+*+ Authors Note: Hey guys, so well I'm back for now. I'll update as often
as I can but as usual it'll probably only happen once or twice a week and
mainly on the weekend. So um, for now keep reading and reviewing.
***The lyrics used in this chapter are taken from Good Charlotte's song 'The Anthem'.
Chapter 28 | This is the Remixx
"Hey man, we gonna practice or what?" Coop came up to Eli, and wrapped his arm around his neck. It was Wednesday afternoon, the gig was only 2 nights away and Eli was totally freaking out.
"Yeah, listen. I've got something new I've been working on" Eli admitted as they pushed their way into the lunch line.
"Seriously?" Ted asked coming up behind them.
"Yeah, seriously. It's not finished but I thought maybe we could use it Friday night?" Eli grabbed a tray and started loading it.
"Cool, only one prob" Coop said.
Eli grabbed a cartoon of chocolate milk and put it on his almost overflowing tray. "What?"
"Can't practice at my place tonight, the 'rents are like having a party or something"
"Shit" Eli said, as they made their way through the crowded cafeteria.
"What about your mums place?" Ted asked putting his tray down on their usual table.
Eli thought for a moment, his mum shouldn't be home till around 7pm that night. "Yeah I guess that'll be cool" Eli nodded taking the top off his burger and drowning it in ketchup.
Looking across the room her caught sight of Grace, sitting with Felicity and that guy, what was his name?
[Eli - I wonder if she'll be there Friday? With him?]
"Eli?"
"What?" Eli whipped back around to look at his friends.
"I know the burgers taste like shit man, but don't your think that's enough?"
Eli looked down at his burger, which was now covered in what looked like half a bottle of ketchup.
Eli let out a sigh and chucked his napkin on top of his burger, "I wasn't that hungry anyway"
* * * * * * * * * *
"Hey what's this?" Grace said her eyebrows raised. Taped to her locker, as well as many others in the hallway, was a purple A4 poster.
"I got one this morning" Felicity smiled as she watched Grace pull it off her locker, careful not to rip it.
"It's for that new underage club that's opened" Felicity explained as she watched Grace read the poster, her eyes lighting up with interest.
"It says they are having an open mic night tomorrow" Grace said excitedly, "You wanna go?"
"Actually I was going to ask you if you wanted to come with me and Matt"
Grace untied her jumper from around her waste and shoved it into the back of her locker, "Sounds cool, what time are you guys going?"
"We'll pick you up at around 7:30 okay?" Felicity flinched as Grace slammed her locker shut.
"Yeah okay".
* * * * * * * * * *
"It's a new day
But it all feels old,
It's a good life,
That's what I'm told,
But everything, it all just feels the same..."
"Whoa guys hang on" Eli stopped singing at the end of the first verse.
"What's up man?"
"You were late on that last riff" Eli said flatly, wiping the sweat of his forehead with the back of his hand.
"I was late? You were early man"
Eli shook his head and picked up his guitar again, "Whatever man, we gotta get this right okay"
"Yeah, relax, it'll be cool, a'right?"
"Lets just try it again"
* * * * * * * * * *
Grace opened her closet door and surveyed its contents.
[Grace - How could it be that I have nothing to wear?]
Grabbing a handful of clothes hangers she tossed a pile of clothing on her bed and starting sorting through it. Making a pile of maybes on her chair and chucking the 'definite no's' on the floor behind her.
'I don't even know why you are so worried' Grace thought to herself as she discarded a pale green v-neck top on the floor, 'You guys aren't going out remember?'
"Hmmm" Grace pondered out loud, holding a black halter neck against her. Across the front it said 'Life's A bitch' in bright red. Practically brand new she had bought it when she first meet Carla, before she'd learnt to stand up for herself and to try and stop being someone she was not.
[Grace - That's exactly what I need tonight - to be someone I'm usually not. I know Matt and I agreed to be friends but being around him, it's still kinda weird.]
Grace pulled her 3-quarter top off and pulled on the halter, its red message standing out clearly in the mirror.
[Grace - Yep, this is exactly what you need]
* * * * * * * * * * *
"Hey man! Careful with the guitar . . ."
"You guys are on in20"
"Where is she?" Eli said, pacing the room nervously.
"She'll be here man" Coop assured him, gulping down a mouthful of water.
"She was supposed to be here," Eli barely paused to look at his watch, "Ten minutes ago"
"Relax man"
"Excuse me?" Eli turned around when he heard a female voice behind him.
"Yeah?" Eli turned around. In front of him stood a woman in her mid twenties. Wearing a knee length black skirt and a white shirt she looked as if she'd just come from work.
"I'm looking for an Eli Sammler?"
"Yeah that me"
"Hi, I'm Kristy from -"
"Yeah we know who you are" Coop came up behind Eli and stuck out his hand, "I'm Coop, it's great to meet you" he said loudly.
"How long till you guys go on?" Kristy asked, laughing at the bands enthusiasm.
"About 15 minutes" Eli smiled nervously and offered her a drink.
"I'm fine really"
"So how's this going to work?" asked Wink as he and Ted joined the other 3.
"Well basically, you guys get up there and show me what you've got and we'll speak later"
* * * * * * * * * * *
"Girl you look fine!" Felicity let out an appreciative whistle when Grace hopped into the car.
"I do, don't I?" Grace said confidently, and then laughed at the slightly surprised look on her friends face.
"Hey how you doing?" She smiled at Matt as he turned around. Then blushed when she felt his eyes linger over her clothes.
"You look good" he said, holding her gaze.
Grace looked away, breaking their eye contact.
"So are you ready?" Matt laughed.
"Ready for what?" Grace shot back.
* * * * * * * * * *
"Coming up next Anti-Inflammatory!" The DJ announced over the screaming crowd.
"Did you hear that?" Grace asked, turning to Felicity.
[Grace - No way . . .]
"Hear what?" Felicity answered, a clueless look on her face.
[Grace - Your imagining things girl. Come on, you're here to have some fun]
"You girls want a drink?" Matt offered from the other side of Grace. Apart from their short conversation in the car the two hadn't said anything since.
Grace shook her head and told herself that she was imagining things. "Ah yeah, that would be great"
"Be right back"
* * * * * * * * * *
"Okay guys this is it" Eli said nervously, as they made their way onstage.
"Ready"
Eli nodded.
"One, two, three"
"It's a new day
But it all feels old,
It's a good life,
That's what I'm told,
But everything, it all just feels the same..."
Grace stared at the stage in shock. Of all the places for them to be it had to be here.
[Grace - I should have known (stares at camera with wry smile)]
"And my high school
It felt more to me
Like a jail cell,
A penitentiary
My time spent there, it only made me see"
"Grace! Isn't that . . . Eli?" Felicity said, nudging her best friend with shock. "It sure is!"
"That I don't ever wanna be like you
I don't wanna do the things you do
I'm never gonna hear the words you say
And I don't ever wanna,
I don't ever wanna be"
"I never knew he was so good!" Felicity said, still in shock. Looking at the gorgeous guy who stood on stage in front of them.
"Neither did I" Grace admitted, surveying the wild crowd who were really getting into the song.
"You
Don't wanna be just like you
What I'm sayin' is
This is the anthem
Throw all your hands up
You..
Don't wanna be you"
Eli looked out at the room of screaming teenagers. He couldn't believe just how well the crowd were responding.
"Go to college,
A university
Get a real job"
That's what they said to me
But I could never live the way they want
I'm gonna get by
And just do my time
Out of step while
They all get in line
I'm just a Minor Threat so pay no mind
Searching the crowd he came across a familiar face. Standing there, staring up at him on stage she looked so beautiful, so familiar and yet different at the same time.
[Eli - I guess everyone has to change at some stage]
"Do you really wanna be like them?
Do you really wanna be another trend?
Do you wanna be part of that crowd?
Cause I don't ever wanna
I don't ever wanna be"
Matt stood next to Grace and watched her watch Eli.
[Matt- Damn she looks hot tonight]
"You
Don't wanna be just like you
What I'm sayin' is
This is the anthem
Throw all your hands up
You
Don't wanna be you"
When Grace's eyes meet Eli's she smiled. She'd never seen him having quite so much fun before. He looked amazing and confident and she couldn't have been happier for him.
She waved at him when he smiled back at her
"Shake it once, that's fine
Shake it twice, that's okay
Shake it three times, you're playing with yourself again"
[Eli- I don't get how after everything, she can still (looks at camera confused) she can still smile at me as if everything is okay. (Looks at camera thoughtfully) But maybe its because for once in my life- I feel as if it is]
Eli threw himself into the last verse, put all the anger, and hopelessness he had been feeling the last few months into the song. He only wished his father had been there to see him. And to hear the words which had taken him so long to make sense of.
"You
Don't wanna be just like you
What I'm sayin' is
This is the anthem
Throw all your hands up
Y'all got to feel me, sing if you're with me
You
Don't wanna be just like you (just like you)
This is the anthem
Throw all your hands up
Y'all got to feel me, sing if you're with me
Another loser anthem (Whoa-oh)
Another loser anthem (Whoa-oh)
Another loser anthem (Whoa-oh)
Another loser anthem...!"
Eli breathed deeply when the song finished.
[Eli - One day I will show him. That I can be what I want to be. I can make something of myself. But my own way, not his]
***The lyrics used in this chapter are taken from Good Charlotte's song 'The Anthem'.
Chapter 28 | This is the Remixx
"Hey man, we gonna practice or what?" Coop came up to Eli, and wrapped his arm around his neck. It was Wednesday afternoon, the gig was only 2 nights away and Eli was totally freaking out.
"Yeah, listen. I've got something new I've been working on" Eli admitted as they pushed their way into the lunch line.
"Seriously?" Ted asked coming up behind them.
"Yeah, seriously. It's not finished but I thought maybe we could use it Friday night?" Eli grabbed a tray and started loading it.
"Cool, only one prob" Coop said.
Eli grabbed a cartoon of chocolate milk and put it on his almost overflowing tray. "What?"
"Can't practice at my place tonight, the 'rents are like having a party or something"
"Shit" Eli said, as they made their way through the crowded cafeteria.
"What about your mums place?" Ted asked putting his tray down on their usual table.
Eli thought for a moment, his mum shouldn't be home till around 7pm that night. "Yeah I guess that'll be cool" Eli nodded taking the top off his burger and drowning it in ketchup.
Looking across the room her caught sight of Grace, sitting with Felicity and that guy, what was his name?
[Eli - I wonder if she'll be there Friday? With him?]
"Eli?"
"What?" Eli whipped back around to look at his friends.
"I know the burgers taste like shit man, but don't your think that's enough?"
Eli looked down at his burger, which was now covered in what looked like half a bottle of ketchup.
Eli let out a sigh and chucked his napkin on top of his burger, "I wasn't that hungry anyway"
* * * * * * * * * *
"Hey what's this?" Grace said her eyebrows raised. Taped to her locker, as well as many others in the hallway, was a purple A4 poster.
"I got one this morning" Felicity smiled as she watched Grace pull it off her locker, careful not to rip it.
"It's for that new underage club that's opened" Felicity explained as she watched Grace read the poster, her eyes lighting up with interest.
"It says they are having an open mic night tomorrow" Grace said excitedly, "You wanna go?"
"Actually I was going to ask you if you wanted to come with me and Matt"
Grace untied her jumper from around her waste and shoved it into the back of her locker, "Sounds cool, what time are you guys going?"
"We'll pick you up at around 7:30 okay?" Felicity flinched as Grace slammed her locker shut.
"Yeah okay".
* * * * * * * * * *
"It's a new day
But it all feels old,
It's a good life,
That's what I'm told,
But everything, it all just feels the same..."
"Whoa guys hang on" Eli stopped singing at the end of the first verse.
"What's up man?"
"You were late on that last riff" Eli said flatly, wiping the sweat of his forehead with the back of his hand.
"I was late? You were early man"
Eli shook his head and picked up his guitar again, "Whatever man, we gotta get this right okay"
"Yeah, relax, it'll be cool, a'right?"
"Lets just try it again"
* * * * * * * * * *
Grace opened her closet door and surveyed its contents.
[Grace - How could it be that I have nothing to wear?]
Grabbing a handful of clothes hangers she tossed a pile of clothing on her bed and starting sorting through it. Making a pile of maybes on her chair and chucking the 'definite no's' on the floor behind her.
'I don't even know why you are so worried' Grace thought to herself as she discarded a pale green v-neck top on the floor, 'You guys aren't going out remember?'
"Hmmm" Grace pondered out loud, holding a black halter neck against her. Across the front it said 'Life's A bitch' in bright red. Practically brand new she had bought it when she first meet Carla, before she'd learnt to stand up for herself and to try and stop being someone she was not.
[Grace - That's exactly what I need tonight - to be someone I'm usually not. I know Matt and I agreed to be friends but being around him, it's still kinda weird.]
Grace pulled her 3-quarter top off and pulled on the halter, its red message standing out clearly in the mirror.
[Grace - Yep, this is exactly what you need]
* * * * * * * * * * *
"Hey man! Careful with the guitar . . ."
"You guys are on in20"
"Where is she?" Eli said, pacing the room nervously.
"She'll be here man" Coop assured him, gulping down a mouthful of water.
"She was supposed to be here," Eli barely paused to look at his watch, "Ten minutes ago"
"Relax man"
"Excuse me?" Eli turned around when he heard a female voice behind him.
"Yeah?" Eli turned around. In front of him stood a woman in her mid twenties. Wearing a knee length black skirt and a white shirt she looked as if she'd just come from work.
"I'm looking for an Eli Sammler?"
"Yeah that me"
"Hi, I'm Kristy from -"
"Yeah we know who you are" Coop came up behind Eli and stuck out his hand, "I'm Coop, it's great to meet you" he said loudly.
"How long till you guys go on?" Kristy asked, laughing at the bands enthusiasm.
"About 15 minutes" Eli smiled nervously and offered her a drink.
"I'm fine really"
"So how's this going to work?" asked Wink as he and Ted joined the other 3.
"Well basically, you guys get up there and show me what you've got and we'll speak later"
* * * * * * * * * * *
"Girl you look fine!" Felicity let out an appreciative whistle when Grace hopped into the car.
"I do, don't I?" Grace said confidently, and then laughed at the slightly surprised look on her friends face.
"Hey how you doing?" She smiled at Matt as he turned around. Then blushed when she felt his eyes linger over her clothes.
"You look good" he said, holding her gaze.
Grace looked away, breaking their eye contact.
"So are you ready?" Matt laughed.
"Ready for what?" Grace shot back.
* * * * * * * * * *
"Coming up next Anti-Inflammatory!" The DJ announced over the screaming crowd.
"Did you hear that?" Grace asked, turning to Felicity.
[Grace - No way . . .]
"Hear what?" Felicity answered, a clueless look on her face.
[Grace - Your imagining things girl. Come on, you're here to have some fun]
"You girls want a drink?" Matt offered from the other side of Grace. Apart from their short conversation in the car the two hadn't said anything since.
Grace shook her head and told herself that she was imagining things. "Ah yeah, that would be great"
"Be right back"
* * * * * * * * * *
"Okay guys this is it" Eli said nervously, as they made their way onstage.
"Ready"
Eli nodded.
"One, two, three"
"It's a new day
But it all feels old,
It's a good life,
That's what I'm told,
But everything, it all just feels the same..."
Grace stared at the stage in shock. Of all the places for them to be it had to be here.
[Grace - I should have known (stares at camera with wry smile)]
"And my high school
It felt more to me
Like a jail cell,
A penitentiary
My time spent there, it only made me see"
"Grace! Isn't that . . . Eli?" Felicity said, nudging her best friend with shock. "It sure is!"
"That I don't ever wanna be like you
I don't wanna do the things you do
I'm never gonna hear the words you say
And I don't ever wanna,
I don't ever wanna be"
"I never knew he was so good!" Felicity said, still in shock. Looking at the gorgeous guy who stood on stage in front of them.
"Neither did I" Grace admitted, surveying the wild crowd who were really getting into the song.
"You
Don't wanna be just like you
What I'm sayin' is
This is the anthem
Throw all your hands up
You..
Don't wanna be you"
Eli looked out at the room of screaming teenagers. He couldn't believe just how well the crowd were responding.
"Go to college,
A university
Get a real job"
That's what they said to me
But I could never live the way they want
I'm gonna get by
And just do my time
Out of step while
They all get in line
I'm just a Minor Threat so pay no mind
Searching the crowd he came across a familiar face. Standing there, staring up at him on stage she looked so beautiful, so familiar and yet different at the same time.
[Eli - I guess everyone has to change at some stage]
"Do you really wanna be like them?
Do you really wanna be another trend?
Do you wanna be part of that crowd?
Cause I don't ever wanna
I don't ever wanna be"
Matt stood next to Grace and watched her watch Eli.
[Matt- Damn she looks hot tonight]
"You
Don't wanna be just like you
What I'm sayin' is
This is the anthem
Throw all your hands up
You
Don't wanna be you"
When Grace's eyes meet Eli's she smiled. She'd never seen him having quite so much fun before. He looked amazing and confident and she couldn't have been happier for him.
She waved at him when he smiled back at her
"Shake it once, that's fine
Shake it twice, that's okay
Shake it three times, you're playing with yourself again"
[Eli- I don't get how after everything, she can still (looks at camera confused) she can still smile at me as if everything is okay. (Looks at camera thoughtfully) But maybe its because for once in my life- I feel as if it is]
Eli threw himself into the last verse, put all the anger, and hopelessness he had been feeling the last few months into the song. He only wished his father had been there to see him. And to hear the words which had taken him so long to make sense of.
"You
Don't wanna be just like you
What I'm sayin' is
This is the anthem
Throw all your hands up
Y'all got to feel me, sing if you're with me
You
Don't wanna be just like you (just like you)
This is the anthem
Throw all your hands up
Y'all got to feel me, sing if you're with me
Another loser anthem (Whoa-oh)
Another loser anthem (Whoa-oh)
Another loser anthem (Whoa-oh)
Another loser anthem...!"
Eli breathed deeply when the song finished.
[Eli - One day I will show him. That I can be what I want to be. I can make something of myself. But my own way, not his]