Chapter Twenty-Nine
Kylen
Our equipment has already been transported to the club. The guys and I spend most of the day busy with that. We’ll be performing in the evening, only for an hour because other bands are performing tonight as well.
A few hours before we’re set to leave for the gig, I’m a nervous wreck. I stay in my room, mostly lying on my bed and staring at the ceiling, trying not to let my thoughts sabotage us. We’ll do great. The song is amazing. What’s there to be so worried about?
The hours pass quickly—way too quickly. It’s not long before the guys and I are on our way to the club. After we talk to the manager and take care of a few things, we go backstage to prepare. The club only opens in the evenings and we’ll be the second ones to go on stage.
Many kids from school should be coming, including Raven and her friends. Knowing Raven will be here with us calms me a little. I always feel better when she’s around.
When we’re waiting to go on after the band that’s currently playing, someone sits down next to me. For a second, I think it’s Beck who’s come to crack a joke to ease my nerves, but I’m surprised to find Raven.
“I snuck back here,” she tells me with a sweet smile. “I’m not sure I’m allowed, but I don’t really care. I didn’t have a chance to wish you good luck.”
I rub my forehead. “Yeah, we’ve been busy all day. Thanks. I’m really nervous.”
Placing her hand on mine, she gives me an encouraging smile. “I know you’ll do great. Where are the guys?”
I point in the distance. Her eyes shift to where Jasper, Leo, and Beck are peeking their heads out from the stage, watching the all-female band perform. They sound amazing. Not that I’m comparing myself to them, but it’s hard to go after a band that does so well. I don’t want to disappoint anyone.
The guys and I have never performed in front of an audience before, unless you count our family members and Raven, and that time during lunch.
“You guys look great,” Raven tells me. “You sound great. Go out there and kick some butt.”
That gets a soft chuckle out of me. “Always appreciate your pep talks.” I take a deep breath. “What if I forget the lyrics?”
“Then you improvise and make it seem like you purposely forgot them. Never show them that you’re frazzled. Besides.” She takes my hands. “You won’t forget the lyrics. I bet you can sing them in your sleep.”
My mouth hangs open. “Do you spy on me when I sleep, Raven Mitchell?”
“That’s for me to know and for you to never find out.”
I laugh again. “Thanks. I really appreciate you coming here and being with me.”
She rests her head on mine. “Anytime.”
Her body is so warm, it makes a calmness wash over me. I wrap an arm around her waist.
I’m not sure how long we sit like this before the band finishes and the manager announces us.
I sit up sharply. “Holy crap. It’s time.”
She squeezes my hand. “You’ve got this.” She stands. “I’d better go before someone finds me here and kicks me out of the club.”
I throw my arms around her, holding her close.
“Good luck, Kylen,” she whispers in my ear. “You’ll do great.”
She heads over to the guys to wish them good luck as well, then scurries away.
My heart crashes against my chest as the guys and I make our way onstage. I think I’m under extra pressure because I don’t want to disappoint Raven. Of course she wouldn’t be upset if I messed up the song, but I still want to perform it perfectly.
The crowd cheers, many of them knowing who we are because of the video. The guys and I wave, not really sure how to address the audience. None of us are cool or have ever been popular or done anything in public. So it’s all new to us.
As the manager gives a short summary of who we are, my eyes roam the crowd until I see Raven standing with her friends. She has a bright smile on her face, giving me a small wave. I smile back, feeling loads better.
“Thank you,” I say into the mic. I bow my head. “Before we begin, I’d like to dedicate this song to a very special person. We wouldn’t be here right now if not for her and her amazing talent. Thank you, Little Miss Monkey.”
Even though the lights are dimmed, I see Raven blush. But she can’t get rid of that wide grin, no matter how much she tries.
Beck gives us the beat and the next second, it’s like something takes over me. No longer am I nervous or shy or hesitant. I turn into a legit musician, grabbing the mic as I belt into it. My hand strums the guitar like I’ve been doing this for years.
And when the guys harmonize with me, I feel the walls vibrating, as if they want to be part of this.
The crowd cheers, dances, and laughs. They look like they’re having the time of their lives. Some are even singing along with us.
Raven and her friends dance as well. Seeing the sweet, beautiful smile on her face gives me a strength I didn’t know I had, and I put even more of myself into the song.
And it’s not only me. The guys are vibing so well with the crowd that it almost feels unreal.
Like it’s not possible for us to do so well or for the people to enjoy it this much.
Many kids are filming on their phones and I know they’ll post it online. Will that make us famous? I’m not sure if I’m ready for that.
“Encore!” a guy shouts from the audience once we’re done. The rest of the crowd joins him.
The manager swallows as he glances at his tablet, where he must have the roster of who’s performing tonight. When he tells the crowd there isn’t time for an encore, a loud, collective boo is heard.
We’re forced to leave the stage, but before we do, we wave at the people. Beck gives them air kisses while Jasper and Leo bow.
“Dude, that was fire!” Beck says once we’re backstage. “Like, such a rush.”
“Right?” Leo says.
Jasper plops down on one of the chairs. “The people loved us. They loved the song. This was the best day of my life.”
I smile with the rest of them. I wouldn’t say it was the best day of my life—kissing Raven at camp was—but it’s a close second.
We leave the backstage area and mingle with the crowd outside. Several people want to take selfies with us or ask for our autographs. It’s pretty neat. Most people are just dancing and jumping along with the music of the next band, though.
I make my way to where Raven and her friends are bobbing to the fast beat.
Raven flings her arms around me. “You were amazing!”
“Yeah?”
“Of course.”
Her friends compliment me as well.
I smile. “Thanks. All these bands sound pretty good.”
Raven bangs her shoulder into mine. “Not as good as you guys.”
That makes me laugh. “That’s all because of your amazing song.”
“Thanks. And thanks for dedicating your performance to me.”
I nod. “All the praise goes to you.”
We dance together, my friends, her friends, and many kids from school. This is really a lot of fun, the most I’ve had in a long time, excluding last night at the party. It’s crazy to think that only yesterday, we were just a band. Now we’re a band that had our first gig.
“Anyone want a drink?” I ask the girls and guys. I’ve been dancing so much I didn’t realize I haven’t drunk anything since before we got up on the stage.
They tell me they’re good.
“Okay, I’ll be back.”
I head to the area of the club where people can order drinks. Because it’s a teen club, there is no alcohol. There are also tables here where customers can order food.
“A Coke, please,” I tell the guy behind the counter.
I chug half the bottle down. The liquid feels amazing as it goes down my throat.
“Hi,” a voice says from my left. “It’s Kylen, right?”
Glancing there, I spot a girl standing before me. She has dark hair, blue eyes, and a hesitant smile on her face. She’s holding an empty tray in her hand.
“I’m Iris.” She holds out her free hand. “I’m a huge fan.”
I accept the handshake. “It’s nice to meet you, Iris.”
She smiles. “You guys were amazing.”
“Thanks.”
She smiles shyly. “Truth is, I’ve been a fan since, like, last year. I’ve listened to all of your songs on YouTube.”
“Oh, wow. That’s really flattering.”
She nods, pushing some hair behind her ear. “I work here as a waitress and when my boss mentioned yesterday that we needed a band to fill up one of the slots, I recommended you guys. He saw your latest video and was sold.” She giggles shyly.
“Thanks. That was so cool of you. I really appreciate it.”
She gushes how much she loves our music, especially ‘Better With You.’ She claims that when she heard it, it transformed her.
“You go to Harrington Bay Academy, right?” she asks. “I go to Harrington Bay High. It’s a small school, but I like it. I’m a junior.”
“Me, too.”
She smiles, talks to me about other things, but then she has to leave because her break is over.
“Is it okay if I give you my number?” she asks. “Maybe we can go out some time.”
My gaze travels to where I left Raven dancing with her friends. “Sorry, but I’m interested in someone else.”
She follows my gaze, nodding. “I get it.” She smiles. “Good luck with your band. I’m rooting for you guys.”
I return the smile. “Thanks so much for your support.”
After giving me another grin, she walks off. I return to Raven and the others and join them in dancing.