= Wands High =

Chapter 30 - 14 May 1998, Thursday

The improved setting made the music flow well and when Daynen did finally lift his head once the song had concluded, he found that the amount of people sitting around the fire had now substantially increased.

- Where was the solo, D? – Orianna muttered, still playing the bass riff, be it a bit quietly, as apparently she didn't seem to have had enough of it just yet.

- Just didn't feel like it this time, is all. No big deal, is it?

He put the guitar slightly to the side and turned his head away, instead focusing on the changing surroundings. Everyone had followed their initial example and people were now sitting circled next to the fire, blankets of various shapes and colors all around. The flames now also appeared to be bigger, as if on purpose to more efficiently accommodate the crowd.

- It's a most unusual application of that particular charm – he heard Hermione say and turned to his left to regard her, spotting that she had been observing him, somewhat of a knowing smile on her face. – But it seems to be working well enough. You okay, Daynen? You look... distracted.

He opened his mouth for a response, but eventually ended up just shrugging. The somewhat unusual fatigue aside, he was feeling fine, however something just didn't seem right, though he couldn't exactly pinpoint what it was.

- You didn't really expect to win, did you? – the girl whispered to him, coming closer in order to have the discussion in private.

Daynen examined her features and there was no indication of mockery or that she had been jesting, the only thing that he saw was concern. The intent in her eyes only increased as the seconds went on, clearly waiting for his reply.

- I don't know – he ended up saying, now shuffling closer as well. – To be honest, I felt joy at first, but now it is transforming into anxiety, I think.

- Anxiety? – Hermione asked, shaking her head with puzzlement. – What do you mean?

- I left Wands High in order to escape this whole popularity template I was slotted in, and thus focus more on the music itself. At least that was the idea I initially had in my head... Joining this Pre-Battle was mainly so we could have an initiative to write something new and practice as a band in front of an audience, but now... look what ended up happening. I am here – right back where I started, everyone is waiting for us to live up to their expectations once again.

He put his arms in front of his chest, staring intently at the fire.

- What if we are unable to do so? Mainly because I don't really want to, that is. I want to make the music that I feel inside myself, simple as that. Unsure this was the best way to achieving that goal.

- I am not sure I completely understand – the girl muttered and placed her hand on his.

- It's okay – Daynen sighed. – I am probably just making a problem out of a good situation again, like I always do. But perhaps making a band straight away and joining a Pre-Battle just a week later, was a way too impulsive of a move. Should have done a little more thinking, probably...

- Don't be silly – she said suddenly, half-laughing, which made him look at her again, surprised. – You did it because in that precise moment it felt like it was the right thing to do. James' lyrical style was the thing you have been missing, you said that yourself. You didn't plan it to happen the way it did, but it has happened. And who cares if people like it or not? You like it, your bandmates like it, others will too. Some have straight away by the looks of it.

- Do you like it?

- Haven't you been watching me at all, silly? Of course I do, I more than like it, in fact.