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Chapter 1
"I won't be a rock star. I will be a legend."
-Freddie Mercury
“It won’t be different this time, Caden! For God’s sake, you’re dunk right now. Please get it through your thick skull that I never want to see you again. Have a nice life, Caden.”
She slammed the door in my face. She slammed it right in my face. I couldn’t believe her. How much nerve did she have?
I’m Caden Black and people don’t just slam doors in my face.
Didn’t she understand how many girls would kill to date me? She had me and tossed me aside like an old pair of jeans. I’ll make sure that Delilah Adams regrets that decision for the rest of her life.
I stumbled away from Delilah’s door and into the elevator. There were two girls who looked about 13 already inside. I was really hoping they wouldn’t recognize me. I may have had a slight buzz and I don’t know if my head could handle any squealing.
One of the girls tapped me on the shoulder. “Aren’t you the lead singer in PausePlay?” So much for not getting recognized…
I put on a fake smile. “Yeah, that’s me.”
Only 5 more floors until I can get out of here.
“I think it’s so cool that you’re in a band. I also think you’re really hot,” the other one spoke up. What is wrong with these girls?
“Thanks, I guess.”
“My name’s Marcy. Do you want to go out with me sometime?” I looked at the second girl incredulously.
“I think you’re a little too young for me, Marcy. I’m sorry.”
“Actually, I’m almost 14 and you’re 17. It’s perfectly legal.” She kept twirling her red hair in her fingers and smiled at me ‘seductively.’ It was quite disturbing.
The elevator doors finally opened on the ground floor. “I have to go. Bye.”
I practically ran out of that elevator. I need to start going out in disguise. That conversation got rid of whatever buzz I may have had before.
The air outside was warm and humid. The sky was dark but I couldn’t see any stars with the city lights. It had to be around 11:30 now. I had gone to Delilah’s around 10 begging for her to take me back. That was a bust.
I climbed into my black Mustang and sped off towards home. I turned on the radio and attempted to find something decent to listen to.
“You’re listening to Midnight Countdown on Mix 96.1. At number one are the hometown boys, PausePlay, with Hidden.”
I desperately tried to turn it up. That was our latest single. It came out 3 days ago and it was already number 1 in our hometown. I was so stoked. I started singing along with my recorded voice.
Watch out for Ms. Vicious/ Lips so lethal and luscious/ Eyes so daring and deadly/ Watch out, watch out, Ms. Vicious is after me/ Killer looks and fatal hooks/ Conceited to the core
My cell interrupted my celebration. It was one of our guitarists, Elliott.
“Hey Elliott.”
“Caden, where the hell are you? We’ve been trying to reach you for the past 2 hours! Why was your phone off? Are you okay?” Elliott rambled. He sounds really pissed. Maybe I should start telling people where I’m going.
“Dude, calm down. I’m fine. I’ll be home in a few minutes. I’ll tell you everything then. Bye.”
“You better hurry. Bye.”
I closed my phone and turned into my neighborhood. The band bought a house to stay at while we’re actually home. The only member who doesn’t live here is our lead guitarist, Mitchell. He has an apartment with his girlfriend nearby. Also, our rhythm guitarist, Elliott only stays here part-time. You could say he doesn’t really have a home and comes by only when there’s food around; freeloader.
The house has 4 bedrooms, but we made the master bedroom into a home studio.
I pulled into the packed driveway and got out. All of the lights were on inside. I guess the whole band was around.
“Idiots, I’m back!” I yelled from the entryway.
A blurry figure came from the around the corner and slammed into me full-force. I stumbled backward into the front door. The knob went into my back causing me to yell out in pain.
The figured jumped back and I realized it was our drummer, Brody. I didn’t know he could hit me that hard considering I’m 6’2” and he’s 5’8”. Brody was the prankster of the band and his birthday is, fittingly, April Fool’s Day.
“Caden, dude, you’re home! The guys are in the studio. Mitchell just recorded this crazy guitar solo. Elliott seems mad at you. What’d you do?” he managed in one breath.
I unclenched my fists. I could never stay mad at Brody. He was like the baby of the band, even if I’m the youngest.
“I’ll be back there in a few. I have to talk to Elliott first. He is definitely mad at me.”
“Okay, I’ll go tell him you’re here,” he skipped away, singing ‘Thriller’ at the top of his lungs.
I started to laugh. That kid was something else.
I went into the kitchen to drink some iced tea. If El smelled any alcohol when I talked, he’d be furious. Elliott is the band’s resident genius (Einstein). He’s pretty straight-laced and can’t stand any of us drinking. He’s every parent’s dream child.
I was still searching through the refrigerator when Elliott showed up, completely unannounced.
“Caden, where’ve you been?” I jumped and hit my head on the fridge shelf. I turned to see him leaning against the kitchen cabinet with a condescending look on his face. I’m definitely in for it.
“I was just out taking care of some things. I’m sorry I didn’t tell anyone and that I shut my phone off. It won’t happen again.” I felt like I was talking to my mom after coming home past curfew.
“Did you go see Delilah?”
I’m definitely screwed now. Delilah and Elliott are cousins. He never really liked us dating. After the ninth break up, he told me to stay away from her. I’m apparently a horrible influence.
“No, what makes you say that?” I was a good liar. Unfortunately, Elliott always knows when I’m lying.
“Maybe it’s the fact that she called me saying you showed up at her apartment completely wasted.”
“I was not wasted. It was a small buzz!” That was not the thing to say. Oh crap.
“Caden, I told you to leave her alone. Plus, you’re only 17. You shouldn’t be drinking at all. What is wrong with you?” he started to stare me down. I may be 3 inches taller, but he can be a scary guy.
“Nothing is wrong with me.” There I go lying again. “I’m sorry that I miss her. I know drinking is bad. You told me last week. Can we just drop it?” I didn’t mean to sound so bitter.
“Fine, but please don’t let it happen again. Come on, the guys are in the back.”
I followed him into the studio. Brody was messing with the controls while Mitchell and our bassist, Connor, dueled it out in the booth. By the sound of it, Mitch was winning.
“Caden, he’s beaten all our asses. You have to beat him so his head doesn’t get any bigger.” Brody looked at me in all seriousness.
“Fine, hand me a guitar.”
I had just finished tuning my guitar when the door to the sound booth flew open. An irritated Connor walked into the room.
“It’s not fair. No one can freaking beat him!” he ranted.
Connor flopped into a chair. His long blonde hair flew everywhere. I found his annoyance hilarious.
“I guess it’s my turn to get my ass kicked,” I mumbled.
I walked into the booth and sat across from Mitch; guitarist extraordinare. I already knew I was going to lose, but what the hell.
“Mitch.”
“Caden.”
“Are you ready to disgrace my playing?”
“You know it.”
I started out playing a riff I learned a few weeks ago. He easily topped it. This went on for the next 6 tries. At this point, I was pulling riffs out of the sky. I really didn’t feel like losing.
Lately, nothing had been going my way and I didn’t want to add this to the list.
I just played probably the best riff of my life and I have no idea how. Mitch couldn’t possibly top that.
I saw worry flash through his eyes. I was going to win. I was going to beat Mitch Almighty!
I was so pumped and then… he blew my ears away. He just played the greatest guitar part ever and I lost, again. I threw down my guitar and stormed to my bedroom. Everyone just watched me leave.
I was acting like a spoiled brat, but I had the right to. I just got dumped by the love of my life for being an idiot. Said love never wants to see me again. I haven’t heard from my dad in almost 2 years. My gerbil died last week. My mom kicked me out and wants nothing to do with me…
To put it simply, life was a total bitch and Mitch beating me just sent me over the edge.
I dug around my room for my iPod. I found it in a shoe I wore yesterday. How it got there, I’ll never know. I turned it on and zoned out for the next 6 hours.
I hope you all like it so far. This is pretty much an introduction to the characters. Please review and leave your opinion. I want to know what you think.
Please don't take any band names that you may see in this story. Also, the lyrics are mine. I wrote them. If you want to complain about them, complain to me. If you want to use them, ask me. The answer will probably be no but it depends on why you want them.
Natalie.