When Luna heard Sam say 'I guess we will' her heart jumped into her throat.
Luna had harboured a crush on Sam since the first day she'd seen her.
The first day of grade nine Luna had been waiting through her classes for music. Everything else in her life might be changing but music was always her safe place, as long as she had two fingers and a hard surface and a whistle in her throat she could close everything else out and center herself.
That was what she thought going into that class anyway. Only a music teacher or maybe another art teacher could manage to be late for the first day of classes. Luna didn't mind it gave her a chance to catch up with some old friends she knew from primary school and music camp.
Some of them decided to pull out there instruments and show off what they'd been up to. It was all fun for Luna and then a girl she didn't recognize pulled out her acoustic guitar.
The floor was surrendered to her; Luna knew the song instantly, bluebird by the weavils.
Luna had loved British bands since her father introduced them to her in her crib; at least that was the way her dad told Luna heard Sam say 'I guess we will' her heart jumped into her throat.
Luna had harboured a crush on Sam since the first day she'd seen her.
The first day of grade nine Luna had been waiting through her classes for music. Everything else in her life might be changing but music was always her safe place, as long as she had two fingers and a hard surface and a whistle in her throat she could close everything else out and center herself.
That was what she thought going into that class anyway. Only a music teacher or maybe another art teacher could manage to be late for the first day of classes. Luna didn't mind it gave her a chance to catch up with some old friends she knew from primary school and music camp.
Some of them decided to pull out there instruments and show off what they'd been up to. It was all fun for Luna and then a girl she didn't recognize pulled out her acoustic guitar.
The floor was surrendered to her; Luna knew the song instantly, bluebird by the weavils.
Luna had loved British bands since her father introduced them to her in her crib; at least that was the way her dad told it.
However, as a teen, she'd been pushing further towards rock and punk, but as the first notes left the girls mouth she was hooked. Both on the girl and her music.
And now Luna was watching the same girl walk down her front steps in a lot she was still a mystery.
Luna jumped down the stairs to catch up shuddering as she landed and felt her guitar bump against her back. She said a silent prayer to the punk that her guitar was still tuned and un-damaged.
Luna noticed as they caught up to three others that it was starting to get dark she hoped Sam wasn't ticked with her for making her wait.
Sam seemed to be smiling so that was a good sign. Luna was glad Luan and Maggie had agreed to come. As much as she may have ribbed Luan for her corny puns Luna knew she could rely on her younger sister.
Luna watched as Maggie whispered something to she couldn't hear to Luan who nodded enthusiastically.
Luan started to say something to the other two, then looked up as a street light flickered on, she laughed to herself and said: "Maggie just had a bright idea, she suggested since it's getting dark we hold hands so we don't get separated."
Luna started to say she wasn't sure if that was a good idea but Sam beat her joking "Only if we'll be in 'safe' hands."
Luan let out a laugh Maggie's hand already in her left she offered her right to Sam saying "I definitely like this one, you should keep her on 'hand' more often."
Sam laughed at Luan's pun and accepted her hand. Sam then offered her hand to Luna who tried to look inconspicuously at Maggie, however, her other hand was occupied by her parasol.
Luna had suddenly felt like she was sweating a lot even as the evening was beginning to chill. But she couldn't let Sam's hand just dangle so she wiped hers on her back and accepted Sam's.
Luna was suddenly beginning to regret telling Luan to bring Maggie.
She remembered when Luan had called a sibling meeting that she was going to start bringing Maggie around. Luan had explained that Maggie had certain social limitations and some ways to make her feel comfortable.
Luna had assumed that Maggie would keep quiet and to herself as she usually did.
Sam seemed to take it upon herself to break the silence "So Luan are you going to be performing tonight?"
A mad smile spread across Luan's face as she suddenly halted the groups progress throwing not only her own hands dramatically but Maggies and Sams as well "though it's true all the world's a stage, it always helps a jester if a mic is provided."
She ended with a half curtsey before allowing the group to continued.
Maggie giggled at Luan's antics and Sam nodded "True for musicians as well, so are you into drama as well or just comedy?"
Luna thought on the question and replied: "Though humor is in my bones or one at least, I've found it's important to have a firm grasp on the fundamentals."
Luna was glad Sam had got Luan talking it's exactly what she'd hoped would happen she was even starting to enjoy the feel of Sam's hand in her own.
Then she heard Sam saying something and snapped back to reality. Luan seeing Luna had drifted so reiterated Sams question "Earth to Luna, Sam asked what number you would bless us with tonight."
Sam giggled "well I didn't say it quite like that but I am curious."
Luna looked away blushing "oh it's nothing just something I've been practicing."
Luna who seemed to be realizing the limitations holding two girls hands had in her ability to communicate nodded vigorously, "you can say that again she's been holed up in her garage all week not letting anyone in."
Luna began rethinking the letting Luan talk thing. Sam looked at Luna bemused "I guess it will be a surprise, but maybe next time we can play something together?"
Luna hoped she wasn't blushing and that her voice wouldn't give away how excited she was, "Yeah if you want," she replied trying to keep it simple.
Luan finally broke hands with Sam and pointed ahead of them "Looks like we're here."
Royal Woods only all ages club wasn't much to look at but what it lacked in style it made up for in being the only place around that catered to teenagers.
The Woods, as it was informally known, wasn't so bad Luna thought. It catered to pretty much everyone; rockers, goths, emos, metal heads, even blues night to honor rocks origins.
They'd tried country night but they hadn't gone over well so it was not repeated.
And for obvious fire code and legal reasons, a rave night had never been attempted.
But once a month twice in the summer they had an open mic night where anyone was given a time slot to anything within reason.
Luna had been in fact been practicing a song to sing a song for Sam. Go big or go home she told herself.
As they rounded the corner Maggie broke the near silence she'd maintained since they left the house, "looks like we're a bit late."
Through the dusk, Luna could see a medium sized cue had formed outside the club.
"Dang it." She said to herself "I'm sorry I took so long getting ready this is on me."
It was obvious that Luna was crestfallen. Luan shook her head "maybe if we cue up our stars will a 'line'."
Luna shrugged but she wasn't hopeful her inner anxieties began to boil up, this was what you wanted wasn't it a chance to let yourself off the hook.
As her demons started to corrupt her psyche someone called out her name in a gruff voice.
When she saw who was heading the door of the club her anxieties drifted away.
She beckoned to the others to follow her. As they reached the entrance the man working the door looked at Luna grumpily.
"Where have you blokes been you're late?" Luna greeted her friend Chunk with a curt nod "What's good Chunk?"
Chunk shook his head exhausted "You show late and ask me what's good? Musicians, you'll be the bleeding death of me."
"Center yourself Chunk how can I be late for open mic night?" Luna knew that Chuck could come off as intimidating with his tattoos, piercings, leather jacket and general appearance of someone who'd not only survived the eighties punk scene but enjoyed it
However, she also knew he was a good guy who loved music and took care of his friends.
Chunk took a breath pinch the bridge of his nose than in calmer voice replied 'Normally yes but apparently someones created a buzz about you on social media the clubs almost at capacity, you as well Ms. Loud."
Chunk nodded at Luan whose eyes suddenly widened with anticipation she'd never been one to shy away from the limelight.
Luna stared at Chunk blankly "Sorry dude I have no idea what's going on."
Chunk nodded "I was beginning to suspect we'll figure it out inside."
Chunk tagged off with another employee of the club a thoroughly unprepared looking young man leaving him to face the line, as he the young ladies went into the Woods.
As they entered the dimly lit venue Luna could see Chunk hadn't been lying the place was packed but with Chunk in charge you could be sure it was still well within the limits of the fire code.
There was already a beat poet on stage reciting something even Lucy would roll her eyes at.
Luna noticed one empty table left at the front which Chunk was guiding them to.
When they reached the table Chunk silently directed Sam and Maggie to hold the table and for Luna and Luan to follow him.
Luna followed immediately but Luan stopped for a moment to make sure Maggie was settled then caught up.
They followed Chunk behind the stage it wasn't a large space mostly filled with various music equipment Chunk gestured for each of them to settle on huge amp boxes that were showing they were more furniture at this point than actual equipment.
Luna knew this because there was no way Chunk would have let them sit on them otherwise.
He was very professional whether at an actual gig or just slumming it at a local club; it's what afforded him such a transient lifestyle.
Chunk settled himself and looked at the girls, "So I take it you two weren't planning anything big."
Luna shook her head settling her guitar still in the case in front of herself.
Luan shrugged "I always plan big I just never know what the audience is planning."
Chunk chuckled in agreement, "Isn't that the way." He thumped his chest, "alright so we have an audience we didn't plan for but that's in the past, now we need to wing it."
He turned his attention to Luna "I see you've got your axe you need an amp? I'm sure I could swing you some backup."
Luna sighed to herself she didn't understand how this had spun out from her original plans. She'd just wanted to come and sing a song for Sam and now she was playing for easily fifty people.
No, she told herself you will have other opportunities to rock out tonight is about Sam.
Luna looked at Chunk and shook her head "Don't trouble yourself." Luna said removing her guitar from its case,"I'm going acoustic tonight."
"Well, that's hunky dory then better than pumping up a bunch of hoodies and releasing them upon the town." Chunk appeared more relaxed than when they had arrived.
"By the by your musical influence wouldn't be for that bird with you?" Chunk continued raising an eyebrow.
Luna's mouth hung open for a moment then she asked quietly "how did you know."
Chunk snorted "I've known a lot of musicians love and few of you are closed books; I remember the first time I tried to sing to, mind you it was the eighties and she went on to break my nose in a mosh pit, ah young love."
Chunk looked off reminiscing fit a moment before continuing "Never mind that now there's a show at the end of the night you can mellow the crowd and Luan can leave them laughing and we'll all walk away."
"I'll leave them in stitches so they won't require any." Luan laughed to herself.
With that Chunk headed off to check on the kid, he'd left at the door and Luna and Luan made their way back to their table.
Maggie was looked very relieved when Luan returned to the table and Sam was happy to see Luna as well.
On stage wailing screamo musician was singing acapella with himself to no avail.
Sam leaned over to Luna "I didn't know you were so connected."
Luna laughed, "Oh him that's just my roadie Chunk."
Sam let out a low whistle, "you have your own roadie impressive, my band has to lug all our own stuff."
Luna shrugged "yeah it's a long story." Sam smiled "you'll have to tell it to me sometime."
The rest of the night seemed to fly by little bits of flirting on both sides between acts that ranged from sub par to adequate.
The final act before Lunas song was a juggler who was quickly wrangled by Chunk when she attempted to bust out a mini blow torch as part of her act.
Luan and Maggie booed as she was escorted off the stage.
Luna was walking back stage as this was going to grab her guitar.
Then she pulled from one of the pockets of the guitar case, the special plastic case she kept her Mick Swaegger guitar pic.
She'd meant to give it to Sam as a token but had wussed out, hpwever in this moment she was glad she had it, she needed all the confidence she could get.
Luna heard the teen boy who had replaced Chunk at the door announce her to the stage.
There was a healthy round of applause for her as she walked on to the stage.
Slowly as the lights dimmed the audience began to melt away until she could only see Sam.
Luna sat on the old stool that had been provided and began to play the song she had practiced, The Weavils - Wanna Hold Hands.
The song was getting a good response even the sardonic beat poet and screamo boy were both swaying to the song but she didn't notice because she was singing directly to Sam.
The pop-punk of Luna's dreams turned to her sister Luan and whispered something.
Whatever Sam had said Luan must have given her the answer she wanted because she got up from the table and hurried to join Luna on stage.
Luna had not predicted this reaction but being the professional musician she was, she kept going and the song turned into a duet.
When it was over the crowd cheered as the two left the stage holding hands.
Tonight, Luna told herself as she walked back to their table with the girl of her dreams had definitely been worth waiting for.
