Out of Tune: The Original 2015 Draft

chapter 4

Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life-Berthold Auerbach

By the time rehearsal was done, I was, to say the least, completely and utterly exhausted. My fingers ached from strumming and my back was sore from holding the guitar for so long. But, despite my minor pains, I felt...rejuvenated. Like I had just woken up from a very, very long sleep.

Despite how tired I felt, the guys seemed to be utterly ecstatic. They were practically bouncing off the walls in glee. They were so pumped that even Charlie had looked up from the keyboard and was grinning like an idiot.

Currently, I was sitting beside Spencer, nibbling on a piece of pizza that the boys had ordered the minute rehearsal was done. Zeke had put on Star Wars and we were all watching it quietly, but I noticed each of them, Spencer excluded, shooting me glances, as if they thought I would fall asleep or something.

When the movie was over, it was nearly eight o'clock. I knew that it was getting late and that my mom was probably wondering where I was, so reluctantly, I got to my feet and told the guys that I had to leave.

"I'll walk you to the door," Spencer said as he, too, stood.

We walked upstairs and, in shock, Spencer noticed that the basement door was open. For a long moment, he just stood there, staring at the door.

"What?" I asked after a long moment, humor colouring my tone.

"My mom," he muttered. "She never opens the door when we're practicing. She won't say so, but I know that she thinks we suck."

"I'm sure that's not true," I lied feebly.

Spencer shot me a look and shook his head. "It's true and you know it. We sounded like we were strangling cats yesterday, at least until you showed up. Honestly, I didn't think that we would ever sound like a real band, but somehow you managed the impossible."

"Nothing is impossible," I told him, "you just have to have a little faith."

"Speaking of faith," he muttered, as we began walking towards the front door, "do you have it in us? Do you honestly think we can do something more than just basement jam sessions?"

Without hesitation, I nodded. They had sounded a million times better today. It was all a matter of lyrics and chords and how to put them together. "I do think you have what it takes. But you guys do need a lot of work before you even consider going after a record deal. Starting with a new name. Honestly, I know you guys like The Robot Cyborgs, but no one is going to take you guys seriously."

Spencer nodded slowly. "I know, we desperately need a new name, but the guys won't think to change it."

"Well, if you ever want to get gigs, and I mean actual gigs, not pity gigs where you guys get to play because someone dropped out, you need a real name, and you need to be able to play your own material as well as songs people recognize. You need to be able to mix it up and just go with the flow."

Spencer stared at me for a long moment. "Why don't you help us out?" he asked at last. "You obviously know way more about this than we do, and there's no denying that we need your help. I think you might be exactly what we need to make us better and take us to the next level."

Before he had finished, I was shaking my head. Today had been fun, but it was strictly a one-time thing. I couldn't risk going back into music again. It was too overwhelming for me to even consider the possibility.

"I can't, Spencer. I'm sorry, but no. Besides, you guys don't need my help. You guys can do this all on your own. I've showed you how to do proper chord progressions and the only thing lyrics are is your thoughts written down on a page. I can't help you with that, you guys will do fine without me," I concluded.