Part One: Riley and Imy

Chapter Two: The Show

AN: I wrote all the songs for both bands, you take, you die! Lol, ok, maybe not die, but I will deliver a swift kick to the shin.

Also, I made a tiny typo in Chapter One, Imy's last name is Ormond, not Osbourne

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Riley stood in her room, looking in the mirror. "I'm not going to do this." She murmured, resting her forehead against the cold surface.

"Not going to do what?" She heard from the hallway, she turned tentatively around to see her mother.

Cassandra Zalank was still an attractive woman, despite her age. Her maroon hair that was identical to Riley's was up in a simple bun, and her eyes sparkled with intelligence and something else, malice. The neighbors were all scared of her, as were most of the people from Riley's school that had met her. There was a dangerous edge to her that one couldn't put into words, more like a feeling that clung to the air.

Riley gnawed on her lower lip, it was something she did when she got nervous, "Imy wanted me to go with her to a party tomorrow-"

"Absolutely not. It's a school night." Cut in Cassandra.

"-But I'm not going to go." Whispered Riley, still finishing her sentence.

Cassandra seemed to study her for a moment, "Alright." She stated believingly, "I've got a meeting tonight, so I won't be home till at least 4 this morning."

With that, Riley's mom turned a corner and proceeded down the hallway.

Riley sighed and slumped on her bed. If there was one thing Riley could do well, it was lie. Sometimes it sickened her, she hated lying. Especially to her mom, who sooner or later always found out.

Then again, she thought to herself, she did say that she would be gone till 4. Worriment gripped her chest, Yes, but what if she was trying to trick you again?

Riley sighed, occasionally, her mother would feed her false information, and come home earlier or later than she said to 'check up on her'. But in reality, they both knew it was a way for Cassandra to catch her in some act.

She groaned, she'd end up going. Imy always made her end up going.

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Later that night, Imy waiting impatiently for Riley to climb down her bedroom window. "Come on!" she said, looking at her watch, "We have to set up in half an hour."

Riley slid down the tree branch, and landed on her feet shakily, her guitar gig bag strapped across her back, "No need to get all hoity just because you want to meet your 'mysterious drummer'" She said with humor in her eyes to let Imy know she was joking.

"Am I really that obvious?" She stated as the two began walking.

Riley seemed to consider this for a moment, "Yes." She replied.

Imy smirked and decided to change to subject, "Would it have killed you to dress up? We are playing on stage."

Riley looked at her wardrobe. She still had the olive, bulky, button-down librarian sweater. Under that was a simple black tank and she wore holey jeans with some beat up hightops. All and all, it was the same clothes she had worn to school, "What's wrong with them?" She asked, confused.

Imy rolled her eyes, "One day, I'm going to have to teach you how to dress."

Riley grinned, "You've been saying that since first grade."

"Well, I mean it. Right when you least except it, bam! You're going to be wearing a skirt."

Riley's face paled as if she was actually terrified of wearing a skirt. Imy did know how to dress however. She had a plaid, tight skirt that went to just over her knees, with a white tank, and lots of spikey jewelry. She had tall, tie-up combat boots that went to her mid shin, and her hair was done up in a lot of twists.

Most noticeable, though, was the silver crescent moon amulet that hung around her neck. Riley had always admired it, for it appeared to be thousands of different colors all in one. She vaguely remembered having one similar to it when she was a child, but she must have lost it or something.

"Where are we playing again?" Riley asked, suddenly feeling nervous and anxious.

"Some place called the Dungeon, ever hear of it?" Asked Imy

Riley shook her head, "But then again, I hardly hear of most places."

Imy nodded and began fidgeting, she took out a list, "Here's our play list for tonight, we only have a half hour set, so its about 6 songs."

Riley shook her head, disbelieving, "I can't believe I'm going to get murdered for only 6 songs." She looked at the list, "No, the last one, not the right one. We should go out with a bang."

Imy looked at her, "Then what should we play instead?"

Riley studied the list, "Switch it for our second song."

Imy took out a pen and drew arrows. "Ok."

Riley and Imy were really the creative side of the group. Riley would write the lyrics, and Imy would write the music. This was extremely odd as Riley played the music, and Imy sung the lyrics. But somehow it worked.

They approached the door, and a man who looked like a bouncer stood in front blocking the doorway.

Riley inched behind Imy, she was really not a social person.

Thankfully, Imy was, "Hi, we're playing here tonight." She stated.

The man looked at her with scrutiny, "Names?"

"I'm Imy Ormond, and that's Riley Zalank. We're signed up under the name The Discards."

The guard looked straight at Riley, "Zalank? Huh?" He said, a smirk on his face.

Riley studied the man. He looked in his twenties or so with stark white hair and dark sunglasses. He had multiple piercings everywhere, so much that his face looked permanently silver. "Ya, that's me." She muttered.

He moved aside, "You're with the two idiots right?"

Imy nodded and sighed, "That'd be us."

The two walked in and surveyed the scene.

There was a throng of people everywhere, all dancing or even moshing to the band that was on stage. It was psychotic! Heads were bobbing everywhere and the place was smoke filled and hazy, with strobe lights going off, causing a slow motion effect. A shrill guitar riff was heard, and Riley let her gaze look onstage. There was a group of 3 guys there, all doing their thing.

"Is that your band Imy?" she asked.

Imy looked at them, and a small smile broke across her face, "It is!" she grabbed Riley's hand and started pushing her through the crowd, "Let's go backstage!"

All Riley could do was nod as she practically bulldozed people over, "Sorry." She said, "Excuse me, I didn't mean to, my friend is crazy." She said to various people.

When the reached the stage, Twiggy and Jake were waiting for them already, "What took you so long?" asked Twiggy.

"You're late." Replied Jake, who was then distracted when he saw a blonde waving to him in the front, "I'll be right back," He said smirking and heading down into the crowd.

Twiggy looked on at the scene, "This band sucks," he replied.

Imy and Riley listened to the music. They did anything but suck.

Imy smirked, "Would you rather they play old Metallica?"

"Duh." Stated Twiggy, "Metallica rocks!"

Imy rolled her eyes, "They do not! They are one of the most overrated bands on the planet!"

Twiggy rolled his eyes, "Yes, so much worse than your 3 chord wonder bands."

Riley ignored their bickering and turned to the stage. She liked their sound, it seemed like a combination of metal riffs and punk chords, with the bass playing a kind of funk sound.

"Forever has seem to gone by,

nothing has seemed to come.

This is odd how I feel emptier than before

Especially since I was looking to be made whole.

I stare at you, but you keep walking by-

Are you beginning to hate me?

You want this, don't you?"

Riley let her eyes drift over to the singer, and her eyes widened slightly. The guy was extremely good looking. He had long auburnish hair that hung over his eyes, and was wearing a striped shirt under a ragged tan one with some jeans. He was hunched over, playing rhythmic guitar. His lip ring caught the light, and he was really putting emotion into the lyrics he was singing. Wow. Thought Riley.

"The world has poisoned you

Taken what once was reserved-

And exploited you.

Turning you harder than these rusted gears

That turn within my stomach

Wrenching me with conflicting emotion."

For some reason, the boy's eyes seemed to slide over to the left side of the stage where Imy, Riley, and Twiggy were standing. He caught her eye and gave her a small smile, she blushed and turned around, pretending to join Imy and Twiggy's ever constant debate of Punk vs. Metal.

"All my windows have been boarded

All my doors bolted

But I'm not looking for a way out.

Fearing trust so long that-

the arrangement has become permanent.

Guilt forms within me.

It's my fault the world has poisoned you.

You need this, don't you?"

Riley really liked the sound, and she listened to it for a while, a faint smile on her face. The band's set was soon over, and they walked over to the side of the stage.

"Imy!" exclaimed the drummer, a rather good-looking guy with the scruffy grunger look. "Glad you could make it!"

The guitarist that Riley had her eye on, stood behind the drummer, quiet and serious looking. It was then that Riley noticed his eyes. They were a piercing blue, but there seemed to be an emptiness about them. She couldn't help but feel the pulsing waves of sadness coming from him.

Imy gave her dazzling smile, "It's a place to play isn't it?" she said, Riley tried to suppress a grin, her carefree nature wasn't so carefree earlier that day.

Twiggy looked at the drummer, "I'm Twiggy." He stated, sizing him up.

"Art." He replied, he gestured back to the other members of the band, "Bassist's Lance, guitarist is Trysten."

Twiggy smirked, "Isn't Trysten a girl's name?"

Trysten turned and looked at him, his eyes unwavering, "I was named after a knight." He stated, "But I doubt someone with the name 'Twiggy' is acquainted with Arthurian legends."

"I'm Riley." She stated quietly, trying to suppress a smile.

"Hello Riley," Stated Trysten, and the two once again locked eyes.

Twiggy looked like he was about to punch Trysten, when Jake decided to show up, "Hey, don't we need to be setting up and junk?"

Riley snapped out of his gaze, "Uh, ya." She pulled out the play list, "Imy and I changed the lineup a little. We're playing the second song last."

Imy nodded and looked at Art, "Staying for the show?"

Art smirked and ruffled her hair, "Wouldn't miss it."

Imy gave her biggest smile, "Great! Well, got to get ready." She stated, as if the show was the real reason she came down.

Riley rolled her eyes and made her way past the other band, taking her guitar out of the bag. It was an old Fender Squire, the cheapest kind they made. But it got the job done, she guessed.

She was begging to double-check the tuning for her guitar, when for some reason, she felt like surveying the crowd. Her eyes snapped up when she saw a very familiar face.

"Imy!" She cried in a hushed whisper, going over to her friend who was checking the mike system.

"What?" Asked Imy.

"I can't play!" she exclaimed.

Imy rolled her eyes, "I know you get nervous in front of crowds, but you'll do just fine-"

"It's not that!" She said, taking the sleeve of her shirt, "My mom is here."

"What?!" Exclaimed Imy a little too loudly, causing Twiggy and Jake to turn and look at her, "I mean," She said quieter, "Why would she be here?"

"I don't know," Whispered Riley frantically, "But she's there, over at the tables, talking to some guy."

Imy grinned, "Maybe she's on a date?"

Riley shook her head, "Even still, if she catches me out, I'm a dead girl."

"Well, we can't exactly play without a guitarist." She replied, Imy looked around, "Why don't you just play in the back next to the drums? It's darker there, and its unlikely that she'd see you." She leveled her eyes with Riley's, "It's only a couple of songs."

Riley took a deep breath and tried to calm herself down, "It's risky."

"Isn't that half the fun?" Replied Imy, danger glinting in her eyes.

Riley sighed, "I need to become more assertive." She mumbled.

Imy put an arm around her shoulder jokingly, "But today is not that day. Today, you listen to the ever-wise Imy and play the hell out of your guitar."

Riley rolled her eyes and moved her cables and amplifier towards the back near Jake.

"What are you doing back here?" asked Jake, curious.

"My mom's in the crowd." She muttered.

Jake's face fell, "Oh. You're screwed." He stated matter-of-factly.

She sighed, "Thank you, I am aware of that fact."

About ten minutes later, they were all ready to roll. Imy turned on the mike, "Hello everyone! Hope you're all having a great time." She said, owning the stage, "We're The Discards and I hope you're ready to party!"

Jake put his drumsticks together in the air, "One, Two, Three!" he yelled.

Suddenly, the air was heavy with music. Jake's drums had a huge influence of modern punk, and had a ton of cymbal sounds, Twiggy's sound was more metallic, with heavy bass intros, Riley played melodic new wave sounding guitar riffs, and Imy had inherited a mix of vocals that sounded like Robert Smith meeting Joan Jett.

Nothing can match the adrenaline that one gets from playing in front of a huge crowd of people, and the crowd was obviously liking the sound. Riley felt a genuine smile creep along her face, and had to resist leaving the shadowed part of the room.

She felt eyes on her, and looked up from the neck of her guitar momentarily to see that Trysten was staring at her from across the stage. She felt heat rise to her face, what was it about him that made her so uncomfortable?