For all The Cows

Ch. 3

The ride to the pub was very short despite the distance. Ava explained that she’d been begging her dad to call the people he knew at the club to let us play, but he refused her all the time. She then took it upon herself to call them, but they also refused her, so she was surprised when they called her last minute.

I was in the backseat trying to come up with a set list, writing the songs on my wrist, as Luke was bantering with Ethan and Ava was on the phone trying to tell Paige the reason why I was doing lead vocals tonight.

Ava said I would have to come up with eight songs total, and four had to be with the piano, wither she or I would play it. And they had to be songs that we’d performed before. I came up with the first four; ‘Paris’ by Grace Potter and The Nocturnals, ‘I still dream about you’ by Joan Jett, ‘Piece of my heart’ by Janis Joplin and ‘Dear Rosemary’ by Foo Fighters.

Now I’d to choose four others with piano in them. It was a hard choice for me.

Once we arrived at the pub, I’d made up my mind. Ava ushered us out of the car quickly and through the back door where a man dressed all in black welcomed us in and led us through a dark hallway to another room.

“Hello, girls. You must be Phantom Burn-out.” A main dressed in beige slacks with a white button up shirt said. His hair was a dark blonde and it was all out of place, making him look very young. He had hazel eyes and a very dazzling smile.

“Yeah, we are.” Said Paige as she walked in through the door, startling all of us, as we hadn’t seen her arrive.

“Well, well, feisty aren’t you love?” Asked the guy, smirking at her.

“Will you just tell us if we’re playing or not? I didn’t come here to stand around.” Paige responded. She was angry at me, if her scowls were any indication.

“Yes. There are three microphones, a piano, two guitars and a bass set up on the stage, set it up how ever you wish. There’s no one playing right now, so you can come out whenever you’d like.” He said smiling walking towards the door. “Oh by the way. My name is Lux. Good luck.” Then he left us alone.

“Why the fuck does she get to show off tonight!?” Screamed Paige as Lux closed the door. “I’ve been on this band longer and I know more than her! Shit, I’m way better than her!” She said louder this time, as she walked in my direction. I knew Paige disliked me, just not this much.

“Paige, calm down, it’s just tonight.” Said Ethan. “And I’m sorry babe, but Em is better than you. She’s had lessons her whole life and has been exposed to music longer than you.”

“Shut the fuck up Ethan! You like her, that’s why you’re defending her!” She yelled back and then put her hand to cover her mouth.

I gasped and saw Luke’s jaw tighten. They were best friends. Then the room became quiet. No one spoke, just looked at the ground afraid that something worse might happen.

“You know what? Maybe this was a big mistake. Not just tonight, but all of it.” I said calmly. “Paige I don’t think I’m better than you, not at all. I love music. It’s what I live for. I love playing or singing, anything that is to do with music. But maybe this was a bad idea.” I said as I looked back up and faced Luke.

Then it all hit me. I would be done. It would all be gone and I’d be empty. If I walked out of this room, my life would suck. I would lose myself and who I’ve come to be. I would just go to uni and do what my father wants me to do. Very optimistic, aren’t I?

“Fuck!” Ava let out an exasperated yelp. “Paige suck it up, Em is better than you but because she sings with her heart. She pours her soul into the song or her playing. And Em, you know what will happen if you walk through that door.” She looked at me expectantly. She knew the things going through my head.