Chapter 5
The phone rang early Saturday morning, jarring Rayna out of a deep sleep. She looked at the digital clock on her nightstand. It said 10:13. Oh well. It felt early.
" Rayna!!" her little sister screamed from downstairs. "Phone!!"
She groaned and grabbed the portable phone on her nightstand. "Hello?" She asked into the phone, her voice thick with sleep.
" Hey." Rob said. "Did I wake you?"
" Uhhh…not really. What's up?"
" Well…I…umm, do you wanna hang out today?"
" I can't. We're auditioning singers for our band. But…you could come there and help us…"
" Yeh! That'd be great!"
" Kay. We're gonna meet at the club we played at last night at around 1:00. "
" Ok, see ya then."
" Bye."
" Bye."
Rob walked into the club, amazed at all the girls who wanted to audition. It'd been nearly impossible to find a parking space.
" Rob!" Rayna waved him over to where their group was standing on the stage. He hopped up on it, greeting everyone.
" Ok, this is how we're gonna do it," Aubrey began. " We've handed out song sheets to all the girls, and they're gonna sing while we play. Got it?" Everyone nodded. " Cool. Let's get started. OK EVERYONE! LINE UP AT THE STAGE." Aubrey screamed at the girls milling around the stage. Everybody but the band jumped off the stage and sat in folding chairs to watch. The girls lined up, and the first one came up to the microphone they'd set up in the middle of the stage. " When we say ok, we're gonna start playing. Sing when it's time" The girl nodded.
" Ok. " Aubrey said, and they started playing the opening bars to the Creed song "Higher".
" When dreaming, I'm guided to another world, time and time again…." The girl sang. On stage, Rob saw Rayna cringe. This girl was way off tune. Then next few were just as worst. Rob saw Rayna sigh and warily watch the next girl climbing on stage. She had short black hair and black-rimmed glasses. He's seen her at school sometimes - she hung out with the Goths. She had a good voice - strong, steady, and on key. The band looked relieved, since there was only a few left waiting to try out. The other girls got up and showed their stuff. Aubrey told the girls who tried out that they'd get a call if they were chosen, and sent them off.
" So," Aubrey said. "I vote for Nicky."
" She was the girl with the black hair, right?" Sam asked. "She was good."
" Yeh, let's go with her." Rayna said.
" Ok, I'll call her tonight and let her know about tomorrow's rehearsal." Aubrey said. "See you guys later!" With a wave, she was off.
" Where's she going in such a hurry?" Sam asked.
" She met this guy, Tom, last night after the show. He asked her to go to a movie after she was done here." Rayna told her.
"Ohhh…" They grinned at each other and packed up their stuff.
" Hey Rayna! Wait!" Walking to her car, Rayna heard Rob calling her name and turned around. " Wanna get something to eat?"
" Sure. Did you drive?"
" No, Jake gave me a ride."
" Hop in." She gestured to her car. He went around to the passenger seat and got in.
" So where do you wanna go?" She asked him, pulling out of the club's parking lot.
" Ummm….How about that place in the marketplace? The one with the yummy sandwiches and stuff."
" Sure!" The marketplace was a place downtown with funky shops and restaurants. They lived in Santa Monica, California.
" Cool."
Rayna started her car and drove to the restaurant. She found a parking space, and they got out and walked inside the air-conditioned building.
" It feels good in here." Rayna commented.
" Yeh. Why don't we sit over there?" Rob pointed to a seat in the corner.
" Sounds good." They sat down and looked at their menus. A little while later, a waitress came and they placed their orders. After the waitress left, they sat in awkward silence for a few seconds, until Rayna's face suddenly lit up. She started singing softly to the song that had just come on. Rob grinned.
" Who is this?" He asked.
" Rusted Root. I love them." She sighed.
" So why don't you sing for the band?"
She wrinkled her nose and looked out the window they were sitting next to. " Too much attention."
Rob nodded. " I agree."
She tilted her head to the side. " You sing?"
Rob blushed. " No, but, uh, you know, the lead singers in bands usually get the most attention."
She smiled at him. " Yup."
Their food came then. As they ate, they talked about music, their families, whatever came up. Rob eventually paid the check and Rayna drove him home.
" Thanks." Rob said opening the door of his car and climbing out. " I had a lot of fun."
She smiled. " Me too. See you tomorrow."
" Bye!" He waved to him and entered his house. Rayna was grinning to herself as she drove home.
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chapter five
chapter six
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