Chapter one
As the lazy sun light streamed through the primary school boy blue curtains Ashton sat on his bed, using his laptop. It was a Thursday and it was late. The party the night before was still pounding in his head. An e-mail lit up his inbox and he opened the tab. It was, or so the e-mail said, from a kid he had met at the party called Michael Clifford.
G'day mate. Hope you don't have too big a hangover from the party last night. I've talked to the boys and they've said they would love you to play at our gig next Saturday. They've seen your YouTube vids and think you're good. We have some up on YouTube as well, just look up hemmo97
Michael
God what had he drank last night. He couldn't remember telling anyone he played the drums let alone agreeing to a gig. He looked over at his clock and freaked. It was already 7pm! He has missed all of school and was 3 hours late for work. He was sure to be fired. Oh well, he hated working at KFC anyway. He looked back at the computer and decided to take a chance:
Hi
I don't remember a thing from last night so your goanna have to fill me in. But I would love to play the gig. I'm glad you like my vids.
Ashton
He sent the reply and opened up YouTube. There were a couple videos on the account mostly of a small blond boy. But a few had an older guy with brown, blond streaked hair and a bit of stubble. Suddenly a memory filled his head of him and the older guy sitting on a cold kitchen floor eating ice-cream. That one must be Michael. The video consisted of them talking for a bit, the blond boy clearly hadn't gone through puberty; reinforced by him hitting all the high notes, and then they started singing and playing guitars. They were good! After watching a few more videos he jumped out of bed and got in the shower. His hair was slightly sticky and he didn't want to think about the reason why. At that moment his furious mum stormed into the bath room "Ashton Irwin, you've missed school and why are you not at work!"
"I'm sorry I woke up late" he replied.
"That's no excuse, I phoned in school to say you were sick but work is your problem" she screamed
Ashton jumped out the shower and shoved his uniform on, an unflattering red t-shirt and cream trousers. He ran down to town and skidded into work. He was just putting his bag in the staff room when his boss walked in; eyes glaring she said "Ashton get to my office now". He was done for it.
Immediately Ashton started making apologies "I'm so sorry, it's never happened before and it will never happen again. I had trouble at home. My mum needed help"
"Shut your mouth" his boss interrupted him "I know your lying, I checked you face book page this morning and the photos are disgusting. I don't want someone like you working here, you're fired". Ashton tried to persuade his boss to let him stay but she was having none of it. He didn't even know what the photos were. He really needed to money to help his mum pay the bills. Drearily he headed home and told his mum the news. "At least now you can pick up your brother and sister from school now" is all she could say. Ashton decided to check his mail box and there was a reply:
Arrrr no problemo dude. Last night was crazy. You should check your facebook. I told you about my band and how we're looking for a drummer and you said you could do it. Why don't we meet up on Friday to discuss the songs we will play on Saturday. That way you can also meet the boys.
Michael
Ashton sent a reply saying he could do both Friday and Saturday. The first meeting was only a whole school day away; so he decided to practise some of his favourite songs on his step dads drum kit; alternating between Blink 182, Green Day and My Chemical Romance. Luckily his mum had gone out to collect his younger siblings so he didn't annoy her any more.