The door opened, and Drake entered with his phone still in his hands. He walked in as though he was in a tight hurry, briskly walking towards the band and July who were conversing the regarding the lineup of the songs.
"I have good news!" stared Drake as he scrolled through his phone. He raised his head, fixing his eyeglasses using his index finger.
July saw the way the band's facial expression shifted as Drake began his remarks – though she wondered if Drake noticed it too because the change was not subtle at all. Not even an attempt.
"Having you here was bad news already – so what do you have?" Enzo asked as he lazily turned his swivel chair around.
"Do you want the news or what?" Drake said impatience beginning to surface in his voice.
"What is it?" Lawrence asked instead before Enzo could burn Drake once more.
"I already found someone to fill in for Hugh's place – "
Enzo scoffed. "Who?" He asked, holding back laughter.
"Well, he's not from here, but I managed to contact him – "
"Where's he from?" Lawrence asked.
"He's from the CMU," Drake replied.
"And by CMU, you mean the Central Mandleton University?" Enzo clarified.
"Yes," Drake nodded. "He was a vocalist and a lead guitarist from the school band when he was in high school so, I bet he's pretty skilled. He's a sophomore as of now. He accepted my offer."
Enzo's eyebrows creased and massaged the bridge of his nose out of pent-up frustration. "Where did you find this Kellior?" He asked.
"He's a friend of Gwen's."
"What's his name?" Enzo asked.
"Kent Logan Kellior, he's an engineering student — "
"That's it," said Enzo as he stood from his seat and grabbed his black baseball cap.
"Wait. So, should I call him?" Asked Drake as he dialled Logan's contact number.
"Listen to me, Drake. I know you're great with academics and shit – but I want you to stop making decisions for the band. That Kent you're talking about?" Enzo paused.
"He's in a band at their school – he's rival, do you get that?" Enzo stuck his drumstick in his back pocket. "Do your research," he added and walked towards the door.
Benn whistled a low note as though providing sound effects to their disappointment.
Ashton smirked as he gave Drake a disappointing look while Lawrence shook his head no.
"Let's go?" Lawrence told July politely.
July was silent as she observed Drake – trying to identify the look on his face.
"July, let's go!" Called Enzo from outside the room.
July swallowed as she stood reluctantly from her chair, her eyes darting towards Drake standing in front of her. His head was held high, yet his eyes weren't hers as she walked past him.
"Hey, I'm – "
"July!" Enzo called for the second time.
July stood frozen for a swift moment, watching Drake stand doused with embarrassment. Her chest felt heavy as she stood there with her cousin calling her from outside the room while Drake stood burning with shame. She knew Drake is good with the things he does – he won't be supreme student council president if he doesn't excel at his work.
"Drake – "
"July!"
"It's fine, July," said Drake, turning his back to see her. "I'm good," he said as he flashed a smile – the fakest smile that she'd ever seen someone put up.
July smiled back and nodded her head once gently. She turned and cruised towards the door, though her feet felt heavy and anchored – wanting to draw her back to where Drake stood.
"What took you so long?" Asked Enzo. He was there waiting for her by the door.
She looked at her cousin – trying her best not to snap at him. She still had plans on reconciling with her closest cousin therefore, she swallowed her questions and gave him a long look before letting out a resigned sigh.
"Let's go," said July as she waited for Enzo to lead the way to wherever they are heading to.
A torturous duration of silence took over them as they walked along the hallway towards the elevator.
"Don't pity him," said Enzo out of nowhere.
"You have a lot to explain too – then, I'll decide what to do about him," July replied, her eyes piercing, right at the elevator door, her voice sounding cold and dismissive.
Piles of questions were overloading her head, and most of them were concentrated on the evident conflict between her cousin and Drake. She knew she wasn't in a place to judge the situation as she was only new to their lives that day, but she suspected that the cut between the two seemed to contribute to the shift in her cousin's treatment of other people. Though she wished she was wrong.
She heard Enzo scoff, and even though she wasn't looking at him, she could clearly picture that unconvinced smirk on his face.
"Really?" Asked Enzo.
"Really," July said flatly, trying her best to sound as serious as she intended.
"All right," said Enzo, closing the conversation about Drake.
"Where are headed to?" July asked as they paused in front of the elevator.
"The auditorium. That's where we practice," Enzo replied then the elevator opened.
"I heard that you're the university band – "
"Not really. Why?"
"Well, if you're the school band, then why aren't you booked to play today?" July asked, carefully choosing the questions she had to be curious about.
"That's a long and complicated story, July. I told you to save your questions. I'll find a time so we could talk properly, and I might answer your curiosity about that one. For now, let's just focus on the practice."
The elevator opened, revealing the topmost floor of the building.
"This is the fifth floor. That hallway on the left will lead you to the dance rooms, and the right hallway will lead you to the auditorium and recording studio," explained Enzo as he pointed at the hallways, parting in the middle of the main hallway from the elevator.
"This was the old auditorium, and the school had to build another that's located on the first floor as there were complaints regarding a possible stampede over the elevator and the stairs in case of an emergency occurred. The school allowed the music department to take over the old auditorium here, and this is where we practice. It's also soundproof so, we could play as loud as we'd like, and nobody would give a shitty noise complaint."
The room was spacious and cold. The stage was dim-lit, and the band members were busy setting up their instruments. July felt her knees soften as the realization hit her straight in her chest.
"What if your fans hate me?" Said July as she rubbed her palms together. "I don't want people to dislike me on my first day here," she added.
"You'll never know unless you try, right? Besides, I got your back. If someone wants to mess with you, they mess with me," said Enzo as he tapped her shoulder.
"Those fuckers can mess with me too!" Benn added as he was setting up his bass guitar.
"Me three!" Yelled Ashton, while Lawrence raised his right hand and smiled at her.
"Count me in," said Lawrence and winked at her.
Enzo frowned as he caught the sight of his bandmate subtly attempting to flirt with his cousin.
July heaved countlessly as she made her way toward the electric guitar placed at one corner of the stage. It was a burgundy Gibson Les Paul electric guitar.
"Is this his?" July asked as she gently ran her fingers on the fretboard.
"Yeah. It's Hugh's. You can use it, he's not here anyways – "
"What if I ruin it?"
"I bet you could buy him ten of those from your weekly allowance, and your bank account won't budge at all in July. Now pick that up and let's begin," said Enzo as he sat on the drum set.
"What about sound check?" July asked.
"We practice here all the time. Sounds are already set to the practice room's sound reinforcement – and we have no time for that right now," Enzo explained.
"Oh, I see," said July and cleared her throat.
It had been a long time since she held a guitar and played. Ever since she turned eighteen, her father had always been too nagging about her love for music and suggested – insisted on new hobbies for her to learn. As her father says, hobbies fit an elegant lady. She tried archery, equestrian, figure skating, chess, fencing, painting, and many more. Good thing her father was quite impressed with her piano skills and allowed her that one.
July had to adjust the strap to the appropriate length of her body – it was evident how tall Hugh was, only observing the way the strap was adjusted. There were no scratches on the guitar, making July anxious about the way she carried the guitar. She went toward the centre stage and paused in front of a mic stand, already adjusted to her height, thanks to Lawrence.
"The 1975, It's Not Living (If It's Not With You)," said Enzo as he looked at July.
"Are we sure about this? I mean... what if the audience doesn't like a female rendition of the – "
July barely heard her voice when Ashton began to play the intro when Enzo nodded his head at him.
"Just sing!" Enzo yelled through the intro of the song.
"And Danny ran into some complications," July sang as she looked around, her fingers searching the right places on the fretboard, still lightly struck by panic as she kept up with the band.
"He falls asleep during conversations – He's gotta search the street when he's on vacation – The worse thing is that I'm in the same situation."
"Woooo!" Ashton cheered with a wide grin on his face upon hearing July's voice, enjoying the song.
Though nervousness was a bit audible in her voice, the potential was undeniable.
It painted a smile on July's lips. Being cheered by a band member was one of the best compliments for her as an aspiring musician.
"And all I do is sit and think about you – if I knew what you'd do – collapse my veins, wearing beautiful shoes – It's not living if it's not with you..."
Practice went well though they had to repeat the song for a third time trying to adjust to July's style.
"Third time's a charm, that's what they say," said Ashton as he gave July a thumbs-up, his sign of approval of the recent round of the performance.
"I can't help but overthink things, but thanks," said July as she took a sip of her water.
"So, what's the next song on the lineup?" July asked as she sat on the edge of the stage next to Lawrence.
"Hmm, Arctic Monkeys," said Lawrence as he scrolled through his phone, scanning the line-up.
"Which one? I hope I know that song," said July as she laughed it off.
"Knee Socks."
"Hmm... got it," July replied as she nodded.
"You know this one?" Lawrence asked, not facing her.
"I played that once or twice, but I think I can manage," July confessed as she placed her water bottle beside her.
"Are you sure? We can edit the lineup if – "
"It's fine. I'll do my best," said July and smiled.
The band finished rehearsing and adjusting the songs, and a break for lunch had been decided.
"What do you guys want?" Ashton asked as he moved his phone away a bit from his ear.
"Pizza!" Benn answered as he lay on the edge of the stage, one leg folded and one arm over his, covering his face.
"Again?" Lawrence said massaging his wrist.
"He fucking asked, I just answered," said Benn, "besides, you could never go wrong with pizza," he added.
"We had pizza for breakfast – " Lawrence argued.
"Just get this guy his pizza and order yours, fucker," said Enzo as he sat next to July in one of the audience seats.
"Hey, why the long face?" Enzo asked.
"Nothing. I'm just nervous – and overwhelmed probably. A lot is happening in my head right now. I'm still processing everything, including that I happen to meet you here when I haven't seen you for a while," said July in a quiet and soft voice.
Enzo studied her face for a moment, then faced the stage and he placed his arm on both armrests of the seat. "What's up with you and that Drake?" He finally asked.
July stayed silent for a while then chuckled bitterly.
"Guess what?" She challenged her cousin.
"I have no idea, honestly. As far as I can remember, we loathe that guy," said Enzo.
"Loath is a strong word, Enzo. I might have disliked him as a child, but it's not fair for me to loathe him for that old childhood playground quarrels," July explained.
"Redeeming him, huh?" Enzo replied, his voice filled with sarcasm.
July shrugged her shoulders and gave a thin smile, her eyes directed to the stage where their bandmates were occupied with their own business, taking their time during the lunch break.
"I don't even know if I can call it redeeming him, but we were children. We were young back then, there's probably something good to see in him."
"Never in my life, I imagined you'd say that about Mctyler," said Enzo.
"Never in my life I imagined I'd do that too – but I have no choice but to search for something to like about him – "
"Wait, wait. I'm lost – what do you mean you have no choice but to find something to like about Mctyler?" Enzo asked, engulfed with confusion that his eyebrows creased as he did so.
July turned to her right to look at her cousin – the only cousin who showed a bit of concern about her. "I have to marry him, Enzo," July confessed then looked away, her eyes glossed with tears.
Silence took over the moment until July continued. "Dad wants me to marry him, that's the sole reason why Dad sent me here, so I could be with him."
"So, that tradition isn't over yet, huh?"
July shook her head as she stared at her fingers on her lap. "Clearly."
"Do you want to marry him?" Said Enzo as he looked at her.
Silence.
"Do you want me to – "
"I've got lunch for everyone!"
July turned and saw Drake enter with a few people following him, carrying take-out foods from a restaurant. She wiped her cheek immediately while all the attention was drawn over to Drake.
****
Songs mentioned in this chapter:
It's Not Living (If It's Not With You) - The 1975
https://youtu.be/3bVJFgvUZHg
Knee Socks - Arctic Monkeys
https://youtu.be/lyO-Sveg6a8