by Alexa Davis
I bounded into my brother’s room and shook him awake, not caring about the early hour. My head was all over the place, I was barely even aware of time anymore. The closer it got to Thursday, the more freaked out I became.
“What?” Kyle murmured angrily, rubbing his eyes hard. “What’s going on?”
“I’m freaked out,” I admitted. “I need to do something today.”
“Well, we can work on our songs a bit more,” he tried, but that wasn’t enough for me.
“No, I know we still need to do that, but I want to go out. I want to buy some new clothes. I want to look good for tomorrow. I feel like it’s going to be the most important day of our lives, and I don’t want to go in it looking like homeless people.”
“They won’t care what we look like!” He finally managed to force himself into a sitting position. “They are only interested in how we sound, and I think we’ve got it nailed down.”
“They will; don’t be so naive!” I practically screamed. “The music industry is all about looks... or a lot about looks. We need to look professional. This is a huge deal.”
He shook his head, not seeing my point of view at all. “We can’t afford anything new, you know that. We’re barely keeping our heads above water as it is.”
“I got paid last night after my shift at the diner.” As if I hadn’t already thought this through, who did he think I was? I dealt with all our financial stuff; of course I knew where we stood with money.
“Plus, we got that tip from the fundraiser. We might not be doing great, but we’re doing better than we have been in a very long time. Come on.” I pulled at his t-shirt, needing him to just get on board already. “We’ll shop somewhere cheap. I just need to feel confident for this tomorrow. I don’t want to mess it up because I feel underdressed.”
Kyle rolled his eyes at me, but thankfully, he stood up regardless, ready to go along with me however much he didn’t like the idea. If he knew it’d help me, I had the feeling he’d let me do anything. He was trying his best to disguise it, but this was a huge deal to him, too. This was everything he’d ever wanted, and I knew for a fact that he didn’t want to mess it up, either. I wanted to get this right for him as much as me. If not more.
“Okay, let me have a shower, then we’ll get going. But we can’t be out all day; we still need to rehearse. And we can’t spend too much money. I don’t want to end up with nowhere to live just so you can have a new top.”
“You’re getting new stuff, too!” I insisted. “You cannot go looking like you normally do. I mean, it’s all right to look like you’ve just rolled out of bed when you’re at home with me, but for this you need a good shirt. You need new pants; you need to look nice. They’re going to want as much from you as me.”
“Ugh, fine, whatever.” But as he walked off toward the bathroom, I could see there was a bounce in his step that had never been there before.
I raced into my own room and threw a t-shirt and some leggings on, optimism creeping through my veins. I hadn’t been clothes shopping in so long, it felt like forever. And this was even more exciting because it wasn’t just essential stuff. This would be something I wanted to get, something for my future. Sure, I would have to be careful with how much I spent, so would Kyle, but I wasn’t going to allow that to dampen my spirits today.
“Come on!” Kyle called from the other room, managing to be ready before me. “Let’s go and get this over with.”
“Get this over with? This is going to be the best day ever,” I called back as I went to join him. I had a big beaming smile on my face that wasn’t going anywhere, no matter what happened. “Well, except maybe tomorrow when we actually begin our careers. That day might be a little better.”
Kyle rolled his eyes at me in a very over-the-top fashion, but he was grinning, too. He couldn’t hide how happy his was from me. I could read him like a book. “All right, whatever, let’s go.”
***
“Look at the price tag before you like anything,” Kyle reminded me once more, panic lacing his tone. I wasn’t sure why he was so worried. I’d managed to be restrained so far. I’d seen a pair of shoes that I’d adored, and it’d ripped my heart out to put them back, but they were just too expensive and I didn’t want to be silly.
“I am. Will you stop stressing!” I begged him. “It’s fine. I’m just looking. And you should be, too, so stop hovering over me. I know what I can spend. I know what I’m doing, so will you please just give me a break? Go to the menswear department. And don’t worry, I won’t buy anything without consulting you first.”
As he walked off, finally giving me some much-needed space to breathe, I allowed my imagination to flow. Every single item I picked up, I imagined wearing while I was up on stage belting out songs to a massive crowd.
Now that I’d accepted that I wanted this, that I wanted to become a singer, my dreams were becoming bigger by the second. I wanted the screaming fans, the adoration. I knew it’d be hard for me to come out of my shell after spending so many years as a wallflower, but I was still riding on the coattails of the confidence I’d gotten from the fundraiser.
I could picture myself in the studio, on the stage, performing for people – and it felt awesome. It felt like something I wanted for myself, and it all started tomorrow.
I grabbed a handful of things, not even looking at them now that I didn’t have anyone nagging me, and I took them all into the changing rooms. I just wanted to continue with the dream running free in my mind. I didn’t think I’d end up buying any of this stuff.
When I pulled the navy-blue swing dress on, I imagined myself performing in an arena. When I tried on the white jumpsuit, I saw myself giving a television interview. As I wore the yellow summery dress, I saw myself making a music video. I was getting ahead of myself since I was only supposed to be going in for a test recording, but it felt so cool to have a goal for the first time in my life.
Then I found a stripy black and white long-sleeved dress, one that I hadn’t even looked at as I pulled it off the shelf, and I tried it on without even thinking about it. I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror and actually blew myself away a little.
I wasn’t wearing any makeup and I hadn’t styled my hair, yet somehow this still managed to make me look cool. It wasn’t too over-the-top or dressy like some of the stuff I’d worn. It just looked casual, but with star quality, too.
It was perfect.
I tugged out the price tag nervously, not wanting to see that it was so far out of my price range to even be considered. Kyle’s words of warning became a little too real for my liking. But as I read the number in front of me, I felt a sense of relief. It was a little more than I’d wanted to spend originally, but it looked good. I had to have it, especially for the first day of the rest of my life. Hopefully, this would be the dress that raised me lots of money in the future anyway, so it’d all pay off.
As I took it off, the star quality went with it, which only confirmed what I already knew. Now that I’d seen this dress, I couldn’t go on without it. I carried it with me like it was made of gold while I went to find Kyle. It seemed like I’d arrived just in time because he was being totally bewildered by a sales assistant who didn’t seem to understand that we didn’t have the kind of money for whatever he was trying to sell.
“Hi, Kyle.” I took his hand and pulled him away. “I’ll find you what you need. You don’t mind too much what you wear, do you?”
“I don’t mind as long as I don’t have to talk to anyone else. They’re all absolutely terrifying, trying to force me into getting things I don’t have the money for. What part of ‘I’m too poor for that’ don’t they understand?
I chuckled loudly and flicked through the shelves, wanting to find Kyle something that complemented my outfit. We were a team, and I needed us to look like one. I needed Xander and his record label to take us seriously.
“Here, go and try these on.”
I shipped my brother off quickly, thoughts of what tomorrow wa
s going to be like still spinning through my mind. I’d never even seen a recording studio before, never mind recorded in one, so I didn’t know what to expect.
All I knew from Kyle was that Xander was a self-made billionaire or something from a previous company, yet he managed to remain grounded. He’d certainly been nice to me every time I spoke to him, however much of a bumbling idiot I became around him.
Hopefully, I wouldn’t have that problem when I saw him again. Hopefully, the dress would have some kind of magic powers, and it’d make me act as cool as I looked in it. Nothing would’ve pleased me more than to be able to go in there and act the way I envisioned myself in my mind.
Still, I’d never been the cool and collected type. There was no reason that should change now. I’d settle for just not making a total fool out of myself. That would be something!
As Kyle joined me once more, looking awesome in his new, inexpensive clothing, I couldn’t help but grin. We had this in the bag; I was sure of it. Now we just needed to get back home and nail the songs.
Kyle was right. We did need to focus on that part, as well, and now that I felt confident in what I was wearing, I could put my all into it. I could sing my damn heart out knowing that we’d look like the professionals I wanted us to be.
Chapter 9 – Xander (Thursday)
“Ooh, you’re here before me today,” I teased Michael as I walked up to the counter of the coffee shop to order my drink: latte with sugar, the same as I had every single day. Maybe I was a creature of habit, but it’d gotten me this far in life. I wasn’t about to change my routine now, especially not today. Today was about to be a very important one.
It took him a couple of minutes, but he finally dragged his eyes up out of his phone to greet me. “Oh, hey, how’s it going? You looking forward to today?”
I nodded happily as I took the drink. “I am, actually; and I think you will, too, once you see them.”
I had faith in Lila and Kyle. I knew they’d do us proud today, and I was excited to be proven right. Michael might have raised his eyebrows at me, but that didn’t matter. It wouldn’t be long until he saw for himself. “It’s going to be awesome.”
“Well, that’s why I’m early. I thought we should get there first and make a plan of some kind. I know we’ve talked about it a lot, but haven’t actually decided what we’re looking for and what we’ll do when we find it.”
“Sure, sure,” I answered casually with a smile just for myself. This was Michael’s roundabout way of telling me that he was looking forward to this. He wasn’t the type to just admit it, especially when he’d already shot the idea down, but I knew him well enough to know. “Okay, let’s take our drinks with us, then we can talk.”
I asked the lady for takeaway cups, then we started walking toward the studio, chatting casually about all unrelated things. Just as I was about to delve into the topic of Steph to give us something else to talk about – and also because I was very intrigued to find out what was happening there – he put his hand out in front of me to stop me in my tracks.
“Is that them?” he gasped in shock. “Are they actually here early? So early that they beat us?”
I glanced to where he was looking to spot Lila and Kyle standing there outside the studio, waiting for us. We were early, but they were even earlier, which was a very good sign. They were eager, and they didn’t think they were so good that we should work around them. Sure, they looked like they were trying too hard in their matching outfits, but I kinds liked that, too. It meant they were willing to impress.
“It sure is.” I grinned at Michael. “You’ll love them, just trust me.”
I walked ahead of him, not wanting to hear it if he had any derogatory remarks to make. All he needed to do was give them a shot. He only had to listen and he’d see exactly what I meant. They were the ones for us.
“Hi, guys.” I smiled widely at them both. Kyle was the one who looked anxious this time. Lila looked like she was brimming with confidence. Maybe that was what the amazing show at the fundraiser had done for her. If so, that was great because if she looked as sickly now as she had then, I had the horrible feeling that Michael would just turn away. “This is Michael, and this is Lila and Kyle.”
As I unlocked the doors, they all shook hands and exchanged some small talk, getting to know one another. It made me happy to hear Lila saying so much. She was giving off the impression that she had it all under control, that she knew what she had going for her. It was amazing, and I hoped it continued into the studio time. The worst thing would be for either of them to freeze up.
“All right, guys, let’s go inside.”
I gave them a tour of the building, showing them the place I was proudest of in the world. It felt good to have their appreciation and adoration; it reminded me of why I’d gotten into this in the first place. Although, the more I listened, the more I realized that Kyle wasn’t doing any of the talking, which meant it was no surprise when I sent them into the room and Michael pulled me to one side.
“What’s wrong with the guy?” he hissed at me, looking as if he had something to actually be concerned about. “I don’t think he’s said one word.”
“Haven’t you ever heard of nerves?” I rolled my eyes at him. “Or are you just so used to working with overconfident assholes now that you don’t know what it looks like?”
“Touché.” He nodded appreciatively. “I suppose you’re right. Silence is better than being a little shit.”
I opened my mouth, ready to tell him again that he had to just trust my judgment, before I snapped it shut once more. If he hadn’t got that yet, then there wasn’t much hope of it happening any time soon. Not with just my argument, anyway.
I turned toward the microphone, knowing this was the best way of getting my argument out there. “Whenever you guys are ready to start, give me a thumbs up. Then I’ll hit record, and we can get this show on the road.”
Kyle was behind the piano, his eyes narrowed in determination, and Lila looked like she was on another planet entirely. Maybe they didn’t instantly look like stars, maybe they weren’t sure about how things worked, but in my mind, that was all positives working in their favor. We could be the ones to polish them up. How could that be a bad thing?
“Why are you recording them together?” Michael asked me, confused. We always did the music and singing separately, but I felt like this pair would work better together, and I had been thinking it’d help Lila with her nerves. I hadn’t bet on them switching places on that one. Still, it looked like the pep talk Lila was giving Kyle was helping somewhat.
“So you can hear what they sound like as a duo.” I shook my head, acting like this should’ve been obvious. “You weren’t at the fundraiser with me, so you don’t know what they sound like together. I want you to get a feel for them so you know what we can do with it.”
“Oh... Right...” He sounded so put out by that statement that I felt a bit bad for making it up on the spot. “Okay, sure; let’s get them going.”
Not long after that, Lila gave us the thumbs up so I hit the record button, and as soon as that beautiful melody burst free from her lips, I could see Michael’s eyebrows unfurling, the stress falling away from his features. He leaned in closer, showing his interest and seeing what I’d seen that night. He could feel the magic; he probably had goosebumps, too. If their music affected both of us in that way, chances were they could make a go of things.
“Whoa,” he eventually gasped, giving in completely. “They’re much better than I was expecting. He’s so damn good on the piano, and her voice... it’s breathtaking.” I let out a breath I hadn’t even realized I was holding in anticipation. “I mean, they are incredible together. How haven’t they been picked up before?”
Thank God. I had to admit that I was anxious he wouldn’t see things my way. I was scared I’d imagined their talent to be better than it was in my desperation to find someone, but he’d confirmed it now. It was all good.
“I honestly think th
e fundraiser was the first time they performed together in front of anyone... Which is why we need to snap them up now. If we don’t get them, someone else will.”
“Yeah.” He nodded. “I see what you mean. This is exactly what we wanted. They’re so unique. Even their look is different. It’s perfect.”
“Are you admitting that I’m right?” I smirked, excited to hear him say it aloud. “It’s just that I’ve never known you to admit defeat before.”
“Oh, don’t be such a dickhead.” He laughed at me. “Yes, you were right. I think we should roll with these two. They have something special, okay?”
“Okay, I’ll take that.” I made a mock note on my calendar. “The one day Michael admitted that he was wrong.”
“Don’t make me take it back,” he shot back warningly. “Now shut up, I’m trying to listen.”
As he sat back to watch them play, I thought I could see more than admiration in his eyes. I got the feeling that he was looking at Lila with something else, too, which sent an inexplicable jealousy tearing through me. I wasn’t sure why – it wasn’t like I had any intention of asking out a girl who could potentially be about to work for me – but I didn’t want him to like her in that way, either. And not just for business.
Maybe I just felt protective over her, like she was mine because I’d found her, but I had the uncomfortable sense that it was much more than that. I couldn’t like her, that was crazy. But I definitely didn’t want Michael to, either.
“I mean, she’s just wonderful,” he announced once more, shaking his head and smiling. In that moment, it took all that I had not to completely fall apart.
“I know,” I replied through gritted teeth. “I think her singing voice is incredible.”
