Chapter 1
It’s a normal school day so I get out of bed and take a shower. After taking my time, I get dressed and put on some light makeup. Then I make my way down to the kitchen with the smell of pancakes in my nose.
“Morning honey. Slept good?”
My mom notices my arrival and turns around to give me a smile. I smile back.
“Morning mom. Yes, quite good. You?”
She nods. Turning back to the pan.
“I also slept well. Anything interesting going on in school today? Any tests?”
I think a second before answering.
“Nope, nothing special except that Shadowbeats is making a small concert at lunch break.”
She places the plate of steaming pancakes in front of me and a jar of jam next to it, together with a cup of chocolate milk.
I smile at her thankfully and start eating.
“So why does this band play in your school?”
My mom gets herself a plate and sits across from me, curious about the new formed band I’m obsessed with recently.
“Well, they’re all from my school. They formed in the music club and got along so great that they just started to be a real thing. And the school wants to support that.”
She nods, taking a fork full of her pancakes.
“And? How are they? Any good?”
I laugh at my mom.
“Yes they’re amazing. I really like them. Their music feels like magic.”
I lower my head.
“I wish I could be like them...”
I feel my mom’s hand over mine, making me look up into her smiling face.
“Honey, you are really great. I often hear you sing in your room.”
I fake smile at her, hoping she would buy it.
She and Zoe keep telling me that but they’re just trying to be nice about it. They don’t want to hurt me.
I look up at the clock. It’s 6.35. My bus comes in 10 mins.
I get up and clean my plate before grabbing my bag. After putting on my shoes, I give my mom a hug.
“See ya later, mom.”
“See ya, sweety.”
She waves to me as I walk to the bus stop.
I put on my headphones and let Shadowbeats play. They’re just a small thing right now but my school let them use the studio to make a CD to give to the students.
While sitting on the small wall, waiting for the bus to arrive, I see Liam strolling around the corner.
He’s the lead singer of Shadowbeats and my neighbour. His smile is angelic and I wish I would have the courage to talk to him. But I don’t.
He probably doesn’t even know, I’m going to the same school or that I live next to him.
As I arrive at school, I head to my locker. Someone jumps at me from behind, making me squeak as I crush into the wall of lockers head on.
“Ow...”
I hold my head, rubbing it so the pain goes away.
“Sorry...”
A small voice from behind me speaks up and I turn around to her.
“Yeah you should be. What if I’m even more stupid than I already am now?”
We start laughing and hugging.
“Morning Zoe.”
“Morning Emily.”
We grab our books and head to our class.
“Already excited for Shadowbeats?”
Zoe asks me, nudging my shoulder.
“Yeah. I really love them. I hope they will come out really great in the music biz.”
She nods, agreeing. We both like them.
It’s finally time for lunch so we head to the auditorium where the 3 boys prepare everything on stage. Almost the entire school is here so it’s getting a little crowded.
As they finish preparations, Liam takes the mic.
“Hey guys. Thanks for coming. Hope you enjoy yourselves.”
He smiles brightly and he and the others exchange nods. Then they start.
Kyle gives the beat on the drums. Soon after Luke starts on the bass, followed by Liam with his E guitar and his angelic voice.
After they play 2 songs, they lay down their instruments as clapping and cheering fills the hall.
“Thanks for your support. We really are happy to play for you guys.”
They smile and then Liam starts again, his smile not leaving his face.
“Also. We are currently looking for a second voice. So if you’re interested or you know someone, we’re here on sunday.”
Loud chatting starts after Liam's announcement.
“Alright! Break’s over! Into your classes!”
A teacher’s voice rings through and everyone scatters out of the hall.
After school I return home with Zoe. We often do homework together.
“Hello girls. How was school?”
My mom smiles at my friend and me after we come into the house.
“Really great! Shadowbeats were amazing!”
We swoon over the little concert longer than it was, my mom listening to every word.
Afterwards we head up to my room to sit down on the math homework.
Zoe looks up from her books to me.
“Hey Emily. You’re gonna try?”
I give her a confused look.
“You know. Shadowbeats.”
My eyes widen. Is she serious? I would never even consider. I’m too bad.
I laugh it off.
“Yeah. Sure. Not.”
She frowns.
“Why not Emily? You’re good! And they’re looking for a second voice! You play the same guitar Liam has and you sing real good!”
I shake my head, looking down.
“No way. I’m not embarrassing myself in front of them. I’m not what they’re looking for...”
Zoe gets up from the ground and puts her hands on her hip.
“Oh? How do you want to know? You should try!”
I shake my head.
“Why not?”
I get annoyed. She doesn’t get it. Ugh.
“Emily?”
I didn’t notice, I sat up and clench my arms over my chest.
Zoe comes over to me and sits down.
“Emily. What’s wrong?”
No point in hiding it from her so I gather my little courage.
“I... I’m scared... I’m not as good as you make it out to be and...”
She patiently waits for me to continue, patting my shoulder.
“I’m just not confident enough. I don’t want to embarrass myself in front of Liam...”
She turns me towards her, her face serious.
“Emily. You’re the one who’s wrong. We have known each other for years. You’re selling yourself too short. You’re good, I swear.”
I give her a weak smile when there’s a knock on the door.
“Dinner’s ready, girls.”
We nod at each other and head down to the kitchen. After eating Zoe goes home and I go back to my room.
Not wanting to think about all of this anymore, I open my window and look into the dark night for a bit.
I notice the light in Liam’s room being on. Our rooms are at the same level, so if I would want to, I could stalk him.
I laugh to myself at the thought of me being a creep with binoculars.
I stop as I hear a creaking sound and duck. Carefully looking at what it was.
Liam opened his window and did the same I did a minute ago.
Wow now I really am a creep.
I shake my head and crawl to the side of the window to get up. Then I head to my switch and turn on Just Dance.
I like dancing. As long as nobody watches.
I turn on my playlist and start dancing, forgetting all the worries I had before.
