Chapter 4 – New Band

It was our first day of band practice. I was excited and nervous at the same time. Guitar slung over my shoulder, I didn't know what to do, I didn't know what to say, I was just both excited and nervous as hell. A bunch of songs were playing through my head, for example; Marianna's Trench "Stutter," Fall Out Boy's "The Phoenix," The Cult's "Rain," or "Fire Woman." It was a bunch of songs that were floating in my mind!

So once I walked through the doors of the building across the playground, it was the basement of a Yoga Class that the school has. At least it was better than doing it in a classroom next to other rooms, I preferred it this way. I might have forgotten to mention that when Mrs. Rose was giving Guitar lessons, she used to give them in classroom during lunch and sometimes during her own time when she didn't have a class on certain days. The schedules were also a big difference too; back at the old school, they used to go by Days 1 to 9, and when it came to Friday when on Day 5, you think; "What about the other four days?" well the other four days would be continued the next day, and you'd reach Day 9 on Thursday and repeat Friday with Day 1. It was so confusing if you were out sick and lost your schedule, but over here at my new school; we repeat classes with Gym on Monday mornings and finish off with English last period. For example; Monday; Gym, Science, Math, History and English. Tuesday; Math Science, Personal Orientation Project (POP For Short), Computers and Gym after. Classes would stay the same thing from Monday's through Fridays and you could just easily remember what class you have for that day instead of fumbling around with your Schedule.

"Ginga!" I called out to my red headed best friend.

He looked up from his guitar, "Kyoya!" he said happily.

"Where's everybody else?" I asked. It was only me and Ginga in the room, he was shredding away at the guitar making the most awesome rifts and amazing rhythm with the instrument.

"Just probably running late, I guess." He said as he began strumming and picking chords that sounded like a Billy Idol song. He began to sing as I pulled up a seat and sat in front of him on a chair, then started pulling out my guitar.

"In the midnight hour, she cried more, more, more.

With a rebel yell, she cried more, more, more.

In the midnight hour babe more, more, more.

With a rebel yell babe cried more, more, more

MORE! MORE! MORE!" he sang.

I slung my guitar strap over my head and positioned my fingers, then strummed the D chord with G and A.

"Wound up, I can't sleep,

I can't do anything right little honey,

Since I set my eyes on you!

I'll tell you the truth." I sang, he sat there and began strumming along with the same chords as I was.

"T-t-twistin' like a flame in a slow dance baby!

You drivin' me crazy, come on little honey!

Come on now!"

I wasn't expecting this when I began singing the chorus, he sang with me in harmony, and it sent chills down my spine.

"Firrrrrrrr-rr-rr-re! Smoke, she is a risin'

Fire! Yeah! Oh smokes like lightnin'

She smokes like lightnin'!"

I just stopped there. I was like "WHAT?!" in my mind. He was an amazing singer.

"That was amazing!" I shouted.

"Really?" he said, almost sounding like disbelief, "I fine I suck at it."

I grunted, "Listen to me; you are an amazing singer!" I said firmly. Now he was reminding me of myself.

"Do you really think so?"

"Trust me, you do." I said reassuringly.

X

By the time the whole gang arrived, we tried jamming out to one song, but one person would change onto another song, so we all stopped. And by the authority of me and Ginga, we let everyone show off some of their stuff, get to know them musically first, then get to know them personally outside of band practice. It was easy that way as I recall it now.

Benkei liked drumming to bands such as; Metallica, Slipknot, and Asking Alexandria.

Masamune played Bass and Drums, but for our band; he was our Bass Player, and he played Bass to; Celine Dion, Tyson Granger and AC/DC. On Drums; Tyson Granger, again, Nickleback, and Fall Out Boy.

Madoka loved playing a lot of piano parts from movies like the Twilight Saga's the piano song "Clare De Lune." But when it came to bands or musicians/singers, it was; Elton John, Lady Gaga, Grayson Chance and Beethoven.

Hyoma always jammed out to; Kai Hiwatari, Buffy Sainte Marie, 30 Seconds To Mars, Johnny Cash, and Finger Eleven.

Second last; my best friend, Ginga and he likes to jam out a lot to; Kai Hiwatari and Tyson Granger, that's much of a relief for me. There's also, Mariana's Trench, Nickleback, Metallica and even 30 Seconds to Mars.

Most of the majority of everyone in the band knew Tyson Granger or Kai Hiwatari's music, but some know and don't know how to play the songs. So me and Ginga decided to improvise.

"Alright guys, so this is our first time ever going to rehearse, and who wants to try what?" I asked.

Masamune shrugged, and then Benkei began tapping the symbols in a two beats-per-second. Hyoma sat on the stool with his guitar in his lap, then began strumming and picking the chords Em, G, D, and A, then repeating it again while he had his Capo, a small grip thingy for your frets, set on the first fret. Everyone's heads slowly started bobbing back and forth with the motion of the music. Then Masamune figured the song, and then did the base chords with Hyoma, and Madoka began playing some keys with the song. Me and Ginga were the only ones not playing our instruments, why? Because me and Ginga were trying not to laugh, and mainly because we both know this song inside out, so we both kicked in just like that.

"She says; her love for me could never die." I sang. Everyone smiled, and Ginga was picking the intro chords to Kai Hiwatari's "Run To You"

"Died of change if she ever found out about you and I."

Once we got to the chorus, I felt this amazing surge of energy pulsating through my veins and suddenly the song just literally exploded out from my mouth. It felt amazing, no, it was more than amazing; it was extraordinary!

After a quick jam session to "Run To You," most of the band members stopped mid song because they barely knew it that much. The only ones that went all the way was me, Ginga and Benkei.

X

So once we all began getting to know each other more musically, and sometimes personally. We got to working on a song that the principal wanted us to perform. It was like a genre that was kind of foreign to us, because most of us weren't much of the hip hop/rap type. Masamune said out loud, "We're a rock band, not a rap group."

"That's alright with me," says the principal, she was a very nice one, not like the old one I had, "You could sing whatever song you like, but as long it's appropriate for the school."

"Sadly, most of the kids I know listen to death core and a lot of heavy metal." Said Benkei.

I simply stood by with Ginga as he said, "Not everyone is old school."

Principal Judy Tate smiled, "You remind me of my son." She said charmingly.

Hyoma almost choked on his water, "Excuse me?"

Mrs. Tate smiled, "My son, Max."

Now it's my turn, I almost fell off my seat, "Max, as in, Max Tate, Tyson Granger's drummer?"

Mrs. Tate nodded, "Yep," she said, "That's my boy."

Honestly guys, you couldn't believe the look I had on my face, and some of the reactions of my band mates. They were surprised to learn that their long-time principal was actually Max Tate's mother. Hell, I still can't believe it to this day!

"I might also want to advise you about the talent show he went to with his band, before getting into Tyson's band. That talent show is called Battle of the Bands Association."

X

So after Miss Tate mentioned the Battle Of The Bands, me and the boys though about signing up for the competition, and so far once we gave it deep thought; the idea of winning and getting a record deal sounded awesome, but the boys weren't ready until we looked at what we got now. Even though we all just practically met, I didn't want to be prudent and start being Mr. "King Shit," no, I wanted to be a leader and an example to my band. I didn't want to treat them like garbage like some people do, but treat them like the brothers and sisters I never had.

It was easy once we got the chords right, and planning on going in to do a cover song would give us a dead give-away, so me and Ginga began throwing lyrics around, different melodies, strumming patterns, and multiple chord progressions. I've never felt this excited in a long while.

The song we were making was "Set The World On Fire." To be honest, we were still landed on the first verse, and auditions to Battle of the Bands were like three days away now. We weren't doing good with writing a song and trying to get it professionally made by three days, it was straining.

"Ok, screw it, we can't make this song by Friday!" I said. Crap, I wish I hadn't said that, but, I got the same reaction I was having.

"He's right guys." Said Madoka.

"Ugh, what'll we do now?" Benkei wondered.

I sat my guitar down and felt this huge urge eating away at my back that wanted me to scream the frustration off, so I just shook and growled, and said; "Well, we have the one and only option."

Ginga looked at me, "And that option is?"

I sighed, "Well, if we do it, there's a half chance we'll make it on or get booted off the first try, so I was thinking about doing a cover song."

Just when I said that, Hyoma and Masamune began picking strings that sounded like the Billy Idol song Ginga was playing earlier this morning. I looked at them and back at Ginga, and I smiled with a great look in my face. Ginga had that look as well. Benkei caught on right away and began banging away on his drum set. Madoka also had the same look Ginga had, and pushed some tune buttons on her piano to the percussion settings.

I know this sounds like a cheesy moment where the hero's band suddenly plays their next big hit, but obviously it wasn't that, the guys knew this Billy Idol song like an old flame.

Both me and Ginga laughed a bit, so we waited for the moment and slammed in our notes and began singing after. The song was a little bumpy here and there, but we were playing it the way Billy Idol does it, but I just shook my head and said; "Stop, stop."

The guys all look at me in confusion, "What is it now?"

"So we know this song like nothing, right?"

"Yeah, so?" Said Masamune, "It looks like we're going to nail this song."

I nodded at him, "Yes, but I want something more . . ." shit what was that word! "Original, Authentic, more like us."

"Us?" Hyoma said, "Don't get me wrong, but we barely know each other right now."

"I know that, but along the way right now, we're getting to know ourselves."

Madoka nodded, "True."

"So what is us?" Benkei asked.

Ok, this is where it gets serious. After I told Benkei to play the drums in his way, once we started the song over again, he gave a beat that seemed rockier and like heavy metal. After a while, we were all pleased to hear how our sound of what it sounded like. It was more than awesome what we were feeling. Not long, Hyoma and Masamune played in their own keys and styles of the song, and then Madoka did the same in the song.

"Hold up!" I say again into the microphone, looking at the band again.

"Is it bad? Is it good? What more do you want?" Masamune said in a stressed tone.

I looked at all of them and smiled; "Now this is us!"

X

Not long after band practice, we all went home to practice the notes, scales and rhythms of the song. I was tapping my foot against the floor in rhythm to a song that was playing on TV. But what was being aired was a re-run from last year's Battle Of The Bands.

These bands were; Black Nova String, Masefield Bromides, Tether in Chains, and the Selene Jackson Bands. This time of years, they even had individual contestants, they went from; Chippendale Skylark (A/N: note my creativity lol), Abigail Webster, Donnie Weston, Austin Lynch, Nathan Hawk and Light Yin.

While I was drinking my diet soda, and when I looked at the screen, I was distracted and my soda went down the wrong pipe and started choking. Anyway I spit my drink back in its cup and gasped in awe, and partially for my life, at the last girl that was mentioned. Light Yin.

My heart skipped a beat. It was love. And the fact that I almost had a near-death experience.

DJ Jazzman was standing beside her and the last contestant left standing, Chippendale Skylark, and the angst music was low and slow smoothing. Of course I just turned into this station and getting my second glimpse of this Battle of the Bands for this year.

"And the winner, for the individual BBA, is . . ." DJ had a small hard time opening the envelope, then to much avail, he got it open and began to read the name, "CHIPPENDALE SKYLARK!"

"BULLSHIT!" screamed a fan from the bottom of the stands.

I just chuckled at the announcement. I was caught in a small daydream of a fantasy which involved me and Light; walking down a park, playing in the pool, rushing her into my bedroom and between the sheets, then nine months later to pop out little Kyoya Jr. and crying on the steps waving goodbye to a grownup Kyoya Jr. and both of us sitting on the porch rocking back and forth on our rocking chairs, and finally side by side on our graves. . . well at least that's what I felt when I looked at how gorgeous she was.

She had white dyed hair with thin and thick black streaks running down her hair. She also wore dragon eyed eye contacts for her performances, and it really suited her. The same thing with her hair suited the peachy color of her skin too! But what was more noticeable about her in the spot light was that she loved to wear white, a white tank top and white shorts or short shorts. I also remember seeing her wear a white leather jacket with a white t-shirt inside with a white skirt. Plus these cute little high topped long white boots that reach up to her knees. She also had an all-white guitar to go with her look. She was my big time crush.

I was super excited to go and sign up for the BBA Auditions, but that is if we get in. Our schedule for tomorrow, Tuesday; band practice, and for the rest of the week we go for auditions on Friday.

X

(A/N: And that's a wrap for this chapter!

So I guess I have some – or a lot – of explaining to do for my long absence. Well . . . it's somewhat a personal scary experience, but the whole time it was very self-fulfilling and fun. Just up until December 28th, it was a waking point for me. I've realized that I've been growing up too fast, I'm eighteen, I wanted a sense of responsibility at an early age, but now I've come to realize at how much I've been taking for granted. Now all I wish is to turn back the clock to when I was fifteen so I could enjoy my youth. Don't mind me getting a bit personal, but this goes out to those of your readers who are between the ages of ten to seventeen; this is your time to shine. Go out and live life with your friends, best friends, cousins, because you only turn a certain age once. Go out with your friends for a time out, go to a concert, see a movie, write a story together, or start your own music band. Because this is your moment.

So now that I've got that off my chest, I've been starting to live it a little with my friends and my cousins. Took some time off writing, started picking up the guitar again (Haven't played since June 2013), and now I'm even debating on starting a band with my cousin. We are taking it into consideration, although I'm very rusty at picking and shifting notes, my cousin (presumably going to be Lead Singer) is slowly learning guitar on his own pace, but we're also keeping an eye out for any Bass Players and Drummers in our class/school. It isn't official if we're actually going to go with it, but it's a possibility that we might.

So now, I'm slowly practicing and getting back into the feel of playing guitar, but after a few vocal practices of my own, my potency feels like I'm more better at backing vocals, but the same time at lead vocals.

So that's all me right there.

Now, about the next chapter, I'm also planning on writing a biggest limit I've ever written so far in my history on Fanfic, I'm going to write 18 chapters for this fic. I'm going to take advantage and try to incorporate me within Kyoya just a little bit, some personal experiences, and emotions.

After I watched Andy Biersack's interview about bullying, which impacted me very deeply, I'm going to use my bully experience in one chapter of what happened and what I did. I was inspired about writing this chapter after seeing this video, and the Knives and Pens music video.

Still more to come on this fanfic, and to Darkness Dragon, your OC "Light" makes an appearance in the next chapter :D

To all you Beyblade Fans, Darkness Dragon, and to all music fans of all backgrounds!

DISCLAIMER – I do not own any BVB Music, nor Beyblade.