by K E Osborn
“What time is Caleb getting here?” I ask putting a fork full of pasta into my mouth.
“Don’t talk with your mouth full, Annie. Caleb, Hux and Mace should be here soon,” Dad replies and I raise my eyebrow.
“Why are all the parents here? No offence parentals, just curious,” Ella asks also shoving in a mouthful.
“I’ll tell you all when Caleb gets here,” Dad says and looks at Mum, who’s smiling at us.
I look over at Ella and she shrugs and keeps eating. I know something’s up, I just can’t figure out what. Looking over at Aston, he’s purposely not looking at me. I guess I deserve it. With the way I’ve treated him today, it’s no wonder. Being all over him when he arrived and then only giving him one-word answers for the rest of the day. I need to sort my shit out because he won’t stick around forever if this is how I’m going to treat him. I can’t lose my best friend. I just can’t!
We finish eating and the parents are all chatting away about the next tour, Dad’s band Slayed is preparing for. It’s not for a little while so that’s a good thing.
Caleb, Uncle Hux and Macy arrive and we all make our way to the music room and the mums all sit down on the white lounge and the dads are all talking with their kids. Well, Dad is talking to Ella while Johnny talks to Aston and Hux talks to Caleb. Dingo isn’t really talking to Chad more like goofing around with him. I look over at Aston, who doesn’t seem himself, and I know that’s because of me. I know he’s feeling the anxiety and weirdness I feel because he looks how I feel. But for rehearsals I’m going to have to suck it up because Aston and I are a team and we lean on each other while playing… literally.
A hand grazes my shoulder as I stare out into the room, full of the people I love. “You okay?” Mum asks and I turn to face her and fake a smile.
“I’m okay, just having a very weird day.”
“I know times like this can be confusing. If you don’t want anything to happen then don’t let it. But if you do want it to happen, then stop fighting and go for it. It will probably make you feel better,” she says slightly confusing me as she looks over at Dad.
“What do you mean?” I ask and she looks me right in the eyes.
“Honey if your heart is saying one thing, but your head is saying another, follow your heart. It might hurt or even be scary, but trust your own body and just let yourself feel what you’re feeling,” she says confusing me even further.
“Okay, so you’re saying I should trust my own judgment?” I ask trying to figure out what she’s on about.
“Exactly. You’re young and you have things to learn, but don’t ever be afraid to follow your heart.”
“Okay, so the choices I make for the band… just go with my heart. Is that what you mean?”
She laughs. “Yes, sweetheart… the band… life, anything you need to make decisions about. Use your heart to make them, it won’t lead you astray. I promise.”
“You’re being weird and cryptic again, Mum.”
“Yes I am, but one day soon it will all make sense. Then you’ll know what the right path is to take.” I nod. “Go get your guitar, your father has something he wants to talk to you all about.”
“Thanks Mum… I think?”
She smiles turning me around and pushing my shoulders so I walk toward my guitar.
I have to walk past Aston and as I do I feel his eyes on me, but I don’t look at him. The hairs on my arms stand up and a chill runs over me and straight to my very centre. Again another sensation of being near Aston that I don’t understand. In a way, I wish the way my body is reacting would stop, but at the same time I want it to keep going.
I’m so confused!
I pick up my guitar and place the strap over my head and walk over to my spot, the spot I normally stand in. Caleb walks over to me and pats my shoulder.
“How you feeling?” he asks quietly.
“Better thanks, and thank you again for helping me. You really are the best cousin in the world.”
“Gee thanks. Seeing as I’m your only cousin that’s kind of an insult more than a compliment. But I’ll take it,” he says and I smile at him and glance back over to Aston. “Things are weird with you two now, right?” he asks quietly as he leans in closer.
I nod and exhale looking back at Caleb. “I don’t know how to act around him,” I say and he wraps his arm around my shoulders and pulls me to his side.
“Well, as long as you can fake it through rehearsals and whenever we perform, I’ll be happy. Do you think you can do that?” he asks and I know he’s as worried about the band as I am. Especially because I’m the one causing the issue… again.
“Yeah, no problem,” I say honestly thinking I can pull this off.
“Okay, everyone, listen up. Can I have your attention, please?” Dad announces loudly.
Caleb quickly kisses the side of my head and walks over to his mic stand.
“So obviously something is happening tonight because everyone is here for support,” Dad says and everyone nods. “Okay, so what I haven’t told you is that Rob Luxley is going to be here in about ten minutes to listen to you perform. I think you guys are ready and he hears us talking about your band all the time, so he’s interested in listening to hear your potential.”
I open my eyes wide and let out a small shriek as does Ella while the guys stand there with their mouths open. Rob Luxley is Dad’s agent and he has the potential to make Staked just as big as Slayed, so him coming here to finally hear us is earth shatteringly amazing!
“Oh my God, Dad. Are you serious?” I say louder than I intended to.
“Very serious. Now I don’t want you to get your hopes up because your sound is a little different to ours… more modern and contemporary, I suppose, so he may not like it. But rejection is only the first stepping stone, remember that, okay?”
I race forward and hug him. I know I don’t want to ride on the coattails of Slayed, but hey, if it’s going to get us out there and heard then that’s what we need to do.
“Ten minutes?” Ella asks loudly looking down at her designer dress.
“Yep, well eight now,” Dad jokes.
“I’m not dressed properly, Dad!” Ella huffs while she tries to smooth out her beautiful dress, whereas I’m in my usual grey joggers and a black vest.
“You’ve met Rob a million times, Ella, this time’s no different. You don’t need to dress up for him you look fine as you are. It’s your music he’s interested in, honey,” Dad says as Mum smiles at Ella.
“Fine? I look fine? I’m going to be performing for an agent. Dad, we need to look our best!” she says just as the doorbell rings.
“Well, it’s too late to get changed now. He’s here,” Dad says and walks out of the room while Ella huffs and runs her hands through her hair trying to make sure she looks like the perfect little princess she always wants to be. I chuckle to myself and look back at Aston, who’s smiling brightly. Then he sees me looking at him and his smile falls to a frown. I bite my bottom lip and manage a half-smile at him and he exhales through his nose and then half-smiles back at me. And something passes between us, the fact that we know we both have to perform our hearts out and that means leaning on each other. We have to let this weirdness go, for the sake of the band.
“Holy shit Dad, why didn’t you tell me?” Caleb asks while the rest of us fuss about our instruments.
“Because you would have freaked out. Am I right?” Uncle Hux says with a smirk.
Caleb nods and for once I actually see him look nervous. I know this means a lot to him. This has been his dream, longer than it’s been mine. So I can only imagine how he’s feeling right now.
Dad rounds the corner with Rob walking in behind him. And for some weird reason, even though I know Rob really well, I stand that little bit straighter and poise myself a little better than my normal slouching.
“Hi guys. Has Colt told you all why I’m here?” he asks and I nod.
“Sure has, Mr. Luxley,” Caleb says in his most c
harming voice.
“Please, relax everyone. Just call my Rob like you normally do. Just think of me as a family friend coming to hear you rehearse. I want you to play like you normally would and don’t get too hung up on why I’m here. Just play and then we can talk a bit more.”
I nod again along with the rest of us.
“Okay, well, I’m just going to pop out and make a phone call and then I’ll be ready when I come back. Sound good?”
He walks out and suddenly I’m awestruck. I’ve known this man all of my life, but right here and now he can change the course of my future. Not just mine but my family and friends too. This could be huge!
Caleb turns to face us. “Okay guys, group huddle,” he says and we all gather in a circle and put our arms around each other like they do at sporting events. “This could be it for us. We need to put all our nervous energy and outside issues and problems aside because this is huge guys. We need to get this right because if we do, in a few months, we could have our album on the shelves. So think about that when you’re playing tonight, okay?” We are all grinning and nodding our heads. “Chad, I want you to amp up your bass kicks tonight. Make the drum beat as loud as you can.”
Chad nods. “Got it,” he says.
“Annie and Ella, let it rip. You both know your parts, stick to them and everything will be fine. Ella if you get lost without the music in front of you, fake it. Okay?”
I roll my eyes as Ella nods. “I’ll do my best, Caleb. I’ve been rehearsing without the music sheets in front of me for the last three weeks, so I should be okay,” she replies sounding more nervous than any of us. Music doesn’t come naturally to Ella, but she’s still a great guitarist. Dad’s made sure of that.
“Aston, fat beats, okay?” Caleb says.
Aston smiles and nods. “Hell yeah,” Aston replies.
Aston is so good on the bass guitar, he doesn’t need a pep talk. Caleb knows he’s the best.
“And you Caleb, sing like you’re singing to Indi, okay?” I say and he swallows hard and nods.
“Yeah, good idea, Annie,” he says and I smirk. I knew there was something more to their friendship.
“We’re all good? We know the order of the songs?” Caleb asks and we all nod.
“Don’t worry cuz, we got this shit. We totally rock!” I say and they all chuckle.
“Yeah, we do. Let’s rock his socks off!” Chad says and we all laugh because Chad is weird and will only play the drums in his favourite crusty, holey, old socks with no shoes. It’s a weird thing he does, but he’s right because when he plays in his socks with no shoes, he plays so much better than with shoes on. I can’t explain it, maybe it’s all in his head, but whatever works I’m okay with, as long as he doesn’t bring those crusty things near me. They stink!
“Okay guys hands in,” Caleb says and we all put our right hand in. This is something we do to amp ourselves up.
The music flows for all to hear.
You cannot help, but stop and cheer.
The walls will tremble, shudder and break.
‘Cause no one can handle the sound of Staked.
One, two, three… Staked!
We all say and then throw our right hand into the air. The whole room laughs at our ritual, but we don’t care, it unites us all before we perform. It’s something Caleb and I wrote when we were younger and we’ve used it ever since. We all separate and walk over to our positions to get ready. Dad walks up to me smiling.
“Thanks for this Dad, I know you organised it.”
“I might’ve given him your demo to listen to, but you make the music, so really this is all of your hard work paying off. Just one thing,” Dad says looking at me sternly.
I roll my eyes waiting for the lecture about to come. “Okay let’s hear it.”
“Just make sure you play what you’re supposed to. Don’t go off on one of your tangents. It could throw the whole band off, okay? Especially your sister,” he says and I nod and exhale.
“Sure Dad,” I say monotone like he’s boring me, which he is. This is my band, not his, so he should butt out!
“Okay, good girl, now kill it,” he whispers as he leans in kissing my forehead. I swat at him trying to move him away from me. I don’t need Rob walking in to see that. Dad laughs and walks over to the desk and sits down behind it.
I feel Aston’s eyes on me as I tune my guitar, so I look over at him and smile brightly letting him know I am all in this. He smiles back and my knees feel weak as his white teeth encased by his gorgeous lips make my heart flutter. I look away before I get the urge to rush over and jump on him. I’m just excited enough that I would actually do that. So I restrain myself instead.
Rob walks back in and claps his hands together gaining our attention.
“Right Staked, let’s hear you rock this house,” he says and I smile brightly as I feel the energy pumping through my veins already. I feel a high when I perform and knowing this performance could change everything is only making the pulsing sensation even more intense. I look down at my hand and I swear the veins are pulsing so hard with adrenalin that I can see the movements through my skin. I imagine the music notes flowing through my veins and pumping into my heart filling me with the love for music that’s always been there. A love that can never be extinguished, not even when my world turns black and I leave this plane. When I die, I will move into another realm where music is all around me filling me with the hope and love I feel from everyone in this room.
Music is the meaning of life for me and right now, life doesn’t get any more real than this!
Caleb counts us in and we start off with one of our original songs ‘Saving Grace.’ It’s one of my favourites because it’s the first song Caleb and I wrote together. Chad kicks in with the drum beat and Aston follows, then Ella and I start playing our guitars, and as soon as my fingers pick at the strings I’m in the zone. I look over at Aston who’s smiling and it fills me with a bright new enthusiasm I didn’t even know existed. The room floods with colour and all I can feel is the music notes coursing through my system as I get lost is the incredible musical balance that’s causing my system to overflow with elation.
Caleb starts to sing and I close my eyes for a moment and take in this amazing opportunity that the Rob Luxley is giving us. The hairs on my arm start to flutter and raise off my skin and I open my eyes to see Aston right next to me. I smile brightly as I play my guitar and I know that no matter the weirdness that’s going on between Aston and me right now, we’re both in the zone. I turn my back to his and wait to see his response. A second later I feel his back against mine and the world is back on its right axis and I’m slamming the shit out of this song. Everything seems right when Aston touches me and even though we’re back to back, I can still feel his energy pulsing through my body, which makes my playing even more on track. I’m loving this feeling right now and I would give anything, absolutely anything to have this feeling, playing on a stage to a packed out stadium.
I start to sing the backing for the chorus and Caleb and I are so in sync. This band just gels so effortlessly together it’s insane. It’s probably because we all grew up together so we can know each other so perfectly.
And I know that she’s my saving grace.
She came right from another place,
And fell straight into my heart.
I loved her from the start.
My saving grace. My saving grace.
I sing along with Caleb and then emotion floods me with such an uplifting and overwhelming sensation, that it’s like I’m floating as I get lost in the music. If I knew what being high felt like, I’m sure this is something close. My body is flaming in ecstasy and I know nothing can break this great mood I’m in. The song is coming to its end and I want nothing more than to look over at Rob to see his reaction, but if he looks unsatisfied then that could throw off my entire performance. So instead I look at Aston over my shoulder and he’s as lost in the music as I am. He leans on me and we both rock as solid as w
e can.
The dramatic drum fill kicks in and I know we’re about to stop song one and I hope we go straight into ‘Don’t Mess With The Best.’ It’s the most fun of all our songs, and I have an idea that might kick this along even better than how it’s already going. I don’t need to look at Rob to know that we are slamming this shit. We are the best we’ve ever sounded and I know that by the end of this rehearsal, we will be talking contracts and album covers. I might sound cocky but I know good music, and what we are playing right now is not only good, it’s fucking outstanding!
I finish the song with the little guitar riff at the end and Caleb looks at me and smiles brightly making me know he’s thinking the same as me, that we are rocking this shit. The song ends and I finally turn to look at someone other than Aston or Caleb. The first person I spot is Dad and he’s smiling so widely I’m pretty sure his cheeks would be hurting.
“We would like to welcome everyone here tonight! We are Staked, and this next song is our latest. We hope you enjoy. Get ready to be blown away by ‘Don’t Mess With The Best’,” Caleb says in his charming as ever rock and roll voice while I start the intro for our song. A surge runs through me, like a vibration that puts me into a blissful state. I love this song and I know it’s Dad’s favourite too. It’s so upbeat and has such great lyrics about people who think they’re better than everyone else, and that you should just be true to who you are. As Caleb starts to sing, my mind wanders over to the short guitar solo that I have coming up halfway through the song, and I’ve been thinking lately of a way to make it even better. To be more dramatic and give the song the extra lift it needs. So when it comes to the section for my solo, I decide to take a chance. We have to perform our best for Rob and I know this extra solo will rock them all into next week.
