We finally managed to work our way through the pack of semis and security guards, a few shooting confused and alarmed looks to each other and the guys. Eric walked up to a group of three, said something, and soon nearly every guard was back to minding their work. I felt no offense, knowing that, again, this was their job. Protect and serve: badge-less style.
Once we were inside the building, I sighed contentedly at the warm air blasting into the hall. Sure, it was spring and all, but the air from outside alone at this time of year was not enough sometimes, and I was grateful.
"What's on the agenda for the rest of the afternoon?" I asked to nobody in particular.
"Rehearsal," replied Zach with that boyish smile of his. He ruffled my hair. I was suddenly giddy with excitement. Watching and listening to what they practiced gave me a heads up for later, not to mention they didn't have to jump and fly around like they would on stage. Mom and Eric had stopped to discuss something quietly and I was curious, though I knew better to hand around and pry. Rather than sticking around to eavesdrop, I followed behind Barry into a locked, spacious room. There sat Barry's beautiful trapset, the bass head design sending a shiver up my spine. I was itching to get my hands on it, actually scratching at the crook of my arm like I was craving it.
When I saw Zach glance at what I was doing, I scratched the rest of my arm and shook it to cover up the weird move. I was never one for drugs, but man that trapset was calling my name like one. I averted my eyes, though. I wasn't going to touch the heads. I knew they replaced them before each show for safety and performance purposes, meaning that those were still from the last show and could easily break or crack if I made a wrong move. Snare heads always had their own weak spots, and I was great at finding them... I had busted a few snare heads and two or three tom heads in the past and was not looking to add another to the "OH, SHIT!" graveyard. At least, not tonight. But, oddly enough, Brent walked straight to it and rested his head on one of the high toms with a thump. I chuckled to myself.
"Barry, you sing..." he mumbled into the head, and the muffled, vibrating sounds that came from it had me fighting to keep my laughter contained. Zach laughed at the antic and Barry shook his head.
"If I sang, Ana here would run... screaming," Barry commented.
"Oh, you can'y be that bad," I tried to assure him, but Brent lifted his head and all three turned to me with deadly-serious expressions, nodded in sync. That was when I lost it and clutched my aching belly, trying not to fall on the floor. Maybe Barry was that bad after all. I had always thought that Eric had been making fun of the drummer. Guess not...
Eric came in the room and looked at me with a confused expression.
"Why is she dying?" he asked, looking pointedly at Brent.
"Brent asked me to sing. Didn't believe that I sound like a dying cow," Barry laughed.
"I told you I wasn't lying," Eric whispered loudly to me. Then he got a "light bulb" look on his face. "But Ana can."
I stopped laughing immediately, turning to Eric and begging him to not say anything else.
"So, where's Mom?" I asked nervously, trying to change the subject as quickly as I could, but to no avail.
"You can sing?" asked Brent. Eric looked at me, waiting for the answer while the other three remained focused on me with interest. I looked around at them in defense before dropping my head in defeat. Shit.
"Er, kinda..." I mumbled, not lifting my head.
"The last time I was home, I had to listen to you sing half of Amaryllis in the shower. And I didn't break down the door to tell you to stop," Eric deadpanned, and I felt the goosebumps on my arms. I knew I was blushing like mad, but I couldn't help it. Amaryllis was an amazing album that, even as Eric's sister, had me begging for more. Truthfully, yes, I could sing. I could sing pretty well, not to toot my own horn. I had been singing since I could talk, according to Eric and my mother, even if it was just nonsense or singing about what I was doing at the time. Now, I could memorize music "through repetition," which was what my high school band teacher had called it. But anyone could, right..?
"What was your favorite song from the album?" asked Brent, curious.
It was no question, especially when Eric and I said, "Through the Ghost," in unison. I had practically ruined my CD in my car, playing it over and over and over until I memorized every tiny detail of the song. Eric had even showed me how to play it on his acoustic guitar a few times, which was now kept hidden in my closet at home with Zach's original sheet music (littered in doodles and notes,) hidden in its case. To this day, he still wondered where it had gotten to, according to Eric.
"You know every piece to that song, Ana," Eric pressed, using his "puppy-dog" face on me.
"Eric John Bass, that's fighting dirty," I scolded, and he smiled triumphantly. Eric: one. Me: zilch. I was so going to get him back for this later. And, like a child, he stuck his tongue out at me for a brief second before winking.
"If you'd feel more comfortable, I could sing with you, Ana," offered Brent, rising from the seat of the trapset and walking over to me. I mildly wondered how our voices would sound together, and had to take the opportunity. If anything, my curiosity would be enough to keep from chickening out.
After a steadying breath, I nodded my head. Eric sat on a chair a few feet away, where his practice bass sat on a stand. Barry walked to his trapset, and Zach took up post a few feet from Eric. I... just kinda stood there, looking like an idiot until Brent rested a hand on my shoulder.
"It'll be fine," Brent reassured. I sighed and swallowed my nervousness. It was then that Zach started playing the opening chords, caressing each string with practiced ease. Eric began to fiddle with his chords, and Barry rolled his ground tom. Just a few more measures... and...
Speak of the Devil, look who just walked into the room.
The guilted and faded notion of someone I once knew
My heart was beating like a drum once I began, but it started to steady a bit when my confidence grew.
All the perfect moments are wrong.
All the precious pieces are gone.
Brent began the sing with me.
Everything that mattered is just a city of dust,
Covering both of us.
Did you hide yourself away?
I added more a little more power to my voice, raising the volume.
I can't see you anymore.
Did you eclipse another day?
I used to wake up to the color of your soul.
I felt so happy... so free, singing my heart out with Brent. He had wrapped his arm around my shoulders, his hand gripping the other side.
Did you hide yourself away?
Are you leaving through the ghost?
Did you fin'ly find a place above the shadows so the world will never know...
The world will never know you like I do.
It was just me again for a bit.
So many silent sorrows you'll-
Brent's voice came in at the perfect time, the way it had in the actual recording.
-never hear from again.
Goosebumps rose and I shivered just slightly. Wow, he sounded so amazing.
And now that you've lost tomorrow,
Is yesterday still a friend?
All the bridges we built were burned.
Not a single lesson was learned.
Everything that mattered is just a city of dust,
Covering both of us!
I glanced over to Eric, who had a proud, giant smile on his face, though he kept his focus on his bass. I didn't dare look at Brent, because I knew that if I saw whatever his expression was, I would completely blow this.
Did you hide yourself away?
I can't see you anymore...
Did you eclipse another day?
I used to wake up to the color of your soul.
Did you hide yourself away?
Are you leaving through the ghost?
Did you fin'ly find a place above the shadows so the world will never know...
The world will never know you like I do.
The band started to build, Barry adding his symbol to the mix. Zach played his chords with expertise, and I could practically feel Eric's bass in my chest as he played.
Like I still do...
My heart began to race again with anticipation, the pace building with the sound of the band. I finally looked to Brent, who was staring at me with a mixture of joy and pride, though there was something hidden there that I couldn't quite decipher. He pulled me a little closer to his side. And then, it was our cue, voices harmonizing powerfully.
Did you hide yourself away?
I can't see you anymore.
Did you eclipse another day?
I used to wake up to the color of your soul (of your soul.)
I grinned wide at Brent's reverberation.
Did you hide yourself away?
Are you leaving though the ghost?
Did you fin'ly find a place (a place!) above the shadows so the world will never know (never know...)
The world will never know you..?
I took a deep breath, focusing hard on trying to relax my heart. I had felt so empowered during the song, hearing the undertones our voices had created and knowing that I had been on key for at least most of the song. Granted, I had sung the song until I was gasping for air before, practicing repeatedly until I could match Brent's voice as best as I could, though an octave or two higher, of course.
Brent released me and began to clap, joined by the other three and I felt a deep blush flush my cheeks. Talk about embarrassing. I even heard a wolf-whistle behind me and I turned to face the three. They all bore giant smiles, and Eric wore an "I told you so!" look plastered to his face. Barry had obviously been the one to whistle, as he was looking around in the most unnatural "act natural" way, though he still clapped. Zach looked completely blown away, to say the least. And lastly...
I looked up at Brent. He was looking at me with such admiration that it made me nervous all over again. This was his song... and yet, nobody knew yet what the song's meaning was. Or, at least I didn't, though I had a sneaking suspicion Eric had an inkling.
Eric was the first to speak up. "Told 'ya Ana could sing."
"Yeah; holy shit," Zach replied. I shrank down internally, hiding. I was always shy when it came to praise.
"Ana, you were incredible," spoke Barry, rising from his trapset. "But regardless if she was amazing or not..." He ruffled my hair, screwing up what I had fixed from Zach, "She belongs to the Dark Side." He handed me one of his sticks and I looked at it, trying to figure out exactly what had happened to the other.
"Uh, Barry?" I mumbled.
"Yes, darlin'?" he replied, still looking triumphant.
"Please tell me the other stick isn't hiding in your Dark Side," I replied in the most serious tone I could manage. He suddenly looked as if he had been clubbed over the head, and I burst out laughing. It was a few seconds before all of us were nearly on the ground, Barry included. I had really missed these times, and I was looking forward to having my boys home tonight.