Misfits

‘I hope you know the rules that on joining this band.’ The manager informed me. ‘We will be checking up on you’s every month to see how you are all getting a long and if you can’t work things out after three months we will transfer you to another group.’ He explained. I sat there nodding at him as I felt my heart beating out of my chest. I hope I remember everything he said. I was so nervous.

He handed me some folders of forms I needed to fill out during the week and gave me the address to the place I’d be staying, then lead me into the rehearsal space where I was I was to meet the people I’ll be working with.

‘Fourth times a charm am I right?’ The man joked as he came through the door talking to a group of men sitting around a coffee table.

‘This is Mayuko, she will be working with you’s for the next three months as a trial, this time I did check her music background she shares similar styles and even has a Hollywood undead tattoo.’ He laughed trying to lighten the mood. I couldn’t help but just look at the floor though.

‘These are the boys you’ll be working with miss Ayuzawa.’ He said as he got my attention. ‘This is Jason williams.’ He said pointing at one of the men who had his good up, dark brown hair from what I can see and he was bent over with his elbows on him knees. He wore a blue hoodie and denim jeans. Quite casual.

‘Christopher Wilson beside him.’ He said pointing at the man beside him. He gave me a friendly smile and waved giving me a little ‘hey!’ He had brown hair, white shirt on and denim jeans on as well. I also noticed some tattoos running down his arms. I mouthed ‘hey’ back to him too shy to actually speak.

‘The one beside him is Dean Cassidy’

‘Sup girl!’ He greeted with a cheeky smile. Again with the brown hair, I think he has highlights too. He was wearing a shirt and black jeans. A big difference to the first two.

‘Then there’s Zack Stephens.’

‘Hello, nice to meet you.’ He greeted. He sounded older than the rest of them and looked older. He had dark brown hair, quite short and spiked up. He wore a tracksuit. I was shocked to see him dress in a track suit. But I didn’t judge. Of course it was Nike.

‘And the last one there is Max Campbell.’ The last one there looked about my age. He had wavy brownish, blondish hair that fell everywhere and wore dungarees and a fluffy jumper under it. He gave me the biggest smile and wave when his name was called out. Made me smile.

‘Nice to meet you all. Hope we can get along for the next three months.’ I said unsure of how to start the conversation.

‘Well, I’ll leave you all head to get to know each other.’ The manger said as he gave me a smile to make his leave.

I stood there awkwardly after he shut the door as Jason and Christopher started playing a card game and the rest starting a conversation amongst each other.

I got lost in thought as I stood there awkwardly thinking about it everything got to my apartment safely from the hotel and how I’ll make enough money to pay it off, that I didn’t notice max coming up from behind me.

‘Hi Mayuko!’ He shouted happily at me causing me to jump. ‘Oh sorry didn’t mean to startle you!’ He said happily.

‘It’s okay, I am a very scarce person is all.’ I laughed. ‘Max is it?’ I asked.

‘Yup! It’s nice to meet you! Have you been in L.A long?’ He asked me. I shook my head and laughed slightly. ‘First week here actually, went I visit an old friend from here to see how he’s doing. He told me I shouldn’t have come here but I didn’t have much of a choice.’ I explained.

Max’s smile suddenly faded as I said that and he nodded. ‘People change for the worst here, it’s very dangerous is all I’ll say.’ His voice changed into a deeper pitch than before.

‘Sorry did I say something wrong?’ I worried as I jumped back. I felt really bad.

‘No, no you didn’t say anything bad!’ He assured me as he went back to his happy persona. ‘The manager told me we had a lot in common like videos games and movies, is that true?’ He asked not being specific at all.

I let out a laugh and put on my usual happy childlike persona. ‘I don’t know, but I do have a lot of interests! We can go through games and movies we like! It’ll be fun! Dress up in onesie and binge on sweets!’

His face lit up when I said that and he nodded happily!

‘Yes please!! I would love that!!! You’re like another me!!!’ He said happily as he threw his hands up. It made me so happy to know I was getting along with at least one member.

We set up one of the computers and started searching up movies and we both settled on the greatest showman.

We basically talked the way through it but it was fun to share so much interest with someone.

‘Hey you two!’ A voice spoke up from behind us. I looked back to see Christopher standing behind us with a sweet smile.

‘You two gonna get up and rehearse or are you two gonna sit around all day doing nothing?’ He joked. He had such a soft friendly voice to him that eased down my nerves a lot having to work with them. I gave a nod and apologised for slacking off and he just gave me a warm smile.

‘No need to apologise, I’m happy to see maxxy smiling.’ He said as he rubbed the top of Max’s head.

It warmed my heart to see how much they got along and I felt bad intruding on their close relationships but I guess it had to be done.

We chose our first song and I was happy enough with it, it was a duo. Myself and Jason has the vocals for it so I was quiet nervous having to sing with someone who is so talented.

I took down my part and highlighted the parts I needed learnt for the next day as everyone took down the chords they needed. After that everyone made a plan to meet into two days for rehearsals and then we all left.

I was the last to leave along with Jason, he barely looked at me the whole day so I assumed he just didn’t like having a new person in the group, didn’t blame him to be honest, I’m not one to like changes either.

‘Thank you for welcoming me into the band.’ I spoke up after a king awkward silence from packing up and leaving the room. He didn’t respond so I put my head down and remained quiet.

‘If you dare hurt Max, I swear you won’t live to see tomorrow.’ He threatened.

I looked over at him shocked.

‘What? I would never hurt him! He’s so sweet!’ I tried to defend myself but all I got was a glare.

‘I don’t trust you, and I don’t like how Max and Chris just welcomes you in and trusts you so quickly, we didn’t even want a chick in the group, you’ll take us down.’ Jason spat. The words cut through me like a knife but I kept calm.

‘I’m sorry you feel that way…’ I whispered.

All of a sudden I felt a sudden sharpness on my cheek. I screamed out in pain. ‘What the hell?’ Jason has after slapping me.

‘I don’t want anything to do with you, it’s my band.’ He growled at me. Out of pure frustration I punched him in the gut, something I’ve learnt through out the years with ex’s. He let out a painful gasp and I immediately felt guilty.

I slowly backed away towards the exit crying.

‘I’m sorry… I’m so sorry… I don’t know what came over me…’ he gave me one more death glare and I turned go run. My taxi was already outside so I just hopped in giving him the location to my apartment block.

I don’t know how I’m going to live that down the next day. Way to go Mayu, first day and you’ve already fucked up.

I slammed my head against the back seat of the taxi as I tried not to cry.

Gosh I hated myself for that.

But what was I to do?