Chapter 0010

I scuffed my way toward the music hall, dragging my skateboard behind me and half dreading to go there because I was supposed to "practice" with Dylan. I ran my hands through my short blonde hair that reached just below my chin and sighed wearily.

When I reached the music room, I turned the doorknob kind of expecting everyone to throw daggers my way like they had done yesterday. Although when I walked in, I saw them occupied with their practices. The room was echoing with voices and clamouring of instruments. I was about to take a corner of the room and wait there to stay unnoticed when Bethany met me halfway through.

"Rach!" She exclaimed cheerily. I noticed her best friends Serena and Ashley weren't present in the room. And did she just call Rach?! I thought, startled.

"Hey Bethany," I greeted her with a small wave. "Where's Dylan?" I asked, when I couldn't spot him in the room either. I was not much surprised because people like him try to procrastinate as much as they can and then would want to make a grand entry. No one knows, right?

"I am so sorry, Rachel," Bethany apologized and I looked at her skeptically. "This might come off as disappointing to you but Dylan couldn't make it," she said with a sad pout.

He couldn't make it? I thought.

"Not just that. He also told me to tell you that he won't be sitting for any of the practices or rehearsals because he's got some "work" to do," she said, annoyed and rolled her eyes when she uttered 'work'. "Although, don't you worry. He said he'll make it on the day of competition so I don't think that would be a problem."

"Yeah but..." I trailed off, looking uncertain. "I mean, aren't singers and musicians supposed to sit together and do that jamming stuff?" I asked her, gesticulating my hands around wildly. I must say, I wasn't in the least bit disappointed. At least, I didn't have to sit with him. But this, not practicing is not good either.

"Yes, I know. I told him the exact same thing but that asshole was like, 'I don't think you'd want me to stop helping you by not playing for Rachel altogether, now would you?' so I had to give in. I mean, something is better than nothing... right?" Bethany tried to reason out with me. Her trying to mimic in a deep voice of her brother was as good as elephants trying to fly. Her guilt stricken face said that she wanted nothing more than to help.

"Yeah, it's okay, Beth. Besides, it's not your fault, really," I assured her with a smile.

"Hey, but I have a plan. You tell me the name of the song you're going to sing and I'll tell Dylan to listen to it. He will practice the guitar for the same at home," she suggested with a hopeful expression.

"Sure, that's a good idea. But... I haven't really decided what song I am gonna sing," I muttered, embarrassed and rubbed my neck awkwardly.

"What?!" She looked feral now and truth be said, I was really scared. "Are you crazy, Rachel?" Everybody looked at us and I wished for the ground to swallow me whole. I guess she must have noticed my hunched stance because she gave a harsh stare to everyone and they snapped back to whatever they were doing.

"Uh, why is that such a big deal?"

"It is a big deal, girl. This competition is not a small thing like you're thinking it is. Please, don't take it lightly because the three winners in this competition will be asked to participate at national level amongst the other high school winners. Then, out of all those contestants, again the final three will be extracted. These winners will be asked to work with the most iconic singers in the industry including our judges for this competition. Select a song and do it as quickly as possible. Everyone here is already practicing which ultimately means they have selected a song."

Her words hit me like a moving truck. Singing at the national level? Wow! She had not given me this piece of information before. I have less than almost six days and here I was clueless about what song I would be singing.

"Also, I forgot to say this but you need to tell me your selected song right now because I have to record it in the registration list and submit it off to the admin department of our school." Bethany crossed her arms across her chest and tilted her face to the side as if analysing me.

"Uh..." All my mind could conjure up was Taylor Swift and how beautiful she is. How admiring she is. How much she has actually, in an indirect way inspired me to sing. How much her reputation album is relatable to me in ways more than anyone could fathom. And that's when it clicked me. One of my favourite songs in the album and how much it always reminds me of someone. "Gorgeous! Yes, Gorgeous! Yeah I got it. OMG, it's gonna be Gorgeous! Definitely Gorgeous! Gorgeous is-" I said, clicking my fingers the entire time I was speaking but Bethany cut me off.

"Yes, yes. I get it. It's gorgeous. All right." She said while doing the calm down gestures with her hands. Her face was plastered with a smile but I could tell that she was annoyed. "Gorgeous it is then, Taylor Swift," she said jokingly and I grinned at her. I love it when people call me Taylor. I feel like I am just as generous as her. Excusing herself, she scurried to the seats and rummaged through her bag for something. She came back with a pad and paper which I think was probably the registration list. She scribbled something on her paper and announced, "Done."

"Okay. So I was wondering if I need to wait or can I leave? You know, because Dylan's not here and all?" I asked expectantly.

"Sure, whatever floats your boat, Rachel."

"I mean, I wasn't just talking about today." I chuckled nervously. "Other days as well?"

This seemed to catch her attention immediately and her face brightened up like a Christmas kid. "I don't mind as long as you're partaking in this competition. But one suggestion - do practice at your home, okay?" She warned me but there was something in her eyes. Something that I couldn't quite pinpoint. An evil glint, perhaps? Or was I imagining things?

"Th-thanks," I blinked my eyes and shook my head to ignore the look in her eyes. Of course, it was just my imagination and I didn't want to think much about it. "Guess, I'll take my leave then." I released an unsure laugh.

"Sure. Take care, Rach." Bethany smiled which looked almost like a smirk but nobody could see it unless they're close enough. She went back to her belongings and I turned around to leave. Just when I was about to exit the music room, I heard something. Something that could destroy people's eardrums. It was so callous that I almost flinched at the sound.

Hastily, I looked toward my right to see a girl practicing but her voice didn't have any melody. She was singing as if reciting a poetry mundanely. She was tone deaf. My eyes widened and jaw slackened when I realised almost everyone were the same. Tone deaf. They can't sing. How didn't I notice this earlier?

A harsh reality came crashing down on me and I felt like someone had squeezed my lungs for I couldn't breathe. My hands were shaking with an unknown feeling. Except for a guy and two girls, everyone present here was trying too hard to sound euphonious but it was pointless.

What is Bethany doing? I moved my eyes to look at her but she was busy strumming her guitar. What is the lizard going on here? Is she crazy? Is she doing this purposely? But why?

I closed my mouth and cleared my throat. It wasn't my place to ask her because she's an in charge of this competition. Maybe Bethany took them because she thought they deserved a chance even when they can't sing too well. Not probably, surely. Yes, she surely selected them because she felt bad for them. Which makes me want to ask myself, Did she feel sorry for me too? No, she didn't. Of course she knows that I can sing. But how would she know that I sing too?