That Thing You Do! (Multiband Fan Fic)

Chapter 1 - Leaving

Katie's P.O.V

I sat on the patio, at the table, on the C shaped sofa, holding my electric guitar, shaded from the Boston sun, by a white umbrella.
I had no idea how to tune a guitar, but I could really play. Joe taught me everything I know and I play this thing everyday, without fail.

My best friend, Vikki, was sat on my left, on a white chair, at the table.
Vikki's been my friend, since school. Our first day of high school. She didn't mind that I skived a lot. She's always understood my need for freedom. We're both eighteen, now. My birthday was two days ago.
Vikki has golden blonde hair, straight, passed her shoulders. She wore a pink top, with blue jeans, and some purple and blue boots. She wanted to be a model, but couldn't afford to go to LA, yet. I promised to help her, if I could, and I intend to. She's gorgeous.

"You're really thinking of leaving, aren't you?" Vikki broke the silence.
"I have too. I want to play music, my own music! If I can get a decent band together, with a good chemistry, I know I can do this. I'm sick of hopping from band to band, waiting for the next break up. I know I can do this!" I told her.

I was planning on going to West Chester, Pennsylvania. My cousin lives there and he's a multi-instrumentalist. I'll ask him if he wants to start a band. I know its a step, as he's in another state, but he's the only biological family I have here, in America. I never see him and I know he's a good guy, so why not start a band with him?

"You'll come back, wont you?" Vikki asked me.
"Of course. I'll stay with Stevie a week, then, if he's in, we'll come back here and look for more band members." I smiled.
"Why can't you just look here? Why do you need your cousin? You haven't seen him since Joe and your mom got married." Vikki shrugged, not understanding.
"I just have to. I'm sick of my life not going anywhere and I want to see Stevie." I looked at my best friend.

"If you have to go, then you should go." I heard Joe behind me.
I sat up and turned around, looking to the back door. He stood with a coffee in his hand, listening to our conversation.

"I need to do this, Joe. I'm eighteen, now. You know you can trust me." I pleaded.
"I know and I do... I know you'll come back." Joe smiled. He was letting me go. "Just call us, when you get to your cousins house."
"Rock and Roll!" I smirked. That was something my dad, Frank, always used to say, as agreement. Whenever something was going his way, he'd cheer by either shouting or just saying 'Rock and Roll'! I copied him, when I was a little girl, and it just stayed.
I once saw an interview, where some dude was trying to get Joe to say 'rock and roll' words, but Joe refused to say 'Rock and Roll', as it was so cheesy and cringe, so I also use my dads 'Rock and Roll' to wind up Joe.

. . .

I was planning to leave tomorrow. Joe told Billie and she booked my train ticket. I asked Vikki to come with me, but she refused, wanting to stay here, in Boston.
I only want to do this because my dad died when I was six years old. His dreams were cut short, but I still had a chance for mine. I know, no matter what, I'll always have Joe and Billie's support. They are my family, but this is one thing I needed to do on my own.

I wasn't asking Joe for any favours and I wasn't going to tell anyone about Joe being my adopted dad, unless I knew they were sticking around and could be trusted.

Growing up, my real dad played all the best music. There was never a day a vinyl record wasn't played. Music was my whole life, thanks to him.
My school grades were bad, so I dropped out, when I was fifteen, focusing on music. I joined bands, and played some gigs, but nothing felt right. When I told Joe about this, he reminded me about the chemistry. I shouldn't be afraid to get picky, when it comes to band members. Everything had to be perfect and I was determined to do it.

I have a serious drive to achieve this. Just a record deal, or at least people singing along to my own songs. I loved that, but my song writing was shit. Stevie might be able to help me out.

I walked to the Star Lounge, at the end of the main street, twenty minutes from where I live. I was meeting up with my mate, Kirk Moon.
Kirk was a shy guy, who loved all the same music as I did. I met him at a party, a few years ago, and he looked so awkward and out of place. I felt bad, so went to say 'hi'. He's a horror nerd, collecting old comics and memorabilia. He didn't care much for school, and we went to different ones, so when we skived, we'd always meet up here and do random shit!
The Star Lounge was the halfway point between our schools.

He was sat on the ground, back against the wall, when I arrived. He didn't notice me, so when I sat next to him, he jumped out his skin, making me laugh.
"Hey, dude!" I smiled, nudging his arm, as he sat on my right.
"Hey, you fucker... What did you want to meet up for? Nothing's on tonight." He smiled, nodding at the box office, his teeth all crooked, but sweet.
"I got news. I'm leaving town for a week. I'm going to see my cousin Stevie, see if he wants to start a band. I'm going for it." I smiled, cutting to the chase.
"Oh... When are you leaving?" Kirk was a guitarist himself, but he didn't want to join a band. We'd just play together from time to time, for fun.
"Tomorrow. Only for a week, I promise!" I held a hand over my heart.
"Kate, you're shit at promises." Kirk looked at me. I really liked Kirk, but I don't think he liked me that way, so I never said anything to him. He knew me better than I knew myself. He really knew how to make me smile.
"Yeah, but come on. Joe's letting me leave, on my own, for a week. What chance do I have to break that promise?" I asked.