A Love Like War

I kicked the nearby rocks with extra force as I grumbled incoherent words.

“I bet you can’t sing actual vocals to save your life.” Alex snickered as he followed me down the street.

Although it’s true I’ve never actually sung before, it doesn’t mean that I don’t have a nice voice. I may sound all raspy but if you take the time, I’m pretty sure I might surprise you.

As I neared the Old High School, I heard noise. And not just any noise, instruments. I heard the loud bang of drums and a smile broke its way onto my face.

I jogged down the dirt trail that leads away from the woods and down the path that lead right into the parking lot of the school. The parking lot was filled with equipment and frantic people running around.

“Vicky!” I turned around and saw Adrian running towards me. His blob of shaggy hair was the first thing I saw.

“Adrian, what’s going on?” As soon as I spoke a girl with gorgeous brown hair ran past me with a keyboard strapped securely around her shoulders. Come to think of it, everyone here had
instruments in their hands or microphones.

“Battle of the bands.” He says with a smile. “That’s why this is so urgent. I want us to sign up for it.” My eyes widen. Battle of the Bands. This could be it. This could be the big break we need to get our band out there. For over three years we’ve been in competition with Alex and this was something that would shut his little mouth up.

“What are you waiting for! Sign up!!!” I screamed, taking his shoulders in my hands and shaking them. He chuckled lightly and gently pushed my shoulders down.

“There’s some things you need to know before we sign up.” I cocked my head at him.

“What’s there to know? I gotta tell Irine and Emily and-”

“Vicky! Vicky, calm down.” He said sternly. “The maximum members are six and it’s strictly rock. Which means,”

“No screams.” I said with a relief. This is the break I need. My mind’s been in a stump and all I can imagine is girly voices. Not mad, anger filled screams. And this is the call I was waiting for.

To shove it in Alex face that I can sing actual voice. Which made me a triple threat.

But only six members? That means we have to give up one of our guitarist or give up our keyboardist. I love all my friends and the thought of having to tell them that they can’t participate in Battle of the Bands pains me. because not only will it crush them, it’ll crush me. Because it’s something I wanted, something I had to do.

We have three guitar players and one bass and one keyboard. And I already knew who we have to give up. We need our guitarist, a keyboardist, not so much.

“Daniel,” I say. He nods.

“I can always pay keyboard if it becomes necessary you know.” He reassures me.

“I’ll go sign us up. Set up a band meeting.” He nods and pulls me in a hug. I began walking through the crowd. There were so many people here. A blonde girl was doing vocal practice.

One girl was arguing with her band and by the looks of it, she was peeved off.

I’m pretty sure half these people aren’t even from Baltimore.

“Hey watch out!” I turned around a second to late and tripped over a cord. Sending me flying backwards to the ground and a microphone crashing to my skull. I groan in pain and sit up, rubbing my forehead and glaring at the microphone.

“Hey, I’m so sorry. I swear it was an accident.” I looked up and my breath was blown away. Standing before me was a guy with shoulder length red hair and with a small laugh that revealed small squared white teeth.

“It’s okay, I’m clumsy anyway.” I replied as he grabbed my hand and helped me up. My heart wanted to break free at his beauty. But who wants to be a pedophile now?

“Aaron Gillespie.” He said.

“Victoria Strange.” I replied, wishing I had a normal last name other than strange.

“Where’s your band? Are you signing up?” he asked as I began walking towards the small table a few yards away. He was following my footsteps, no matter how fast I tried to speed up. I couldn’t shake him and I don’t think I want to.

“Well, one of our vocalist is over there,” I said pointing to Adrian who was currently on the phone, but staring at the girl with the keyboard around her arm.

“One?” he asked. “He’s taking a liking to Valerie.”

“Yeah. I’m the other.” For some reason, admitting that to him brought a small blush on my face.

“Where’s your band?” he pointed towards the parking lot exit.

“Those are my faggots.” He said with a smile. “We’re called The Almost.”

“We’re called A Call To Arms.” He nods his head in an approving way.

“A Call To Arms. I like it.” We reach the table and I gasp. There was only twenty spots and four remained. I grabbed the pen hurriedly and scrawled down A Call To Arms.

“Hi,” I look up and the lady hands me a form. “Fill it out for me.” I took the form and looked back at the signup sheet. Number one on the form was The Almost.

“Eager huh?” I replied. He laughed and placed a hand on my back.

“Well look who it is. If it isn’t A Call To…..” a heard the ass annoying snicker. “Arms.” Then four
laughs followed it. I turned around to glare at Alex.

“Stalking much, Gaskarth?” I raised my eyebrow at him.

“What does a screamer like you belong at Battle of the Bands?” he said in that cocky voice that made me want to gut him sometimes. He crossed his arms and had his bitches flanking at either side.

“New flash, screaming isn’t the only thing I’m good at.” I rolled my eyes. Sometimes, no matter how much I stress it, I want to scalp the bitch sometimes. And it wasn’t always like this. Alex was actually nice. Until we formed a band. then, his whole demeanor changed.

“Oh, you can actually sing? Or is it that extra guitarist part that’s working for you?” he rolled his eyes.

“You better shut up Gaskarth before you find my extra guitar up your extra annoying ass.” I said taking a step closer to him. Aaron measly took a defensive step behind me.

“Humor me.” I huffed and stepped away. I’ve hated Alex for so long, I don’t even remember why I started hating him in the first place. All I know is that with each gig we lose to him, the more I hate him. “Aw, don’t be like that babe.” He said pinching my cheek. I slapped his hand away, grabbing it and digging my nails into it.

“Don’t call me that you pervert.” I released his grip. I felt Aaron shift beside me, removing his hand from my back. “Since when does All Time Low think that they have talent?” I asked as I watched out of the corner of my eye, seeing Jack sneak away and signing them up.

“Since it involved taking your band down.” He said as if it wasn’t obvious enough.

“Go to hell.” I spat before turning on my heel and walking towards the direction of Adrian.

“We go together or we don’t go down at all!” He called after me.

Notes