Chereads / Destiny Of Career Survivors / Chapter 2 - The Pact Is Formed; The Rockline

Chapter 2 - The Pact Is Formed; The Rockline

Elyon- Hey bro what's up?

Hodrien- Yh I am cool.

Elyon- Where are you headed?

Hodrien- I am going to the apartment. 

Elyon- If you like I could drop you off.

Hodrien- I will be very glad of that

[He gets into the front passenger seat and Elyon drives off.] While in the car;

Hodrien- I am looking for potential in the music industry. I am starting a band soon.

Elyon- Well you are a lead guitarist and I play all sorts of guitars and that guy Brian from our school also is good on the drum set.

Hodrien- How do you know all this and besides are you sure you can play the guitar chords?

Elyon- Oh c'mon I can do better than a lot of people. Anyways should I inform Brian or what?

Hodrien- Yh you should I will plan for us to meet and we will discuss all the ways forward. Give me your telephone number.

Elyon-  973-941-7065

Hodrien- Okay.

[When Hodrien steps out of the car and Elyon drives off, Eugenia calls.]

Eugenia- We have not even started and you are cheating. How thoughtless could you be?

Hodrien- Huh I am lost.

Eugenia- Do not act up. Angela and the other girl all together...

[Hodrien laughs.]

... So you are laughing

Hodrien- Let me explain myself.

Eugenia- Spare me the excuses I can't take it. Just forget about it okay.

[They both remain silent for a while until..]

Hodrien- I am sorry for everything going on.

[He hangs up, puts his phone back in his pocket, sets his face straight and climbs up the stairs.]

The next morning;

[Hodrien calls Elyon]

Elyon- Hey bro what's up?

Hodrien- I am good, what about you?

Elyon- I am also good.

Hodrien- About yesterday's issue I want us to meet.

Elyon- OK, where?

Hodrien- I am going to get my guitar from Hassy's Place®. Let's meet there.

Elyon- Should I call Brian.

Hodrien- Yes if he can make it he should come.

Elyon- I am sure he will, see you soon.

[They hang up. And Hodrien heaves a sigh before walking out of the scene.]

[At Causara's home a trio is having a group study]

Seshie- Guys do we have to be learning?

Causara- Huh...

Juana- Seshie what do you mean?

Seshie- See you guys we are all prepared for the examinations we don't need to be wasting our Saturday morning.

Juana- It is not getting wasted we will go somewhere later, wasn't that the agreement?

Seshie- Buh then why did you say we have to learn these stuff we have not done in class yet.

Causara- Teachers take students by surprise all the time so what if he decides to test our foregoing ability, huh?

Juana- And look we are not learning because we need to revise. We are learning because we are okay with what we have learnt in class and need to take a step ahead.

Seshie- Okay fine if you say so.

[At Hassy's Place ®]

Hodrien [On the phone] - I am here, where are you guys?

Elyon- Chill, we are coming. I went to pick Brian up.

Hodrien- So was there a problem with coming to pick me up?

Elyon- Dude...

Hodrien- Fine, just hurry up, please.

[He stands outside for a little while before entering the the shop alone.]

Hodrien- Hi Hassy, how are you doing today?

[The shop is filled with instruments; guitars, drums, flutes, clarinets, tubas, trumpets, cymbals, violins, violas, cellos, just keep on listing till you can not think of anymore.]

Hassy [The shop owner]- Yeah Hodrien I am doing great, what of you?

A voice from behind- I bet he's amazing.

[He turns to find Larisa with a few stuff in her hands. She walks to the counter and places the stuff on it.]

Larisa- That's all I need Hassy, please gimme the bill.

Hodrien- So Larisa, how are you doing?

Larisa- I am doing great I guess.

Hodrien- You guess...?

Larisa- Yeah Hodrien, it's not everything that is going on well.

Hodrien- Well yes but you have to overlook some stuff or you do not agree.

Hassy- Well miss your bill is fifty-five but due to your card you get five off.

Hodrien- And yeah Hassy my guitar.

[Whiles Larisa pulls out money, Hassy enters the back and comes back not long after with a customized guitar.]

Larisa- That's a nice bad boy you have got there. I am pretty sure it is different from the one you used in class the other time.

Hodrien- It is the same one. I just had it worked out for tomorrow. I swear I am going to shred some souls.

Larisa- Best of luck with that because you ain't going to shred my soul.

[Just then, Elyon and another guy, Brian walk in.]

Hodrien- It took you long enough.

Elyon- oh don't raise your voice, you had fun rolling with fine Larisa here.

Larisa- Haha very funny. See you guys at the show tomorrow.

Hodrien- We'll see if I shred your soul or not.

Larisa- Yeah, but seriously Elyon what you were saying not funny, not funny. Bye guys.

Hodrien- Bye.

[The moment she walks out]

Hodrien [Turning furiously towards Elyon]- Don't ever bring that up again.

Elyon- Ha please I am very sorry. I can't do that.

Hodrien- Well still do not try it ever again. And look I am not in the mood for this let us get down to business. Well, Brian, I am guessing he has told you about everything.

Brian- Yes he does and let me admit I am not far from otherwise because I would also love a very nice start to this career.

Hodrien- Ok well we are all in this.

Elyon- Yet let me ask this, Where do we start from?

Brian- What are you talking about?

Hodrien- He's referring to our gigs and sign ups to play at locations and how we will earn them. Hope I got your point there?

Elyon- Yeah.

Hodrien- Don't worry if we make this bond here today, I will sell our brand to minds on tomorrow's stage.

Elyon- Okay let us go forward with this.

Brian- I am also in. So wait what are we called?

Hodrien- Damn I did not think of that.

Elyon- Leave that to me. I will deal with it.

Hodrien- Well okay if you say so. But let me see how you play, Brian.

Brian- Okay give me your guitar.

Elyon- You do not know what you are asking for, do you?

Brian- Why, what's wrong?

Hodrien- You are not using my guitar.

Brian- Sorry. Hassy can I have a guitar, please.

Hassy- You can grab one of those.

[Pointing to a line of guitars just about two feet from the counter.]

[He picks up a red guitar which has a white stripe and a white strap. He starts with the same smug low tempo Hodrien used when performing in the class but he sank in more solemn than Hodrien's tune. He surprised Hodrien with his ability and just like that got to join the band.]

Elyon- So while he was playing I came up with a few ideas for a band name.

Hodrien- Let us hear them.

Brian- Hope they are as good as your drum sticks sound.

Elyon- Alpha Band...

Brian- Not quite a click.

Elyon- Okay, what about The Rocking Trio?

Hodrien- Please keep on thinking, they are good but not really complete.

Elyon- Okay I will deal with that. So I guess we are done here, let's roll.

Hodrien- Hassy, I am pretty sure I have paid.

Hassy- Yes you have.

Hodrien- And don't forget tomorrow's invitation.

Hassy- I will not forget.

[The moment he steps out, he bumps into Eugenia who has a guitar bag  strapped to her back and another one in her hand.]

Hodrien- Sorry, are you okay?

Eugenia- Yeah I am okay.

Hodrien- What do you have all these guitars for?

Eugenia- I wanted you to try them out as we talked about.

Hodrien- I thought I explained my conditions to you?

Eugenia- Yeah and I heard you out but please I can assure you you are going to do great on these.

Elyon- Dude, you have to side with the girl on this one.

Eugenia- See, your friend even agrees.

[Hodrien turns towards Elyon and gives him a stern look causing the latter to turn away from the conversation.]

Hodrien- Okay let me see the one on your back...

[She unstraps it and gives it to him. He kneels on the floor, unzips the bag and reveals a guitar with the figured image on it like Poseidon's Trident.]

... Okay I will prefer this to the other one. I will take it to the apartment with me. Let's drop you off.

Eugenia- No need for that, my dad is coming to pick me up.

Hodrien- Okay well then I think we will have to leave you here or...

Eugenia- Oh it's okay you guys can go.

Hodrien- You guys can leave. Elyon I will call you when I get home.

Elyon- Okay bro...

[The trio exchange handshakes accompanied by shoulder hugs and back taps like guys usually do.]

Elyon- You guys wait, I found the perfect name to call ourselves.

Brian- It better be good.

Hodrien- I have a feeling it is good. Let's hear it.

Elyon- So the perfect name for us is, drumroll please, ... Brian, I am looking at you for the drumroll.

Brian- Errr I don't drum. You are the drummer here.

Elyon- Oh yeah. Anyways... [He fakes a drumroll with his lips.]

... Our band name is The Rockline Band. What do you guys think?

Hodrien- It is actually very good although you gave it too much of a fuss.

Brian- I will see if I can create a Photoshop logo for our name.

Elyon- Okay brother, we are leaving.

Hodrien- Yeah, catch you tomorrow.

[They get onto the car and Elyon drives off.]

Eugenia- Hodrien, look I am sorry about yesterday's happenings.

Hodrien- You shouldn't be. I should have reacted better.

Eugenia- Please forgive me.

Hodrien- So long as you accept my apology.

Eugenia- Well, scores settled then.

Hodrien- Yeah nice one there.

Eugenia- About yesterday's question.

Hodrien- You don't have to...

Eugenia- Please let me speak. Look, I gave interest in you but I think it's too early and for a fact it is too early. I am cool though with we being the bestest of friends if you still want to have a special relationship with me.

Hodrien- Yes that is a better option, if I must say. And thanks you really made my day.

Eugenia- Really, I thought you and your band coming together was your day maker.

Hodrien- It's amazing though but nothing is better than being with someone who you want to be with.

Eugenia- Even if it's just besties?

Hodrien- Yes, even if it's just besties.