A couple of weeks later, the kids agreed to meet in Biff's garage to start practicing their instruments. Shelly and Bubbles were in Bubbles' room, getting ready to go.
"Isn't this going to be great, Shelly?" asked Bubbles "We're going to start our very own band"
"Yeah, I've always wanted to be a big star" Shelly agreed.
"Glad to hear." Bubbles smiled.
"I may not be able to play an instrument, but at least I can play this tambourine so easily" Shelly said as she looked at tambourine "I wish I could sing like my mama, though"
"Oh really?" Bubbles raised an eyebrow. "What kind of songs does Aunt Marilyn sing to you, Shelly?"
"Lullabies and love songs" Shelly replied "They're what she's been singing to me ever since I was a baby"
"I see." Bubbles smiled.
Meanwhile, over at the guys, Clem, Biff and Jabber were tuning their instruments
"Wowee wow wow" Clem said as he polished his trumpet "This is gonna be great"
"Yeah" Jabber said as he started beating his drums "I'm going to be the first shark drummer! Nyuk, nyuk, nyuk"
"I can't wait to see what beautiful music we can make together" Biff said as he tuned his guitar.
"So do I." Jabber said.
"But have you noticed that Shelly has been spending a lot of time at Bubbles' house, lately?" Biff asked the guys.
"Actually, no" Clem replied.
"Not really" Jabber said.
"You curious about that?" Clem asked Biff.
"Yeah" Biff nodded "Either they've been having a lot of slumber parties or something is very wrong"
"Like what?" Jabber raised an eyebrow.
"Beats me" said Biff "But maybe I'll ask her when practice is up. I'm kind of scared for her"
"Like something bad happening at her house?" Clem asked.
"Maybe." Biff shrugged.
"Hey guys, I think I see them coming now" said Jabber as he pointed to the road.
Sure enough. Shelly and Bubbles were crossing the road as they approached Clem's house.
"Hey guys" said Shelly as she got into the garage with her cousin "Ready to start jamming?"
"Sure" Biff replied.
"Can't wait" Clem added.
"I'm all ready" said Jabber "Nyuk, nyuk, nyuk"
"So what are we going to play?" Bubbles asked.
"Yeah, we haven't really thought of that" said Shelly "What do you think Biff?"
Biff thought for a while before replying.
"I honestly don't really know." He shrugged.
"Well I'll suggest one" said Clem "How about 'South Side' by Thomas Rhett? It's perfect for my trumpet"
"Country music? Blech" Shelly stuck her tounge out.
"Well then." Biff said. "What about 'Sweet Home Alabama'? I can play the guitar-solo part of it."
"That'll work" Bubbles shrugged "What about you guys?"
Everybody shrugged in agreement.
"Terrific gang" said Biff "I'll play the song and you guys follow along. You know, keep in time with the beat"
"Sure." Shelly nodded as they prepared the instruments.
Jabber started to hit the drumsticks for the beat before they begin.
Biff then tuned up his guitar and started playing the song. He hit the strings as they played with the rhythm of the drums.
Shelly then started tapping her hand on the tambourine in rhythm and Bubbles started playing notes on her keyboard in harmony.
"So far so good." Clem thought to himself as he started playing the bass.
Our heroes started playing the song in harmony and soon enough, it became one awesome rhythm.
"This instrumental stuff is great, Biff" Shelly said as she continued playing her tambourine "But we could use some lyrics"
"True." Clem agreed. "Can any of us sing?"
"I'm not too sure" said Biff "We need a lead singer"
"How about Shelly?" suggested Bubbles "She's always wanted to sing like Aunt Marilyn"
Clem, Biff and Jabber's eyebrows raised at the comment but they didn't say a word as they turned to Shelly.
"What are you looking at me for?" she asked her friends.
"Shelly, will you like to sing?" Biff asked.
"Me? Why me?" asked Shelly.
"Because you're the only one of us who doesn't have a big instrument" Jabber replied "Plus, Bubbles suggested it to you"
"Besides, we need a lead singer and you're our best choice" Biff said "You've always wanted to have vocals like your mother, well why don't you test them out?"
"Okay" Shelly said as she cleared her throat.
Biff retuned his guitar "Okay everybody, on the downbeat"
The gang started playing the song again and Shelly cleared her throat, ready to see if she could sing.
As they got to the cue where Shelly's supposed to sing, she leaned over to the microphone to sing. The others were quite impressed by the quality of her voice.
"Wow." Biff remarked. "First time singing and she sings so well."
"Wowee wow wow" said Clem "You have such a wonderful singing voice, Shell"
"Yeah" Biff agreed "It looks like we've found a lead singer"
"Gee, thanks Biff" Shelly smiled "That's really nice of you. Didn't know I could sing"
The two then both exchanged smiles, earning them a sly look from Bubbles and confused looks from Jabber and Clem.
"Well, now that we've got this song in the bag, what else should we practice playing?" Bubbles asked.
"How about something that can get audiences dancing in their seats" suggested Biff "Anyone have any ideas?"
Everybody thought about it for a moment.
"I don't know any dance music." Shelly replied.
"Beats me" Clem shrugged.
"I've been under the sea, so I haven't heard any songs" Jabber added.
"I've got an idea!" Bubbles snapped her fingers "How about 'Move Your Feet' by Junior Senior. It's the very definition of dancing in your seat"
Clem, Biff, Jabber and Shelly looked at each other and shrugged.
"Works, I guess." Shelly said.
"That's great" said Bubbles "Cause of the only songs I know how to play"
"And the best part is, it isn't country" Shelly remarked.
Biff then tuned up his guitar "Plus, I know how to play it as well. Okay, everybody like we did before; Bubbles will play the song and the rest of us will follow what she's gonna do and 5, 6, 7, 8!"
Biff and Bubbles started playing the notes and melody of the song, followed by Jabber keeping up with the beat and Shelly's singing.
Everyone nodded their heads as they play along with the beat of the music. The band sang on until they reached the end.
"Yeah!" they all exclaimed at the end.
"What a show! What a show!" Jabberjaw exclaimed "Nyuk, nyuk, nyuk"
"Boy, we sure make beautiful music together" said Bubbles.
"We sure do" Biff said "Well, same time tomorrow?"
"Sure thing, guys." Bubbles nodded as she and Shelly prepared to leave.
"Shelly wait" Biff said as Shelly started to go home "I kind of want to talk to you"
"Sure Biff" Shelly said as she walked back "What is it?"
"I kind of want us to talk alone" said Biff.
"Okay, Biff" said Shelly "How about in your living room?"
The duo then walked into the living room, while Clem and Jabber walked home and Bubbles waited in the garage for her cousin.
"So what will you like to discuss?" Shelly asked.
"Um...I was just curious, Shelly." Biff answered. "How come I see you at Bubbles' house more often lately?"
"Cause we're best friends and like hanging out a lot!" Shelly smiled nervously.
"Um...okay." Biff replied.
Shelly still looked nervous and a bit guilty that she lied to Biff.
"Shelly, are you sure?" he asked "I mean, if there's anything wrong with you, you can talk to me about it. Remember, I'm your friend and I'll always be here for you"
"Uh...let's just say that my mother and I had house troubles...you know...infested with termites." Shelly said. "So while the exterminators are working on getting rid of those termites, Mom and I decided to stay at Bubbles' place."
"Oh" said Biff "Is that why you've never invited us to your house before?"
"Uh, yeah" Shelly nodded vigorously.
"But, if your house was always infested, how come you never moved out before?" Biff asked, suspicious "And why does your mother look sad sometimes when you two are together?"
"It was never infested before." Shelly quickly said. "They...just showed up all in a sudden, and the reason why my mother's sad sometimes is because that house is the only place we've got."
"Why? What happened?" Biff asked, concerned.
"Because my father and brother passed away when I was young, and my family never had enough money." Shelly decided to confess.
"Shelly, I'm so sorry" Biff said as he made a sad look.
Shelly tried to fight back her tears, but they were too hot hold back in and she started sniffling.
"So that's why Mom and I have been living with Bubbles lately." Shelly sniffed.
"Shelly..." Biff opened up his arms.
Shelly didn't say anything, but she leaned forward and let Biff wrap her arms around her as she started crying.
Biff closed his eyes as he started gently stroking Shelly's hair as she buried her face into his chest, crying her heart out.
"I want my daddy and Jim back!" she shouted in anger "I want a real family! I want a real life! ITS NOT FAIR!"
Biff stayed silent and continued to hold Shelly and gently stroke her hair and rub her back.
After what seemed like hours, he finally released Shelly, who was feeling a lot better.
"I guess I needed the hug, Biff." She said. "Thanks."
"I would do anything for you, Shell" Biff said as he hugged her again "You're my best friend"
Shelly nodded and smiled. "Thanks, Biff."
A few days after their first practice, Biff managed to book them a gig.
"Well gang, I got us our first gig!" he told his friends.
"Wowee wow wow" said Clem "That's awesome"
"Yeah" Jabber said "Where we performing? The pier? The beach? Six Flags perhaps?"
"It's at the beach." Biff answered.
"The beach? How romantical" Bubbles replied.
"My mama and I love going to the beach" Shelly said.
"So what time is the gig?" Clem asked.
"Around six" said Biff "This could be the beginning of us starting a big career as the town's local music performers"
"And my chance of becoming a big star" Shelly waved her hair back a bit.
"That means we've gotta do some practice for the gig." Jabber said.
"Correct buddy" said Biff "Now all we have to do is find out what song we're gonna do. We are going to transform from a simple garage band, to local singing sensations"
"Right." Clem agreed. "So what song do you guys suggest we perform in the gig?"
The gang started to ponder on what to perform.
"Hmmm..." Bubbles suggested. "May I suggest that we perform 'Move Your Feet'?"
"Great idea Bubbles" said Clem "That would be perfect for those beachgoers to get down and funky"
"Don't do that again" Shelly deadpanned.
"What do you mean, Shelly?" Jabber asked.
"I mean I'm telling him to stop saying 'down and funky', Fish face" Shelly replied.
"Why?" Clem asked.
"Because it's annoying!" Shelly said impatiently.
"Oh, okay then" said Clem.
"Good" Shelly folded her arms.
"Anyways, anything else you guys have in mind?" Biff asked, moving on with the topic. "I'm sure the audience wouldn't want us to just perform one song."
"Well every band needs to tone it down towards the end of the show" said Jabberjaw "So why not try something slow and emotional"
"Like a love song" said Bubbles "Do you know any love songs, Cousin Shelly?"
Shelly thought for a while. She thought about all the love songs her mother would always sing to her.
"Maybe a couple." Shelly spoke.
"Like what?" asked Biff.
Shelly thought for a while "Endless Love, For You I Will, Pocketful of Sunshine, When You Love, just a few"
"Hmm..." Clem thought. "Sounds okay."
"Okay Shelly, which should we do?" asked Biff "I mean, we only get one song to take it down from dancing"
"I think we can go with Pocket of Sunshine." Shelly suggested.
"Okay then" said Biff "Anyone know how to play that?"
"I do" said Bubbles "It does require a keyboard after all and I've just downloaded some new patches that would make the perfect sounds for it"
"Okay, let's get some rehearsing done" said Biff "And a one and a two and a one, two, three, four!"
Everyone waved and swing with the music as they continued with the practice. Eventually, they were just about done with the song.
The band then finished the practice and stopped playing.
"Great rehearsal everybody" said Biff "Now we have to tell our folks"
"Yeah" said Clem "I've always my folks to come see me perform on stage and now is my chance"
"My mommy, daddy and aunt are going to be so proud of me and Shelly" said Bubbles.
Shelly nodded as they put away their instruments.
Shelly and Bubbles ran back home to tell their parents. Luckily, Marilyn and Stacy were talking at the dining room table together.
"Mama! Mama!" Shelly ran to her mother.
"Hi baby!" Marilyn opened up her arms "How are you today?"
"Good, and guess what?" Shelly smiled. "We're having a concert at the beach tonight!"
"That's wonderful, baby" Marilyn hugged her "Oh I'm so proud of you!"
"Me too, princess" Stacey hugged Bubbles.
"So what time is the concert?" Glen asked the girls.
"Around six" said Shelly "We'd really like you three to be there for us"
Marilyn, Stacey and Glen looked at each other and they nodded.
"We'll be there." Marilyn nodded.
"Thank you so much momma!" Shelly hugged her mother and kissed her on the lips.
"Oh thank you, mommy! Thank you daddy!" Bubbles said as she hugged her mother and father and kissed them both on the lips as well.
"No problem, baby." Stacey smiled.
"Anything for my little girls" Marilyn added.
Author's Note:
The Neptune's have their first gig! But will they let fame poison their friendship? Well, let's find out. Just so you know, this'll be a fame vs. friendship story and Jabber and his friends won't solve any mysteries until the next arc.