"Dan, what do you think the guitars should sound like for the album?" Cody asked.

We were in another meeting, and I did not want to be here. Killian laid by my side, watching over everyone else as we discussed the new album. The rain outside nearly drowned out the talking we were doing- stupid Florida weather.

"I think it should be guitar-heavy, obviously," Dan replied, leaning back with his notepad in hand.

I found myself gritting my teeth. I hardly had any playtime in the last album. I just... stood on stage and sang. If I got lucky I could play piano, but that was literally just for Upside Down.

"Sam? You okay?" Zach asked from next to Dan.

I cleared my throat, "Yeah, I just want there to be some more bass. When we play shows, I hardly get to do anything but sing anymore. Plus a lot of fans have been complaining about the lack of bass since Upside Down launched."

"That's not true," Dan shot down. "You get to play bass most of the time!"

I clenched my fists, "Matt, do you still have our last three set lists?" I kept my eyes trained on Dan.

"Let me look," Matt mumbled.

I don't know why I had gotten this frustrated. Killian shifted his head onto my lap, nudging me to lean backward. Zach's gaze shifted from me to Dan quickly, and his face had paled. Dan's face had scrunched up the tiniest bit. Cody's hands had tightened around his coffee, and he looked uncertainly between us as well.

This is stupid. I took a deep breath, "Dan. This isn't against you. I'm just tired of being on stage with nothing to do while you guys get to play your instruments for every. Single. Song. In my eyes, it's casting me out from the band, and it makes the audience look at me as I try desperately to look like I'm supposed to be there."

"I have them," Matt spoke up, looking at me.

"When's the latest from?" I asked, shifting my gaze to him.

"February 13. 8 songs total, with 5 of them being from Upside Down and not having any bass in them," Matty looked up.

Cody spoke up from his spot on one of the chairs, "And the next?"

"February 1. 11 songs, 6 from Upside Down," Matty swiped. "The last is from January 19. 15 songs total, 7 of which were Upside Down." Matty looked up at me, frowning sympathetically.

I cleared my throat, feeling my chest burn again. "I just want to be able to play. I don't get to perform the Upside Down songs with you guys, even though that's why I joined Set It Off in the first place."

"She's right," Zach sighed.

My gaze snapped up at him. I didn't want to say anything- what if they all thought I was just dumb?

"We didn't employ any bass at all during Upside Down. If I was in her place, I'd be pissed. Sam, why didn't you say anything sooner?" Zach turned to me.

My face burned as I looked down, "I, uh, didn't want to get in the way."

Cody snorted a little, "Sam, you hardly get in the way as it is. If Maxx were here he'd testify to that. The good news is, we've already got a ton of bass in most of the songs."

"Yeah, I actually like the direction we're going with this album," Zach took a sip from his drink. The heavier stuff mixed with the lighter songs? It's like Cinematics and Duality had a slightly less emo child."

I burst out laughing, covering my mouth. Cody snorted, and Dan let out a huff of laughter. Dan shifted in his seat before speaking up, "I suppose you're right. I just missed the heavier stuff too. Didn't know how to articulate. Sorry, Sam."

I smiled a little, "Thank you, Dan. Now, Cody, what songs are we recording for today?" I ran a hand through Killian's fur, smiling as he perked up a little.

Cody looked down at his computer, "The one we decided would be Killer in the Mirror it looks like."

I grinned, "Awesome. I can go first if you want."

Cody grinned, "Hell yeah, let's get you in there."

I sat up a little, "Killian, solve." Killian hopped off the couch, immediately approaching Zach and rubbing up on his hand. Zach smiled, rubbing Killian's fur and playing around with him.

I grabbed my bright pink bass, following Cody into the room. Zach and Dan talked softly as I strapped in.

"Alright, so this is gonna be a darker song," Cody explained as he pulled out his phone. "We started vocals and some drums, but we're looking to finish up the song ASAP for release."

I nodded as he played the audio. I listened as the music bled over into my ears. Without thinking much of it, I began to mess around on the bass. The notes played softly into the room, matching with the bass. After a moment, Cody began to nod his head a little too.

After a minute the song ended. "Hell yeah, that sounded amazing! Matt, tell me you recorded that," Cody looked through the window outside of the recording room.

Matt gave a thumbs up, and Cody rushed out of the room. He talked quickly with Matt, who typed things into the computer. Soon, a modified version played into the room. I listened in, and at the same time judged Zach and Dan's reactions. Their faces lit up as soon as they heard the music that was being played. Zach's jaw dropped, and he rushed up to the computer as well.

"Cody! I think that C right there might sound better as a D," I shouted. Matt wrote the note down as I kept listening.

Cody nodded, "You're absolutely right!" He adjusted it in the system, and the modified version played.

"Sam! You got it first try! Shit, I wish I could do that," Zach grumbled.

I laughed, setting my bass down.

It felt good to be back.