With no time to waste, The Clockworks went forth with Nahida's shopping plan to purchase some clothing items. If they were to purchase whole costumes than they might have to sell a kidney to pay for it. Beyond tagged along to make sure that Nahida didn't overspend just on costumes.
Beyond and Kokomi needed to purchase some new strings for their instruments and Simon needed an extra pair of drumsticks. The band made their way into the mall nearby Santoro's Music Store. Carter has been to the mall once or twice in his lifetime, it would just be a hassle for his brother if he was brought along during every shopping trip. Mary, Joey's girlfriend sometimes take pity on him.
Carter could feel the cooling air of the mall's air conditioning as soon as he set foot through it's entrance. His skin felt the cool air nipping at him, giving him goosebumps. He rubbed his shoulders to warm himself up.
'I should've worn long sleeves or a jacket', Carter thought to himself.
Before the group went into the mall, Beyond gave them a strict rule and plan to follow. The group stood around in a circle to listen closely to his order.
"Alright, before we separate, I want you guys to split into teams so that we could get more done. Nahida, Kokomi and Albert, you guys go purchase our costumes. Simon, Carter and I will go look for our music equipment," Beyond explained.
"Understood, captain," Simon teased and smirked.
He then wrapped his arm around Carter's shoulders in a friendly manner and dragged him away from Kokomi's side.
"Looks like Carter's gonna have fun with the men now," Simon told Kokomi.
"Wait, wait, why can't Albert follow you? He's probably feeling left out," Kokomi said.
Simon looked towards Albert and saw him idling away observing loving couples and families walk pass them. Simon frowned at the thought of Albert feeling lonely.
"I want Albert to go with you so you could probably estimate the size of clothing chosen for us," Beyond stated.
"Oh please, I already know your sizes and Kokomi definitely knows Carter size since she has visited his house," Nahida blurted, crossing her arms, impatient to begin shopping.
Albert stepped into their argument with a straight forward solution.
"I'll go with them," he decided.
"Alright then, the man himself has agreed. No time to loose, let's head to Jazz-Off," Beyond smiled in victory and proceeded to head towards the right-side of the mall.
Nahida rolled her eyes and grabbed Kokomi's arm and dragged her towards the left-side of the mall to look for costumes that would fit their band's aesthetic. Albert trailed behind them while observing the mall like a museum from time to time.
Carter heard the three's footsteps as they stepped on the tiled floor of the mall. He then felt an arm snaked around his neck which he assumed was Simon.
"Don't worry Carter, we're friends, best friends even. We'll return you to your wifey after shopping," Simon snickered.
He assumed correct.
'Great, I have to deal with Joey 2.0', Cater thought.
Carter felt the strength of the drummer as he dragged him towards Beyond. Carter knew what Jazz-Off was, it was a music instrument store. The shop-keeper specializes in instrument maintenance for acoustic guitars, double basses, electric guitars and basses. Though Carter never met him face-to-face, he heard about the shop-keeper through Joey's girlfriend, Mary.
Carter heard an assortment of sounds as he now walked alongside Simon and Beyond. Mostly sounds of chatting citizens enjoying their day at the mall. He passed a wailing child as well, begging his mother to buy him a transformer action figure. He could the fluttering of flyers as he heard salespeople handing them out.
The mall had a playlist of songs they usually play to lighten up the atmosphere. This time, the song 'La Bamba' by Ritchie Valens was on play. The familiar sound of the popular guitar rift filled Carter's ears. The song indeed gave him a fun and festive-like atmosphere. In front of him, he heard Beyond muttering the lyrics happily to himself.
Para bailar La Bamba
Para bailar La bamba
Se necesito una poca de gracia
Una poca de gracia
Pa' mi, pa' ti, arriba, y arriba
Carter chuckled as he began to enjoy walking with them. While walking Carter unconsciously placed a hand on Simon's right shoulder as they were walking so that he wouldn't get lost.
"Seems like they're putting on banger songs today. I wonder what's the occasion," Simon wondered.
"Maybe they've finally found someone with good taste in music. Glad they're not putting on the same old radio playlist in the morning. That thing drives me nuts," Beyond commented.
"You're just an old soul in a young body. But, you're right, that playlist sure gets on my nerves," Simon agreed.
"You guys know this song?," Carter asked with curiosity.
"Well duh, we wouldn't be discussing about it if we didn't knew it," Simon remarked.
"Songs like these should arise again, the familiarity is more easier to listen to than those pop songs nowadays," Beyond concluded.
Carter nodded his head slowly as he listened attentively to Beyond's opinions about modern music. Carter didn't mind listening to any song as long as its got a high tempo and a beat he could dance to.
"As I've said, old soul in a young body. Don't let him change your opinions about music, Carter," Simon advised.
They soon reached a store called Jazz-Off. As Carter entered the store, he was bewildered by the sound of a song he had heard of before but didn't know what the name of it was. The male singer singing it was mixing both English and Korean in the song. He assumed it must be this new genre called K-Pop or something. He then dropped his hand that was holding onto Simon's left shoulder to his side.
Carter felt Simon's hand on his shoulder as he was guided by him towards a cool surface. He assumed it was the store's cashier counter. He then just awkwardly stood there, waiting for Beyond to speak.
Beyond leaned against the counter.
"What is this song, Farihin?," Beyond questioned, annoyed by the music.
Carter heard a male voice spoke, his voiced sounded velvety.
"I don't know, my sister's the one who put it on," Farihin said.
He then heard a gruff female voice chimed in.
"It's Stray Kids' "Case 143", what are you moping about? It sounds just fine," the woman chimed in.
"That's the reason, this is a musical instrument store. Not an EDM store," Beyond argued.
"Well, it's your loss that K-Pop is not your taste. Unlike your old soul brain, Simon and that boy are just fine with it," the woman spat, pointing at the two
Carter chuckled when this woman called Beyond an old soul, just like how Nahida does. Are old man and old soul....are they same thing? Maybe....
While Carter was lost in thought, Farihin spoke up.
"Kokomi didn't come with you?," Farihin inquired.
"She's off with Nahida, looking for costumes for an upcoming gig," Simon explained.
"Not a gig, it's a competition. I reckon your band have heard about it as well?," Beyond questioned.
"Ohhh, that competition? Yeah, The Black Panthers will be performing," Farihin said.
"I've heard of you, you guys covered that one ACAB song," Carter suddenly blurted out.
"Yes we have. 'Skinhead Selamanya' is a catchy song," Farihin answered.
Simon had a look of disagreement on his face. Carter couldn't see it though but he knew from Simon's sudden quietness. He knew Simon was usually chatty about topics related to bands and music. Carter wondered what he was pondering about.
Then the four chatted about random topics. Including Beyond's explanation of Carter's role in the band now as its new vocalist. Carter was having fun chatting with them, he felt confidant like he always had when stating his opinions. Then they began conversing about the name of Farihin's band.
"I still don't agree with that band name of yours," Beyond said, crossing his arms on his chest.
"Yeah, its too emo for a band that plays such high beat rock songs. Especially in major tones," Simon explained.
'Huh, so that must be what Simon's pondering about' Carter thought.
"Believe me, I tried to propose a new name for a while now. Hua just won't give in," Farihin sighed.
"Well, Hua Fang is kinda stubborn when you think about it," Simon said, patting on Farihin's shoulder.
Carter thought about something.
"Have you tried groveling?," he asked.
"Too embarrassing," Farihin admits, shrugging his shoulders.
Then the woman that spoke to them earlier came back to the store's cashier counter. She had been eavesdropping on their conversation when they complained about Hua Fang.
"Hua Fang is a nice girl, now don't go complaining about her," the gruff female voice spoke.
"But, she's annoying sometimes, Aliyah," Simon complained.
"Huh, seems like I can't hear you. My old ears can't hear you quite well nowadays. Why don't you repeat that, starting with Madam Aliyah," Aliyah remarked, cupping a hand to her right ear, as if using a curly ear trumpet like Beethoven did.
"*sigh* can you be any more obnoxious, old hag? You're just 28," Farihin commented.
"And married," Beyond added.
Aliyah ignored both of them and tuned her eyes on Carter.
"Who's the new kid?," Aliyah gestured towards Carter using her chin.
"That's Meerkats' new vocalist," Farihin explained.
"We're not The Meerkats anymore. We have a new name now," Carter said.
Aliyah decided to ignore that information entirely.
"WHAT! Sweet Kokomi has retired?!," Aliyah exclaimed, in a flabbergasted manner.
"For now, yes. She didn't quit, don't worry, Aliyah," Simon explained.
Aliyah calmed down after hearing that.
"Well, good to know. Such a nice and talented person can't be replaced by just some mere pretty boy," Aliyah huffed.
Aliyah then stomped off towards the back of the store and continued her work. Farihin felt bored as he leaned on the counter as all four of them watched the older female continued on working, arranging small amplifiers amongst the shelves.
Soon, Carter heard a lot of footsteps stepping into Jazz-On which he chose to ignore. Then he heard a familiar voice spoke in an angry tone.
"I thought you're supposed to be buying equipment. Not gossping like old ladies at a supermarket?!," Nahida shouted.
Kokomi rushed to Nahida's side, carrying some shopping bags along the way with Albert trailing behind her. He too was carrying some shopping bags. Kokomi placed the bags down next to her feet and rubbed Nahida's shoulder, trying to calm her down.
"Now, now Nana, we're in a public space. You can't shout at the men this time or you'll get weird looks from other people," Kokomi advised, as she tried to calm her friend down.
"I'm this close to quitting, but yes I do need to compose myself. Thank you, Mimi," Nahida said, placing her hand on Kokomi's.
All the males in the room looked at them weirdly. Carter's raised his eyebrows in confusion at what Nahida said instead.
"Gosh, sometimes I just wanna throw Beyond under a bus," Nahida expressed, raising her fist at Beyond.
Kokomi ignored her statement and walked towards the four boys with Albert.
"I apologize on Nahida's behalf," Kokomi said politely while bowing, hoping that Farihin would forgive her.
"Hehe, no hard feelings Kokomi. You don't need to bow, we're friends after all," Farihin chuckled nervously as her scratched the back of his neck.
Kokomi returned back to her usual posture and smile in delight.
"So, how are you guys progressing?," Albert inquired.
"Why are you talking like an NPC?," Simon asked.
"We're not really progressing," Carter answered quickly, hoping that he didn't hear Simon's question.
Albert nodded in acknowledgment.
"Oh? Then I'll help you out then," Albert offered.
Carter sighed in relief.
"I've noticed something. When Carter converses, he doesn't make eye contact with any of us. Can you relieve me of my doubts about that. I'm quite curious," Farihin questioned with a smile.
"Carter's blind," Simon simply said.
Beyond was almost about to scold him for saying it too straightforward like that.
"Yeah I'm blind," Carter said with confidence, he didn't want Farihin to feel pity for him so he added in a smile.
"I see, and you're not bothered about it either. That means we'll be the best of friends you and I," Farihin joyfully said.
He then turned towards Kokomi who in the mean time came back with everything that the men wanted to purchase. She included the small amplifier as well as her set of bass strings she needed. They were getting too dull and needed a change. Nahida was busy chatting with Aliyah as if they were old friends. Kokomi knew they were, that's how she met Farihin in the first place.
For you see, Kokomi was the one who recommended Farihin to join her brother's band. Farihin was their keyboardist that quit the band because he wanted to take a break, thats what he told them anyway. Turned out, the lad was in fact a support keyboardist and vocalist for another band called The Black Panthers which made them a sensational these past 3 years. So he decided to officially join The Black Panthers.
The Meerkats were originally made up of a group of five males, Simon and Beyond being the only ones to remain in the band until now. Kokomi recalled the time her brothers were in the band, now they have grown up, graduated and married their respective spouses. Simon, Beyond and herself decided to keep the Meerkats legacy alive as hard as they could. But past is past, nothing can change it now. So, Kokomi didn't dwindle much on Farihin's actions negatively, she saw it as an opportunity to shine as their new vocalist. She still kept her friendship with Farihin just as the rest of them did.
"Hi Kokomi," Farihin smiled.
"Hi Farihin, long time no see," Kokomi replied.
"haha, indeed," Farihin chuckled and began wringing up her items on the counter.
The Aliyah and Nahida came back from the shelves and stood in front of the boys.
"Farihin, stop ogling her you pervert!," Aliyah scolded, hitting Farihin at the back of the head.
"Ow!," Farihin hissed.
"Madam Aliyah, don't hit Farihin like that. He didn't do anything wrong," Kokomi spoke in concern.
"Kokomi, sweetie, don't speak for him like that. You need to speak for yourself when you're in danger," Aliyah expressed pity.
"I didn't ogle her you old hag, stop making assumptions!," Farihin protested.
The men all began to laugh at the siblings' amusing banter.
Soon after, The Clockworks bid goodbye to the siblings and headed off back towards the studio. They then had their practice session in the evening and tried on the outfits that Kokomi, Albert and Nahida had picked out.
The band was ready for the competition tomorrow. Carter hoped that everything will go smoothly without a hitch. When he got home, he even prayed sincerely to the Lord that night for good luck and a good night's rest.