Disclaimer: Me? Own what? Yeah right!


Chapter 2


The concert was packed. The school gym seemed to overflow as students pressed eagerly forwards to see their band. Azusa and Yuki swam through the crowd to where Chiro and I stood in line. Azusa noted how close Chiro stood next to me and gave us a wink. I promptly stuck my tongue out at her, but Chiro's arm slid snugly around my waist.

Where's Mel? I asked, trying to delicately untangle myself.

Azusa looked over her shoulder in concern. I don't know, she was here just a second ago. She knows where were sitting, so we'd better get in there.

Yuki went to get drinks for us as we found our marked sixth row of seats. I sat down with a sigh of relief, finally out of the pressing crowd. Melody still had not turned up. Just as Yuki returned, the lights went out.

Sparklers lit on stage, then in a flash and boom of fireworks, the band appeared, exploding up from the floor in trademark capes, top hats, and colorful shirts. Azusa and I screamed encouragement as they began leaping, flipping, and doing magic tricks. One member wore a silver mask that sparkled with sequins. He flashed a roguish grin at the crowd, twirled a baton, and with a flick of his wrist, showered us with tiny flowers. Everyone howled. Someone bumped into my shoulder, nearly knocking my coke from my hand. Surprised, I turned.

Melody? Where have you been? I thought you had gotten lost.

Melody's eyes were troubled, but she smiled. Before she could say anything, the guitars started with a tremendous chord that blasted away any other chance of speech.

The primary talent of the Magicians is their ability to impersonate other famous bands. Some of their favorites were, Arrowsmith, N'Sync, Backstreet Boys, Smashmouth, Dave Matthews, Three Doors Down, and countless others. When our five-man band felt daring and inspired, they sometimes tried doing the popular girl s bands like Destiny's Child. Once they preformed Brittany Spears, but got yelled off the stage. Undaunted, they bounced back with Bye-Bye-Bye. On special occasion, or mass request, the Magicians perform an original song. I predicted that this would be a likely time since the band had finally found a replacement for the member who had graduated the year before.

Melody was strangely quiet during the performances of Drive, Space Between, Survivor, (which got a whooping as the guys pranced around stage in leather outfits) American Woman, Hero, and Its My Life. It dulled my enjoyment, knowing something distracted her. The band's leader, Alec, grabbed up the microphone and yelled,

The Magicians have returned!

We all screamed and he grinned.

We have returned from out of our magical lands in search of one worthy to join us. And we found him!

The man in the silver mask bowed. The audience yelled a welcome, curious to know what the new member could do. Previously he had been playing backup guitar and voice, but it was hard to hear.

With a sweep of his arm, the stranger flung back his cape, unhooked the trumpet hanging from his waist, and began to play. His song was joyful and full of life that set people dancing. Chiro pulled me into the aisle. Laughing, I threw my usual reserve to the wind of music. He swung me around, and then twirled himself in a mock pirouette. Grinning, he pulled me back and began to do an exaggerated tango. When he bent me over his arm, he placed a teasing peck on my nose.
Yuki and Azusa were trying to outdo each other with fancy footwork until Yuki graciously gave up. Azusa laughed triumphantly until he leaned in and kissed her on the cheek. Both turned red and looked away. I laughed again before noticing Melody.

She was pale; her eyes slightly glazed and fixed on the trumpeter. She clutched the seat of her chair so hard that her knuckles were white. I touched her shoulder.



She jumped. Her purple eyes were half fearful and half strangely haunted.

I asked.

She nodded, but the look on her face didn't change. Dijobu. I'm just not feeling too well.

Before I could persuade her to go home, Alec came back to the mike.

Hey guys! How'd you like that?

Everyone screamed approval.

Well that's not all. This guy writes and sings his own songs. Wanna hear him?

More screaming. My ears and throat ached.

The masked member smiled. Picking up the guitar, he reattached the trumpet to his belt and moved to the mike. He waved.

Hey everybody.

Every girl swooned. He had the warmest, most mellow voice I had ever heard. It was a voice that could sooth any trouble, comfort any pain, or make any person feel number one in the world. I grinned, noting how Chiro shifted uncomfortably beside me. The guy had all the girls on a loop, now he had to convince the boys. Calmly the silver masked man strummed the guitar.

I call this my doughnut song.

After a few chords he began.

I am a doughnut, so soft and tasty,
Once there was more of me
A mouse came out to see me
He ate a hole right through
Now I don t know what Ill do
Someday I'll go to Heaven,
Cause see, I'm a holey doughnut.

The audience whooped and Chiro yelled,

That was awesome!

I rolled my eyes. The drummer, Mu, took over, his curly brown hair sticking out from under the top hat.

Ya'll want to know who this talented Magician is?

The gym shook with screams, yells and stomps of impatient feet. They had better tell before students simply found out for themselves. Mu dramatically waved his hand.

Meet Kenith Noguchi!

Accompanied with a burst of sparks, the man swept off his mask and hat. Girls all through the stadium swooned again. Crystal white hair swept gracefully across his forehead, shading icy blue eyes that pierced the crowd. His face was lean and sharp, almost too perfect if it hadn't been for a slightly crooked nose. When everyone began roaring, he smiled, a shy, lopsided smile that every girl drooled over. A sort of strangled gasp made me turn.

Melody's hand covered her mouth and she was trembling. Once again the speakers boomed before I could say anything.

Hey cut it out guys! Mu shouted over the turmoil. If you keep this up well have to go find one you don't like so much. He turned to the new member. Ken, you keep this up you're going to have to put that mask back on.

We all laughed. Ken gave a mock bow.

Well, we were going to let him sing another song, but judging by the state you're in, we may have to cancel. Unless you promise to be good.

Everyone yelled indigently at the suggestion of cutting out an original. Mu sternly held up his hands.

Then promise to behave!

We all sat down. He smiled, That's better.

Kenith, also known now as Ken, took back the mike.

Thank you for such a warm welcome. I'm honored to be chosen for such a great band. These guys are great.

There was expectant silence except for one whoop, which was quickly hushed.

He continued, I have a song I wrote a while ago. He paused and smiled shyly. It's sort of a romantic thing, but we're Magicians, so here goes. I call it Heart Magic.

Alec, Mu, Ida, and Mark picked up the cue and began playing. With his amazing voice Ken joined them,

There is magic in a song
It may be hard to find
very word must speak
Each tune must bear a sign
Magic from the heart
Will over turn a wrong
Magic is the love
I put into this song
When you hear me sing
Let your heart fly free
Follow where it leads you
It will lead you back to me
Oh there is magic in a song
Every heart can sing
Look inside your own
And sing it back to me.

The gym erupted. I turned to see what Melody thought of it but she had disappeared.