"Kayleigh, get your lazy ass up or you're going to be late for school"
"But –", I started to protest. It was six in the morning!
"I don't want to hear excuses. You'll need all the time to get ready. If I come up here again your lessons are going to be cancelled." Dad threatened.
I sighed and threw the covers back. The cold air hit me and I cringed.
I miss summer.
I grabbed a towel and clothes and stumbled to the bathroom door across the room.
While in the shower, I did what every teenager does.
Think. It wasn't coherent thinking, but it still counts.
It was the first day of grade eleven. My 17th birthday was in a month and Battle of the Bands tryouts in two weeks.
I should probably do some quick explaining. My name is Kayleigh White. I probably have the most boring last name ever, but anyway, that's not the point. I'm 16 soon to be 17 and I attend St. Luke's High. No, it's not catholic or Christian but it's named after a saint. Confused? I am too. Either way, I go there. I'm just starting my junior year.
St. Luke's is probably one of the lamest schools you'll ever go to. It has a strict dress code which has basically turned into a uniform. The only good thing that will ever come out of that school is that every year they have a Battle of the Bands contest for the upper class men. Five bands will compete in a three round competition and the last two bands standing will compete head to head for the school's band of the year and will get to play the Winter Formal and Prom. The best part was I was finally old enough to enter.
I play in a band with my three best friends called For the Record. I do lead vocals and play guitar sometimes. Haylee plays bass, Kimberly plays drums and Taylor plays lead guitar. We've been playing together for about a year and compared to when we started, we sounds pretty good. We write our own songs and music, but Battle of the Bands has stupid rules.
I finished my super long shower and got dressed in my boring uniform. St. Luke's colors were silver, purple and black so the uniforms were bleak compared to what I usually wear. I pulled on the black and purple plaid skirt and the white button up shirt. My tie and blazer seemed to be M.I.A but I'd worry about that later. I went back to my room and turned my stereo on almost full blast and pushed play on my I-pod. D.R.U.G.S. flooded my room.
I brushed and styled my hair, which was basically straighten my bangs and letting my long dark hair dry naturally wavy.
Next was makeup. Simple black eyeliner and mascara to make my forest green eyes pop. After that was done I searched my room for my missing black and purple tie and blazer. Once I had found them under my bed and tied the tie in a semi-decent knot, I opened my show closet. Yes. I have a separate closet for shoes, that's how many pairs I own. I'm glad the school at least gives us freedom of shoe choice. I grabbed black and purple converses to match my uniform and slipped them on after pulling up my knee socks.
I evaluated my reflection in the mirror. I looked as decent as you could in a school uniform. My phone rang from the other side of the room. As I walked over to it, I picked up my guitar case that kept my custom painted guitar. It was an amazing shade of turquoise, my favourite color.
New Message:
From: Haylee Nelson
To: Kayleigh White
-hey, almost there. Be ready.
I looked up at the clock. 8:10AM.
Dad was right. I did need all the time. I grabbed my I-pod, sheet music, textbooks and schedule and threw it into a rainbow checker bag and slung the bag over my shoulder. Picking up the guitar case, I went upstairs and into the kitchen. Dad sat at the table drinking coffee. Typical dad.
"Morning" He said.
I returned the greeting as I grabbed a granola bar and took a huge bite.
"What's the plan for today?" He asked.
I chewed and then said, "Haylee's picking me up in like five minutes, then school, then after school Taylor's going to drive me to lessons by 3:45, then pick me up at 5:45 to come back here for two hours practice, then homework if I get any. I'm hoping I don't. It's the first day. Then, after that probably bed."
"Sounds busy" He nodded. "Is everyday going to be like this?"
"Probably" I said.
"I hope this music thing doesn't interfere with your school work" He said.
"Did it interfere last year?" I asked.
"Well. No" He said.
"And the year before that?"
"..No"
"Or the year before that?"
"No. I get it. But you didn't have lessons those years, and you four are practicing a lot more this year" He pointed out.
"Lessons are useful" I argued. "And we're entering Battle of the Bands this year"
"Are you sure you wouldn't rather enter next year? And do you really need both –"
I sighed. This conversation again. We've been through this at least ten times since the beginning of August. "Yes, Dad, both singing lessons and guitar lessons are necessary. Since I started taking them, both the band and I have improved drastically. And no, we can't enter next year because they you'll bit...complain about how important grade 12 is. I've got this, Dad"
Dad opened his mouth to argue when a shock of bleach blonde hair entered the kitchen.
"Hey Kayleigh, Mr. White" Haylee nodded to my dad.
I breathed a sigh of relief that I wouldn't have to have the same argument with Dad again.
"Good morning, Haylee" Dad nodded.
"See ya after school" I said to Dad and followed Haylee to her car, "You are a life saver"
"Arguing about school and music?" She asked as she pulled away from the curb.
I nodded. "He doesn't get the music is slightly more important than school at the moment"
"Well, he'll understand when we win Battle of the Bands" She grinned.
"Fuck yeah!" I fist pumped and the thoughts of the argument slipped away.
Haylee pulled into the school parking lot twenty minutes later. It was already packed so we had to park near the back.
"Oh well, I like walking" I shrugged.
"Where are Kim and Taylor?" She asked.
"Probably trying to find their lockers and such" I said, opening the front doors.
"What locker do you have?"
"2001"
"Ohhh, you get an upstairs locker" She said. The lockers upstairs were significantly bigger than the ones downstairs. Don't ask why. It's just how it works. Stupid? I know.
"Too bad all my classes are downstairs" I mumbled.
"You'll get more exercise, since you're not taking gym." She teased.
"Thanks Jesus. Gym is terrible."
"No!"
Of course, Haylee, on top of being an amazing bass player, she was also sporty and in great shape.
"You'd think having lungs of a singer you'd be able to run more than a block without being winded"
"Apparently not. I'm made to sing, not run" I laughed. "Anywhores, off to my locker and class. See you at lunch, or any classes between."
None of us bothered with the whole "Oh my God, let's compare schedules and get all excited for the classes we have together". It was more of a surprise walking into your (least) favourite class and finding out it's with one of your best friends.
Half way up the stairs I was body checked. I struggled to stay balanced and not fall down. That would be a super fantastic way to start grade 11. Once I was 100% sure I was not going to fall backwards into the crowd of doom I turned to see whose body had checked me.
I met the smirk of Alex Gaskarth. I felt my friendly smile turned into a hard glare instantly.
Alex fucking Gaskarth. Where do I even begin to describe the asshole-ness of Alex Gaskarth?
Long story short - I hate him. He's a dick, a player, stuck up, cocky, gorgeous and competition. Why must all hot guys be complete dicks? Like honestly? Where did all the nice, considerate, not-out-for-sex and still really good looking guys go? Please, point me in their direction.
"Hey sweetheart, watch where you're going?" He said, still smirking.
"Do not call me sweetheart, and YOU body checked ME" I snapped.
"Oh, Kayleigh White still has an attitude problem" He grinned.
"I always have, and always will"
"So, are the rumors true?" He raised an eyebrow, "Have you and your so-called-band made the mistake of entering Battle of the Bands?"
Whoa. News travels fast. And it's only the first day.
I nodded. "It won't be a mistake when we win"
"Hah, you've got confidence. That's cute, but, I wouldn't be so sure, cupcake. All Time Low's entering too."
"So we're definitely going to win now."
He laughed, his dark eyes sparkling. No. Do not go there Kayleigh. He is scum and competition.
"We'll see about that." He smirked again. "Bye, Princess."
Fuck him and his little pet names and confidence. For the Record is going to win BOTB. I huffed and went to my locker. I yanked it open and dropped my bag in the bottom. Organization never mattered much to me, other than in music. I attempted to put my guitar case in the locker, but it wouldn't fit. I tried at a different angle. And another. And another. I got frustrated at let out a growl of frustration. What was the point of having a larger locker when it still won't fit my case?
"Need some help?" Someone asked from behind me.
I spun around to see a boy standing behind me. He has messy dark hair with a random blonde streak in the front. He was tall and dressed in the male uniforms that consisted of black 'slacks', as they like to call them. I personally think the word slacks is odd. Why not just call them pants? The guys had a white button up shirt like the girls, but their ties were silver and purple. They sure do like individualism, hey?
"Uhh, yeah, sure" I said, "I'm trying to fit my guitar case in here and it's impossible."
I step aside and handed him my case. He tilted it slightly and it fit perfectly. I felt slightly stupid.
"That always works." I mumbled.
"I've been putting my bass in my locker for years. It's all about the angle." He smiled. "You play?"
"Thank you. And yeah, only a little though. I'm taking lessons to get better." I smiled back.
"Are you in a band or?"
"Yup, For the Record" I grinned. "Do you?"
His smile faded slightly, "Yeah. I play in All Time Low."
"Oh." I stated. "But you seem so much nicer than Alex."
"He's not that bad once you get to know him." He smiled again.
"Mhmm" I laughed. "I'm Kayleigh"
"Zack."
"Nice to meet you. I've got to go to class, but hopefully I'll see you around."
He nodded and I turned away and basically sprinted down the stairs and to Chemistry class.
Please don't give me detention for being late. Please. Detention will make me so late for my lesson. I prayed that the teacher was tolerant as I entered the room.
"Who are you?" A young woman in a lab coat asked.
"Kayleigh. Kayleigh White." I stated.
"Alright. Take a seat and take out a pen and paper" She said.
I dashed to the nearest open seat while almost doing a happy dance that she didn't give me a D.T for being late, or even ask why.
"Hey, cupcake."
I turned to see Alex sitting next to me, smirking once again. I wanted to slap the smirk off his face.
"Why are you here?"
"Because, I'm in this class" He stated in an obvious tone. I groaned. "Hey, cupcake, don't look so down. You get to sit next to me. You should be excited."
I glared at him. This semester should be oh-so fun.
