Let's just say, Clare likes We Are Scientists.
And to clear up future comments, the beginning song is "Nobody Move, Nobody Get Hurt"; let's say that Clare's band made that song ;)
"Come on, Clare!" Leo exclaimed as Clare ran through the backstage doors. "You're late!"
"Sorry, Leo! Sorry, Sorry!" She apologized over and over as she brought out her Fender guitar. Clare stumbled her way to the stage.
"We'd like to present something new this evening," Adamo, the singer, glanced over his shoulder to make sure that Clare had come. "Something that will be on our new album."
Clare had grown accustomed to the loudness of the crowd as their band became well known, and she particularly liked it. She had found her place in the world.
Adamo looked back at Clare who nodded; her hands strummed over the guitar in the most mesmerizing way that it seemed almost impossible to mimic her solos. Clare smiled once her beginning intro was done, and then blended into the bass' melody, leaving Adamo to do what he needed to do.
Although her strumming was strained, Clare had a reason; her family was breaking apart, as well as her friendships at school. Eli didn't seem to like her anymore. Alli was gone, and Adam knew about Clare's other side of her, but he swore not to tell anyone.
Clare could not let anyone know that she was a guitarist of a well known band; it would kill her with all the drama at school. She didn't want to have any paparazzi that followed her around; she just wanted to play.
She listened to Adamo's voice, her head moving to the beat. She couldn't explain in words how right this felt to her; no one would understand how the music just let her go.
The solo came in no time, sending Clare's fingers into a frenzy. She perfected each note, which was always expected. She smiled as her solo ended.
The drums rang once more, ending the song. Clare looked at Adamo who was leaving the stage, and as she followed he raised a hand.
"This is your cover, remember?" He yelled over the sound. Clare swallowed, nodding. It was going to be the most terrifying thing for her to do; sing in front of a crowd that tripled her high school's population.
"This is not a new song, but more of a cover." Clare hesitantly said, smiling as she saw that the fans looked just as happy as they did when Adamo was talking. "You know when you have that time in your life where you feel like it is just going to never come back once it ends, but then it repeats itself?" She could hear the enthusiasm of the crowd as she finished. "Well, history repeats." She started the intro of the song immediately, playing her We Are Scientists cover with the band.
Clare could perfectly explain why she had chosen the cover; sophomore year was just like freshman year for her; she just hoped that junior year would be different. She wanted someone who would be able to lift her off her feet and never doubt it.
I got this whole thing figured out
I guess I better write it down, now
'Cause presently my memory's not terribly sound
Everything is twice around, now.
Clare's voice slightly wavered, and she took as many deep breaths as she could, savoring the moment of hearing the fans sing with her. She smiled before continuing.
It shouldn't be this hard
I guess I'm not as smart
As I'd like to think I am
And even though you won't
Admit it now I know, you know, I know, you know
No longer was Clare's voice nervous, but empowering. She was winning the crowd over with the passion of her voice, the pain that was released once she sung the lyrics.
I guess it isn't any news
This keeps coming out in two's
If history repeats itself then what can I do?
Nothing I can say is news to you.
Clare's eyes threatened her with tears, but she held them away. This was her moment to shine, her moment to show the world was it was missing.
It shouldn't be this hard
I guess I'm not as smart
As I'd like to think I am
And even though you won't
Admit it now I know, you know, I know, you know.
Clare smiled out into the crowd as the solo came once again, and this time her head was more into the music, banging harder to the song.
Let's get this calendar straight
I shouldn't try to make sense
Of anything that goes on
When it goes on again and again and again
She could hear the bass lowering down, but her strumming remained the same. Out of the entire band she was able to energize the whole room, sending all of the fans into an adrenaline rush. And she liked it.
It shouldn't be this hard
I guess I'm not as smart
As I'd like to think I am
And even though you won't
Admit it now I know, you know, I know, you know.
"Thank you," Clare breathed out a smile and just like that, they were halfway done with the show.
Adamo gladly took the microphone from Clare and announced the short break that would be held so that the early V.I.P. backstage winners would be able to come and get their signatures and pictures early.
Leo had already greeted most of the backstage winners, and Clare carefully took off the strap from her Fender and placed it gently next to the bass. Her smile, never leaving her face, enlightened the whole room.
The whole band stayed in a line, taking photo ops and signing pictures while chatting with the winners. Clare knew that Adamo didn't care much for signing or pictures, but Clare was just giddy. She had finally found what her life was living for and what it felt to be wanted.
"Great job tonight, Clare." She heard, and her smile froze onto her face as Elijah Goldsworthy stood in front of her, his smirk never leaving his face. Clare didn't know how to act in the presence of her English partner, so she shrugged.
"Thanks." She took the picture out of his hand, signing it as best as she could.
He gracefully took it back. "Yeah, who knew that my English partner was a singer and guitarist of a band that I particularly enjoyed?" Clare cursed his smirk once again.
"You're lucky." She retorted, winking at him. She knew that her sudden boldness caught him off guard.
Eli stood there, honestly looking like an idiot. He could not understand whether or not he was caught in a dream, seeing Saint Clare sing and play her heart out and, most importantly, flirting with a hearse-driving teenager.
"Well?" Clare asked, sending Eli out of his trance. Clare giggled. "Are you going to stay for the rest of the show?"
Eli feigned his thinking, rubbing his chin with his thumb and pointer finger. "Will I be able to drive a pretty girl back to her house afterwards?"
If the lights weren't so dim, Eli would see Clare's cheeks redden just the slightest. "As long as its me." She stated, and Eli took it as a yes.