The Melodies of a Misfit [SAMPLE]

Chapter3

"What?" My feet skidded back and I nearly fell off the raised platform, sending the microphone to the floor. The microphone's screech invaded the speakers throughout the house and everyone let out a wail.

"What, so you're deaf too? He said you're gonna have to take that off." I don't even think I have to label whose remark this was at this point.

"How could you-- No, I'm not deaf but I--"

"So what's the issue? We're on in one!"

"Ben, calm down!" Pretty Boy yelled before turning to me. "Why can't you? Come on, we won't judge if you have a bit of a tummy. But you definitely can't wear that."

"What's wrong with my hoodie?" I asked.

"Wasn't it you who talked so high and mightily of considering our image?" The guy with hair the color of poop was sending daggers my way.

"Okay, but you can't just expect me to take my shirt off just like that." I stood there with my arms placed awkwardly over my chest. "If you insist then I'm walking away and that's it. I'm not trying to be difficult, but I am not about to—"

"Hey Dee, what's goin' down over here?" Hands slid into my sweatshirt pockets from behind, and I felt Jasmine's chin rest on my shoulder. As many times as she's done this, I still couldn't tell if it was her chin or my shoulder that felt so bony.

Should I include her in this? If I told her, she'd more than likely encourage me to just go for it. The whole taking my shirt off thing included. But I knew that wasn't happening regardless, so...

"They're asking me to sing for them, which I agreed to, kinda... but now they want me to take my— my shirt off..!" I explained, not surprised to see the lack of bewilderment in her expression.

"Why not? You'd look great." She said.

"Thank you," Pretty Boy backed her up with exasperation.

"But—" I protested, shaking my head. "Am I the one who's crazy? Why would I— I can't take my shirt off!"

"Dee, I understand your concerns, and we'll fix that," Jasmine assured me, stepping in front of me. One look at her sweet smile and I felt my shoulders sag back to a resting position. She turned to Pretty Boy and looked from his waist up. "Gimme your jacket?" He looked confused, but nonetheless, he obliged. There was hardly ever a person who would refuse Jasmine with the way she tended to ask favors and compliment people.

Jasmine took the bleached denim jacket he had been wearing around his waist, and held it up in front of me, covering my entire upper body like a makeshift dressing curtain. "You can wear this. That's better, right?"

I looked at her, unsure. "I— I guess..."

Looking behind me, the room was still empty for the time being, and the guys were all facing me from up front, so I stepped closer to the jacket curtain for security and took my hood down before pulling the grey hoodie over my head. With my arms still crossed over my chest, I threw another glance to make sure the coast was clear. I sighed deeply, trying to deter the nerves working through me. I turned around and allowed Jasmine to put the jacket on me. Before I could do anything to cover myself, a couple guys followed by one girl wandered into the living room, directly across from me. One of them hollered.

Frantically, I reached for the jacket, excusing Jasmine from help, and desperately tried to button it up, with each button an added lock onto my privacy, and with each lock another mental attempt to throw away the knowledge that someone had just seen me.

I shuddered and turned back to the band, horror drawn all over my face like sharpie scribbles on wet paper. Jasmine looked offset to say the least by my clear discomfort. I fiddled with the hair sticking out from behind my ears and took a deep breath.