I hummed the tune to our first song under my breath, and held Fang's guitar in my lap, nervously tuning it. I looked around. No one was here yet, but it was another 45 minutes away.
It was 2 weeks since Fang and I had taken Angel to the park. In other words, it was the night of our first band gig. Fang, Iggy, Ben and I had come to Wilder at 6, to start setting up for our show. Fang, Ben and I were tuning our guitars, as Iggy sat at his drum set, and kept annoyingly clicking his sticks together.
"Iggy," I muttered, and he instantly stopped clicking. "Sorry, I'm just really nervous," I muttered again, shaking my head.
"You'll do great, I promise," he assured me, reading my ming. He nudged my knee with his, and I calmed down a little. He had some way of getting to me, and he understood me on a different level from everyone else. I nodded in thanks, and went back to tuning my guitar.
About half-an-hour later, we had set up the stage, and Fang's dad was helping us finish up everything. The park was slowly starting to fill with people, and it made me feel a little nervous again. Fang placed an arm on my shoulder, and looked right at me.
"Max," he said strongly, but softly. "You'll do fine. Great actually. I know you will."
"It's time," Fang's dad, Michael, whispered, gesturing at us to go on stage. We all nodded, and walked towards the door in back, leading to the stage.
We walked on stage, and everyone erupted in cheers.
"Hey guys! How's everyone doing tonight?" Fang asked, flashing a smile to the crowd. A fake smile though, he didn't give away real smiles that easy. His voice was full of enthusiasm too, and it was unlike the Fang I hung out with almost everyday.
The crowd cheered louder. He shot me a sideways glance, and gave me a real smile, and all the girls went crazy. Did I mention Fang is really hot? And my best friend?
"This is Max. She's the newest member of the Flock!" he said giving the audience another fake smile, and everyone screamed. I smiled nervously, and strummed my guitar quietly.
"Our first song tonight is Boulevard of Broken Dreams," Fang said and everyone went wild.
I had to admit, Fang had an amazing voice as he began the song. I played guitar on this song with him, and I sang with him towards the middle of the song.
I walk a lonely road,
The only one that I have ever known.
Don't know where it goes
But it's up to me and I walk alone.
I walk this empty street,
On the Boulevard of Broken Dreams.
When the city sleeps,
And I'm the only one and I walk alone.
I walk alone,
I walk alone.
I walk alone,
I walk a…
My shadow's the only one that walk's beside me.
My shallow heart's the only thing that's beating.
Sometimes I wish someone out there will find me.
Til then I walk alone.
Ah-ah. Ah-ah. Ah-ah. Aah-Ah.
Ah-ah. Ah-ah. Ah-ah.
I'm walking down the line,
That divides me somewhere in mind.
On the borderline,
Of the edge and where I walk alone.
Read between the lines,
What's fucked up and everything's alright.
Check my vital signs,
To know I'm still alive, and I walk alone.
I walk alone,
I walk alone.
I walk alone,
I walk a…
My shadow's the only one that walk's beside me.
My shallow heart's the only thing that's beating.
Sometimes I wish someone out there will find me.
Til then I walk alone.
Ah-ah. Ah-ah. Ah-ah. Aah-Ah.
Ah-ah. Ah-ah. Ah-ah.
I walk alone,
I walk a…
I walk this empty street,
On the Boulevard of Broken Dreams.
When the city sleeps,
And I'm the only one and I walk a…
My shadow's the only thing that walks beside me.
My shallow heart's the only thing that's beating.
Sometime I wish someone out there will find me.
Til then I walk alone…
He finished strumming the last few notes on his guitar. Everyone erupted in applause, screaming and clapping for us. We all smiled, and I wanted to do a pretend bow, just for fun. Because Fang was such a good guitar teacher, I had mastered the guitar part for all of our songs tonight. We had been doing lessons almost everyday after school, and I'd gotten the hang of it pretty quick.
Our next song, is a song that features mostly me singing. I mean Fang sings a little, but it's meant for a girl role to sing.
I cleared my throat, and adjusted the microphone. I took a deep breath, and then started to strum the guitar.
If I die young, bury me in satin
Lay me down on a bed of roses.
Sink me in the river, at dawn.
Send me away with the words of a long song.
Lord make me a rainbow, I'll shine down on your mother.
She'll know I'm safe when she stands under my colors.
Oh, and life ain't what you think it ought to be, no.
Ain't even gray, but she buries her baby.
The sharp knife, of a short life,
Well I've had just enough time.
If I die young, bury me in satin.
Lay me down, on a bed of roses.
Sink me in the river, at dawn.
Send me away with words of a love song.
The sharp knife, of a short life.
Well I've had just enough time.
And I'll be wearing white when I come into your kingdom,
I'm as green as the ring on my cold little finger.
I've never know the loving of a man,
But it sure felt nice when he was holding my hand.
There's a boy here in town, says he'll love me forever.
Who knew forever could be severed by a
Sharp knife, of a short life.
Well I've had just enough time.
So put on your best, boys, and I'll wear my pearls.
What I never did is done.
A penny for my thoughts, oh no, I'll sell 'em for a dollar
They're worth so much more after I'm a goner.
And maybe then you'll hear the words I've been singing.
Funny how when you're dead people start listening.
If I die young, bury me in satin.
Lay me down, on a bed of roses.
Sink me in the river, at dawn.
Send me away with words of a love song.
The ballad of a dove,
Go with peace and love.
Gather up your tears, keep 'em in your pocket.
Save them for a time when your really gonna need them, oh.
The sharp knife, of a short life.
Well I've had just enough time.
So put on your best, boys,
And I'll wear my pearls.
I finished the song, and looked up with a grin. Everyone was going crazy, and the applause was almost deafening. I looked over to Fang and he winked, and gave me his real grin again.
"Let's give it up for Max again!" he said and clapped really loud, and I rolled eyes. That little butt-hole knew I hated being complimented and being applauded was really the same thing. "Our next song tonight is Lucky, by Jason Mraz and Colby Caillat.
Boy I hear you in my dreams,
I feel your whisper across the sea.
I keep you with me in my heart
You make it easier when life gets hard.
I'm lucky I'm in love with my best friend,
Lucky to have been where I have been,
Lucky to be coming home again.
Ooh ooh ooh.
They don't know how long it takes
Waiting for a love like this
Every time we say goodbye
I wish we had one more kiss
I'll wait for you I promise you, I will.
I'm lucky I'm in love with my best friend,
Lucky to have been where I have been.
Lucky to be coming home agiain.
Lucky we're in love in every way
Lucky to have stayed where we have stayed.
Lucky to be coming home someday.
And so I'm sailing through the seas,
To an island where we'll meet
You'll hear the music fill the air
I'll put a flower in your hair.
Through the breezes through the tress.
Move so pretty you're all I see.
As the world keeps spinning 'round,
You hold me right here, right now.
I'm lucky I'm in love with my best friend,
Lucky to have been where I have been
Lucky to be coming home again.
I'm lucky we're in love in every way.
Lucky to have stayed where we have stayed
Lucky to be coming home someday.
Ooh ooh ooh.
Ooh ooh ooh ooh.
I breathed out as we finished out third song of the night. We had one more to go, and it was my favorite. I had wanted to sing Summer Nights from Grease, I thought that would be hilarious, but I had been out voted. I could just picture Iggy singing "Tell me more! Tell me more! Did you get very far?" in a low voice. I smirked, and then got ready for out last song of the night. You'll just have to wait until we sing it to find out what it is.
"Hey guys! We got one more song for you tonight!" Fang said giving out more of his fake smiles, which killed the crowd. I spotted Lissa in the back with her posse of sluts. They were in tight, super-short jean shorts, and shirts that they cut the sleeves off of so they had holes in the side. She kept giving Fang flirtatious looks, which he ignored, and so I glared at her, and she backed off. I rolled my eyes at her, and she set her mouth in a scowl.
"Our last song for tonight is Hey There Delilah, by the Plain White T's." Everyone erupted in cheers, and Fang and I started our part on guitar.
Hey there Delilah, what's it like in New York City?
I'm a thousand miles away,
But girl tonight you look so pretty, yes you do.
Times Square can't shine as bright you, I swear it's true.
Hey there Delilah, don't you worry bout the distance,
I'll be right here if you get lonely, give this song another listen,
Close your eyes, listen to my voice, it's my disguise.
I'm by your side.
Oh, it's what you do to me.
Oh, it's what you do to me.
Oh, it's what you do to me.
Oh, it's what you do to me.
What you do to me.
Hey there Delilah, I know times are getting hard,
But just believe me girl, someday I'll pay the bills with this guitar.
We'll have it good, we'll have the life we knew we would.
My word is good.
Hey there Delilah, I've got so much left to say,
If every simple song I wrote to you,
Would take your breath away, I'd write it all.
Even more in love with me, you'd fall. We'd have it all.
Oh, it's what you do to me.
Oh, it's what you do to me.
Oh, it's what you do to me.
Oh, it's what you do to me.
A thousand miles seems pretty far,
But they've got planes and trains and cars,
And I'd walk to you if I had no other way.
Our friends would all make fun of us,
And we'd just laugh along because,
We know none of them have felt this way.
Delilah I can promise you,
That by the time that we are through,
The world will never ever be the same,
And you're to blame.
Hey there Delilah,
You be good and don't you miss me.
Two more years and I'll be done with school,
And we'll be making history, like I do.
You'll know it's all because of you.
We can do whatever we want to,
Hey there Delilah here's to you,
This one's for you.
Oh, it's what you do to me.
Oh, it's what you do to me.
Oh, it's what you do to me.
Oh, it's what you do to me.
What you do to me.
Fang finished the last line, took a breath, and then looked up from his guitar. His voice was absolutely perfect for this song, and I loved it. After people started to leave the park, we cleared the stage, and put everything away.
"Guys, that was awesome," Michael called to us, giving us a thumbs up as he helped get Iggy's drum set into the van.
"Yeah, good job Max. You did really good for your first show," Ben said giving me a high-five.
"For my first show? What's that supposed to mean?" I teased.
Ben gave me a playful shove, "You know what I mean," he said rolling his eyes at the end. I have laughed as I walked between Fang and Ben on our way to the car. Iggy was still helping get his drum set into the van.
"Wanna go get ice cream?" Iggy asked as we all approached him and Michael.
"Sure," I said, and my two male friends nodded in agreement.
"Sounds like a good plan. Fang, I'll drop you off, and then call me when your done and I'll come pick you all up," Michael said agreeably driving out of the parking lot.
We pulled up on the street next to Dairy Queen, and piled out.
We stood in line, and Iggy ordered first.
"I'll have a caramel waffle bowl sundae," he told the lady on the other side, and then paid and stood to the side so we could order.
"I'll have a medium Cookie Dough Blizzard," Ben said as he paid, and then moved over.
"I'll have an Oreo Brownie Earthquake," me and Fang said at the same time. We looked at each other and cracked up.
"So is that two Oreo Brownie Earthquakes then?" the lady asked confused looking at us. Fang nodded, and pulled out his wallet to pay.
"I'm paying," Fang decided, and I just looked at him.
"No way. I'm paying for both of ours," I said giving him a steely look.
"No," he said simply, an handed over his money before I had a chance. I glared at him, and he smirked at me.
"You're the only girl in our grade who would ever think about ordering that," Iggy said with a laugh.
"Well don't hold your breath," I said smirking.
"He's right though. All the girls would be all over the fat-free and light ice cream, but your all over the like mega-calories," Ben said chuckling.
"And that's why you love me," I said giving a fake grin.
"Sure Max," Iggy said trailing off. I rolled my eyes, and lightly shoved him, and he dramatically crashed into Fang who was standing behind him. Fang just rolled his eyes, and gave me a look and I smiled. Who knew buying ice cream could be so entertaining?
Once we were all done with our ice cream, Fang called his dad, and he came and picked us up. "Do you want to all come over to our house?" Mr. Ride asked as we drove back towards our houses.
"I can't, I have to babysit Gazzy," Iggy said with a sly smile. Oh God, I don't want to know what he's up to.
"Same, it's my parents anniversary tonight, and I have to watch Kaite," Ben said, talking about his sister who was 3.
"Max," Fang asked, "You coming?"
"Sure," I said calling mom to let her know the plan. She agreed, and wanted to know hot the concert was when I got back.
I went over to Fang's house again, and we just laid on his bed and talked, and we watched TV and movies, and listened to music for a while. I like hanging out with him where I could just be myself, and relax.
We hung out til about 11:30 when I was about to go home, but then my mom just told me to spend the night there. It was practically my second house anyway. She knew Fang really well, considering he was over at our house, or I was at his almost everyday after school to work on homework.
"Why don't you just spend the night?" Fang asked, as I got off the phone with my mom.
"You sure?" I asked looking around, "I don't have any clothes to wear to bed."
"Here," he said tossing me a black shirt that was almost a dress on me, and I found a pair of running shorts in my bag, and changed into them. The shirt I was wearing smelt like Fang.
"Where do you want to sleep?" Fang asked me, as I was about the same question.
"I don't care, do you have like an air mattress or something?" I asked.
"Sure, but I mean we can like both sleep in my bed, we're not gonna do anything," Fang said smirking. I rolled my eyes, but nodded in agreement.
"Sure, that's fine."
We were laying on Fang's king-size bed, Fang and I each on our own side, but laying next to each other watching movies. We watched the Avengers, and the Hunger Games and it was about 3 o'clock when we both fell asleep, towards the end of Hunger Games.
I woke up, surprised to find myself laying against Fang, and his arms gently on me. He was still asleep, and I was about to close my eyes to try to sleep again, when I changed my mind. It would be way more fun to wake him up now. I snickered to myself, knowing his weakness.
I braced myself for the attack, and then BAM! I started tickling his feet like crazy. He instantly woke up and started thrashing around laughing. "Max!" he laughed, gasping for breath. "Stop! Please!" I shook my head, and went back to tickling his feet. Iggy had told me a few days ago that his feet were his biggest weakness, and had done a hands-on demonstration at his house of how to tickle Fang's feet. As entertaining as it had been, he eventually had to let Fang breathe.
"Please!" he gasped looking at me half amused, half desperate. "I'll do anything! Well, maybe," he tried. Hmm, that sounded like a decent offer.
"Fine. I'll let you go," I decided adding a dramatic pause for affect, "if you make me homemade chocolate cookies from scratch. By yourself."
"Yes of course your royal Maxness. Just please let go!" he cried his eyes tearing up from his crazed laughing attack.
I sighed, and let go of his feet, and he quickly recomposed himself to his unlaughing, unsmiling Fang. We walked downstairs, and Molly, a fantastic cook, had prepared chocolate chip pancakes, juice, and lots of fresh fruit all at the table, as we walked into the kitchen.
"Morning, Fang. Morning, Max," his mom said with a yawn, as if it were the most normal thing for me to be here after sleeping with her son. Well not like that, we all know that, but still. We're almost 15.
"Morning mom," Fang said stifling a yawn as he reached for pancakes and juice. I loaded up with food, and then dug in.
"Morning Molly. Thanks for all this food and for everything," I said as I was about to start eating. Yeah, even I know it's bad manners to talk with your mouth full. See, I have some table etiquette, I thought, just as my elbows found themselves a comfortable position resting on the table.
"It's not a problem at all Max," she replied sincerely going over to flip some more pancakes.
"These really are delicious," I said aloud. Not to anyone in particular, or for any reason. Just stating the facts.
"Thanks dear, it's a new recipe I found," Molly replied with a warm smile.
"Yeah, these are really good ones mom," Fang replied his mouth full of food. It came out sounding more like 'eah, ese are lly ood ones mom.' Fang can come to my Rules of Max Etiquette. Molly smiled, and took a sip of her coffee.
Once we finished eating, since it was really nice out, we decided to go play some hoops outside. Surprisingly, both of us are natural athletes, and were having some pretty heated games, most of which he won, but whatever. I was going to win P-I-G. And, I bet he cheated, I mean because like I just don't lose. We played PIG and some more basketball competitions for a while until we got bored of that, and then kicked a soccer ball around in his backyard.
We went inside for lunch and had grilled cheese, and tomato soup which was delicious. Once we were full, we decided to walk to Wilder Park, and hang out there. Our plan was to bring Angel too, but just as we were leaving Maria, a friend from school, called and wanted her to come have a fashion contest, and it was mandatory she attended.