Page 32 of Doc Rock
She had always played acoustic guitar; she loved music and had written a million songs. But the Christmas after she firstwatchedFord and the boys rehearsing, she asked for an electric guitar.
She wanted him to pay attention to her, and if he wasn’t going tonoticethat she was a girl—which he definitely didn’t—then she wanted him to view her as an equal.
Mai sat in her seat, staring straight ahead, ignoring the three band members as the other boys auditioned. They weren’t asgood as her, although that was no guarantee; maybe they didn’t want a girl in the band.
“Thanks, everyone, for coming.”Ford was always the frontman and spoke for the band. Even as a gangly sixteen-year-old kid, he was charismatic.“We’re going to have a chat and make a decision, so meet us back here in an hour.”
The five other guys glared at her as they all strutted out. Mai ignored their mutters and the daggers they shot at her and followed them outside, sitting on a wall, relaxing in the sun while she waited for the decision to be made.
Whenit wastime to go back in,it wasclear from the way the other boys stood with their backs to her that they'd decided to unite in their hatred. Rolling her eyes, she took a chair behind the idiots.
Ford swaggered onto the stage with Scotty and Joel.
“Thanks, guys. You’ve all played brilliantly, and we’ve struggled with the final decision. At the moment, it’s between Ryan and Sie. Thanks to the rest of you.”
Therewas murmuring, and shesawa couple of the boys patting Ryan on his back. The same Ryan who, in six years’ time, would take her spot in Midnight Thunder, and in twenty-two years’ time, she would revive from a drug overdose—and he wouldn’t have a clue that she was the girl who had once taken‘his spot’.
“We’d like to do a few songs with each of you.Seehow you gel with the band.”Ford nodded to the other two.
Scotty took his position at the drums, and Joel grabbed his bass guitar.
“Ryan, we’llgetyou up first,”Ford said into the microphone he stood behind.
Mai sighed.Of course they would.They were bound to pick a boy over her.
But she didn’t let her disappointment show. She sat cooly, channelling her unfazed inner Rock Goddess.
Ryan swaggered up to the stage, throwing her a smug look designed to show that he was meant to bethereand she had no chance. They picked a song that they allknew, and Scotty counted them in with his drumsticks.
Mai watched critically.
Ryan was good, but he didn’tgelwith the band. He tried to overpower them rather than elevating them as a whole. Adding extra riffs where the song didn’t need them, showing off his skills on the guitar—which Mai would admit were great—instead of ensuring that, as a group, they sounded their best.
ShenoticedFord getting a little frustrated as he went to sing a couple of times and couldn’t, because Ryan was still playing an unnecessary riff. They did four songs together, with the band obviously hoping Ryan would work it out, but he didn’t.It wasvery clear he was on the stage for one thing only. Himself.
“Thanks, Ryan. That was great,”Ford said, and Maicouldhearthe lie in his voice when he complimented the other boy.
Ryan strutted off the stage, throwing her a smug grin which she completely ignored. Instead, she picked up her guitar and walked up to join the band.
“We’ll do the same four songs so we can compare,”Ford told her.
Mai nodded and didn’t say anything, merely plugged her guitar in, taking her position. Scotty counted them in, and they were off.
Itfeltso easy to play with them. She instinctivelyknewwhen to give it a little more and when to back off and let the other members of the band shine.
Looking out to the audience of one, shesawRyan’s face grow more and more sour the longer they played. She allowed herself to smile then.
He wasn’t so smug anymore.
When they finished, sheknewthe position should be hers.
Taking her guitar off, she walked back to the uncomfortable plastic chairs and took a seat, watching the three boys on stage whisper to each other.
Ryan’s glare burned into the back of her head, but she didn’t turn around. She didn’t let himknowthat he affected her in any way.
It wasn’t long before Ford stepped away from the other two and spoke. “Thanks, both of you. You’re incredible guitar players.”
MaiheardRyan fidgeting in his seat, but she didn’t move.She was an ice queen.Even if she wasn’t chosen, she wouldn’t let themseeher upset.
