Your Eyes Shine Like The Stars At Night

I sat strumming my guitar, perfecting every chord and melody, ignoring the dozens of males around me who were acting like they had this in the bag. They obviously didn't realize how big of an opportunity this was. It was a chance to be in The Catastrophe, one of the biggest bands in their scene.

Dan Samson, The Catastrophe’s former lead guitarist, quit, so they were in search of a permanent replacement. That would explain why I was blistering my fingers from the constant practicing in a warehouse with about forty sweaty boys competing against me. If looks could kill, I’d have been raped and murdered by now. I couldn’t even tell you how many times I’d been interrupted from playing by one of them attempting to hit on me. Frankly, it was sickening.

The lead vocalist of The Catastrophe, Darren, opened the door that led to the other half of the warehouse, and poked his head in. “Next, please.”

A short, blond boy pounded the fist of a friend, then stood up and followed Darren into the other room to audition. I sighed, and began playing again.

The redhead on my left turned to me and said, “You know, if you didn’t practice before, it’s a little late to do that now.”

I just blinked and stared at him. “Uh huh.” I continued meticulously plucking the strings.

The truth was, I had been practicing. I knew The Catastrophe’s entire catalog of songs by heart on guitar, bass, drums, and I could sing each line and lyric in tune. Music was the most important thing in my life; I had dedicated myself to learning how to play every instrument I could get my hands on.

A few hours passed, and every time Darren allowed another hopeful boy in to audition, he looked less and less pleased. The redhead who had talked to me earlier had just finished trying out, and walked back in with a smug grin on his face. “I think you’re looking at The Catastrophe’s newest guitarist.”

I just rolled my eyes and followed Darren to the next room. It was my turn.

Darren sat down behind a table with his two other bandmates – Seth, the drummer, and Josh, the bassist.

I strapped my guitar around my neck, looked at them, and said, “I know what you’re all thinking, ‘Okay, it’s a chick. Better just get this over with,’ but I’ll have you know, I rock harder than every one of those cocksuckers out there.” I didn’t even tell them my name before shredding out a riff of their first-ever single. Their mouths dropped, and I felt like I’d really accomplished something. I was playing each note perfectly.

The members of the other band they were about to tour with were standing behind the table, watching every contestant as well. I couldn’t help but notice a tall boy with brown hair covering his eyes. He seemed to stand out to me among all of them. There was just something mesmerizing about him, I just couldn’t figure it out…

I played the rest of the song, and strutted out of the audition room with a smile on my lips.

There were about fifteen more people for them to listen to before they announced the newest member. I suddenly felt tremendously insecure. I always put on this façade that I was the big, tough bitch that no one wants to mess with, but underneath, I was the exact opposite. Insecurity to me was second nature; I didn’t show it, but it was always there. So I did the first thing that I always do when my hidden insecurity gets the best of me: check myself in the mirror and re-do my makeup.

The bathroom in the building was co-ed, so I was just hoping to finish my makeup in the mirror before anyone walked in.

I was gliding an eyeliner pencil along my eyelids when the door opened…

>JACK’S POV<

The redheaded boy finished playing his song for The Catastrophe, and looked extremely proud of himself. “Wow, that sucked hardcore,” Alex whispered as Darren went to ask for the next person to come in.

The next hopeful strolled in, with long, wavy blond hair, a short, petite figure, light hazel eyes and…was a girl?! We hadn’t been near even the smallest dose of estrogen all day. It was safe to say that everyone was shocked. It was also safe to say that she was stunning.

A few of the guys sighed, waiting for her turn to be over. No one else seemed to expect much from her.

She positioned her pink guitar in front of her, strapping the white guitar strap around her shoulder, and looked at us all seriously. “I know what you’re all thinking, ‘Okay, it’s a chick. Better just get this over with,’ but I’ll have you know, I rock harder than every one of those cocksuckers out there.” I could already tell I was beginning to like her.

She wasn’t just all talk either; she was the best performer we’d seen all day. Maybe even better than The Catastrophe’s old guitarist. She definitely knew what she was doing.

She finished her song, nodded her head at us, and smiled before walking out the door. I couldn’t help but notice her eyes…

Alex crossed his arms over his chest and smirked at me. “So. I take it you like her?”

“Huh? What?” I struggled to snap myself out of my daydream.

“Aww, our widdle Jackie’s gwowing up!” Alex mocked in a baby voice.

“I don’t even know her name.”

“Doesn’t matter. It’s love at first sight!” he laughed.

“Well… not love, but… I mean, she’s pretty…” I stammered quietly. Just thinking about her made the butterflies in my stomach go wild.

He chuckled. “Well, let’s just hope that for your sake they pick her. After all, they are touring with us.”

The thought of touring with her hadn’t even crossed my mind – the butterflies flapped their wings harder in my stomach, causing my stomach to lurch. “I...I think I’m gonna be sick.” I clutched my stomach and ran for the bathroom.