Chapter 23: An Unexpected Homecoming
Been gone for a few weeks, but I'm back. Like I said in the update, I just took some time off to recharge my mind and ideas before diving back in.
Just a heads up, the next 4 chapters will be focusing on music once again, but I promise that these chapters will be the last ones to be focusing on that subject. So bear with me and be just a little bit more patient, I can assure you that once these next four chapters are dealt with, I will dive into "The Main Event."
So thank you once again for reading this far and for leaving some positive feedback. With that said and done, enjoy the chapter.
John's POVAfter getting my shoulder fixed, me and the girls made our way to the music store to check out what Roman wanted to show me. As we entered the store, we looked to see where he could be.
'Where are you Jumpy Brit-wait a minute?' I could hear some faint breathing coming from behind me. I smirked.
"Roman, if you wanna sneak up on me, try not breathing in my ear."
"Oh come on! Was this close to getting you back for last week."
I laughed as I gave him a fist bump.
"Looks like you're not alone." He acknowledged the others.
"Nope, me and Tigress were over at Mei Ling's getting my shoulder fixed up. We also bumped into your girlfriend as well." I joked.
He blushed which got me chuckling. Hearing Mei and Song laugh, I could tell Su was blushing too.
"Roman, why don't you show John what you wanted to show him. As for us, we will be over at the rehearsal space getting the stuff we ordered for the parlor." Song said.
"Sure thing, I'll give a text when we are headed that way."
The others left, leaving just us 2.
"You are such a dickhead, you know that?"
"And why would that be?" I asked him.
"I'm not dating Su. Although I kinda wish I was since I have a crush on her."
"I know, her sister kinda gave that away."
"But I don't know how to tell her and not be all awkward between us."
"Look, like I told her, go with your gut. If you like her that way, then tell her. But if you don't feel ready, then wait. Just don't take too long and lose that chance whilst the door is wide open."
"Huh, guess it's worth the shot. Thanks John."
"Anytime dude. So, what is it that you wanted to show me?"
"Follow me."
He then led me up to the second floor of the store and into the drum section. It didn't take long for me to see what he had to show me.
"Uh Roman, why is your drumset in the display area?"
"Well quite simple, I got myself a new kit and decided to put this one up for display."
"Did you now?"
"Yep. I switched from my Pearl Export XXL to the Reference Pure line. I also decided to make some changes for the heads, pedals and even the cymbals."
"Essentially, you went through a drummer's midlife crisis."
"Yep pretty much hahaha." He laughed.
"So what are the changes you made, apart from the kit change as a whole?" I asked.
"Well, I'm now using Remo heads, Sabian cymbals and I finally decided to use the DemonDrive pedals. By far the best decision I made for the change up."
I simply gave him an approving smirk.
"Gotta say, never thought you would switch from Paiste and Evans, considering how much you love those brands."
"Welp, I wanted to change things up and so far, I'm happy with the changes I made."
"Hey, whatever floats your boat."
"So, you wanna see the new one." He asked.
I simply gave a pretty blank face to him. Judging by his chuckle, he knew the answer was a no brainer.
"I'll take that as a yes. Just gimme a second to let Mei know we are on our way."
I nodded.
We then made our way over to the rehearsal space where Mei was waiting outside the door.
"The others are inside. I'll be right back, just need to go to the bathroom." She said.
"No problem." Roman said.
We walked in and saw Tigress and the sisters chatting to each other.
"Hey guys." Song said.
"Sorry for the delay, we had a look around." I said.
"No worries John. So Roman, what did you show him?" Tigress asked.
"That bad boy's predecessor." Roman pointed to his current drum kit.
She looked confused.
"His old drumkit." Song elaborate.
He then brought me over to get a closer look. From what I saw, this was an eight piece kit. Five toms (three rack and two floor), two kick drums and one snare. Cymbal wise, he had four crashes, two chinas, two sets of high hats, one splash, one mini china and a ride cymbal with a big bell. Safe to say, I was very impressed.
"I have to say, she's a beauty."
"Thanks mate. I did some research on what finish I wanted the drums to have. After seeing an Inferno (drummer for Behemoth) drum cam, I decided to get the Arctic White finish. And funny enough, a couple friends of ours even came up with her new nickname."
"Oh really now. What did they suggest?"
"I'll let them tell you." He points behind me.
I turned around and my eyes went wide.
"WHAT THE FUCK?!?!"
My sisters and my Dad were standing in front of the door. Turned out that Mei had actually gone to bring them in. I then simply ran up to them and hugged them tightly.
"Well hello to you to son."
"When did you guys get here?" I asked.
"We've been here since this morning, patiently waiting for you to show up." Kate said.
"We couldn't wait to see you John. We missed you on Saturday." Lilly said.
"Me too, you have no idea how much I'm glad to see you guys. By the way, when did you get here dad?"
"Just yesterday afternoon, your mother is back at Marshal, she wanted to be with Zildjian and the boys. But less about us, how about you introduce us to your friends here."
"Sure thing. So Kate and Lilly already know these three, but as for you dad, we have Mei Ling, Jumpy Brit over here's Roman, the 2 leopards are Song and her younger sister is Su and last but not least, one of my 5 teammates and leader of the Furious 5, Master Tigress."
I then moved to the other group's side.
"These 2 are my sisters. Blondie over here is Kate, Snow white beside her is Lilly and this is our old man, Winston."
Tigress and Su went over to shake their hands.
"Pleasure to finally meet you Master Tigress. Viper and John had talked about you before as well as the rest of the Furious 5." Kate said.
"Likewise to you too. From what we talked about last night, he's a family man."
"Yeah, no matter what type of situation we are that requires any assistance, he's usually the first one to step in and help however he can." Dad added.
"You always told me that I gotta treat people the way that I want to be treated Dad, especially when it comes to family matters." I said.
"Say, where are the others?" Lilly asked.
"They will be meeting us around noon, my guess is that you are already aware of that." Tigress said.
"Yeah, we stopped over at Mei Ling's prior to coming over. That and Kate brought John's personal belongings to the palace two nights ago." Lilly said.
"Which reminds me, thanks for that. Really appreciate it." I said.
"Anything for my brother."
We then spent the majority of the time hanging out in the rehearsal space. All the while Tigress kept looking out the window every so often, checking to see when the others would be looking for us.
I then had an idea pop into my head
"Hey Tigress, just out of curiosity. Besides Viper and yourself, did the others see my sisters play their respective instruments in the band as well?" I asked.
"I don't think so, why?"
"Well, I'm thinking that we should get them to show up here so that way me, my sisters and even my dad could show them a little jam session."
Mei Ling must have overheard us because she then came up to me and Tigress.
"Hey that doesn't sound like a bad idea, but I think I can one up that one." She said.
"Oh really now, how so?" I asked.
"Why don't you and your sisters jam with me, Roman and Song in a 6 piece jam session."
"You know what, that's genius. That way they can see all of us playing together, and with Roman as being a drummer too, I can show the guys my guitar chops."
"I was actually about to mention that apart from me and Viper, the others haven't properly seen you play guitar yet." Tigress said.
"So it's settled then. Now let's get others on board and wing it from there." I said.
"Well if you guys plan on doing so, you might wanna think of a song to jam to soon because I think Viper is outside looking for you guys." Dad said.
"I'll go fetch them and bring them here." Tigress said.
I gave a thumbs up as she left the room. We then gathered in a huddle to choose what to play. Surprisingly, it didn't take long before we all agreed on which song and what each of our roles would be during the jam.
We then got the equipment we needed, set it up and got ready to give the others a show.