A/N: Soooo I am definitely knee-deep in late-night rehearsals for my play, but it opens this week so by next week I will have more free time to hopefully update! Also, my computer has been randomly been breaking down for a few days at a time and then, like right now, deciding to be okay, so I really really hope it gets fixed soon. But I just wanted you all to know that I have every intention of finishing this and my other story. I'm not giving up, even if it seems like my updates are become less and less.
Twenty-five
Everyone sat completely still. Michael McKinley sat at the head of the table, staring at the Black Parade—and their parents. Liza and Jesse, of course, were eighteen and didn't need their parents to sign the contract. Liza's parents, being the nice people that they were, were both there anyway. Jesse's weren't, but they weren't all that close anyway.
Leila was glaring ahead. Johnny's mom was there, looking kind of bored. Sam knew she didn't care what her son did as long as it didn't bother the rest of them or end up in his getting arrested—which made her wonder if she knew about their little party. Probably not.
Cale's dad was with him, looking all businessy in his suit. It was probably meant to intimidate McKinley. It was working. The guy looked like he wanted to throw up. Which honestly made Sam like him even more. She always looked like she wanted to throw up before a show too—and usually did.
It was way to quiet. The only sound was Jesse nervously tapping his fingers on the table. Just when Sam thought she was going to explode, McKinley started to talk.
"Um, okay, well you guys are all here to sign a recording contract with McKinley records. It's a new business, so you'll be the first band we record. Now," he turned to the parents, "I know I'm clearly new and don't have experience, but I do believe in your kids, and I think they're perfect to start out with because they're just like me. And I think this type of low-key record deal will benefit them while they are still in school. It won't be nearly as demanding as if they signed with a larger label."
He talked a little bit more with details that Sam didn't really pay attention to. She obviously was not a detail oriented person. Besides, she saw the look on her mom's face. It didn't look good for her.
After McKinley finished talking, He left the room to give BP and their parents some time to discuss. Liza talked it out with her parents, but they were all for it. Jesse just went ahead and went with McKinley. He was going to sign, he was old enough.
Johnny's mom told him she was fine with it as long as he didn't bother them too much or get arrested. He also had to stay in school, although she didn't particularly care about his grades.
"I don't know," Cale's dad said.
"Dad, come on. Just co-sign it with me. I turn eighteen soon anyway."
"Are you sure you want to do this?"
"Yes."
"You understand the ramifications?"
"Yes."
"Then I'll sign it."
"Well," Sam asked her mother. "What did you think of him?"
"It obviously won't work out," Leila said. "You're wasting your time chasing this stupid dream. He has no experience."
"Well, if that's your only objection, I'm willing to take the chance. Will you please sign the contract?"
"No."
"It won't make me give up the band," Sam said levelly.
"I'm not signing it."
"Why? You don't want me to have fun in my last months?"
"Stop playing that card."
"I'll play that card if I want to. Now, will you sign the freaking contract?"
"No."
"I'm just going to sign it when I'm eighteen, so why delay the inevitable?"
"You'll do no such thing," Leila said. Like Sam would actually listen.
"Are you going to sign?"
"No."
"Please, just think about me for once!"
"I am thinking about you, and I don't want you throwing away your future."
"What future!" Sam screamed, and walked away.
Leila grabbed her purse and keys and turned to her daughter. "We're leaving."
"I'm not," Sam said. "I'll get a ride home. I don't even want to see you."
"You're grounded," Leila warned.
"Who gives a fuck," Sam shot back.
Leila, aware for the first time that other people could hear them, turned on her heel and stalked away.
"God my mom sucks," Sam said miserably, sinking down next to Liza and her parents. Mrs. Buchanan put a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Can you guys just sign it instead?"
Michael McKinley walked into the room then, followed by Jesse.
"No go, guys," Sam said bitterly. "At least for another two months."
She hated the way that their faces fell, the way it was her fault. Well, her stupid mother's fault.
"Wait," McKinley said. "Two months?"
Sam nodded. "Two freaking months till I turn eighteen."
"And we graduate!" Jesse said cheerfully.
"Okay," McKinley said thoughtfully. "Well, the rest of you plain on signing, correct?" They nodded.
"I'm signing in May!" Sam said. "I don't care what she says. She'll have no power over me."
"The rest of you can sign now, then," McKinley said, "as The Black Parade, so I can start getting stuff ready. But I'm assuming you'll still need time to write and perfect a few more songs before you're ready to record, right?"
They nodded.
"Good," he said. "We won't be able to make the record or have you guys officially perform for McKinley records until Sam signs, but I was planning on allowing a month and a half for that developmental stuff anyway. What's two more weeks?"
A lot Sam thought bitterly at her mother, but didn't say anything.
"Does that sound good to everyone?" McKinley asked, including the parents.
They all nodded, and everyone but Sam signed the contract. The Black Parade—at least part of it—officially had a record deal!