing around cursing at Ender so blatantly that I'd embarrass you all. But I see no point in it. Wands High are the favorites so far and it won't be easy to overshadow that. But just imagine the hit on Ender's ego if we go out there and actually show people there's a new player in this game – one that they better not underestimate.

Daynen opened his eyes and turned to face his bandmates, still sitting, straightening his back.

- Childhood friend of yours or not, I'd love to smash Ender in the face with my guitar – he grinned. – But it would be pitiful for the poor instrument, so instead I say let's use that anger to go out there and smash Wands High with what we've got to show. What do you say?

- Not a bad speech, D-man – Jessie smiled. - And given the situation, the best idea possible. Let's do that!

- I must agree – James said. – I'm not involved as much as you in this situation but as I said, I would like to win. And, immodest or not, I am convinced that we have something better to show than what we just heard.

- You're melting my icy heart – Orianna smirked, looking at each of them. – A little side note, D-man – technically, Jessie can embarrass even you as she can curse in three different languages...

- You just had to bring that up, didn't you, Firethorne?! – Jessie burst into laughter, while doing some air chops with her drumsticks, then shrugged. - Not something I'm proud of, but it does come in handy every now and then.