Sin
Thirty-seven
Alex
A few weeks had passed and the guys were practicing as hard as ever for their first show this Friday, which also happened to be my birthday...but even after knowing Jack for a little over three months, I'm still pretty sure he had no clue. But that doesn't matter. I'm going to be there for him, for all of them, side stage and supporting their dream.
Speaking of dreams, we got our mock finals back and I had gotten an A in every class except Art where I got a B+, but it don't bother me too much. In the week I had sat down with my parents to discuss what college I should go to, and we have narrowed it down to two, so that's nearly sorted. Not to mention, Patrick had bent my arm about mathletes and so I have a trial somewhen next week, but whether I go or not is a different story all together.
"So, Zack, you take these 100," Matt said, handing the tickets over to him, "I figured seeing as you're in your own school you should have more. And the rest of you," he smiled, walking across Zack's basement to us, "get 60."
"60?" I gulped, looking down at the card rectangles I was given, "We have to sell 60 each in just a few days? Are you serious?"
It was the Sunday evening before right now, and Matt could have been smarter about this and not left it so last minute.
"Yes, Alex, I'm serious."
Matt still wasn't too keen on me, but we were getting there, for sure. He just said that he didn't want me at every band practice as I was a 'distraction' to Jack, so every now and again I'd come and listen to them and how much they've improved.
Of course, Brendon and I still clashed and once I even purposely tripped him over mid "All The Small Things" with the wire of his microphone. After being around him so much, I got used to his voice that I had once found whiny and annoying, he's actually really talented, but I still didn't like him, nor trust him to be alone with my boyfriend, he just keeps flirting and coming on to him, but Jack always pushed him away an stopped him.
"Have we drawn up the final set list yet?" Rian asked from his spot on the floor where he was sat cross legged.
"Nope, you have a 20 minute spot to fill though, so pick wisely." Matt advised.
"One more quick jam before we all have to split?" Jack said from beside me.
"You bet!" Brendon sang, jumping up and skipping to the microphone.
The rest of the guys got in their positions, Rian behind everyone on his drums, Zack on Brendon's left, Jack on the right, and Matt came and sat next to me on the couch. Rian counted them in with a few hits of his sticks, and music filled the room, I hadn't heard this particular song before, it was...different, to say the least.
She paints her fingers with a close precision
He starts to notice empty bottles of gin
And takes a moment to assess the sins she’s paid for
A lonely speaker in a conversation
Her words were swimming through his ears again
There's nothing wrong with just a taste of what you've paid for
Say what you mean
Tell me I'm right
And let the sun rain down on me
Give me a sign I want to believe
Woah, Mona Lisa
You're guaranteed to run this town
Woah, Mona Lisa
I'd pay to see you frown
By the time the first chorus was over, I had kind of zoned out a little, writing in my own notebook, as this song kind of inspired me. I looked up a couple of times to see Jack jumping around like he was on crack, Zack singing into his microphone to harmonise with Brendon, and Rian was completely letting go.
They sounded really good, no wonder Jack had faith in his dream, I was honestly so glad he was doing what he wanted, even if it was with a cocky lead singer.
"Wh-what song was that?" I asked the group once the song had ended.
"Brendon wrote it this week," Matt muttered, not tearing his gaze from his phone.
"It's called Mona Lisa. Why, like it do you, Princess?" Brendon winked at me.
It kind of made my skin crawl. The nickname didn't fit when it rolled off of his tongue like it did with Jack's, it sounded pedophilic when he used it, and it made me uncomfortable, which I'm sure he knew.
I didn't answer him, instead I looked back down at my book and started to doodle something in the top corner, at first I don't know what I wanted it to be, but it turned out being a basic outline of a pig, to which I added fluffy wings. I then debated giving him cool shades, but I thought better of it and let the opening of 'You Me At Six's 'Reckless' surround me.
It got to the second verse, and Brendon was, well, completely off key and couldn't copy the note, and the other guys could tell, and looked at him worriedly.
"Fuck!" Brendon cried out.
I had to bite my lip to hold back a laugh at how worked up he seemed to be getting. Reckless was probably my favourite You Me At Six song, and it really wasn't that hard to sing.
"You're not using your diaphragm," I said under my breath, pretending to still write in my book.
"Excuse me?" He sneered, sliding the mic back into the stand and making his way over.
I looked up to see him scowling at me. "I said, you're not using your diaphragm, you're singing from your chest which will just compress your voice."
"Since when were you such an expert?"
"I'm not, look, it's easy, I'll show you," I set my book on the arm of the couch and walked over to where Brendon was previously stood, "From the end of chorus one?" I asked the guys who were still stood around me.
They all nodded, while Brendon stood a few feet in front of me, just glaring with his arms crossed over his chest. Rian counted them in, and a few moments later, I was singing.
And isn't it funny how
Those black clouds follow you around?
It's Karma smiling down
Just let me know when it's in town
You act like the world owes you a favour
You want it all but you don't like the taste
Oh
You've been throwing bricks at my window
Like there's no better way to say 'Hello'
I felt like I was really enjoying myself again, I hadn't played with the guys like this in weeks, and it felt so good to be back. But as I opened my eyes, I was met with the guy who replaced me, with a very angry look on his face.
The music faded out again and Jack bounced over to place a kiss on my cheek which made me blush. "Perfect as ever, Lex."
"Thanks," I smiled, looking up at him slightly and ruffling the back of my hair.
I turned back around, to find Brendon storming up the stairs and soon, the front door slammed.
"What's his problem?" Zack asked, joining us near the mic stand.
"Fuck knows," Matt answered from the couch, "But we don't have time to worry about him, you guys need to get your shit together...you still haven't came up with a band name."
A few weeks had passed and the guys were practicing as hard as ever for their first show this Friday, which also happened to be my birthday...but even after knowing Jack for a little over three months, I'm still pretty sure he had no clue. But that doesn't matter. I'm going to be there for him, for all of them, side stage and supporting their dream.
Speaking of dreams, we got our mock finals back and I had gotten an A in every class except Art where I got a B+, but it don't bother me too much. In the week I had sat down with my parents to discuss what college I should go to, and we have narrowed it down to two, so that's nearly sorted. Not to mention, Patrick had bent my arm about mathletes and so I have a trial somewhen next week, but whether I go or not is a different story all together.
"So, Zack, you take these 100," Matt said, handing the tickets over to him, "I figured seeing as you're in your own school you should have more. And the rest of you," he smiled, walking across Zack's basement to us, "get 60."
"60?" I gulped, looking down at the card rectangles I was given, "We have to sell 60 each in just a few days? Are you serious?"
It was the Sunday evening before right now, and Matt could have been smarter about this and not left it so last minute.
"Yes, Alex, I'm serious."
Matt still wasn't too keen on me, but we were getting there, for sure. He just said that he didn't want me at every band practice as I was a 'distraction' to Jack, so every now and again I'd come and listen to them and how much they've improved.
Of course, Brendon and I still clashed and once I even purposely tripped him over mid "All The Small Things" with the wire of his microphone. After being around him so much, I got used to his voice that I had once found whiny and annoying, he's actually really talented, but I still didn't like him, nor trust him to be alone with my boyfriend, he just keeps flirting and coming on to him, but Jack always pushed him away an stopped him.
"Have we drawn up the final set list yet?" Rian asked from his spot on the floor where he was sat cross legged.
"Nope, you have a 20 minute spot to fill though, so pick wisely." Matt advised.
"One more quick jam before we all have to split?" Jack said from beside me.
"You bet!" Brendon sang, jumping up and skipping to the microphone.
The rest of the guys got in their positions, Rian behind everyone on his drums, Zack on Brendon's left, Jack on the right, and Matt came and sat next to me on the couch. Rian counted them in with a few hits of his sticks, and music filled the room, I hadn't heard this particular song before, it was...different, to say the least.
She paints her fingers with a close precision
He starts to notice empty bottles of gin
And takes a moment to assess the sins she’s paid for
A lonely speaker in a conversation
Her words were swimming through his ears again
There's nothing wrong with just a taste of what you've paid for
Say what you mean
Tell me I'm right
And let the sun rain down on me
Give me a sign I want to believe
Woah, Mona Lisa
You're guaranteed to run this town
Woah, Mona Lisa
I'd pay to see you frown
By the time the first chorus was over, I had kind of zoned out a little, writing in my own notebook, as this song kind of inspired me. I looked up a couple of times to see Jack jumping around like he was on crack, Zack singing into his microphone to harmonise with Brendon, and Rian was completely letting go.
They sounded really good, no wonder Jack had faith in his dream, I was honestly so glad he was doing what he wanted, even if it was with a cocky lead singer.
"Wh-what song was that?" I asked the group once the song had ended.
"Brendon wrote it this week," Matt muttered, not tearing his gaze from his phone.
"It's called Mona Lisa. Why, like it do you, Princess?" Brendon winked at me.
It kind of made my skin crawl. The nickname didn't fit when it rolled off of his tongue like it did with Jack's, it sounded pedophilic when he used it, and it made me uncomfortable, which I'm sure he knew.
I didn't answer him, instead I looked back down at my book and started to doodle something in the top corner, at first I don't know what I wanted it to be, but it turned out being a basic outline of a pig, to which I added fluffy wings. I then debated giving him cool shades, but I thought better of it and let the opening of 'You Me At Six's 'Reckless' surround me.
It got to the second verse, and Brendon was, well, completely off key and couldn't copy the note, and the other guys could tell, and looked at him worriedly.
"Fuck!" Brendon cried out.
I had to bite my lip to hold back a laugh at how worked up he seemed to be getting. Reckless was probably my favourite You Me At Six song, and it really wasn't that hard to sing.
"You're not using your diaphragm," I said under my breath, pretending to still write in my book.
"Excuse me?" He sneered, sliding the mic back into the stand and making his way over.
I looked up to see him scowling at me. "I said, you're not using your diaphragm, you're singing from your chest which will just compress your voice."
"Since when were you such an expert?"
"I'm not, look, it's easy, I'll show you," I set my book on the arm of the couch and walked over to where Brendon was previously stood, "From the end of chorus one?" I asked the guys who were still stood around me.
They all nodded, while Brendon stood a few feet in front of me, just glaring with his arms crossed over his chest. Rian counted them in, and a few moments later, I was singing.
And isn't it funny how
Those black clouds follow you around?
It's Karma smiling down
Just let me know when it's in town
You act like the world owes you a favour
You want it all but you don't like the taste
Oh
You've been throwing bricks at my window
Like there's no better way to say 'Hello'
I felt like I was really enjoying myself again, I hadn't played with the guys like this in weeks, and it felt so good to be back. But as I opened my eyes, I was met with the guy who replaced me, with a very angry look on his face.
The music faded out again and Jack bounced over to place a kiss on my cheek which made me blush. "Perfect as ever, Lex."
"Thanks," I smiled, looking up at him slightly and ruffling the back of my hair.
I turned back around, to find Brendon storming up the stairs and soon, the front door slammed.
"What's his problem?" Zack asked, joining us near the mic stand.
"Fuck knows," Matt answered from the couch, "But we don't have time to worry about him, you guys need to get your shit together...you still haven't came up with a band name."
Notes
VERY IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTTo everyone who reads the Bulletproof Love/Misery Business/The Rock Show Alex/OC!
The author, and my very good friend, Gwen, was locked out of her account, and so couldn't update the series! However, she has now made a new account and is carrying on with The Rock Show on that link! So if you read it and wondered what happened to the updates, or are looking for a good read, I highly recommend checking it out! It's fab, and it would mean a lot to her!
Thank you for reading :)
Still miss this story so much :(
5/25/18