Carpe Diem

I closed my eyes as I walked onto the stage, ignoring the cheers of the crowd.

“Come on Taylor, we don’t have all day!” Omar laughed.

I opened my eyes and glared at him.

“I don’t know the fucking setlist, I’ve not even had time to practise!” I exclaimed to David, thankfully I didn’t notice the Mic on the floor at that point.

He moved away from his Mic and spoke. “The setlist’s on the floor by your Mic, and you don’t need practise, you’ll knock ‘em dead!” He reassured.

“I’m going to fucking knock all of you dead when this is over!” I glared.

He winked in response as he moved back behind his Mic.

“So this is our best friend Taylor, and she’s also Matt Rubano’s cousin! Fancy that!” David said in a posh voice.

I flipped him off and glanced down at the set list.

Three Oh Nine.
Talk Us Down.
Save Your Breath.
The Call Out. (You Are The Dishes)
Speakers Blown.
Stick Up.

I sighed to myself. Words couldn’t explain how uncomfortable I felt.

“There’s no way I’m backing out of this, is there?” I mumbled as I picked the cordless Mic off of the floor.

Nick began to play the opening of “Three Oh Nine” on his guitar as Nathan began to drum. I rolled my eyes. I guess not.

I brought the Mic to my mouth as I began to sing.

"Don't take another step until you decide
What it is that you want and where you're sleeping tonight
It's no skin off my back or bones,
If you wanna go home then just say so...
Just say so, whoa

Let go, of all that we've had
You know we've been down this road before
Pack your bags, dry your eyes
It's a long walk from my house to Three Oh Nine

Cry all you like kid,
It's no secret you faked it
And it's no skin off my back or bones,
If you wanna go home then just say so...
Just say so, whoa

Let go, of all that we've had
You know we've been down this road before
Pack your bags, dry your eyes
It's a long walk from my house to Three Oh Nine!

I began to feel a little at ease as Nick began his guitar solo as I turned around to face the crowd to see Nick, Alex, Logan, Jake and Hayden all with their thumbs up in the air, as well as Matt, Lidia, Eddie, Fred and Mark. I smiled a little.

By the way that your eyes
Travel to the floor when you tell a lie
Like the way that your eyes
Travel to the floor when you tell a lie
By the way that your eyes
Travel to the floor when you tell a lie
(Your eyes disguise, your ways and severed ties)
Like the way that your eyes
Travel to the floor when you tell a lie...
(Your eyes disguise, your ways and severed ties)
Like right now!

I sang as I began to clap my hands together as the crowd mimicked my actions.

Let go, of all that we've had
You know we've been down this road before
Pack your bags, dry your eyes
It's a long walk from my house to three oh nine
Let go, of all that we've had
You know we've been down this road before
Pack your bags, dry your eyes
It's a long walk from my house to three oh nine
Let go, of all that we've had
You know we've been down this road before
Pack your bags, dry your eyes
It's a long walk from my house to three oh nine
Let go, of all that we've had
You know we've been down this road before
Pack your bags, dry your eyes
It's a long walk from my house to three oh nine!" I finished as the crowd erupted in cheers.

“FUCK YEAH, TAYLOR!” Omar screamed into his Mic as the crowd cheered once again.

I pretended to bow and looked out at the crowd, spotting Collin.

“Collin Ross you prick! You did this!” I laughed into my Mic as I pointed at him as he did a heart sign with his hands.

“Everyone cheer for Collin!” Nick exclaimed as everyone began to cheer.

“Fuck no, everyone boo him! He deserves to be booed!” I laughed.

“So what does everything think of our lovely Taylor who agreed to step in for Collin?” Nathan yelled.

The crowd cheered as I bowed once more and turned to Nathan, bringing the Mic up to my lips. “Actually, I didn’t agree, you’re not innocent in this, VanDame!”

“Save the fist fight until later, lets play another song!” David exclaimed.

“Okay so this next song isss-” I dragged out as I moved the setlist with my foot in order to read it. “Talk us down!” I cheered as the crowd began to applaude.

Nathan began to hit his snare drum and his kick pedal as the intro started up as Nick began to play along too, as well as Omar and David.

I brought the Mic to my lips once more.

"So let's find the tallest building and scream at the streets below
As you turn to me and say they're not worth our spit anyway
Talk us down, talk us down from this ledge
As we inch even closer to our death we're showing off our talents
We're good at losing balance

As we make the pavement our home
Letting go of all, all that we've known

The cities never sleep when we're gone
The streets call out our name, the lights aren't the same for so long
and it's wrong to keep them waiting

So let's find the darkest alley, avoiding all contact with roads
Keeping time with our heartbeats, we rely on makeshift metronomes
Talk us down, talk us down from this ledge
as we inch even closer to our death we're showing off our talents
We're good at losing balance

As we make the pavement our home
Letting go of all, all that we’ve known

As the chorus began to kick in for the second time I felt a rush of adrenaline, causing me to run across the stage, and begin jumping up and down.

The cities never sleep when we're gone
The streets call out our name, the lights aren't the same for so long
and it's wrong to keep them waiting
All year long (let's just go)
We'll say our goodbyes
Travel through the night, grab the closest wheel and drive.

As we make the pavement our home
Letting go of all, all that we've known

The cities never sleep when we're gone
The streets call out our name, the lights aren't the same for so long
and it's wrong to keep them waiting
All year long (so let's just go)
We'll say our goodbyes
We'll say our goodbyes
Travel through the night, grab the closest wheel and drive!" I exclaimed as I breathed in deeply.

“Thank you! You are all now my children!” I grinned mischievously.

“Fuck off Taylor, they’re mine!” Nathan protested.

“VanDame, you think with your stomach, they’d be devoured children.” I chuckled. Before he could protest again I butted in. “Next song!” I cheered as the crowd erupted once more.

“One of my favourites, I’m going to ruin your song with my terrible voice Collin, I hope you don’t mind!” I winked as I stuck my middle finger up at Collin playfully.

"Save your breath this time around
You're too beautiful and it's late
There's nothing left to say
I've wasted all this time on you
On you

It's all the same, we all make mistakes
And if you didn't notice, I'm taking this for all its worth
If it's a game, and these are the stakes
I know I got the best shot, for taking you out of the race

And every time I think of him it makes me sick
And I don't wanna know just what happened then
In the van right in front of my house
That's where you sold me out, girl
You didn't have a clue

You sold me out
What'd you think about when you were telling all your friends
about how your lips were pressed against his tightly
And I hope you had your eyes closed!

And every time I think of him it makes me sick
And I don't wanna know just what happened then
In the van right in front of my house
That's where you sold me out, girl
You didn't have a clue
Ohhh!

“Sing it with me, Omar!” I exclaimed as he laughed and began to sing.

What'd you think about when you sold me out?

Every time you go to sleep at night
I wonder what you hide behind closed eyes
What else could you be keeping from me?
What else could you be keeping from me?

And every time you go to sleep at night
I wonder what you hide behind closed eyes
What else could you be keeping from me?
What else could you be keeping from me?

And every time I think of him it makes me sick
And I don't wanna know just what happened then
In the van right in front of my house
That's where you sold me out, girl
You didn't have a clue

And every time I think of him it makes me sick
And I don't wanna know just what happened then
In the van right in front of my house
That's where you sold me out, girl
You didn't have a clue!"

I grinned as I felt my heart race a thousand piles per hour, I was having the fucking time of my life, I couldn’t deny it. I caught Nick’s eye in the crowd and winked at him. I owed him big time.

“So! Who’s ready for Taking Back Sunday?!” I yelled earning a roar of excitable cheers in response.

“How about…A ROCKET TO THE FUCKING MOON?!” I yelled once more as everyone screamed.

“I can’t fucking hear you!” I sang as the screams grew louder.

“Me neither, they’re shit” I joked as I made my hands into a love heart shape at the members. “I’m kidding, they’re fucking epic, and if you don’t watch their set, then you’re missing out and no-one will ever love you except your mom” I grinned.

“Taylor don’t you ever shut up?! Let me talk for a change! I’m the one that they want!” Nick protested.

“Ooh Ooh Ooh honey!” I smirked as Nick flipped me off.

“So this one’s called The Call Out!” Nathan cheered.

“I need to take a deep breath, right?” I laughed into my Mic as I looked at Omar who grinned.

“It’s suggested.” He smirked.

“Okay, I’m ready!” I said as I inhaled deeply.

"Tell me again how we're easily forgettable
So formulaic and way too simple to be
At all original, yeah so we've heard
It's time to keep your mouth shut
While we show you how to rock n’ fucking roll! I cheered as I began to head bang to the intro.

Tell me again how we're so unrecognizable
A stolen guide to your best of best CD’s
As whoa, we know this is the hook
So bring on mixed reviews

This chords not played out yet
There's a lot more that they're not letting on
And whoa, we know you'll have no scene left when it's done

We won't back down
You know that we can do this
With or without you
“With or what?!” I cheered
“Without you!” The crowd yelled.

To all your friends who make rules
We wrote them
To those who prey on hearts of fools
We broke them

This chords not played out yet
There's a lot more that they're not letting on
And whoa, we know you'll have no scene left when it's done!

We won't back down
You know that we can do this
With or without you
With or without you
We won't back down
You know that we can do this
With or without you
With or without you!

Taking what we can
We're modern day cut-throats
We're breaking all your plans
Staking out every road
Taking what we can (We won't back down)
We're modern day cut-throats (You know that we can do this)
We're breaking all your plans (With or without you)
Staking out every road (With or without you)

We won't back down
You know that we can do this
With or without you
With or without you
We won't back down
You know that we can do this
With or without you
“With or what?!“ I screamed for the final time.
“WITHOUT YOU!” The crowd yelled in unison.

“I’m so sweaty!” I whined as I wiped my forehead, pushing my hair out of my face.

“Take your top off!” A random guy in the first row yelled.

“Believe me, you don’t want to see me with my top off.” I chuckled.

“Let me be the judge!” He smirked.

“Sorry kid, I got married in Vegas last night” I winked.

“Liar!” He laughed.

“Oh yeah? Ask my husband!” I grinned as I glanced at Omar who was dying of laughter.

“Oh yeah, who’s that then?” He challenged.

I glanced through the crowd as my eyes landed on Nick. Perfect.

“Nick Santino!” I exclaimed.

I couldn’t contain my laughter as everyone turned and looked at Nick.

“I’m kidding kids, but that’s what you get for asking me to take my top off, I think I just crushed every girl’s dream.” I sighed dramatically.

“Taylor you fucking heartbreaker!” Nathan laughed.

“I know right? I should be controlled! Anyway! To stop me from talking shit we’re going to play another song!” I shouted as the crowd yelled in response.

"I can't hear you, you sound like static
I can't hear you my ears have had it bad
You sound like a...

Radio with the speakers blown
The treble high and the base down low
Down low

Tonight I'm drowning in my favorite records
Trying to forget how every thread
Reminds me of the nights I spent with you

They play the soundtrack to my falling tears
The soundtrack to this wasted year
And the sleeves hide scars better than I could ever do

So turn me up when you turn me on
When we hear hearts break we'll say they're playing our song! I exclaimed.

It sounds like a radio with the speakers blown
The kind of sound that you'll never know
Treble high and the base down low
Whoa! Whoa!
Radio with the speakers blown
The kind of sound that you'll never know
Treble high and the base down low
Whoa!

The record plays to the beat of my heart
And my heart you know it plays like a metronome
If the record skips a beat my heart will too

It plays the soundtrack to my falling tears
The soundtrack to this wasted year
And the sleeves hide scars better than I could ever do

So turn me up when you turn me on
“When we hear hearts break we'll say what?! I yelled.
“They're playing our song!” The crowd cheered.

It sounds like a radio with the speakers blown
the kind of sound that you'll never know
treble high and the base down low
Whoa! Whoa!
Radio with the speakers blown
The kind of sound that you'll never know
Treble high and the base down low
Whoa!

So I'll break these record you've always hated
I'm feeling so sick and medicated
Aw come on why are you so nervous boy?
My prescriptions read like ransom notes
And love letters you never wrote
Help me feel like I'm not paranoid

I can't hear you, you sound like static
I can't hear you my ears have had it bad
It sounds like a...

Radio with the speakers blown
Treble high and the base down low
Down low!

It sounds like a radio with the speakers blown
the kind of sound that you'll never know
treble high and the base down low
Whoa! Whoa!

Radio with the speakers blown
the kind of sound that you'll never know
treble high and the base down low
Whoa! Whoa!
Treble high and the base down low!

The crowd began to cheer once more as I sat on the floor with the Mic in my hand and glanced at the setlist.

“I have an announcement!” I sighed dramatically.

“What’s wrong now Taylor? Do you really need to pee that bad?“ Omar sniggered.

“Look Omar, I know I announce it, but that’s not it this time! The announcement is this is our last song!”

The crowd groaned in response as I chuckled lightly.

“On the plus side, it’s my favorite song, and I’m going to make the most of it, so I hope you will too!” I exclaimed as the crowd screamed.

The intro of “Stick Up” kicked in and I jumped off the stage carefully with my microphone and began to run around in front of the barrier that the crowd were kept behind.

"Come on make this last
Just 'til morning comes and we'll pick up the pieces
One by one
Tomorrow’s just another day
And this life's just to far away
To waste yet another tear on you

And I, I know this can't be wrong it feels so right
Laying in these arms with me tonight
I hope you know
I hope you know these feelings are true
I have about you

I'll lie awake
Wishing on your star
I hope you think about me
Wish on my star too
I'd like to think that we got something going yeah
I'm breaking, I'm bleeding, I'm falling in circles for you

I sang as I climbed onto the bottom of the barrier and leaned into the crowd.

"Your eyes are filled with tears tonight
So hide your face you won’t see mine
And I’ve got you tripping over lies!
“So Spit it out before you choke!” A girl sang into the Mic as I grinned.

"I know, and god I hope
That you feel this way too
And I, I know this can't be wrong it feels so right
Laying in these arms with me tonight
I hope you know
I hope you know these feelings are true
I have about you!

I jumped down and began to run from one end of the barrier to the other, keeping the Mic in my left hand as I stuck my hand out and high-fived the front row of the crowd with my right.

I'll lie awake
Wishing on your star
I hope you think about me
Wish on my star too
I'd like to think that we got something going yeah
I'm breaking, I'm bleeding, I'm falling in circles for you

I'll wait for this to end
But I don't know if these feelings are for real
My heart beats faster every time you're near
Every time you're near

I jumped back on stage during the break down and ran over to Omar who laughed as he played along, I placed my hand on his shoulder as I began to head bang once more.

I'll lie awake
Wishing on your star
I hope you think about
Wish on my star too (Wish on my star too)
I'd like to think that we have something going
I'm breaking, I'm bleeding, I'm falling in circles for you
For you!

“Thank you so fucking much! We’ve been Hit The Lights with our special guest Taylor Rubano! Give it up for Taylor!” Nathan yelled as the crowd screamed.

I grinned and jumped up and down. “Thank you! You’ve been amazing!” I laughed as I placed the Microphone on the floor and ran off the stage.

“HOLY SHIT!” I screamed as I jumped up and down, tackling Nathan down the stairs.

“I take it you enjoyed it?” He laughed as he hugged me tightly.

“Best fucking feeling ever!” I smiled. “Although it was a one off, don’t trick me into it again!” I warned as I hit him playfully.

“Taylor you were fucking incredible!” Omar grinned as David and Nick nodded.

“Me?! You were fucking insane! You guys put on a killer show!” I laughed getting off of Nathan and high-fiving them all.

“No regrets?” Collin croaked from behind me as he outstretched his arms which I gladly jumped into.

“No fucking regrets!” I cheered as I hugged him tightly.

Another one for the history books.