Chapter 9 Dravenites! For this chapter, we're diving into an area I think is going to be the most interesting by far…music choices, oh and flowers too.
Anyway, intro card finished, please enjoy the chapter!
It was early June in Miami, even though summer had just started, it had come with a full fury, comprised of course in the form of a triple digits heatwave. Unfortunately for Austin and Ally, they were among the many people they knew who didn't have an AC unit. The pool helped no doubt, but the effect wore off the second the left it.
Another problem however, was the fact that the heatwave was making it impossible for either of them to get any work done, including wedding planning. Thankfully for Austin, he was marrying a resourceful woman, who knew how to get things done, and also how to spend all of her fiancé's money. This was particularly evident right now, as Austin entered the den, the sight before him unusual.
'' What the? Ally!'' he gasped, seeing his fiancée on a steel ladder with power tools.
'' There's the love of my life'' Ally smiled, jumping off and into his arms.
'' I love you too, but what's this? The last time you went near tools you had to go as a pirate for Halloween. I feel like I should phone our insurance broker to see if it covers reckless fiancées.''
'' Hey!''
'' Kidding, but seriously what is this?'' Austin breathed.
'' I'm installing an AC unit. The stupid guy at Home depot said I should get someone to come hep me, but I don't need it'' Ally chuckled.
'' Sure. Look, do you want my help with this? I'll happily do it.''
'' No, I got this.''
'' Oh ok, big strong man coming to save me? Is that it?''
'' No?'' Austin said, confusion in his voice.
'' I'm kidding. Go for it, besides, if you get hurt we can get one of those chairs that goes up the stairs.''
'' Ally!''
-x-
Two hours later, the pair were busy reclining in their newly air-conditioned den, watching a re-run of the Helen show, more specifically the episode where they got back together.
'' I'll never forget that day you know'' Ally said, pointing to the screen, as she lay on Austin.
'' Me neither'' Austin smiled. '' Us breaking up again. Worst mistake of my life.''
'' Agreed. So hey, not that reruns during a heatwave aren't fun and all, but uhm, we still need to figure out the music for our wedding'' Ally pointed out.
'' Brilliant!'' Austin shot up, causing Ally to yelp as she fell to the ground. '' I have so many ideas for this. Us singing duets for the entire morning, making everyone else realize that we found something most people spend their entire lives looking for, it'll be awesome!''
'' Yeah, terrific'' Ally said, getting up off the floor. '' Next time launch me onto the couch why don't ya?''
'' Sorry Goose pickle. But seriously, let's give this some thought, our wedding is in four months'' Austin said, sitting back down.
'' I know, time's flying by. But anyway, let's think about this, like you said'' Ally got up off of the couch and reached under it where she pulled out a three-ring binder.
'' You have a wedding binder? Why didn't I know about this beforehand?''
'' Hey, I can have secrets in this relationship, after all, if I didn't, life would get pretty boring wouldn't it?''
'' Eh fair enough, so, what're you thinking?'' Austin asked, Ally sitting down next to him.
'' Well, call me weird, but I was actually thinking that we don't do all the songs, let our voices rest for once, you know?''
'' No, I understand, but this is Austin Moon and Ally Dawson's wedding we're talking about here, its not exactly a small deal.''
'' Come on Austin, seriously? I thought we weren't going to make a huge deal out of this. We're just two normal people getting married.''
'' Who have balloons full of white flour in their closets in case the paparazzi find out where we live'' Austin added.
'' You never know, those Cheetah Beat reporters are relentless.''
'' Agreed. So, if we won't be doing all the songs, then who will?''
'' Well, I was thinking about having a live band, its always been a little dream of mine ever since I was a little girl.''
'' Live band? Where?''
'' Come on Austin, we can easily find some. All we have to do is go on the internet and type in wedding band near me and we'll have results.''
'' Fine, I concede, you win'' Austin raised his hands.
'' Of course, I do, I'm the bride'' Ally grinned.
'' Glad to see I have a say in this-achoo!''
'' Are you ok?'' Ally asked.
'' Fine thanks'' Austin sniffed.
'' Are you sure? You look a little pale baby. You want to go lie down?''
'' Allz, I'm fine. You can't keep me down.''
'' I know, I know, you're invincible'' Ally rolled her eyes.
'' Exactly, so, I'll go upstairs and get online, hopefully we can find some bands near us.''
'' Ok'' Ally said, her arms folded. She loved that Austin was brave but she had a feeling that her fiancé wasn't exactly a well man right now.
-x-
'' What is this place?'' Ally asked, a day later.'' Is this a strip club?''
True to his word, Austin had found a slew of live bands near them. Now, al they had to do was hear the bands play and see if they liked what they heard. Currently the pair found themselves outside of a water-soaked door, mould and moss growing upon its corners.
'' Nope, but it is a club'' Austin retorted, leading Ally inside. The inside of the club was extremely dingy. The smell of water damage wafting in the air. Along with peeled paint, Ally was sure she had seen a large rat scurry by her leg.
'' Austin, what the Hell?'' Ally hissed.
'' What? You try booking a place with less than 24 hrs. notice'' he hissed back, ending his sentence with a heavy wet cough.
'' Ok seriously, we need to get you to a doctor, I think you might be getting sick.''
'' I'm fine, its just allergies'' Austin said, sniffing.
'' Whatever, I just hope the music is good at least'' Ally took a seat on a non-smoke damaged chair.
Just then, three black-clad men stepped onto a nearby stage. The first one, of a Latino skin tone, glared at them with a look of loathing. His intimidating presence was increased only by the tight-fighting grey muscle shirt he had on, his finely chopped mohawk and three earrings on his left ear.
One of the man jumped off the stage and approached Austin. Much less intimidating than his band mate, he had a pale complexion with purple-spiked hair. He sported a black shirt with a large union jack printed in the center. He also had on a pair of ripped black jeans, tactical military boots and a black biker jacket.
'' Hoy, you Austin Moon?'' he asked, his cockney accent quite heavy.
'' That I am, nice to meet you mister uhm…'' Austin started.
'' Scabbard'' he answered. '' Black Scabbard.''
'' Oh wow, interesting name'' Ally responded.
'' Thanks, I legally changed it in the 90s. Oh wow, you are stunning to look at.''
'' Thanks'' Ally blushed.
'' ' Course. So, a bit about us, we're known as the Tri-squad. Originally formed in south London, we cam here to start our rock career. I sing lead, my best mate Drill-run is on base'' Scabbard pointed to a tall and skinny man sporting black John-Lennon-style sunglasses and teeth carved into points. '' I see you met Trigger-fist over yonder, don't mind him, he's harmless. But whatever you do, don't mention Manuel Noriega in front of him'' Scabbard added, whispering into Austin's ear. '' Poor bloke's house got torched by his forces back in the 80s.''
'' I see, well uhm, rock isn't what we're going for here. Can you play Christina Perri's A Thousand Years?''
'' Course we can. Me mum made me learn that back when I was in year 6. Alright lads, one two three…''
For the next five minutes, Scabbard destroyed the song, clearly it was out of his vocal range.
'' Aah… So, what do ya think? Do we have the gig?'' Scabbard asked.
'' Uhm…well'' Ally stammered.
'' No. Look, you've got potential but we aren't exactly looking for your type of music at our wedding, no offense'' Austin replied.
'' Fuck off'' Scabbard bit.
'' Excuse me?'' Ally asked, clearly taken back.
'' You heard me. You hob-knockers would be fuckin' lucky to have us perform.''
'' You should leave now'' Austin replied, his voice cool, calm and collected.
'' Oh, should I now? Well then-hey get your filthy hands off of me'' Scabbard snapped, as Drill-run picked him up and slung him over his shoulder.
'' Our apologies for our lead singer, he has…issues regarding criticism'' Drill-run responded, unlike his companion his voice was much more posh and polished.
'' No worries'' Austin smiled waving them out, mopping sweat from his forehead.
'' Ok, now I'm convinced you're ill. Come on, we can do these interviews on one of our laptops at home'' Ally protested.
'' I'm fine, no need to worry'' Austin refuted, wincing.
'' What was that?'' Ally responded, sharply.
'' Nothing, throat just hurts is all. Anyway, I think you'll like these guys.''
Soon, a much less gothic-looking group walked in, consisting of three members, their clothing styles immediately showed that they were hipsters. A lanky man, easily Austin and Ally's age, approached them. His striking blue eyes were hidden behind thick-black framed glasses. He had on a loose-fitting faded-grey beanie, red flannel shirt with suspenders, black skinny jeans and a pair of converses.
'' Sup, my name's Sam'' he said, his tone oozing with condescension. I'm the lead singer for Truth. Those two over there are my squad. '' Polli over there's our bassist'' Sam pointed to a pale woman with bright pink hair, she was wearing a loose fitting white shirt, blue jeans and white shoes, she also had a nose ring.
'' Hey'' Polli replied.
'' Hi, and you are?'' Austin replied, looking at the final band member. He too had glasses on, although even from a distance, both Austin and Ally could tell that the frames were fakes. He sported a ratty mustache, shaved sides of his head, swept-over blonde hair, a pink-v neck, ripped blue jeans and black high tops.
'' I'm Rob'' he replied, shrugging.
'' So Sam, can you sing this?'' Ally asked, handing a piece of paper to the lead singer.
'' Christina Perri's A Thousand Years, sorry, but we don't do mainstream. Instead we write our own songs.''
'' Oh great, let's hear one'' Austin responded.
'' Hear it? No no my friend, you don't hear a Truth song, you experience it and live it.''
'' Fine then, can we live and experience one?'' Ally cocked her head.
'' Sure, here's one of our signatures. We call it…Tuesday'' Sam replied.
For the next 10 minutes, both Austin and Ally were tortured with what was the most boring song they'd ever heard, it was literally just the word '' Tuesday'' being sung in different languages.
'' So, did we get the job?'' Rob asked.
'' Nooo'' Austin answered. '' The last guys we saw could at least sing, you guys are just…just plain awful. Like, cats being run over by lawnmowers sound better than you do.''
'' Uhm, excuse me. We are a vocal experience. Our music transcends normal listening. Its not our fault that your corporate-produced pop music has blinded you to what true realness sounds like'' Polli defended.
'' Regardless, your experience makes me want to tear off my ears and shove them in a blender'' Ally refuted.
'' She's harshing my vibe Sam, let's go'' Polli nodded, the trio evacuating.
-x-
'' Now this is good music'' Ally smiled as she and Austin sat in a vacant auditorium.
'' Is it though? I mean, its classical music, its so boring! Also, do I have something on my arm?'' Austin rolled up his sleeve to show a growing red rash.
'' Yeah, a huge rash on your arm. I'm really getting worried about this'' Ally answered.
'' Again, its allergies, I'm going to be fine. Now, let's listen to the answer to the question how much I love my fiancée.''
'' Oh hush, its fine. Listen, here they come'' Ally whispered, as a small orchestra appeared, before them, the conductor approaching the pair in the front row. HE looked familiar, but neither Austin nor Ally could figure out why.
'' Hi, its been a while'' he smirked.
'' Do we know you?'' Ally asked.
'' Sure do…Fartbucket.''
'' Mikey! Get out, leave, leave forever!'' Austin shouted.
'' Relax. I'm not that bratty kid anymore. I've changed. Turns out a hefty dose of Ritalin and electro-shock therapy can really work wonders for a kid.''
'' Fine, play one song'' Ally pouted. '' Preferably this'' she handed Mikey the slip of paper with the song on it.
'' A Thousand Years? Good choice. Alright people places.''
Austin and Ally were amazed at what they saw, and also heard. The was Mikey got them to pay attention with so little time wastage was incredible. They got every note right, every flat, every sharp. Clearly this was a much different kid…no, man.
'' Alright, how was that?'' Mikey asked, turning around.
'' Amazing, how'd you do it?'' Austin asked.
'' Simple, I hand pick every member of my group. Also, A Thousand Years is our practicing song. We do it all the time before performances. So, did we get the part?''
Ally got up and shook her ex-student's hand. '' You sure did. Can you do October 27th?''
'' Easily. Also, what's up with him?'' Mikey pointed to Austin, who was now sweating like a pig.
'' I'm fine. Really'' Austin panted.
Ally squinted, she wasn't too sure about that.
-x-
'' I cant believe we're going to IHOP, I love it there!"' Austin said an hour later as Ally drove.
'' Yep, we're definitely going to IHOP, not our pediatrician's office, that's for sure'' Ally nervously laughed.
'' Ally…what's really going on?''
'' Nothing, really.''
'' Allison Edgar Dawson…''
'' Fine. I booked you an appointment at Dr. Grant's office. Sorry but the way you've been acting lately is scaring me. I don't ever want anything bad to happen to you.''
'' I get that but you could've been honest with me.''
'' If I was you wouldn't have gone'' Ally responded, pulling into the parking lot.
'' Eh, fair point.''
'' Good, now go in'' Ally barked, following after him.
-x-
'' Well that was fun'' Austin said, as the pair entered their front door later that day.
'' What are you talking about. You got diagnosed with the flu. Now, follow me'' Ally led her fiancé upstairs and into the guest room.
'' What's happening?'' Austin asked.
'' Well, until you're better I can't risk you getting anyone else sick now can I? So for the next few days, you're in here. The bathroom's all yours, I'll use the en-suite one in our room.''
'' Wait? You're locking me up?''
'' No…'' Ally pursed her lips. '' I'm forbidding you from coming near me is all. If you need food or anything to drink, call me.''
'' But we have that appointment to do the flowers for our wedding in two days.''
'' Nope, I already called in a favor. Trish and Dez are tending to it for us. They need some best man/ maid of honor duties.''
'' Fine'' Austin said, as Ally closed the door behind him. The man sat down on the bed, this, would not be a pleasant experience.
And scene. Thanks so much for reading everyone, hope your week is going well. As usual, stay safe and stay awesome!
