“I know, but we did suck.”
They go back and forth arguing. I cross my eyes at Raven, which makes her laugh. I chuckle, too. Sometimes when they argue, I feel like my brain is melting.
“I was thinking about something,” Raven says loud enough to quiet them down. “But I’m not sure you’re going to like it.”
They stop arguing and all of us look at her.
She pushes some hair behind her ear. “What do you say about performing one of my songs? Notthatone, but I wrote a song a while ago that I think might be good for you guys. I’ll need to make some minor changes, but it shouldn’t take too long.”
The guys and I exchange a glance. Beck has the biggest grin I’ve ever seen on his face. He rushes over to Raven, grabs her by the waist, and spins her around. “This girl is amazing!”
She laughs, her cheeks red. He sets her down, then dashes back to the drums.
“Thanks, Raven,” I say. “It’s really nice of you to offer. Do you mind telling us what it’s about?”
“Yeah, it’s about friendship.”
I grin. “Sounds perfect. I can’t wait to see it.”
The others nod in agreement, cheering.
Since the song isn’t ready yet, the guys, Raven, and I spend some time choosing one to play in the meantime. It’s one we’vedone before, but we’re changing it to sound more like our style. This is all for fun. It’s about being young and carefree. We don’t record ourselves or post it online.
I grab hold of the mic as I belt out the words, making the tone in my voice higher or lower, just having fun with the song. It’s the kind that you can play around with and make your own.
My legs take me to Raven, where I dip my head and whisper the softer tones of the song. Raven smiles in such an adorable way that it makes my heart soar.
“Sing with him!” Beck yells as he strikes his drums.
Raven’s eyes are wide and she shakes her head. “I can’t sing.”
“It’s okay,” I tell her. “You don’t have to.”
I continue singing the song, dancing my way back to the guys. That makes Raven and the others laugh.
“Such a goof!” Jasper says.
“Takes one to know one.”
The song ends with Beck slamming his sticks on the drums. Raven claps. “That was so much fun.”
The guys and I bow.
“You really have a nice voice, Kylen,” she says, giving me a sweet smile. “And the rest of you sound great, too.”
“Thanks,” we say.
“You guys want to go at it again?” I ask them.
They agree, Beck gives us a beat, and we start playing and singing. This time, we’re even crazier than before, going faster, louder. I can hear the beat bouncing off the walls. I’m loving this so, so much. So are the guys, and it looks like Raven is enjoying herself as well.
When we’re at the peak of the song, the light suddenly turns off.
We stop and look toward the doorway and find Principal Harrington standing there along with a few teachers who are in charge of clubs or other after-school activities.
“Sorry, were we too loud?” I ask. She told us when we asked for permission to use this room that she’d only allow it if we promised not to be too noisy.
She steps into the room. “I received some complaints, yes. I don’t want to shut you boys down, but it’s important you adhere to the rules.”
