Disclaimer: Nope. Nothing familiar. Sorry.
A/N: Meant to have this up last week and time just got away from me. Thank you for all the new reviews! Oh! I just started my blog back up so...if you're ever bored..feel free to read and make fun of it. :P The link is on my profile. Also! I have started a new story. I should have the first chapter of that up tonight too.
Enjoy the TOKKA!
"What the hell are you doing Snoozles?!" I hang my head out the window of Zuko's van and yell into the Idiot's house.
"Calm yourself! I needed to get my guitar. Kinda important you know..." He trails off, slinging said item across his chest, sauntering out to the van.
Don't find that attractive one bit.
Really...
Gah!
"Well you should have realized that fact an hour ago when I called to let you know when we were leaving!" I shoot at him, hiding the blush that accompanied my staring.
Zuko rolls his eyes at my antics and starts the van.
"Just get in. We're going to be late!" The always punctual Sugar Queen dictates.
Sokka slides into the front bench seat, squishing me in between him and Sparky. Aang and Katara are cramped in the back with all the instruments.
"Nice rape-van Zuko. I really get a feel for your father's love for you every time we ride in it..." Aang comments giving a goofy smile to the exasperated teen driver.
Zuko mumbles incoherently under his breath.
Sounds like something along the lines of favored, sadistic sisters, honor, and the probability that a certain tattooed kid could literally and spontaneously fly out of harm's way (aka Zuko's grasp).
Heh. Poor Aang...
5 tense minutes manage to pass.
"Will everyone relax already!" I blurt out making everyone jump in their seats.
I mean really.
It's not like we're all going off to war or anything...
Calm down.
"You're honestly not freaking, Toph? Even as lead vocalist and guitar?" Sokka gives me a sideways look.
He really needs to put his hair up.
I can't focus with it down.
"No. I'm pumped. 'Cause I believe we're going to kill it!" I pound my left fist into my right palm to emphasize.
Can't let them know how many somersaults my stomach has managed just in the last 2 minutes...
"Aw. Toph believes in all of us!"
"'Shuddup Sugar Queen."
I go back to staring out Zuko's side window to avoid Sokka's wide smile.
And to hide mine in return.
Okay, there are way too many people running around for comfort.
"Element: Riot!. Please follow me."
We all turn from the craziness and follow the younger man with a professional-looking headset and clipboard.
Into even more craziness.
Ugh.
We pass the stage and gawk.
"Holy hell! This isn't just some Podunk talent show. That's a full size concert stage! And the judges are right front and center..." Sokka comments slapping both his hands to his face in awe.
"Thanks for pointing out the obvious, Idiot. It's not like any of us are blind."
The boy just huffs and sticks his tongue out at me in return before he starts laughing randomly.
"What...are you on?"His sister asks.
"I just can't get over the fact that we're really going to do this! It's crazy."
We all share giddy smiles and run off to catch Mr. Pompous and Stoic.
"Alright. This is your area. You can go ahead and retrieve your equipment. You won't require any speakers-those are provided. You will be the third group to perform in the first round so please be ready in about...2 hours. Any questions, just let me know. Good luck!" He scampers off in search of another poor, unsuspecting group.
"I'll bring the van around." Zuko leaves.
"I've got to go get us officially signed in and do other manager things."
"I'll join you!" Aang rushed after Katara.
Leaving Sokka and I alone.
As always.
Just when I see Sokka begin to say something, I catch movement to my left.
Stepping forward- precariously close to Sokka might I add -I avoid a bag of popcorn that flies right past me and onto an unfortunate musician's snare drum no more than 3 feet away.
We face the wacko and share a glance.
Who the heck is this chick?!
Shrugging, we square off and try to intimidate her.
She laughs.
"Nice reflexes. Just wanted to check out the competition. I'm June. And you?" She smiles conspiratorially.
"Toph. And this is Sokka," I speak up before Sokka has the chance to speak, "but he also goes by Meathead."
Something about that name is familiar...
I can't remember why though.
I playfully punch the boy next to me in the arm, eliciting a wince.
"I don't know about that one. He seems very smart and..." She advances towards him.
"What did you say your name was again?"
I expected that to come from me.
But it didn't.
I see Zuko hop out of the van and walk up, giving the dark-haired girl a quizzical look.
"June." She replies nonchalantly.
"That name sounds familiar... I've heard stories from my crazy Uncle Iroh about someone named June. You know him?" He comments, seemingly innocent.
But I know that tone.
And now I remember where I heard the name.
Oh, this is great!
The girl pales slightly.
Serves her right for trying to toy with us.
"Oh yeah! He was going on and on about this lady one night when he returned from who-knows-where. Of course he was rip-roaring drunk. What did he mention about her, Zuko?" I add, smirking at the girl who is obviously no more than 20.
"He just kept talking about this nice young lady who-"
"Alright, well I should go start...practicing. You know...for tonight. See you later!" June cuts off and retreats to her group on the far side of the band area.
"Wait...so what happened?!"Sokka asks as soon as the girl is far enough away and he realizes we aren't offering an explanation.
"Let's just say...she was too drunk to notice that Iroh was old enough to be her father...'s father."
*shiver*
"Let's unpack!" I walk to the van.
Zuko awkwardly coughs and follows after me.
After a solid face palm, Sokka does the same.
Ding, ding! So the Idiot gets it.
Saves us the awkward explanation.
Katara and Aang make their way back after a few minutes of unpacking and join in.
Once everything is set out we decide to talk over the plan.
"Alright I know we had a general idea of what we were gonna do. But we also know quite a bit of songs together now. Our opener and finisher had to kick serious butt!"
"Don't they all have to do that?" Katara inquires.
"Well yes. But those two really have to stick out because we need to both make a good first impression- to even be considered in the contest -and the last has to actually win it." Zuko clarifies for Sokka who nods smartly.
"Which one should we do first?" I ask before Katara has the chance to ask another obvious question.
"Um...good question." Aang comments. "What are the options?"
"Bleed, Emergency and Fall to Pieces." Zuko replies.
"Not to mention we have also done that rendition of Toxic by VersaEmerge. Or Breaking and Entering by Tonight Alive and some songs by We Are the In Crowd." I offer.
"Oh yeah! In case we don't get the reactions we hoped for with the others." Sokka adds.
"Hmm..."
A collection hush falls among us.
What to do...
A/N: Haha, okay. First off-sorry it's shorter than normal. I ended it that way on purpose-to let you guys vote! Listen to the songs/bands and let me know which ones you like best. It will decide the song list for our band, Element: Riot!, for this contest. Read and Review ( please! :) ).
Till next time!
-The Runaway.