Onward Scenarios

Joining Jonny's Band

"Please, please, please!" Jonny begged as you handed him his coffee.
Your shift was almost over and Barley and Jonny had come to pick you up. Earlier that day Barley had shown Jonny the video your sister had sent him, the one of you singing with a small band back in New Urban. After watching it, Jonny was determined to make you the lead singer of his band.
"I dunno." You said, wiping the counter down, "I mean, we both work. When would we have time to even practice?"
"So?" Jonny grinned, "Gretel works and Ben's at Willowdale. We just work around each other's schedules."
"Come on, princess!" Barley grinned, "You've got an amazing voice! Go for it!"
You watched them, mulling over the idea. Honestly, you loved performing, but this was your boyfriend's best friend's band. What if it didn't work out? Would it put Barley in a bad position?
"So what happens if it doesn't work out?" You asked, "I'm not trying to be pessimistic or anything. I just don't want to cause any drama."
"You won't!" Jonny assured you, "If it doesn't work, it doesn't work. No hard feelings, no drama."
You glanced to Barley who nodded enthusiastically.
"I'll make you a deal." Jonny offered, "There's a battle of the bands in a couple weeks. Just perform with us for one song and we'll go from there. Deal?"
You bit your bottom lip, thinking it over before you nodded, "Okay, one song."
"Yeesss!!!" The cyclops cheered, pumping his fist into the air.
"You're going to be amazing!" Barley grinned.
~~~
Later that night, you were sitting in Jonny's garage with Barley, Jonny, and Ben. You all were waiting for Gretel to get off work so you both could meet before you officially joined the band.
"Gretel should be here any time now." Ben said, glancing to his phone, "I'm so excited to hear you sing! Jonny's been talking it up all day!"
"So no pressure then?" You said giving Jonny a playful push.
"Girl, with that voice you've got no worries." Jonny grinned, "Your voice will be perfect with our sound!"
"I can't wait to hear it!" Barley grinned, hugging you close. "You guys are going to blow them all away!"
"Sorry I'm late!" A blonde centaur girl said as she entered the side door of the garage.
"Gretel! Perfect!" Jonny cheered, "This is (Name), Barley-boy's girlfriend and potentially our new lead singer! (Name), this is Gretel!"
"Oh! You're the girl from the video!" Gretel smiled as she shook your hand, "It's great to finally meet you!"
"You too." You smiled.
"I figure with how late it's getting we're not going to do any actual playing, but I figured this would be a good time to get to know each other before practicing!" Jonny said.
You learned that Barley had gone to school with all three of them and that he had been friends with Jonny since the third grade. Jonny was twenty one, working with Barley at the comic shop, and he played guitar in the band. Ben was twenty, studying to become a kindergarten teacher, and played the drums in the band. Gretel was also twenty, she worked at a cellphone store, and she played the bass.
You told them how you were twenty also, you were working at the cafe that surprisingly was near Gretel's work, and you told them how you had moved to New Mushroomton with your little sister and were living with your aunt now.
"I would love to be from a big family." Gretel said, "It's just me and my dad. It must be nice."
"For the most part it is," You said, "But everyone's always in each other's business."
"Yeah?" Ben asked.
"Oh yeah." You laughed, "I told my aunt Barley and I were dating and then next thing I knew my phone was blowing up with messages from my siblings asking all kinds of questions about him!"
"I still can't wait to meet them all." Barley said, wrapping an arm around you, "So far I've only met your two oldest brothers and one nephew."
"And their names?" You asked teasingly.
"Luke, Walley, and Walley's oldest son, Corey." Barley grinned.
"Correct!" You grinned, "Just wait until the family reunion though."
"I can go to that?" Barley asked with a surprised look.
"Well yeah." You said, "Everyone can't wait to meet you."
"Awww." Jonny, Ben, and Gretel cooed.
The five of you laughed and talked well into the night before Barley noticed the time.
"Oh geez!" He said, "We better get you home before your aunt starts to worry."
"Yeah," You agreed, "She knows we're together, so she won't be too worried, but still."
You two said your goodbyes to everyone before Barley drove you home.
"I'm glad you all get along so well." Barley said.
"Same here." You agreed, "Do you really think it's a good idea for me to sing with them?"
"Why not?" Barley said with a smile, "I think you'll all be great together. Are you still not sure about it?"
"I feel a little better about it after talking with them tonight." You said, "I think part of it is I just don't know them super well."
"If it makes you feel any better, I could tell they loved you tonight." Barley said, reaching over and squeezing your hand.
"Thank you, my knight." You said, squeezing back. "I liked them too."
After arriving at your aunts house, Barley leaned over, kissing your lips before saying "Sleep sweetly, my princess."
"You too, my knight." You said, claiming his lips one more time before you left the van.
Barley watched to make sure you got in the house okay before he drove away. He listened to the radio, not paying attention to the song as he got lost in his thoughts. He knew it by now, he loved you. This was more than some crush or infatuation. He was honestly, wholeheartedly in love with you. Now the question was how should he tell you? Was it even okay to tell you now? You two had been together for around five months now. Was that too soon? Would it scare you if he said it? He drove around aimlessly for a short while before he pulled into his driveway.
"There you are." Laurel said, looking to the clock, "I was just thinking about calling you."
"Sorry mom," Barley replied, "Can I ask you something?"
"Sure, is everything okay?" She asked.
"Oh yeah," Barley said, "I was just wondering, when did dad first tell you he loved you?"
"Oh! Well," She stopped and thought for a moment, "I think we had been together for a few months when he said it. Why?"
"It didn't freak you out? Like it didn't seem like it was too soon?" Barley asked.
"Every relationship is different Barley." Laurel said with a smile, "You'll know when the time is right."
~~~
Between work, practice, and hanging out with Barley, the next couple weeks had flown by. Before you knew it, it was the day of the battle of the bands and you couldn't recall the last time you'd felt so nervous. Gretel was at your aunts house with you, helping you get ready as the guys waited in the living room. You bit your bottom lip as she ran the soft brush across your eyelids.
"Are you sure about this?" You asked, trying not to open your eyes.
"Yes! Now hold still." She laughed, "I knew these colors would be great on you. I just can't wait to see Barley's reaction."
"Yeah?" You questioned, "Does he like the dark makeup or something?"
"I'm gonna do your eyeliner." Gretel said before answering, "It's not so much the makeup, but he definitely likes the rock style. He's nuts about you to begin with honey, but seeing you look like a total rockstar babe, I think he may need help picking his jaw up off the floor."
You laughed, trying to hold still as best as you could. You typically didn't do your makeup this way, but you wanted to look like you were a part of the band, so you gladly took Gretel's help.
"Okay, you can open your eyes." Gretel stepped back, admiring her work, "Perfect! Now just your lips and you're done!"
After a couple minutes, Gretel squealed with delight. She clapped her hands together, obviously proud of her work as she handed you the small mirror. You were surprised to see how well the dark makeup accented your eyes. You almost didn't recognize yourself, but at the same time there was something almost empowering with this new look.
"So what do you think?" Gretel asked.
"I love it!" You grinned, looking over her handiwork.
"Great!" She beamed, "Now go get changed and I'll see you in the living room with the guys."
You went into the bathroom, quickly changing into the black tank top and torn jeans. You looked yourself over once more in the mirror, amazed at how different you looked. You had to take this opportunity to snap a quick selfie before making your way out to the living room.
There Barley had his back to the hallway, talking with Jonny and Ben as you entered the room.
"Wow!" Jonny and Ben grinned. "(Name), you look great!"
Barley turned to you and just as Gretel predicted, his jaw dropped. Barley always thought you were gorgeous no matter how you looked, but seeing you dressed up like this... He didn't know where to start. Gretel grinned, throwing an arm around your shoulder.
"I knew you'd make his jaw drop," She said, "I didn't know you'd make him speechless though. Good job!"
You could feel yourself blush as the group laughed as they watched Barley clear his throat, "Y-you look great, princess."
"Thanks." You smiled as you made a mental note to remember this look.
"Well, that contest won't win itself!" Ben cheered, "Let's go!"
You all piled into Barley's van, talking over your performance before warming up your voices. You couldn't help giggling over the vocal warm ups, after all you hadn't heard them since your days in the high school choir. When you pulled up to the fairgrounds, everyone started to get out of the van, but Barley stopped you.
"I know you're going to be amazing, princess." He said, "I want you to have this though, for good luck."
He pulled his spiked wristband off, wrapping it around your wrist before kissing your cheek.
"Thank you, my knight." You smiled, cupping his cheek as he pressed his forehead to yours.
"Go knock 'em dead!" He grinned, "I'll see you after the contest."
You nodded, kissing his cheek before joining Jonny and the others. You felt the butterflies rising in your stomach as you passed the other bands. Hearing their different songs as they practiced, seeing what you were competing against, it only made you more nervous. As if on cue, your phone went off. You looked to see a text from Barley, 'You got this!' You smiled, feeling a little better after reading his message.
"We can do this!" Jonny cheered, pulling his guitar from its case.
"It looks like we're going to be last." Ben said, coming back from the line up list.
"Really?" You asked, starting to feel nervous again.
"Yeah." Ben said, stretching his arms above his head, "I know that's going to feel like a while, but trust me, it'll fly by!"
You were skeptical at first, but sure enough before you knew it, you guys were going to be next. You bounced in place, taking deep breaths as you tried to calm your nerves.
"Hey, we can do this." Gretel said, resting her hand on your shoulder.
"That's right." Ben grinned, "Just have fun out there."
"Yeah!" Jonny said, putting his fist out to you, "We got this!"
"Yeah!" You grinned, bumping your fist against his.
You walked out on stage with all of them, the bright spot light blinding you at first. When your eyes focused, you saw the sea of people in front of the stage. It was one thing to try out for musicals, in musicals you played a part, but in this moment you were the real you. You, yourself, out in front of a hundred strangers' eyes. You could feel your heart drumming against your ribs as Jonny greeted the crowd and introduced your band. You could feel your mouth start to dry, but then you heard a familiar voice in the crowd. It was Barley, whooping and cheering, you couldn't see him, but there was no denying that that was his voice. You took a breath, looking to the others as they all seemed to nod in agreement that they were ready.
The guitar resonated over the crowd before the drums crashed into their rhythmic melody, the guitar quickly following. A moment later the bass joined in building to your cue. You took a deep breath, taking the mic as you let your voice ring out through the large arena.
"I stood alone in Trafalgar Square. I looked around, I didn't see you there. Before they closed the roads I made it down to Hyde. I just need you now, I need you by my side!"
You watched the crowd, watching them start to move and sway, different people bobbing their heads as the song continues. Your four voices harmonized for the chorus,
"I know that there's no other way, I know that there is nothing more that I can say. Make my black eyes blue. I fall for you!"
You couldn't help grinning as you watched people beginning to jump, fists pumping in the air as they started to cheer. You took the mic from the stand, walking across the stage as you sang out, belting out your verse before the others joined you once again for the chorus. You looked to Jonny, Ben, and Grettle, wide smiles across their faces as they poured themselves into their performance. There was something about this feeling, this sensation flooding your senses, it was like electricity was flowing through your veins. Performing with everyone, the crowd cheering for all of you, it was such a rush! That's when your eyes finally fell on him. There was Barley, in the middle of the crown, cheering loudly as he pumped his fist and bobbed his head with the music.
You felt as if your heart was soaring as the guitar and bass began to duel, the drums keeping time as you danced with and between Jonny and Gretel. The crowd roared as you made your way back to the center, placing the mic back on the stand as you began to sing again, your voice rising over the crowd. You sang out the last verse, the others echoing vocals behind you as the song came to an end, the drums stopping and the guitar ringing out in a final note as silence fell over the audience.
The crowd roared, cheering and whooping as you and the others were left panting and smiling as you tried to catch your breath. You all bowed before heading backstage again.
"That was amazing!" Gretel cheered, "Tell me I wasn't the only one that felt that!"
"It was like bottling electricity!" Ben exclaimed.
"(Name), you gotta be our singer!" Jonny said, "You were amazing out there!"
"Me? What about you guys?!" You beamed as you watched the others.
Meanwhile, out in the crowd, Barley was pushing his way through the people so he could get back stage. He felt as if his heart was replaced by a hummingbird. This was it, this was the moment he had to tell you that he loved you. There were several reasons why he loved you, but this, seeing your passion, that was one of the big reasons he loved you. He loved how passionate you were and seeing it in that performance only added to it. When he got backstage he saw you and his friends buzzing with excitement from your own performance.
"You guys were great!" He cheered as he walked up.
"Barley!" You leapt into his arms, giving him a kiss as he twirled you around.
You all were only able to talk for a couple minutes before they announced the winner. Unfortunately, you didn't come in first, but you did come in second. You all were still pretty happy with that, especially hearing how close it was.
"We'll just have to try again next year!" Jonny said.
~~~
Barley drove everyone home, and after saying goodbye to Jonny and Ben, you sank back in the passenger seat.
"How's my rock star princess doing?" Barley asked with a grin.
"I'm tired, but not tired." You replied, turning to him, "Does that make any sense?"
"Yes it does." He laughed, "Do you want to come over?"
"Sure!"
After getting to Barley's house, and saying hello to Ian and Laurel, the two of you went into Barley's room. Barley turned on the radio and he couldn't have picked a better song to be playing.
'Lost in your light baby. I want to stay right here all night baby.'
"Do you remember this song?" Barley asked as he held his hand out.
You paused, laughing when you realized the song as you took his hand, "This is the first song we danced to."
"That's right." He grinned, twirling you around before pulling you close to him, "I gotta say, I'm glad I let Jonny talk me into going to the club that night."
"Oh yeah?" You asked.
"Yeah," Barley said, "If I hadn't gone that night, I probably wouldn't have realized I had a crush on you."
"Really?" You giggled.
"Yeah." Barley said, feeling as if his heart was going to beat out of his chest, "If I hadn't realized that, then I.. I wouldn't be able to say I love you."
You froze, wondering if you heard him right, "What?"
Barley gently cupped your cheeks, looking into your eyes as he repeated, "I love you, (Name)."
You could feel your heart swell as you smiled, resting your hands on his wrists, "I love you too!"
Barley grinned before leaning in and giving you a slow, lingering kiss.

———
A/N: Thank you all for reading! And if you're an Ian fan I started a new fic that's Ian x OC, feel free to check out "Is This Love?"