Chapter 8:

Nix and Marty were walking in the morning sun down to his friend's house for their rehearsal. Marty had his hands in his pockets as he walked, a norm for him.

"So, is puffy bright vests kinda your thing?" Nix asked, gesturing to his bright red vest over his jean jacket.

Marty laughed and lightly pushed her to the side, "I guess. Their really comfy."

"Really?" she asked with an eyebrow raise.

He took off his red vest and handed it to Nix, "Try it on and see for yourself."

She pulled it over her neon blue shirt. He was right, it is quite comfy, she thought. Nix went to take it off when Marty stopped her.

"Keep it on," he smiled, "It looks good on you."

She shrugged and kept it on, "The orange one looks better on you anyway," she laughed.

"Ya think?"

"Course," she smiled.

"I'll keep that in mind," he said.

"What's this band of yours like?"

"They're laid back guys. Always for the music and that's about all that matters."

"You always for the music?"

"I'm always for the time traveling, but music is my second priority. Besides, when time traveling, you get both of them together. Different music genres and to visit different eras."

"I'm kinda glad you didn't stick around in 2012 for very long to witness the horror which is the music," Nix said.

"How bad is it? Really? I mean, it couldn't be all bad."

She let out a single ha, "Yeah right! This one chick always sings about whores and sluts and having sex and it's not even hidden. It's all out in the open, not even hidden. This other chick sings about getting wasted. The guy singers aren't even better! This one dude sings about what he does while having sex and oh my gosh! I'm sorry but I can rant on for hours about how the music sucks."

He laughed and put his arm around Nix. She smiled as Marty spoke, "Well, I'm sure there are some bands that you like from the era."

"Well…"

"Go on," he smiled, "I know you want to."

"There are a few bands I do like I suppose."

"There we go."

Nix laughed, "But most of my hero's are from this era."

"Like?"

"Blues Brothers for sure, uh, Billy Joel, Queen… Bon Jovi and bands of that nature."

"Good stuff. Well, as long as you have a general knowledge of 80's music, we shouldn't have a problem with the band then. Speaking of band, here we are," they stopped in front of what seemed to be a normal house in a small development.

The garage door was open when the two walked up the driveway. Two guys were in there setting up some amplifiers and testing their instruments. One was testing a keyboard and the other was testing a bass.

"Look alive guys, I got our newest member," Marty called.

"Newest member? When did we decide this?" the bassist asked.

"Rob, we need a singer. She's a singer."

"She any good?" the keyboardist asked, crossing his arms.

"Dan, have I ever lied to you?"

"There was that one time-" he began before Marty cut him off.

"Exactly. Come on, we do need a singer if we're going to win that contest tonight."

"Marty, even with a singer, but how are we going to compete against Mike?"

"Fox?" he asked.

"Well duh! He's one of the best guitarists in Hill Valley! We're doomed, man! Doomed!" Dan went off.

"Don't worry. He may be a good guitarist-"

"Good?" Rob cut him off, "He's great!"

"Rob, he may be a great guitarist but we have an even better singer."

"Who's an even better than who? Wait, what?"

"Glad to see you're finally here Chris," Rob said.

"What are we talking about?" Chris asked.

"Apparently Marty found a singer for our band, and we have a shot at winning tonight's contest against Mike Fox," Rob summed up.

Chris laughed, "Ha! Marty, you are one hell of a comic."

"I'm serious. Here, why don't I prove it to you?"
"You mean have the girl prove it to us?" Rob asked.

"Sure," he shrugged. He turned to Nix, "That cool with you?"

She nodded, still a bit awkward around the guys. They all kept their space from her as they all began to set up their band equipment. Nix kept her distance from all of them until they actually needed her. Till that time, she sat on the pavement outside the garage and just enjoyed the beautiful morning. She lay down and watched the clouds go by overhead. Soon her vision was blocked by Marty with a guitar around his neck.

"We're ready for you," he smiled.

"What's your name?" Chris asked as he hooked up his guitar to an amp.

"Nicole," she said, "But most people call me Nix."

"Nix? Cool," Rob said.

She smiled sheepishly. Marty placed her behind a microphone next to him. He plugged in his guitar and turned to the rest of the band.

"So, what are we playin?" he asked.

"Nix, do you know any Journey?" Chris asked.

"Yeah."

"How bout "Anyway You Want It"?" Dan asked.

She nodded, "Course."

The drummer, Chris, counted off with his drum sticks. Nix started off with the first line and the band continued in. all four of the guys were blown away by her singing, mostly Marty. As Nix sang, Marty forgot all about the things Doc had told him about falling for her. He was falling for her and he knew it was wrong. That little voice inside his head kept telling him to shut up, but he ignored that voice. He went by what his heart said. And his heart was saying "I think I love her".

The song ended and they all applauded Nix. She blushed.

"Damn you are good!" Rob exclaimed.

"Marty, you're right!" Dan began, "Maybe we do have a shot at beating Mike Fox."

"Well, we should find a few songs to rehearse for tonight," Chris said, "Before Dan has to go."

"I'm still sorry about that, guys," Dan said.

"Can't be helped," Rob said.

"Well, let's just get a list of songs for tonight then," Marty said.

The band took the time to find the perfect songs to whoop Mike's ass with. Even if it was her younger father, Nix was determined to talk to him that night at the show. That was the goal of going back in time, to convince him to be a musician and not a lawyer.

The morning slipped into the afternoon quickly. Song after song went by quickly and they were lovin and lovin Nix voice with every song. They felt as if nothing could stop them from destroying Mike at the concert that night. With no other choice or option, they had to stop so Dan could get home.

Marty and Nix found themselves walking into the small town of Hill Valley to kill time and so Nix could see all of the similarities and differences from now and then.

"So, how do you like the band?" Marty asked.

The two had finally sat down in the small grassy area in front of the old unworking clock tower. They were lying on the ground, looking up at the sky. Just simply soaking of the beautiful day.

"They're really nice," Nix said with a smile.

"They seemed to like you too. Wow, I never knew you're voice was just so, angelic."

"You're funny," she said with a laugh.

"I'm serious, you're voice is like an angel."

"Thank you and all, but don't bullshit me."

"I'm not bullshitting anyone. I'm telling you the truth. I've never heard anyone with such an amazing voice. I've also never seen anyone as pretty as you before."

She blushed and scooted closer to Marty on the grass. She rested her head on his shoulder. Marty smiled and put his arm around her shoulder.

"Why couldn't you've been born in this era?" he asked.

She sighed, "I dunno, but life would be so much cooler with you in it," she said with a grin.

"Likewise, Nix, likewise."