Suzie’s House 330 : First Gig

They were together. Emma could hear the difference in the music, and it wasn’t just the practice room. They’d been in the room practicing every day for a couple of weeks now and it didn’t sound new anymore. No, this was different. Everyone knew their part and played it perfect. Emma reveled in it. She felt like she could really let her voice out when the band sounded like this.

It wasn’t just her thinking it either. When they finished the last song they all just kind of stood there feeling it for a minute or two, then started talking about how good it was.

“Yeah. We’re good.” Bruce didn’t look happy about it. “That’s a good thing because our first gig is going to be this Thursday.”

“What?!” Everyone said it at once so Emma didn’t feel so bad about shouting.

“We never agreed to that,” Tracy said. “Don’t try to order us around.”

“I mean,” Bruce closed his eyes like he had to get his temper under control. “We have a chance to play at The Warehouse next Thursday.”

“Oh. Well, next Thursday is kind of soon,” Justin said. He put his drumsticks across one of the little drums in front of him like they were chopsticks and he was done eating anyway.

“I already said yes for us,” Bruce cup Justin off before he could argue. “So, nine o-clock at The Warehouse this Thursday. My uncle’s got a van and…”

“Wait. You mean we’re going to play for real? In front of people?” Kate sat behind her drum kit with both sticks held up like she was about to start up again any second.

“In front of people?” Emma’s voice squeaked out of a tight throat. “I mean, it could be just anyone?”

“You’ll have your mask,” Bruce said like she was stupid to not think of it. “I’ll even give you a new one for it.”

“But…” A rivulet of cold fear trickled down her back. First everything looked too sharp, then all fuzzy. She tried not to breath too much because if she wasn’t careful she was going to pass out, but no one paid attention to her.

“This is what we’ve been practicing for, isn’t it?”

“I thought we were practicing for whatever it is Ton wanted us to do in a couple of months.” Gene pulled the strap on his guitar over his head and reached for the case.

“Well, yeah. Of course we are. But that isn’t all, is it?” Bruce looked around at everyone.

The words echoed in Emma’s head. They’d worked hard since even before Summer Vacation. They’d even played in the talent show. Sometimes Emma thought her fantasies about becoming big rock stars and going far away from here might actually come true.

If she could do it on a big stage with security guards and these people around her she might even… No. All those people looking at her, knowing that she can’t really sing… She’d never be able to do it without a mask.

Emma looked around. Everyone was thinking real hard as they put their stuff away and got ready to leave.

“So what do you say?” Bruce looked at each of them in turn, making them say it.

Each of them in turn said yes until the only one left was Emma. She felt kind of depressed now. Everyone was together on it except for her. And what could she say? That she was afraid? But they would only say she was always afraid.

Though she felt like somebody had slugged her in the gut, she nodded. To be a part of this band, she’d do anything, even if it killed her.

If you enjoy Suzie’s House and would like to see more, please leave a comment. Suzie’s House is powered by its readers.