More Than a Band

Joey entered the house, the song still playing through his earphones. He shut off his iPod and took off the earphones, putting the electronic device on the end table under the stair as he walked pass the living room. He went straight to the kitchen and smiled to see his mother standing in front of the stove, preparing breakfast. It was a routine like this that he loved. Every morning he would wake up earlier than any of his family members and went for a run. When he got back, he would be greeted by the smell of his mother’s scrambled eggs and toast.

“How’s the run?” Julie asked, smiling at her only son. She plated the food she had just cooked and put it on the counter. Joey shrugged, taking a glass from the rack and filled it with tap water before drinking it.

“It’s good. The weather’s nice today,” he replied after swallowing and put the glass into the sink. “Going to take a shower,” he continued, wiping his sweaty forehead and made his way upstairs where he started to get ready.

After weeks of practicing, it was finally the day for the preliminary round for the Battle of the Bands. Joey woke up early than usual, feeling jittery which was normal for him when he was feeling nervous about something. Therefore, he went out for his morning run early, taking a different route that was farther than the one that he usually took. He needed to get rid of all the pent up energy or he would be too worked up to calm down.

After he was done showering and getting dressed in his usual get up, T-shirt, jeans and a pair of sneakers, he went back downstairs towards the kitchen. Upon entering the room, he saw that his father was already there, sitting on the dining table, reading a newspaper while sipping his coffee.

He took a seat opposite to Gerard and quietly began to eat his breakfast that his mother had plated for him. The only sound could be heard was his mother clattering around the kitchen and the sound of cutleries hitting plates before Gerard started speaking.

“How’s football?” he asked, folding the papers and started to put jam on his toast, not looking at his son. Joey poked at his scrambled eggs and shrugged.

“It’s okay. Coach Herman said the scouts will be coming to see the game next month,” Joey replied. Gerard responded with a non-committal noise but didn’t say anything more. “My band competition is today,” Joey said, wanting to see his father’s reaction. He was almost disappointed when Gerard didn’t say anything and just continued to eat his breakfast in silence. He however had expected the reaction so not saying anything, Joey began to eat.

-

Joey twirled the drumsticks around his fingers as he watched the people moving about behind the stage. Isobel was sitting next to him, checking on her nails, her face showing no interest at what was happening around her. In front of them, Ali was pacing back and forth, worry was evident on her face.

“Will you sit down? You’re making me dizzy,” Isobel said with a roll of her eyes. Ali did stop for a moment, biting at her nail. She was about to open her mouth to say something but stopped herself when they saw Mrs. Morrison making her way towards them.

“Is he here yet?” she asked, looking at the three teenagers. Joey responded by shrugging, his face blank to mask what he was actually feeling inside. Isobel just raised her shoulders as Ali had started pacing again.

“Of all days to be late,” she muttered, resuming to bite on her nail.

Joey stopped playing with his drumsticks and stretched his arms a little, his joints releasing a satisfying pop. He stood up, shoving the drumsticks into the back pocket of his jeans. He would’ve called Reed if he had the guy’s phone number but he had purposely deleted it from his contact right after Reed put it in his phone. Joey just didn’t see the importance of keeping his number since their band practice schedules were already set and if there was any change, any of them would just tell him at school.

“Has anyone called him?” Mrs. Morrison asked.

“I had but it went straight to voicemail,” Ali answered, sitting down on another chair next to Isobel.

“Typical Reed,” the red-head mumbled.

“We can play without him,” Joey decided which got an immediate response from both Ali and Mrs. Morrison.

“That can’t happen!” both of them exclaimed at the same time, eyes wide as plates.

“Why not? He obviously doesn’t take this seriously enough to come on time. Maybe we should just kick him off the band.”

“This is a disaster,” Ali sighed, burying her face in her palms. Mrs. Morrison was dialling someone, probably trying to get hold of the bassist. Joey looked at Isobel who still didn’t show any interest at her surroundings. She returned his look with a raised eyebrow. He quickly averted his gaze and shifted his attention towards one of the backstage crews who was making his way towards them.

“You’re on in five minutes,” he said to them before writing something on the clipboard in his hand and walking away while talking onto his walkie-talkie.

Ali had gotten up again, this time she looked like she was ready to cry. Joey was worried that Mrs. Morrison would break her phone with the way she kept punching at the screen with her finger vigorously.

“Hello, awesome bandmates!” At that voice, all four of them turned to see that Reed had finally shown up. He had his usual shit-eating grin on his face, his bass was in its case, one strap slung over his shoulder.

“Good for you to show up,” Joey said, crossing his arms in front of his chest, eyeing Reed up and down. His jaw clenched as Reed moved closer and slung an arm around Joey’s shoulders which he shrugged off.

“Why so grumpy, Studmuffin?” Reed asked mockingly, then laughed at his own joke. Joey rolled his eyes at the childish teenager beside him, decided that it would be better for him to ignore Reed now before they had to perform. Letting his feelings taking over wouldn’t be good.

“Stop calling me that and it’s our turn,” Joey stated, nodding his head towards the crew that had started calling them to get ready on stage.

At that, Isobel and Ali got up from their seats as Reed started to get his bass guitar out from the case and slung the strap over his shoulder. Mrs. Morrison wished them luck, patting each of their back a few times before they all got on the stage.

Joey went straight to the drum kit and sat on the stool as his eyes swept over the audience. There were four people sitting on the judges’ table, three men and one woman. The woman looked as if she was bored already while the three men were chatting among themselves, completely ignoring them.

His band mates had started to get their instruments ready, connecting the jacks to the amplifiers. Joey took his drumsticks from his back pocket and gripped them tightly. After they were ready, Ali made her way forward towards the microphone stand. She cleared her throat to get the judges’ attention.

“Uh… we are Lockdown,” she said, introducing the band before turning a little to nod at Joey. Joey got the cue. He lifted both his arms up and hit his drumsticks together, counting.

“One, two, one, two, three, four!”

Just like that, they started playing.