Chapter 2

First Day of Classes

Jamie had to roll out of bed and roll around on the carpet until she was awake. She shuffled to the bathroom and brushed her teeth. She decided not to style her hair and just brush it back into a ponytail. She went back into her bedroom and got dressed. She wore a Nine Inch Nails, black T-shirt, high-waisted jeans rolled up at the calves, and black boots. She slipped on a simple necklace and headed downstairs. She was surprised to see the apartment was clean. The Play Station was put away neatly, the magazines were stacked perfectly, and the pizza boxes were gone.

"Good morning." April said.

"Uh…good morning." Jamie replied. "Did you clean last night? I could've helped."

"Don't worry about it." April replied. "You were out like a light last night, so I didn't want to bother you. Besides, you have classes today."

"Right." Jamie said. She still felt suspicious…how did April clean her apartment all by herself last night…?

Jamie decided she didn't have time to worry about that. April was a ninja cleaner, so what?

~jb~

Classes seemed to drag on throughout the day. Jamie had decided to take music theory, and a couple of general classes, just to get them out of the way. She sat through her algebra class, tapping her pencil and staring at the clock. She hated math…the only math she was good at was the math that existed in music…

When the professor finally dismissed the class, Jamie was ready to head home. She explored campus a little and came across a room that sparked her interest. She noticed rows of musical instruments in one of the classrooms. She walked in to investigate. There were no students or teachers in the room. Just a large collection of instruments. In the corner appeared to be some used ones with a sign.

"Practice instruments. Free to use. You break it, you buy it."

"Wow!" Jamie smiled. She picked up a spare guitar and started playing a song.

As Jamie began to sing the chorus, she was surprised to see two other girls suddenly join in with her. One sat at the drums, giving her more rhythm. The other grabbed a tangerine and gave the song more flare. They both began to sing with her.

After the song, they laughed and placed their instruments down.

"Wow! Great vocals!" The short girl said. She had red hair and blue eyes, covered by silver eyeglasses. Her outfit screamed the word 'nerd.' She wore a yellow and black plaid skirt with a large yellow sweater. The other girl was taller than both her and Jamie. Her skin was dark, and her hair was dark brown and curly. She looked like a typical goth girl. She had a fish-net long sleeve, covered by a black tank-top with black shorts.

"Thanks." Jamie replied, shaking the short girl's hand. "I'm Jamie."

"My name is Libby." The nerdy girl said before pointing to the tall girl. "This is Cody."

"Sup." Cody said blankly.

"You guys seem cool." Jamie said. "Thanks for singing with me."

"No prob." Cody shrugged.

"I know Cody and I seem a very…unlikely pair. But we are trying to start a band, and we've been looking for someone who can sing and play guitar." Libby explained.

"I play drums." Cody said. "Libby can play base. But she's more into the small details and making new sounds."

"It's a temporary sacrifice I'm willing to make." Libby admitted.

"That's so cool!" Jamie said. "Well, I would love to join you guys! Only if you're okay with it."

"Duh," Cody cracked a smile.

"Well, welcome to the band!" Libby said cheerfully.

"Does this band have a name?" Jamie asked.

Libby's cheery demeanor faded. The small smile on Cody's face vanished faster than it had appeared.

"We don't have a name yet." Libby admitted. "I do have a whole list of names! But so far, none of them have clicked for us."

"We'll think of something." Cody said.

"I'll brainstorm some names too." Jamie promised.

"That would be great!" Libby said. "Now! For some band bonding and unity!"

"What's that supposed to mean?" Cody asked.

"I mean, there's a band playing at that college club, just around the block tonight!" Libby replied. "It would be good for us to study them. See what captures the attention of the audience. And it would be a great way for us to get to know our new band member."

"Good thinking." Jamie praised.

"Yeah, sounds fun." Cody replied. "How 'bout we meet at like…six?"

"Sounds good." Jamie said.

~jb~

"Hey April," Jamie asked as she approached her cousin. "I made some new friends today. We're thinking of starting a band together."

"That's amazing, Jamie!" April replied as she placed groceries into the fridge. She gasped and jumped back.

"What's wrong?" Jamie asked. To her surprise, April started to giggle.

"Nothing." She laughed, pulling a rubber snake from the fridge. "I have a friend who likes to play pranks."

"Nice." Jamie smiled. She wondered when the snake was placed there…she didn't recall seeing it that morning. She shrugged and figured she must have not seen it.

"Anyways, we were hoping to go to a concert tonight. Is it okay if I go?"

April giggled again. "Ah, the joys of getting used to adulthood. Jamie, you can do whatever you want. Your dad isn't here, and I'm not your parent." Suddenly, she became serious. "But, please, please, please, do not wander away from your friends. Stay close to them. Power in numbers."

"Right." Jamie nodded. "I will."