Hey! It's me again. I know it took MONTHS before I could update this story but I promise I won't take that long to come up with the next chapter. I received some feedback about the last chapter and I'm to understand that some people of you didn't like some of the language in it, therefore, I decided to keep this one cleaner.
Thanks for reading again! I hope you like this story as much as I enjoy writing it. Remember that all reviews and any type of feedback are much appreciated. By the way, I hope you like some of the new characters. There are still more to come. Enjoy!
I Wanna Rock!
I was standing there surrounded by complete darkness. The venue was now empty.
I was the only person still onstage. It was empty all around. That sense of emptiness came not only from the lack of people in the area, but also from within. I have never felt so empty; so fragile. I was so lonely and vulnerable I hated myself for admitting it.
I was about to curse at the darkness out of sheer fury when suddenly, a very bright light went on. The spotlight was fixed on the bar by the general standing area. When I looked up and I tried of make out what was out there, I could only see a face. It took a while for my vision to properly adjust and realize it was HER I was looking at.
Could it be? Was that really her, the only person looking back at me? Where was the rest of the crowd? Was she here to see me or was Jake's band playing too?
There wasn't anyone around to give me some answers, which meant I had to get them myself.
I jumped off the stage and into the floor, watching my every step as I got closer and closer to the bar. I felt as if I were gliding since that magnetic aura drew me closer to her lovely, beautiful self.
"Hey Bella! What are you doing here?" – I put a hand up and the air and waved at her.
"Bella?" – She did not reply.
I was a feet away from her. I tried to reach and grab her hand but she was gone. The rest of the place vanished after her. That's when reality struck once again.
It was 8 am now and I did not have the strength to get up and face the world. I was still bummed out about all the things that went wrong the day before. What bothered me the most was not the fact that I didn't get to audition for Jake's band. Instead, I was more concerned with a pretty face that filled with anguish on her way out of the place where the monster that made her cried dwelled. That filthy dog!
I was never told not to get close to anybody. Why would Carl tell me to stay away from Bella Swan? This all seemed to be a little suspicious and I had to know what was really going on there.
Carl was already having breakfast, which meant this was my best moment to get what I wanted.
"Hey Ed!" – I always hated how alive he looked in the morning.
"Meh!" – That was the best, most honest reply I could come up with.
"Alright. Good morning to you, too!" – Apparently, he wanted to get me started.
"Carl, please don't beat around the bush. What's wrong with the girl?" – I wished his cereal would taste as bitter as me after saying that.
Carlisle kept chewing as he gave me one of the most confusing looks I had ever seen.
"Well. So?"
Carlisle put his spoon down and sighed.
"Look! I really don't know how to explain it. All I know is that Jacob is very possessive and not only when it comes to things though. For some reason, he strongly believes the same applies to people."
This was still not making any sense to me.
"Jacob thinks Bella is his. If you try to get in the way, he'll find a way to bring you down. Didn't you have enough of his volatile temper yesterday, Ed?"
Temper, schtemper. I could tell by the look in her eyes that, as broken-hearted as she was, she no longer wanted anything to do with Jacob.
"Edward. There are so many other fine looking women out there. Why must you always go after the ones you can't have?" – Why was he always right? I was fighting a very strong urge to punch him in the face.
"I like challenges."
"Bella is not a trophy. Apparently Jacob is not the only who doesn't get it."
"You can't retrieve what was never yours."
"And that doesn't apply to you why?"
"Well. I haven't even met her for starters. Second, I think I could make a better suitor for her."
"Yeah right! You keep lying to yourself Edward. I'm telling you. You'd be better off if you just drop it. Let it go. Forget about it and focus on the music now. Have you forgotten you STILL don't have a band?" – BAM! An uppercut to the jaw is all it took. I got figuratively knocked down and brought back down to reality. Being schooled by my brother was always hard to swallow, but at least he knew better.
"Edward? Do you remember that one little thing that's called the music? Isn't that the reason why you are still alive and what not?" – Again with the attitude.
"Don't push it Carl. It's too early for you to be mocking me bro!"
"Come on. Once you make it big time you'll be able to take as many groupies backstage as possible."
He must have been really worried about me. Carlisle would have never brought that subject up since he was opposed to the idea of having women chase mere mortal males around as if they were gods, knowing that most of the times they would only be used in return.
"That's not what it's about with her, Carl."
"I don't get what's your deal with women. You should go out and look elsewhere. Anyways, I still strongly suggest for you to first get a band and then a girlfriend."
That was the moment when it hit me. I knew what I needed and what I had to do in order to get it. I wanted it all and I wanted it immediately. I would get the girl, but before that I would go for the fame, a name and a status upgrade. I had it all figured out and I was looking at the right person to help me achieve it.
"Ok Carl. Fine! I've had enough of this conversation. I need a new band, I get it. I've been giving it a lot of thought and I realized that I might be going about the wrong way. Maybe I don't need to get help from local, experienced musicians. Maybe I need to start anew with "fresh" musicians, if you know what I mean?"
I could tell he knew where I was going with my argument for the face he made gave him away.
"Where are you going to get those musicians from, then?" – His quizzical look was priceless. It was only fair that I dropped the bomb on him.
"I'm looking at one right now, brother!" – Target locked. First hit: Successful.
"You'd better be talking about somebody else in this room Edward, I'm not joking."
"I'm not Carlisle. I figured you could just pick up an instrument and join me on my quest to stardom." – He did not like the idea one bit.
"Think about it. You are very smart. You already know a thing or two about music. I can rely on you since we live together and there's no way you can back stab me without getting your ass kicked. Did I mention that even though I hate to admit it, girls think that your looks are almost as good as mine?"
"Really?"- My bate brings all the fish to the boat. All I had to do is reel him in.
"Well, yeah. After all we share similar genes. It would help if you were to lose the dorky clothes man. Try to get a makeover and the ladies will be dying for you to call them in no time!"
That was actually half true. A limited amount of my local fans did find my brother somewhat cute. Unfortunately for him, they would never go after him because he was too shy and introverted.
"Hmm. Interesting. Assuming I accept your offer, I still don't know where you are going to get more people from. Will you recruit more geeks from different chess clubs or are you planning to just round them up at anime conventions?" – Although Carlisle was never good with sarcasm, this comment in particular got to me.
"No, not really. Now, watch that smart mouth of yours and listen. Although I might not be entirely willing to work with more people like you, I'm still going to have an open audition for anyone who's willing to give it a shot." – I actually meant it.
"There has to be more talented people around town and we need to exploit that. All we need is a face with the skills and we'll help them make a name for themselves. Wait a few months and there you have it. Jake's band will be nothing compared to us. How do you like them apples?"
"Sounds good. However, I don't think you'll let me play clarinet or trombone, right?" – For some reason I wasn't bothered with his attitude. Something told he was on my side now.
"Funny! Pick up the bass or something. Hell, you can even make some back beats or samples on the computer. We can use them for writing on top of them. It might actually help all the people who audition improvise over them, too!"
"I'm on it. Write down all the info so I can start making some flyers now. How about we start auditions tomorrow?" – I knew it. The maniac was in. This was the moment I knew we were about to start something great.
"Perfect! Take your geeky tools and fire away brother. Fire away!"
Another night, another weird dream, but still the same girl in it. Bella Swan was never going to leave my mind. She had to be mine. I was now more determined than ever to have her be the girl standing in the crowd calling my name. She had to like me and only me. The first part of my plan to get her was under way.
"Carl, got everything set up?" – Our garage wasn't the best in the whole neighborhood, but it was big enough for us to try and rock.
"Yup! You'd better come in here now. We have about 10 people waiting." – Ten people. Cool.
So there we were, watching everybody do their best so they could make the band.
The first guy who walked was a drummer by the name of Emmett. He came in all dressed in black, a beanie bearing his favorite band's logo on his head and some chains attached to his pants completed the rocking outfit perfectly. He even had his own pair of drumsticks signed by some really famous European drummer.
Emmett had the perfect timing and technique that I was looking for. He didn't really show off, instead focused on nailing every part of some songs I requested. The cherry on top was the amazing drum solo he played off the cuff. I didn't ask for him to do it but he still played it anyway.
Let me assure you that during Emmett's audition, Carl and I were blown away. We gave each other that "He's in" look after he hit the ride cymbal, bass and snare in unison as his last notes.
The people that followed did a pretty decent job; however, they were not so much the kind of material we were looking for. That was the case until one guy named Jasper started playing.
Jasper was a tall, blonde, thin guy who seemed to keep things pretty much to himself most of the time. That was our first impression until he plugged in his guitar and started wailing.
Jasper impressed Carlisle and I during the first minute of his audition. I stopped him in a middle of something he was improvising and asked him to start over, except this time, we had to play together. Our guitar parts clicked right away and that became the instant I knew I had found a new guitarist.
Last but not least we found hidden gem. Well, she was not so hidden after all, since apparently she didn't live under a rock and was bold enough and to come out and audition.
"Carl, could you please let the last person in?"
"She's on her way. Be nice Ed. Please find a will not to hit on her and scare her away." – The girl giggled at the silly comment.
Our last potential band mate was a lovely, short, brunette who seemed to be the life of the party no matter where she went. She had a bit of a band geek look; however, I could read in her face that she had a burning desire to go out into the wild and party like a rock star.
"Please, don't mind my brother. He's just jealous because he never gets any attention from the ladies." – The girl blew him a kiss and giggled once more.
"Make yourself at home, uh, what's your name again?" – Carlisle sat next to me and paid attention to the newcomer. He seemed to be more thrilled to have her audition than me.
"My name is Alice and I'm here to nail this gig." – She threw the horns at me. No other woman her size could be any cuter and more metal that that. Her confidence and attitude made me feel a little funny, but in a good way.
"Right. Uh, well, welcome Alice. So, please tell us, what do you play?"
"What do I play? What don't I play? My parents have always made sure I took music lessons whenever possible. I can play just about anything. I'm here for the guitarist position, though." – Unbelievable. She exuded nothing but confidence and she wasn't cocky either which was a plus.
"Sorry Alice. That part's been already taken." – It really broke my heart to burst her bubble.
"Bassist, then?"
"Sorry. Our newest bassist is sitting right next to me. He got it fair and square, I swear." – She didn't have to know the truth, yet, for some reason I felt like being extra nice to her.
"I see. Hmm. Well, out of all the other instruments I can play I think Cello, keyboards violin and even some computer generated tracks could fit best in this genre." – The girl had done her homework. Perseverance was all it took.
"Alright. Well, we don't have any of those here, but we are willing to listen to you as long as you promise to bring them over and show off a little." – We were in for a treat. I knew she had the talent but I still wanted her to show me how it was really done.
"Sounds good. Give me a few minutes. I'll have my friend give me a hand getting my gear out of the van." – Alice smiled and ran out to the van as fast as she could.
"Carl, where did you say you were when you went out to hand out the flyers?" – Even if the answer was something geeky, I wasn't going to get mad at him.
"Edward, you don't need to know. The thing is that we are finally getting the homegrown talent that you've asked for, right?" – I had not seen my brother that proud in a long time.
"Well, I have to give credit where credit is due. We sure hit the jackpot with the two guys we just got on board. Alice is sure to be solid gold. Something tells me we have to keep her" – Carlisle chuckled with a grin and turned around when he heard footsteps approaching the garage.
"They must be bringing a lot of heavy stuff in Edward. I'm going to go help out"
"You liar, you are only trying to look good to impress Alice. No wonder you don't want me to hit on her."
Carlisle was two feet away from the door when all of a sudden a girl came in carrying a synth stand, a pedal and some cables. I will never forget the looked he gave me right after he saw her. Alice had not only brought her talent, but she also brought her.
"Bella?"
So, how did you like it? I hope I get some comments on it before I upload the next chapter. I promise there will be more Edward and Bella interaction coming up, but anyways, the more I hear from you, the sooner you might get to read some of the romantic events between these two characters.
Thanks for reading and come back soon for more. Love and rock hard!
