Caleb counts us in and we start off with one of our original songs ‘Saving Grace.’ It’s one of my favourites because it’s the first song Caleb and I wrote together. Chad kicks in with the drum beat and Aston follows, then Ella and I start playing our guitars, and as soon as my fingers pick at the strings I’m in the zone. I look over at Aston who’s smiling and it fills me with a bright new enthusiasm I didn’t even know existed. The room floods with colour and all I can feel is the music notes coursing through my system as I get lost is the incredible musical balance that’s causing my system to overflow with elation.

Caleb starts to sing and I close my eyes for a moment and take in this amazing opportunity that the Rob Luxley is giving us. The hairs on my arm start to flutter and raise off my skin and I open my eyes to see Aston right next to me. I smile brightly as I play my guitar and I know that no matter the weirdness that’s going on between Aston and me right now, we’re both in the zone. I turn my back to his and wait to see his response. A second later I feel his back against mine and the world is back on its right axis and I’m slamming the shit out of this song. Everything seems right when Aston touches me and even though we’re back to back, I can still feel his energy pulsing through my body, which makes my playing even more on track. I’m loving this feeling right now and I would give anything, absolutely anything to have this feeling, playing on a stage to a packed out stadium.

I start to sing the backing for the chorus and Caleb and I are so in sync. This band just gels so effortlessly together it’s insane. It’s probably because we all grew up together so we can know each other so perfectly.

 

And I know that she’s my saving grace.

She came right from another place,

And fell straight into my heart.

I loved her from the start.

My saving grace. My saving grace.

 

I sing along with Caleb and then emotion floods me with such an uplifting and overwhelming sensation, that it’s like I’m floating as I get lost in the music. If I knew what being high felt like, I’m sure this is something close. My body is flaming in ecstasy and I know nothing can break this great mood I’m in. The song is coming to its end and I want nothing more than to look over at Rob to see his reaction, but if he looks unsatisfied then that could throw off my entire performance. So instead I look at Aston over my shoulder and he’s as lost in the music as I am. He leans on me and we both rock as solid as we can.

The dramatic drum fill kicks in and I know we’re about to stop song one and I hope we go straight into ‘Don’t Mess With The Best.’ It’s the most fun of all our songs, and I have an idea that might kick this along even better than how it’s already going. I don’t need to look at Rob to know that we are slamming this shit. We are the best we’ve ever sounded and I know that by the end of this rehearsal, we will be talking contracts and album covers. I might sound cocky but I know good music, and what we are playing right now is not only good, it’s fucking outstanding!

I finish the song with the little guitar riff at the end and Caleb looks at me and smiles brightly making me know he’s thinking the same as me, that we are rocking this shit. The song ends and I finally turn to look at someone other than Aston or Caleb. The first person I spot is Dad and he’s smiling so widely I’m pretty sure his cheeks would be hurting.

“We would like to welcome everyone here tonight! We are Staked, and this next song is our latest. We hope you enjoy. Get ready to be blown away by ‘Don’t Mess With The Best’,” Caleb says in his charming as ever rock and roll voice while I start the intro for our song. A surge runs through me, like a vibration that puts me into a blissful state. I love this song and I know it’s Dad’s favourite too. It’s so upbeat and has such great lyrics about people who think they’re better than everyone else, and that you should just be true to who you are. As Caleb starts to sing, my mind wanders over to the short guitar solo that I have coming up halfway through the song, and I’ve been thinking lately of a way to make it even better. To be more dramatic and give the song the extra lift it needs. So when it comes to the section for my solo, I decide to take a chance. We have to perform our best for Rob and I know this extra solo will rock them all into next week.

The section approaches and I feel the electricity pulsing through me as Aston leans on my back. The support from him without him even knowing it, well, it helps me make this choice. I know Aston will love what I have planned and hopefully, everyone will dig it.

It comes time for the solo and I break free from Aston and step forward rocking out my solo and I look back at Caleb who has a worried look on his face. I smile and nod letting him know that I’m going to try something. He furrows his brows and then just as my solo should end, I amp it up and bring out the best guitar playing I have in me. I get lost in the moment and close my eyes letting my solo overrun my senses. I know I’m doing this song justice and I know everyone wasn’t expecting this extended solo, but I also know that they’ll love what I’ve done with it. I keep track making sure the rest of the band is keeping up. I’m lost in my world, ripping up the song and spitting it out as a new and entirely better version than the original. My body is trembling with elation and I know I’ve done the right thing for sure. Rob will love this!

I finally open my eyes and look around waiting to see happy smiles, but all I see from the rest of the band is angry faces and frowns. I furrow my brows as I continue and then I look over at Dad whose nostrils are flaring and he looks furious. I look back at Aston knowing he’ll support me in this and he’s smiling, but tilts his head slightly letting me know the solo has gone on for long enough and to get back to the song as intended. I look toward the front of the room and smile wide, even though everyone seems mad at me, I still know I did the right thing. I finish my solo and step back to where I’m supposed to be and the rest of the band head straight for the chorus. It’s so good we can read each other or I guess that could have ended badly. But I’m on a high, and as I finally glance over at Rob he’s smiling so wide I think the edge of his lips are almost at his ears. He reminds me of the Cheshire cat and it makes me even happier.

We continue to the end of the song and when we stop Rob claps and walks toward us. I take a cocky bow because I know how well we all rocked it. I start to laugh just from the pure high I’m on as the rest of the room starts to join in clapping with Rob.

“Well, I’ve seen enough,” he says and walks over to Dad and they start to talk.

I guess only hearing two songs is enough? Even though Dad looks mortified, I hope I haven’t stuffed this up. I hope I made the right choice.

I’m buzzing and, even though, a small pang of doubt is sliding its way in, I push it to the side as Aston steps in next to me.

“Nice solo, Lennox, really added to the song,” he whispers and I grin widely and lean in against him, happy that someone understands what I was doing. I wrap my arm around his waist and he wraps his around my shoulders pulling me to him. I smile looking over at Ella who’s smirking at me and I feel great. I know I may have just done the right thing. I wrap my other arm around Aston embracing him tightly. He leans his nose into my hair and nuzzles into me and I relish in this close proximity that I have with my best friend. A tight warm embrace shared between two friends.

Wait! Is he nuzzling into me?

I feel Aston inching as close as he can to me, then kiss the top of my head. This is feeling a little more intimate than how friends should be holding each other. And as much as I want to stay in his arms, I don’t want to send out that message again. I unwrap myself from him and take a step to the side away from him, furrowing my brows. He looks back at me and raises his eyebrow like he’s confused by my reaction.

I can’t believe he’s trying this on again, and in front of everyone!

I screw my face up and he shakes his head slightly as anger surges through me. The type of anger that I know gets me into trouble. I pull off my guitar and place it on the stand and Aston reaches out and grabs my elbow.

“Annie, I’m sorry,” he says and I glare at him.

“Don’t. Touch. Me!” I say quietly so no one else can hear.

I don’t want to make a scene in front of Rob, so I turn around and huff trying not to look at Aston. He steps up behind me and I can feel his breath on my neck. It sends a shiver down my spine and my body tingles all over wanting more than anything for him to touch me again, in any way. But feeling like that only makes my anger worse, so I turn back and glare at him.

“Lennox stop,” he whispers and I furrow my brows.

“Fuck you,” I whisper, the rest of the room is oblivious to our argument.

I can’t control my emotions anymore so I turn away from Aston abruptly and storm out of the music room before I make a scene that I can’t come back from. Music is so important to me and I can’t let Aston ruin our chance at making it big.

I noticed everyone was watching me as I stormed out of the room, but the ringing in my ears stopped me from hearing anything they had to say. I know walking out while Rob was talking to Dad may have been a bad move. But blowing up and having a rage attack in front of him would definitely have been worse, and right now I just want to hide and be away from Aston. I wish he would stop all this bloody affection he’s giving me.

Do I really though?

No, I can’t let myself think like that. I know I want him to touch me and hold me. I know I do from the way my body reacts to him, but our music is more important and right now I just need to take a breath and remember that.

I walk down the hall and into the kitchen and take a seat at the table looking out the glass sliding doors toward the willow tree. It’s where Aston and I go sometimes to be alone and to talk about our lives. It’s like a sacred place where we can just be together and nothing in the world matters except for us and our music. But with everything that’s happening between us right now I don’t know if the tree will be a safe place for us anymore. I hear footsteps coming toward me, but I don’t look up. I know it’s probably Dad coming to yell at me for walking out in the middle of a rehearsal… a very special rehearsal mind you.

“I saw you and Aston cuddling and then you freak out. What’s with that?” Ella’s angelic voice chimes as she walks into the kitchen and sits down next to me at the table. I exhale forcefully relieved that it isn’t Dad or Aston, and I place my elbows on the table and my head in my hands.

“I have no idea. I don’t even know why I did that. He’s just my friend, my best friend; so why the hell would I want to cuddle him?” I ask with my hands over my face.

“You like him?” Ella asks quietly as she leans into my side nudging me playfully.

I look up at her and shake my head adamantly. “No way! He’s more like a brother. I’ve grown up with him. I know everything about him, I can’t like him!”

Chad walks in twirling his drumsticks. “Hey, Rob needs us all back in there and I think Uncle Colt is freaking out that you both walked out,” he says and then turns and walks back toward the music room.

“To be continued,” Ella says and I nod as we both stand up and walk back toward the music room. Luckily I’ve calmed down enough to be in the same room as Aston now.

We walk back into the room and I notice everyone huddled together on the lounge and waiting for us. Dad glares as we walk in and I roll my eyes at his overbearingness. He can be such a tyrant sometimes. I just needed a moment, surely he can understand that’s much better than a blow-up, even though he doesn’t know why I left.

“Oh, good, girls you’re back. Come and have a seat. I want to talk to you all together,” Rob says.

Ella grabs my hand and we walk over to the lounge, which is full of people, so we take a seat on the floor next to Mum.

“Okay, so let’s talk Staked. I only heard two songs and that was enough for me to make my decision. Annie your guitar solo obviously didn’t go as the rest of the band expected. It was obvious in the way they reacted that maybe you went longer than you were supposed to.” I tense up suddenly thinking I might have fucked this up for us. I look at Ella who’s still gripping tightly onto my hand and she bites her bottom lip.

Great, this isn’t going so well!

“But in saying that, what you did Annie was electric. The solo was at a standard of some of the great rock bands out there. Your dad has taught you well. But you have to let your band members know if you are going to change something up. It could’ve stopped the rest of them from knowing where to come in. It’s just lucky that you know each other so well, and that’s what makes Staked amazing. You know how to work the room and each other. Annie and Aston the way you two move together… it’s like you’re twins. You feed off each other and that’s a wonderful thing to watch and work with. You guys need to keep that up because the connection you two share when rocking it out is what makes this band as special as it is… ” he says pausing and looking at Dad. I’m not sure why. But Dad nods and smiles. “Okay, so I’ve made my decision. I’m going to sign you,” he says.

Ella and I both jump to our feet and start jumping around. Everyone laughs as the other members of Staked are all high-fiving each other and cheering.

“I’m going to get a small promotion kick started for you guys and we’ll look at improving your demo album so we can make it into an actual album to go on sale. Then we can start thinking about a tour of England if your parents agree? Well, except for you Caleb. You don’t need permission obviously,” Rob says making everyone laugh.

“God, I hope not,” Caleb replies and Rob smiles and pats him on the shoulder.

“Right, well, leave it with me and I’m going to organise with Colt and Hux on how to get this all started for you guys. This is the beginning of something that I think is going to be huge for you all. You’re young and I hope you can handle the pressure that comes with being rock and roll stars? That’s why we’re going to start small and then see what happens from there. I’ll be in contact soon,” he says shaking Caleb’s hand and nodding at him.

“Thank you so much, Rob. We won’t let you down. Will we guys?” Caleb states.

“No way, Rob. We’re committed to this band, one hundred percent!” I say and Ella nods along with Chad and Aston.

“That’s great to hear. Well, I need to get home. Seems I’ll have a lot more to handle from now on,” he states.

“Thanks Rob, for everything. I’ll walk you out,” Dad says and he leaves with Rob.

Once they’ve left the music room, everyone erupts jumping up and down and celebrating. Aston rushes over to me with the happiest smile on his face. He quickly grabs me and hugs me tightly. I struggle in his grip and push his chest away from me.

Can’t he see that the band is more important now than ever?

“Lennox, I am just trying to be a friend. What’s wrong with a simple hug,” he says looking hurt as Mum comes over and embraces me tightly, facing me away from a confused and hurt looking Aston. I hug Mum back because I need comfort right now.

“I’m so proud of you, honey. You and Ella,” she says and I hug her so tightly I’m sure she thinks it’s from excitement and not from devastation.

I feel lost. All I want is to run to Aston and tell him how much he means to me, but also how much this means to me… the band I mean. I’m so confused and I have no idea how to handle these mixed emotions. I feel terrible for pushing him away like that. I really shouldn’t have. Friends hug when something amazing happens. Just because he hugged me doesn’t mean there was anything other than a happy friend thing happening. I’m such a twat.

“Annie, there’s something I need to talk to you about,” Mum says dragging me out of my self-doubt and back into reality.

“Yeah?”

“I’m proud of you, and you did good, but you can’t go against the band and take over like you did. A band is a team and you have to work together as a team, not be out to prove that you’re better than each other. Do you understand what I mean?” she asks and I frown and slump my shoulders knowing she’s right.

“I know, I’m sorry. I was just so caught up in the moment and it felt so right. I just needed to expel how I was feeling and the only way I could do that was through my guitar.”

She smiles and pulls me back in for another hug. “You’re amazingly talented Annie, and when you get in the zone I can see it. But you have to remember that even if you have an idea when you’re performing, you can’t just act on it. You need to put it in the memory bank and talk to the band after the performance, and then you can decide as a team whether your change is for the better or not.”

“Okay Mum, I’m sorry. You know me I always do first, then think. I wish I knew why I did that?” I say and she looks down into my eyes.

“Honey, it doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with you. It’s just you’re young and your hormones are taking over your body. Your head is all over the place and things don’t make sense. But as you get older everything will fall into place and start making more sense. You just have to wait it out I’m afraid.”

“Thanks. You know I hate being patient and waiting for things.”

“Well, on this one Annie, I’m afraid only time will help. But in the meantime let’s celebrate!” Mum says and leans down kissing my forehead and then walks over to Ella.

I move across to where Caleb, Chad and Aston are talking to Dingo and Uncle Hux. I really want to go to Aston and tell him how sorry I am for pushing him away, literally. So I stand next to Aston so close that our sides are touching. I just need him to know that I still need him. He looks down at me and frowns. I can’t help myself as my hand brushes against his and I rub my pinky finger along his soft skin which is setting me on fire. He looks into my eyes and shakes his head and pulls his hand away from mine and then walks off without saying a word.

It’s like the air has been knocked out of me, and I know for a fact that Aston will be the one avoiding me now. I have truly fucked this up and I feel that, even though, this should be the happiest moment of my life, it’s also the saddest because this could be the end of our friendship… the end of Annie and Aston.