Two
A stage manager walked in.
"The judges are getting ready to announce the top five finishers. You might want to come backstage." Then, he left.
"See," Johnny said to Cale. "I told you we were good."
"That doesn't mean anything," Cale pointed out. "He probably tells that to all the bands that remotely have a chance."
"Jeez man, lighten up. You're so cynical," Jesse said, walking up behind Cale and massaging his shoulders.
Cale snorted. "Jess, I'm pretty sure that was the biggest word I've ever heard you speak in the twelve years I've known you."
"Have some faith in us," Jesse continued. "Don't you think we can win?"
Cale threw his arms up in the air and gave an exasperated sigh as they walked backstage. "It's not that I don't think we can win, or that I don't believe in us, it's that I don't know if this setting is right for our style! All I'm saying is stay realistic. And don't get your hopes up. But even if this doesn't work out, we've still got plenty of other ways to make it big."
"Yeah, like by actually going to a recording studio," muttered Liza.
"Yeah, after high school. We've had this discussion, Liza. Once we're in college, they'll take us more seriously," Sam said.
"That's years away," she complained. "You and Cale and Johnny are only juniors!"
"You guys should just drop out when me and Liza graduate this year," Jesse suggested.
"Ha ha!" Johnny said. "Somehow I don't think that one will go over all that well with Sam's mom."
"Shhh!" Sam said, rolling her eyes, something she found she did a lot more now that she had the band. "They're starting!"
"And now we will invite the top five bands to come onto the stage. Fifth place will receive a cash prize of $50, fourth $75, third $200 and an audition with EZ records, runner-up will receive $300 and an audition, and the winner will receive $500, an audition, and a trip to the recording studio to have a single produced by Jason King. So here, in no particular order, are the top five bands at this year's Battle of the Bands," the announcer said.
"First, the Rockets!"
"Angelic Heavens!" he continued
"Aw blegh! How'd they get in?" Johnny asked.
"Judges must like those Christian-y type bands," Jesse muttered.
"Shhh!" Sam said.
"Thunder!" the announcer said. "Rushing Comets!"
"Who the hell comes up with these names?" Johnny asked.
"Shut up!" said Liza.
"And the Black Parade!" the announcer concluded.
"Ha! No way!" Johnny said, jumping up and down and hugging everyone he could find.
The rest of the band smiled and were giving each other congratulatory hugs when the stage manager said, "You need to go out on the stage."
BP ran out onto the stage to await the judges' verdict. A few people in the crowd were screaming loudly. One boy's voice stood out over the rest.
"Yeah! Way to go baby!" he screamed.
"Looks like boyfriend's here," Liza said to Sam in a teasing tone.
"Oh, um, hi Chase!" Sam waved awkwardly, and a little nervously, giving the audience the impression of her as hardcore, but also a little cute and innocent.
The announcer walked back in with the envelope, and the crowd fell silent. The band members held their breaths. This was what they had been waiting for.
"And here it is, ladies and gentlemen," the announcer said, "the judges' final decision. In fifth place…Angelic Heavens!"
"Whew!" Johnny said over the semi-enthusiastic claps and cheers of the crowd, "'Cuz they definitely sucked!"
"Shhh! Not so loud!" Liza chastised him.
"In fourth place, Thunder!"
There was more clapping and cheering, a little more enthusiastic this time.
"And now, your top three! Third place…Rushing Comets!"
"Ohmigod! Ohmigod!" Liza squeaked, turning to the band.
"Holy shit, holy shit!" said Johnny.
"Oh man, oh man," breathed Jesse.
"We might actually do it," Cale said, shaking his head. Then he turned to Sam. "Are you okay?" She had been kind of quiet all night, and a little off. But then again, she had been a little off for a few weeks now.
"Yeah, just tired again for some reason," she said. "But it's nothing to worry about! C'mon!" She grabbed Cale and Liza's hands. Jesse put his hands on her shoulders, and Johnny hung on to Cale.
"And now," the announcer said in his very announcer-y voice that BP was beginning to find annoying, "the moment you've all been waiting for. Your champion of this year's Battle of the Bands competition…and winner of $500 and a possible record deal…"
"Just say it already!" Liza hissed.
"…is…the Rockets!"
Confetti burst from the ceiling. The Rockets ran out to center stage and celebrated with the cheering crowd. Chase was booing in the audience, but could barely be heard. A volunteer walked over to Sam and gave her a trophy and an envelope containing the information for their audition and the cash.
"And let's give a big round of applause to our runner-up, the Black Parade!" said the announcer.
"Well," sighed Sam as the band walked off the stage, "we gave it our best."
