References: There are mentions of Vouge magazine, Paramore, Brick by Boring Brick and Taylor Swift.
My head pounded painfully as my body willed itself into consciousness. I didn't feel like waking up, though, as I felt the cool and clean-smelling sheets underneath me.
Wait. My room doesn't smell like this. It smells of fresh paint.
My reverie quickly went away as my eyes flew open in comprehension of my surroundings. My ears detected a conversation not too far away from where I was situated, and I could feel panic rising within me.
Great, my second panic attack of the day. I roughly estimate that my life has been shortened by about twenty years now.
My slowly rising panic abated, however, as I remembered with a sudden flash what happened before I ended up here. I had been with the Lightning Devils, and my new friend, Gabriel, and Jay had provoked me into singing.
I don't remember much after that.
I picked up the conversation, which was becoming clearer and sounded a lot closer by the second, followed by a light clicking of heels and a lot of feet-shuffling.
"So, you're saying Jayden and Leon pulled her off somewhere without letting her eat anything?" a lilting female voice asked.
"Yes, miss. They were desperate," a familiar male voice confirmed, "So is that why she fainted? I mean, because she didn't eat any lunch?"
Waitaminit. I fainted? Is that it?
I heard what seemed like a cross between a chuckle and a snicker, before another voice said, "I thought she fainted because of me. I must say, this is the first time that a girl has fainted when I'm not performing,"
That voice sounded familiar. It somewhat awakened my senses of irritation and tiredness.
"Don't get too full of yourself, Jay," a British-accented voice said, "You know it's your fault for stealing that muffin Gabriel gave her,"
Stealing that muffin? Now that I think about it, the reason as to why I blacked out is kind of embarrassing. A muffin, imagine that. Is this how far I've degraded myself?
I sat up from the bed, pain hitting me in multiple directions. I winced as I rubbed the bruised areas on my arms and head.
Note to self: Never have fainting fits ever again. They're inconvenient and painful.
"Hey!! Look who's woken from her cat-nap!" Jay exclaimed delightedly. Another lame pun?
Hardeharhar. He is so funny.
"I would kindly remind you to refer to me as Kaitlyn," I said as the Devils and Gabriel – Hah. Now that's funny. Devils? Gabriel the angel? Geddit? Shoot, now his lameness is rubbing off on me. - led inside, a pretty young woman with red hair following them.
The woman came up to me and prodded my head gently. "Where does it hurt?" she asked, "Do you need any aspirins for a headache?"
I managed a wan smile at the woman as I scanned the name tag on the pocket of her white coat. Evie Summers, School Nurse.
"If I had an aspirin for every headache I had today, I would've OD-ed by now,"
Ms. Summers laughed as she helped me stand up from the bed. My legs wobbled, and before I could fall again, Jay caught me with his arms.
I must say, we ended up in a very awkward position.
No, not that kind of position, you pervs.
Jay and I ended up in a position where you would think that two people who love each other very much are hugging. In other words, an embrace. I shudder to think of that.
God, what did I ever do wrong to make you do this to me? Was it the time when I once painted every single leaf of my mom's apple tree with blue paint? I just thought it would attract fairies. I was six, okay?
Or was it the time when I accidentally kicked a senior where it hurts the most? It was partly his fault! I was substitute cheering when he thought he'd come over to flirt with the senior girls even though he perfectly knew well that we were still doing our routine!
I'm not going to lie. Jay doesn't smell like sweat or dirt or whatever guys are supposed to smell like. He just smells like faint cologne. Well, that's a surprise. I pegged him for the type who hate men toiletries, despite his obvious vanity and big-headedness.
It was only very much later when I realized that I had been in Jay's arms for more than I should've been. I quickly withdrew, and Jay's face had the hugest smirk I have ever seen in my whole life. Then, under no intention, I let out a piercing scream.
"PERRRRRVEEEEEEERTT!!!"
Jay backtracked a little, as my voice went a few decibels higher than a normal pair of ears could withstand. And I thought he was a rock star in the making.
"Save that for later, would you?" Tyson complained.
"Kaitlyn," Ms. Summers said, a firm tone in her voice, "Please refrain from overexerting yourself again."
"Well, Ms. Summers," Leo added in conversationally, "If you would be so kind as to sign permission slips for us and excuse us for the rest of the school day to bring Kaitlyn out for a lunch and bring her home to rest?"
Ms. Summers seemed to be considering it. Please say no say no say no say no...
"Well, as long as you pay for it, Leon, and Jayden too. Both of you are at fault here," Ms. Summers went into her office to get slips for the seven of us.
I SAID SAY NO DAMNIT!
"Ms. Summers!! I don't wanna go home!! I can just eat after school!!" I called after the nurse hastily.
"Hey, just leave it, will you?" Jordan asked, blocking the way to her office, "You can skip for today's remaining lessons plus get a free meal,"
Well, he is right.
I glared at Jay, hate emitting out of me in great auras. Jay caught my look. "What? You seemed pretty comfortable," he pointed out, "And a lot of girls would've killed to be in your shoes,"
"Well, as I said before, I am not one of those girls," I reminded him, my patience fraying, "And I absolutely did not enjoy it. I would rather go hug a statue of Barney,"
Jay wore an injured look. "Kitty, how could you say that to a person who-,"
"Made me late for school? Put me in the teacher's black list? Stalked and eavesdropped on me? Stole my lunch then dragged me off somewhere?" I cut him off, "Now that I think about it, you owe me more than a free meal and no lessons for the day, buddy, but I'll take it,"
Gabriel chuckled as he took my arm. "C'mon, Kaitlyn. We'll go get our bags," he urged.
"Oh no you don't," Jay took my other arm.
I am feeling a serious sense of déjà vu here.
I shook off their hands. "I am not a toy to be tug-of-war-ed. I'll go alone,"
Jay sulked as he gave Gabriel a dirty look. "Why are you here anyway? You're not even a part of the band,"
Gabriel smiled enigmatically, his eyes sweeping briefly over to Lance, who was, as usual, reading a book. That's odd. The brief look, I mean, not the reading.
"Kaitlyn's my friend, and I do have to right to follow her," he looked over at me, "If you're fine with it," he added.
Fine? It's more than fine. Anything to keep me away from Jayden Stanford.
"No, it's fine. Just let me go get my own bag,"
I got the permission slip from Ms. Summers, then proceeded to get my backpack from my locker. It turns out that the Devils all have their lockers next to each others. I suspect that either Leo seduced the female admins to do it, or Jay must've snuck into the office and rigged the arrangements.
"So, where are we going?" I asked conversationally as we walked towards the car park.
Leo fished inside his pockets and retrieved a set of keys. "How does sushi sound?" he asked, as he pointed towards a row of cars and pressed the button thingy that people use to unlock and lock their cars from a distance.
I'm not really educated in the field of cars, if you must know.
"Um… sushi's fine," I mumbled, staring at all the cars in the lot, every single vehicle looked brand-new and high-class. "Wow."
"Nice," Gabriel commented with admiration as Leo stopped to open the passenger door of the jet-black van.
"Thank you, Gabriel," Leo looked at me, "Ladies first,"
I shook my head defiantly. "Only now you show me some basic chivalry," I said dryly, "But if I'm sitting anywhere with you guys, I'm sitting right next to either Gabriel or Lance,"
Jay stifled his laughter as he invited himself into the passenger seat that Leo had offered me while Leo himself looked at me injuredly. The other members of the Lightning Devils piled inside the spacious vehicle after I went inside, and I started squealing in excitement, as I assessed the interior.
"Are you English royalty or something?" I asked, looking at the plush seats. My eyes nearly bugged out at the sight of a mini flat-screen that Jordan had pulled out from the roof's interior, "Because only people who are ridiculously rich can afford a van like this. I thought only celebrities had these kind of cars!"
"Close enough," Leo said, grinning at he started up the engine, "Back in the UK, my family is of noble blood. My name's Sir Leon Griffin Alexander the Third. Our ancestors did have quite a fortune,"
Well, isn't he the modest one? "Really? 'Cause I thought-,"
"I'm kidding," Leo chuckled as the corner of his eyes crinkled in mirth, "I can't believe you actually believed that for a second,"
I glared at him; it's a pity looks can't kill. "You suck," I sniffed, tossing my head pompously away from him.
Jay turned back to look at us. "Well, my family's not nobility, but my great-grandparents have...kitty? Are you listening?"
I ignored Jay's words as I stared above me. "Is that a sun protector?" I asked in fascinated wonder.
"Yes, Kaitlyn," Leo nodded as he backed the van out of the lot.
"Does that mean I can stick my head out of the roof?" I asked hopefully.
"Do you want to?"
"Hell yeah!"
-
Very soon, Leo pulled into a parking lot in front of this huge Asian-looking building. I didn't notice that the time had passed by so quickly, because I had been enjoying the view of the town. Sure, I did see parts of it from the airport to Aunt Elle's place, but seeing it from inside the car isn't as exciting as the view from the sunroof, right?
Jay had been trying to talk to me about the gig later, but I had been too engrossed with the pretty houses that looked like they came out from a picture book to listen to him.
I think I heard a few words here and there.
We crossed the miniature bridge that was erected over a small moat/pond that was built around the huge restaurant. I looked over the rails to watch the koi fishes in the pond with Gabriel as Leo talked with the maitre d' stationed at the podium at the entrance who was dressed in a traditional kimono.
"Irrashai mase, Mr. Alexander. How may I help you?" I heard the maitre d' greet Leo in a perfectly accented Japanese voice. I curiously looked over to see that instead of an Asian guy, it was a dark-haired guy who looked more European than Japanese.
Dang. The management here must train their staff pretty damn well. The most extravagant sushi restaurant in where I previously lived didn't even have staff that could speak proper Japanese greetings with proper accents.
"Afternoon, Sebastian. I'd like to have a table for seven people. We're here for a light lunch," Leo replied smoothly. He must be a regular patron here or something. Rich-ass.
"So, kitty," Jay said as we settled at a table with chairs instead of the low tables I had seen in the other rooms, "While we're having our meal, I'd like you to tell us your life story,"
"My life story in exchange for a free meal?" I asked suspiciously, "But the reason why you brought me here is because you nearly killed me."
"I'm intrigued by you. A seventeen-year-old girl with a rebellious image suddenly popping up late into the school year and has a voice. Bound to make a good story," he replied, "And besides, you're not just gonna die from that. Stop being paranoid, will you?"
"You have such a boring life," I commented cheerfully, "But fine, it's not like I have much to say anyway,"
Over the raw fish, sushi rolls and tempura, I poured my heart out to the guys as I told them how I used to live a upper-middle class fairy tale life before my parents decided to go to the 1000 Places To Visit Before You Die, and how I was now living with my aunt and sister. Okay, fine, I guess I did add a bit on my ex-friends.
"Wow," Tyson commented, "You must've had a lot of things to deal with, huh?"
"Oooh! Tempura ice-cream!" I exclaimed, as the waitress - also dressed in a kimono - set a bowl in front of me. "What? It's pretty normal. At least now I know that my friends back home weren't serious about our friendship."
"If my parents were going traveling, they'd bring my brothers and I along," Jordan put in.
I knew that Jordan had five brothers who were as handsome as he was. Two of them were twins, even. They must be as well-off as Leo's family. Don't ask me how I know. I just have my sources.
"Well, not everyone's born into a rich family," I said brightly as I stuck the spoon inside my mouth. Ah...ice cream. Well, that was two people who are stinking rich in the band now.
"And you always seem happy too," Tyson added, casting a skeptical glance at the plates in front of me, "You're the first girl I have ever met to not consider food as her enemy,"
I shrugged. "One: Life's short; and Two: I'm not always this happy,"
"I can attest to that," Jay said unnecessarily.
"By the way, isn't it nearly five?" I asked, glancing at the clock on the wall.
The others looked at the clock, but none of them looked panicked. I wonder why?
"Er...why aren't you rushing to pay the bill and running to the van to get to the park?" I asked.
"The thing actually starts at seven, but we thought we'd bring you over to a stylist that works for one of our dad's company," Tyson said, "Because you..."
Three people. Three filthy rich people. "...look incredibly out of place, especially when standing next to all of you?"
"Pretty much, yeah," Jordan grinned at me.
What?? Not everyone can have branded wardrobes, okay? The only existing brand I have in my room is probably the MacBook and iPod Nano that some rich ass CEO included as a party favor in a bag that my parents got at some party a few years ago and my Converse stuff. And I tell you, I had a very trying time acquiring some of the Converse stuff from thrift stores that I used to raid with my sister.
Come to think of it, that's about the only time where Genevieve and I really bonded and had each other's backs. The other times we were just about ready to kill each other.
Good times, good times. Moving on.
"What do you say, kitty?" Jay prompted.
"I have no choice," I sighed, standing up from the table, "You'll have to thank Gabriel later. It's only because of him I'm here,"
The boys carted me back to the van, which I learned was also the band's main mode of transportation due to its size, and drove uptown, where all the rich and famous of Sandfields lived. I couldn't help ogling at every single mansion we drove by, as it seemed like every building we passed, the houses just kept increasing in size.
Leo stoped the van in front of a stately residence, which had this extremely well-kept garden and the courtyard had the classic water-fountain-at-the-courtyard-with-a-roundabout thing going on. What century are we in again?
"Welcome to my humble abode," Tyson said with a grin as he slid the door of the van open.
Humble my ass. My idea of humble is the tiny apartment that my college-freshman cousin rents in California.
Inside Tyson's mansion, we were greeted by a very flamboyant man who looked like he was in his early twenties. He introduced himself as just Chace. No last names or whatever, because according to him, having a first name and surname was too 'stuffy' and 'businesslike'.
Apparently, he's a celeb stylist that the women of the Gyles family had poached at a fashion show in NYC. He had quite the looks, but let's just say he wasn't really my type.
"Tyson, mon chéri!" Chace cooed as he flounced towards us and kissed both of Tyson's cheeks, "I wasn't expecting you for another half-hour!"
Yeah. He's a homosexual.
"Plans changed, Chace," Jay said as he got his turn of the cheek-kissing.
Ew. Who would want to kiss...him?
Chace stopped to look at me. "Who is this...this..." he seemed to fail in finding words to describe me. Well, I've always thought that I was pretty hard to describe. "...this unfashionable, unmade-up creature who looks out of place among you!?"
I think I prefer to be indescribable.
"Here, let me introduce you. This is my kitty, Kaitlyn Hunter, and that noob-looking guy over there is Gabriel Lyndon," Jay offered helpfully.
"Lyndon?" Chace repeated as he cast a curious glance over Gabriel, who was squirming uneasily now, "Are you by any chance related to Chaz Lyndon?"
"Yeah," Gabriel mumbled, "He's my brother,"
Well, that's a surprise. I never knew Gabriel had a brother. He struck me as the only-child type.
"Fabuleux!" Chace exclaimed. Well, he's one happy person. "I absolutely love what he did with the models at the Winter Fashion Gala last year!"
"Er...yeah. It was pretty good, I guess." Gabriel agreed uncomfortably.
That's strange. Gabriel seems like he wants to avoid the subject of his brother. I wonder why?
"Chace, sorry to interrupt your chat, but I would like to ask of you to maybe work your magic on this lady?" Leo asked with a pleasant smile.
"All right, give me an hour and a half max, I'll have this girl looking from drab to glamoreux in no time,"
Gee, that was nice of him to say so. Until today, I thought I looked reasonably okay.
"Some of my team are in the other room, readying your clothes for you." Chace informed as he whisked me away from the band and Gabriel.
Chace dragged me to a huge wooden oak door and pushed it open, and I saw a highly-equipped salon station with a couple of women bustling about with their arms loaded with clothes.
"Girls!" Chace announced, "We have one and half hours to convert this fashion disaster into something presentable!"
Did I mention how bad does an insult bite?
I was literally chained to the beauty chair while a bunch of people plus Chace attacked my hair and face. I must've squealed in pain for about a million times as a brush poked me or when a pair of tweezers clamped onto my eyebrow. I was obstructed from the view of the mirror, so I couldn't see what they were doing to me. Good grief, these stylists can definitely beat a heavyweight champion in a martial arts duel, no problem.
I silently sent prayers to the Heaven above and silently cursed the guys minus Gabriel, who took no part in what was happening to me right now.
Exactly one hour later, Chace clapped his hands. "Okay! We're done with phase one and two! Station and ready yourselves for the final phase!"
The assistants automatically started towards a black door nearby, which I assumed had to be something to with the final phase. Chace sure knows how to make a person feel like a mutated experiment, huh?
Chace had a very satisfied look on his face as he surveyed his handiwork. "I'm a genius, if I say so myself," he commented delightedly. Well, he sure has no problems conveying his thoughts to people.
"Prepared to be ah-mazed," he announced as he stepped aside to let me have a proper look at the mirror.
I resent Chace for being rude about me earlier, but right now, the only thing I'm feeling for the man is: R-E-S-P-E-C-T.
I found myself staring at an extremely gorgeous girl, with the same hair color as mine, but instead of the previous cut it had before, it was now artfully layered. How he managed to do that in one hour, I would never know. The soft, glittering eyeshadow made her eyes look more hazel than just plain brown, and her lips were full and pouty, thanks to the wonders of lip liner and lip gloss. I shall never degrade make-up in future.
"I-is that me?" I gasped in disbelief. Damn. I looked, well, awesome.
"I didn't get the front cover feature on Vouge for nothing you know," Chace said placidly. "Well, time's a-wasting, let's get you dressed,"
So that was the final phase. Figures.
Chace pulled me through the black door and pushed me into a changing stall, throwing a pile of clothes at me. "Try these on,"
I fumbled with every article of clothing Chace gave me, but I somehow managed to work out which was which.
I think.
I tentatively stepped out, and Chace started clapping with hands and jumping up and down delightedly. "Wonderful! Magnifique! My best work yet!" he claimed.
To my utter disbelief, he threw the clothes that Ms. Summers gave to me to change into, into a wastepaper basket.
Who in their right mind tosses away perfectly good clothes into wastepaper baskets!? And when it's not even theirs to boot!?
"Hey!! Those were clothes I borrowed from the school!" I cried as I tried to retrieve them.
Chace held up a hand that held my Converse high-tops. "No worries, I'll give them a replacement set. I shall be sending my assistant over to your aunt's house. I have provided you with an updated wardrobe and shoes. Keep these sneakers, since I can see the future you wearing them despite my insistence," he ordered, "Yes, you shall now be able to go out looking presentable, instead of traipsing around in those nameless rags,"
Well, isn't he thoughtful?
The black door opened, and the Lightning Devils came in, with Gabriel who had apparently been caught and beautified - in male terms, of course - as well. Not that there was much to improve about Gabriel.
I watched as the members of the Lightning Devils and Gabriel took me in. Jordan had a sharp intake of breath. Leo and Tyson both just smiled at me. Lance took one look at me and his eyes widened before looking away.
Okay, so maybe I would've never actually worn what I was currently wearing, since I did have a limited allowance. Chace had given me a crimson button-up blouse that had long sleeves, which I had rolled up to arm-length and a black sleeveless vest to pull over it. My lower-body was clad in a black miniskirt with red leggings beneath and black Ugg boots which I thought were out-dated.
Now I know who put Ugg boots back in style.
"Well, you look prettier," Gabriel was the first one to speak. "You were pretty already, though,"
Awww. Gabriel's such a great friend. I love him!!
Not to be outdone, Leo gave me a flirty look. "I always knew you had the potential to shine. Beauty does lurk beneath the skin after all," he claimed heroically, "A spunky rebel or a timid little schoolgirl,"
Timid little schoolgirl? Leo actually...?
You know what? Let's just not go there.
Lance looked up at me again. "You're a very pretty girl, Kaitlyn," he said softly, "Even without the hair, make-up and clothes," Then he blushed. I didn't know rockers blushed, especially quiet, brooding ones with a small celtic cross tattooed onto his right bicep, which I just noticed when Lance came in, his shirt short-sleeved.
It was actually pretty cute; the blushing I mean.
Tyson patted Chace's back in approval. "You did good, Chace," he said appreciatively, "My sisters are gonna be sooo jealous of her,"
It was only after Chace had looked pointedly at Jay that I realized he was the only one who hadn't said anything at all. I waited for an insult or an ill-mannered sexually harassing comment from Jay, but he just kept quiet.
"Jay! I can't believe you call yourself the God among men when can't you at least compliment a beautiful lady when you see one!" Chace cried in exasperation.
My, my, Chace. Wasn't I just an unfashionable and unmade-up creature not too long ago?
Jay avoided my gaze as he turned towards the door. "Well, it's getting late, we have to go now," he said, "If we want to beat the traffic,"
Chace shook his head, obviously not pleased with Jay. He patted my cheek and gave me a pep talk. "I heard from Tyson that they had problems getting you into their band,"
Now I know boys gossip like old women.
"Do your best, all right? The boys worked hard for their reputation," Chace finished. That was rather uncharacteristic and charitable of him, if I say so myself.
I nodded before going after the boys.
-
It wasn't long before I realized that they hadn't told me what I would be singing.
"What am I supposed to sing?" I asked them as I sat between Lance and Gabriel -whom, according to Leo, was taking his position as a manager since I liked him so much, so why not?- as I had said earlier this afternoon.
"Are you familiar with Paramore?" Jordan asked, putting his bass guitar on the empty seat beside him.
"Yeah, pretty well actually," I confirmed, pleasantly surprised that they had mentioned one of my favorite bands. "I'm a fan."
"Which song's your favourite?" Tyson asked.
"Brick by Boring Brick?"
I saw Leo grin from the rearview mirror. "Excellent," he drawled in his sexy accent.
Leo pulled into a parking lot, and I realized that some of the people milling outside had guitar and bass cases in their hands. My eyes flitted over to a poster with the headlines'Amateur Rock Bands Contest!', then dread filled up in me.
"We-we're competing?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper.
"Of course, it's not exactly a one-band gig. This is good publicity for our band," Leo explained, before looking over at Gabriel and adding, "I suppose that should be your job now, eh?"
Gabriel nodded, a slightly confused expression on his handsome face. I knew it. Leo just dropped the job on him.
We climbed out of the van, Jay and Jordan holding their guitar and bass respectively, and Leo sent Gabriel off to go get our number.
I am toast.
The Lightning Devils were up soon, so I just watched the other bands perform. And I have to say, they were all just so damn good.
As our turn drew closer, my heart rate started accelerating and I started seeing white spots, a sure sign of a panic attack.
I think Jay must have noticed, because he turned to me, and finally spoke to me. "Hey, kitty, you okay?"
I looked up at him; my legs feeling like Jell-O.
"Can I skip this one?" I asked him, " 'Cause I don't feel so good,"
"Up next: The Legendary Lightning Devils!!" the MC screamed into the microphone.
Jay looked up to the others who were already getting on-stage, then looked back at me. He held out a black masquerade mask, which, to my irritation, was shaped like the upper-half of a cat's head. A lightning bolt was crudely drawn on the left side of the mask with neon-yellow marker.
"You're the Lightning Kitty for now, kitty," he said with the wink I knew so well, "By the way, did I mention how fabulously attractive you look?"
I gaped at him as he bounded on-stage with his guitar and plugged it in the amplifiers and gave a teasing pluck on the instrument. The crowd went wild, screaming for him and his band-mates.
"Today, we have a new addition!" Jay shouted into his microphone, "Please welcome the Lightning Kitty!"
I pulled the mask over my eyes and said a quick prayer before joining the guys.
I gripped the microphone as I looked over at Jay, who was standing beside me. He nodded encouragingly.
I took a deep breath and...
--------------------
My head pounded painfully as my body willed itself into consciousness. I didn't feel like waking up, though, as I felt the cool and clean-smelling sheets underneath me.
Wait. My room doesn't smell like this. It smells of fresh paint.
My reverie quickly went away as my eyes flew open in comprehension of my surroundings. My ears detected a conversation not too far away from where I was situated, and I could feel panic rising within me.
Great, my second panic attack of the day. I roughly estimate that my life has been shortened by about twenty years now.
My slowly rising panic abated, however, as I remembered with a sudden flash what happened before I ended up here. I had been with the Lightning Devils, and my new friend, Gabriel, and Jay had provoked me into singing.
I don't remember much after that.
I picked up the conversation, which was becoming clearer and sounded a lot closer by the second, followed by a light clicking of heels and a lot of feet-shuffling.
"So, you're saying Jayden and Leon pulled her off somewhere without letting her eat anything?" a lilting female voice asked.
"Yes, miss. They were desperate," a familiar male voice confirmed, "So is that why she fainted? I mean, because she didn't eat any lunch?"
Waitaminit. I fainted? Is that it?
I heard what seemed like a cross between a chuckle and a snicker, before another voice said, "I thought she fainted because of me. I must say, this is the first time that a girl has fainted when I'm not performing,"
That voice sounded familiar. It somewhat awakened my senses of irritation and tiredness.
"Don't get too full of yourself, Jay," a British-accented voice said, "You know it's your fault for stealing that muffin Gabriel gave her,"
Stealing that muffin? Now that I think about it, the reason as to why I blacked out is kind of embarrassing. A muffin, imagine that. Is this how far I've degraded myself?
I sat up from the bed, pain hitting me in multiple directions. I winced as I rubbed the bruised areas on my arms and head.
Note to self: Never have fainting fits ever again. They're inconvenient and painful.
"Hey!! Look who's woken from her cat-nap!" Jay exclaimed delightedly. Another lame pun?
Hardeharhar. He is so funny.
"I would kindly remind you to refer to me as Kaitlyn," I said as the Devils and Gabriel – Hah. Now that's funny. Devils? Gabriel the angel? Geddit? Shoot, now his lameness is rubbing off on me. - led inside, a pretty young woman with red hair following them.
The woman came up to me and prodded my head gently. "Where does it hurt?" she asked, "Do you need any aspirins for a headache?"
I managed a wan smile at the woman as I scanned the name tag on the pocket of her white coat. Evie Summers, School Nurse.
"If I had an aspirin for every headache I had today, I would've OD-ed by now,"
Ms. Summers laughed as she helped me stand up from the bed. My legs wobbled, and before I could fall again, Jay caught me with his arms.
I must say, we ended up in a very awkward position.
No, not that kind of position, you pervs.
Jay and I ended up in a position where you would think that two people who love each other very much are hugging. In other words, an embrace. I shudder to think of that.
God, what did I ever do wrong to make you do this to me? Was it the time when I once painted every single leaf of my mom's apple tree with blue paint? I just thought it would attract fairies. I was six, okay?
Or was it the time when I accidentally kicked a senior where it hurts the most? It was partly his fault! I was substitute cheering when he thought he'd come over to flirt with the senior girls even though he perfectly knew well that we were still doing our routine!
I'm not going to lie. Jay doesn't smell like sweat or dirt or whatever guys are supposed to smell like. He just smells like faint cologne. Well, that's a surprise. I pegged him for the type who hate men toiletries, despite his obvious vanity and big-headedness.
It was only very much later when I realized that I had been in Jay's arms for more than I should've been. I quickly withdrew, and Jay's face had the hugest smirk I have ever seen in my whole life. Then, under no intention, I let out a piercing scream.
"PERRRRRVEEEEEEERTT!!!"
Jay backtracked a little, as my voice went a few decibels higher than a normal pair of ears could withstand. And I thought he was a rock star in the making.
"Save that for later, would you?" Tyson complained.
"Kaitlyn," Ms. Summers said, a firm tone in her voice, "Please refrain from overexerting yourself again."
"Well, Ms. Summers," Leo added in conversationally, "If you would be so kind as to sign permission slips for us and excuse us for the rest of the school day to bring Kaitlyn out for a lunch and bring her home to rest?"
Ms. Summers seemed to be considering it. Please say no say no say no say no...
"Well, as long as you pay for it, Leon, and Jayden too. Both of you are at fault here," Ms. Summers went into her office to get slips for the seven of us.
I SAID SAY NO DAMNIT!
"Ms. Summers!! I don't wanna go home!! I can just eat after school!!" I called after the nurse hastily.
"Hey, just leave it, will you?" Jordan asked, blocking the way to her office, "You can skip for today's remaining lessons plus get a free meal,"
Well, he is right.
I glared at Jay, hate emitting out of me in great auras. Jay caught my look. "What? You seemed pretty comfortable," he pointed out, "And a lot of girls would've killed to be in your shoes,"
"Well, as I said before, I am not one of those girls," I reminded him, my patience fraying, "And I absolutely did not enjoy it. I would rather go hug a statue of Barney,"
Jay wore an injured look. "Kitty, how could you say that to a person who-,"
"Made me late for school? Put me in the teacher's black list? Stalked and eavesdropped on me? Stole my lunch then dragged me off somewhere?" I cut him off, "Now that I think about it, you owe me more than a free meal and no lessons for the day, buddy, but I'll take it,"
Gabriel chuckled as he took my arm. "C'mon, Kaitlyn. We'll go get our bags," he urged.
"Oh no you don't," Jay took my other arm.
I am feeling a serious sense of déjà vu here.
I shook off their hands. "I am not a toy to be tug-of-war-ed. I'll go alone,"
Jay sulked as he gave Gabriel a dirty look. "Why are you here anyway? You're not even a part of the band,"
Gabriel smiled enigmatically, his eyes sweeping briefly over to Lance, who was, as usual, reading a book. That's odd. The brief look, I mean, not the reading.
"Kaitlyn's my friend, and I do have to right to follow her," he looked over at me, "If you're fine with it," he added.
Fine? It's more than fine. Anything to keep me away from Jayden Stanford.
"No, it's fine. Just let me go get my own bag,"
I got the permission slip from Ms. Summers, then proceeded to get my backpack from my locker. It turns out that the Devils all have their lockers next to each others. I suspect that either Leo seduced the female admins to do it, or Jay must've snuck into the office and rigged the arrangements.
"So, where are we going?" I asked conversationally as we walked towards the car park.
Leo fished inside his pockets and retrieved a set of keys. "How does sushi sound?" he asked, as he pointed towards a row of cars and pressed the button thingy that people use to unlock and lock their cars from a distance.
I'm not really educated in the field of cars, if you must know.
"Um… sushi's fine," I mumbled, staring at all the cars in the lot, every single vehicle looked brand-new and high-class. "Wow."
"Nice," Gabriel commented with admiration as Leo stopped to open the passenger door of the jet-black van.
"Thank you, Gabriel," Leo looked at me, "Ladies first,"
I shook my head defiantly. "Only now you show me some basic chivalry," I said dryly, "But if I'm sitting anywhere with you guys, I'm sitting right next to either Gabriel or Lance,"
Jay stifled his laughter as he invited himself into the passenger seat that Leo had offered me while Leo himself looked at me injuredly. The other members of the Lightning Devils piled inside the spacious vehicle after I went inside, and I started squealing in excitement, as I assessed the interior.
"Are you English royalty or something?" I asked, looking at the plush seats. My eyes nearly bugged out at the sight of a mini flat-screen that Jordan had pulled out from the roof's interior, "Because only people who are ridiculously rich can afford a van like this. I thought only celebrities had these kind of cars!"
"Close enough," Leo said, grinning at he started up the engine, "Back in the UK, my family is of noble blood. My name's Sir Leon Griffin Alexander the Third. Our ancestors did have quite a fortune,"
Well, isn't he the modest one? "Really? 'Cause I thought-,"
"I'm kidding," Leo chuckled as the corner of his eyes crinkled in mirth, "I can't believe you actually believed that for a second,"
I glared at him; it's a pity looks can't kill. "You suck," I sniffed, tossing my head pompously away from him.
Jay turned back to look at us. "Well, my family's not nobility, but my great-grandparents have...kitty? Are you listening?"
I ignored Jay's words as I stared above me. "Is that a sun protector?" I asked in fascinated wonder.
"Yes, Kaitlyn," Leo nodded as he backed the van out of the lot.
"Does that mean I can stick my head out of the roof?" I asked hopefully.
"Do you want to?"
"Hell yeah!"
-
Very soon, Leo pulled into a parking lot in front of this huge Asian-looking building. I didn't notice that the time had passed by so quickly, because I had been enjoying the view of the town. Sure, I did see parts of it from the airport to Aunt Elle's place, but seeing it from inside the car isn't as exciting as the view from the sunroof, right?
Jay had been trying to talk to me about the gig later, but I had been too engrossed with the pretty houses that looked like they came out from a picture book to listen to him.
I think I heard a few words here and there.
We crossed the miniature bridge that was erected over a small moat/pond that was built around the huge restaurant. I looked over the rails to watch the koi fishes in the pond with Gabriel as Leo talked with the maitre d' stationed at the podium at the entrance who was dressed in a traditional kimono.
"Irrashai mase, Mr. Alexander. How may I help you?" I heard the maitre d' greet Leo in a perfectly accented Japanese voice. I curiously looked over to see that instead of an Asian guy, it was a dark-haired guy who looked more European than Japanese.
Dang. The management here must train their staff pretty damn well. The most extravagant sushi restaurant in where I previously lived didn't even have staff that could speak proper Japanese greetings with proper accents.
"Afternoon, Sebastian. I'd like to have a table for seven people. We're here for a light lunch," Leo replied smoothly. He must be a regular patron here or something. Rich-ass.
"So, kitty," Jay said as we settled at a table with chairs instead of the low tables I had seen in the other rooms, "While we're having our meal, I'd like you to tell us your life story,"
"My life story in exchange for a free meal?" I asked suspiciously, "But the reason why you brought me here is because you nearly killed me."
"I'm intrigued by you. A seventeen-year-old girl with a rebellious image suddenly popping up late into the school year and has a voice. Bound to make a good story," he replied, "And besides, you're not just gonna die from that. Stop being paranoid, will you?"
"You have such a boring life," I commented cheerfully, "But fine, it's not like I have much to say anyway,"
Over the raw fish, sushi rolls and tempura, I poured my heart out to the guys as I told them how I used to live a upper-middle class fairy tale life before my parents decided to go to the 1000 Places To Visit Before You Die, and how I was now living with my aunt and sister. Okay, fine, I guess I did add a bit on my ex-friends.
"Wow," Tyson commented, "You must've had a lot of things to deal with, huh?"
"Oooh! Tempura ice-cream!" I exclaimed, as the waitress - also dressed in a kimono - set a bowl in front of me. "What? It's pretty normal. At least now I know that my friends back home weren't serious about our friendship."
"If my parents were going traveling, they'd bring my brothers and I along," Jordan put in.
I knew that Jordan had five brothers who were as handsome as he was. Two of them were twins, even. They must be as well-off as Leo's family. Don't ask me how I know. I just have my sources.
"Well, not everyone's born into a rich family," I said brightly as I stuck the spoon inside my mouth. Ah...ice cream. Well, that was two people who are stinking rich in the band now.
"And you always seem happy too," Tyson added, casting a skeptical glance at the plates in front of me, "You're the first girl I have ever met to not consider food as her enemy,"
I shrugged. "One: Life's short; and Two: I'm not always this happy,"
"I can attest to that," Jay said unnecessarily.
"By the way, isn't it nearly five?" I asked, glancing at the clock on the wall.
The others looked at the clock, but none of them looked panicked. I wonder why?
"Er...why aren't you rushing to pay the bill and running to the van to get to the park?" I asked.
"The thing actually starts at seven, but we thought we'd bring you over to a stylist that works for one of our dad's company," Tyson said, "Because you..."
Three people. Three filthy rich people. "...look incredibly out of place, especially when standing next to all of you?"
"Pretty much, yeah," Jordan grinned at me.
What?? Not everyone can have branded wardrobes, okay? The only existing brand I have in my room is probably the MacBook and iPod Nano that some rich ass CEO included as a party favor in a bag that my parents got at some party a few years ago and my Converse stuff. And I tell you, I had a very trying time acquiring some of the Converse stuff from thrift stores that I used to raid with my sister.
Come to think of it, that's about the only time where Genevieve and I really bonded and had each other's backs. The other times we were just about ready to kill each other.
Good times, good times. Moving on.
"What do you say, kitty?" Jay prompted.
"I have no choice," I sighed, standing up from the table, "You'll have to thank Gabriel later. It's only because of him I'm here,"
The boys carted me back to the van, which I learned was also the band's main mode of transportation due to its size, and drove uptown, where all the rich and famous of Sandfields lived. I couldn't help ogling at every single mansion we drove by, as it seemed like every building we passed, the houses just kept increasing in size.
Leo stoped the van in front of a stately residence, which had this extremely well-kept garden and the courtyard had the classic water-fountain-at-the-courtyard-with-a-roundabout thing going on. What century are we in again?
"Welcome to my humble abode," Tyson said with a grin as he slid the door of the van open.
Humble my ass. My idea of humble is the tiny apartment that my college-freshman cousin rents in California.
Inside Tyson's mansion, we were greeted by a very flamboyant man who looked like he was in his early twenties. He introduced himself as just Chace. No last names or whatever, because according to him, having a first name and surname was too 'stuffy' and 'businesslike'.
Apparently, he's a celeb stylist that the women of the Gyles family had poached at a fashion show in NYC. He had quite the looks, but let's just say he wasn't really my type.
"Tyson, mon chéri!" Chace cooed as he flounced towards us and kissed both of Tyson's cheeks, "I wasn't expecting you for another half-hour!"
Yeah. He's a homosexual.
"Plans changed, Chace," Jay said as he got his turn of the cheek-kissing.
Ew. Who would want to kiss...him?
Chace stopped to look at me. "Who is this...this..." he seemed to fail in finding words to describe me. Well, I've always thought that I was pretty hard to describe. "...this unfashionable, unmade-up creature who looks out of place among you!?"
I think I prefer to be indescribable.
"Here, let me introduce you. This is my kitty, Kaitlyn Hunter, and that noob-looking guy over there is Gabriel Lyndon," Jay offered helpfully.
"Lyndon?" Chace repeated as he cast a curious glance over Gabriel, who was squirming uneasily now, "Are you by any chance related to Chaz Lyndon?"
"Yeah," Gabriel mumbled, "He's my brother,"
Well, that's a surprise. I never knew Gabriel had a brother. He struck me as the only-child type.
"Fabuleux!" Chace exclaimed. Well, he's one happy person. "I absolutely love what he did with the models at the Winter Fashion Gala last year!"
"Er...yeah. It was pretty good, I guess." Gabriel agreed uncomfortably.
That's strange. Gabriel seems like he wants to avoid the subject of his brother. I wonder why?
"Chace, sorry to interrupt your chat, but I would like to ask of you to maybe work your magic on this lady?" Leo asked with a pleasant smile.
"All right, give me an hour and a half max, I'll have this girl looking from drab to glamoreux in no time,"
Gee, that was nice of him to say so. Until today, I thought I looked reasonably okay.
"Some of my team are in the other room, readying your clothes for you." Chace informed as he whisked me away from the band and Gabriel.
Chace dragged me to a huge wooden oak door and pushed it open, and I saw a highly-equipped salon station with a couple of women bustling about with their arms loaded with clothes.
"Girls!" Chace announced, "We have one and half hours to convert this fashion disaster into something presentable!"
Did I mention how bad does an insult bite?
I was literally chained to the beauty chair while a bunch of people plus Chace attacked my hair and face. I must've squealed in pain for about a million times as a brush poked me or when a pair of tweezers clamped onto my eyebrow. I was obstructed from the view of the mirror, so I couldn't see what they were doing to me. Good grief, these stylists can definitely beat a heavyweight champion in a martial arts duel, no problem.
I silently sent prayers to the Heaven above and silently cursed the guys minus Gabriel, who took no part in what was happening to me right now.
Exactly one hour later, Chace clapped his hands. "Okay! We're done with phase one and two! Station and ready yourselves for the final phase!"
The assistants automatically started towards a black door nearby, which I assumed had to be something to with the final phase. Chace sure knows how to make a person feel like a mutated experiment, huh?
Chace had a very satisfied look on his face as he surveyed his handiwork. "I'm a genius, if I say so myself," he commented delightedly. Well, he sure has no problems conveying his thoughts to people.
"Prepared to be ah-mazed," he announced as he stepped aside to let me have a proper look at the mirror.
I resent Chace for being rude about me earlier, but right now, the only thing I'm feeling for the man is: R-E-S-P-E-C-T.
I found myself staring at an extremely gorgeous girl, with the same hair color as mine, but instead of the previous cut it had before, it was now artfully layered. How he managed to do that in one hour, I would never know. The soft, glittering eyeshadow made her eyes look more hazel than just plain brown, and her lips were full and pouty, thanks to the wonders of lip liner and lip gloss. I shall never degrade make-up in future.
"I-is that me?" I gasped in disbelief. Damn. I looked, well, awesome.
"I didn't get the front cover feature on Vouge for nothing you know," Chace said placidly. "Well, time's a-wasting, let's get you dressed,"
So that was the final phase. Figures.
Chace pulled me through the black door and pushed me into a changing stall, throwing a pile of clothes at me. "Try these on,"
I fumbled with every article of clothing Chace gave me, but I somehow managed to work out which was which.
I think.
I tentatively stepped out, and Chace started clapping with hands and jumping up and down delightedly. "Wonderful! Magnifique! My best work yet!" he claimed.
To my utter disbelief, he threw the clothes that Ms. Summers gave to me to change into, into a wastepaper basket.
Who in their right mind tosses away perfectly good clothes into wastepaper baskets!? And when it's not even theirs to boot!?
"Hey!! Those were clothes I borrowed from the school!" I cried as I tried to retrieve them.
Chace held up a hand that held my Converse high-tops. "No worries, I'll give them a replacement set. I shall be sending my assistant over to your aunt's house. I have provided you with an updated wardrobe and shoes. Keep these sneakers, since I can see the future you wearing them despite my insistence," he ordered, "Yes, you shall now be able to go out looking presentable, instead of traipsing around in those nameless rags,"
Well, isn't he thoughtful?
The black door opened, and the Lightning Devils came in, with Gabriel who had apparently been caught and beautified - in male terms, of course - as well. Not that there was much to improve about Gabriel.
I watched as the members of the Lightning Devils and Gabriel took me in. Jordan had a sharp intake of breath. Leo and Tyson both just smiled at me. Lance took one look at me and his eyes widened before looking away.
Okay, so maybe I would've never actually worn what I was currently wearing, since I did have a limited allowance. Chace had given me a crimson button-up blouse that had long sleeves, which I had rolled up to arm-length and a black sleeveless vest to pull over it. My lower-body was clad in a black miniskirt with red leggings beneath and black Ugg boots which I thought were out-dated.
Now I know who put Ugg boots back in style.
"Well, you look prettier," Gabriel was the first one to speak. "You were pretty already, though,"
Awww. Gabriel's such a great friend. I love him!!
Not to be outdone, Leo gave me a flirty look. "I always knew you had the potential to shine. Beauty does lurk beneath the skin after all," he claimed heroically, "A spunky rebel or a timid little schoolgirl,"
Timid little schoolgirl? Leo actually...?
You know what? Let's just not go there.
Lance looked up at me again. "You're a very pretty girl, Kaitlyn," he said softly, "Even without the hair, make-up and clothes," Then he blushed. I didn't know rockers blushed, especially quiet, brooding ones with a small celtic cross tattooed onto his right bicep, which I just noticed when Lance came in, his shirt short-sleeved.
It was actually pretty cute; the blushing I mean.
Tyson patted Chace's back in approval. "You did good, Chace," he said appreciatively, "My sisters are gonna be sooo jealous of her,"
It was only after Chace had looked pointedly at Jay that I realized he was the only one who hadn't said anything at all. I waited for an insult or an ill-mannered sexually harassing comment from Jay, but he just kept quiet.
"Jay! I can't believe you call yourself the God among men when can't you at least compliment a beautiful lady when you see one!" Chace cried in exasperation.
My, my, Chace. Wasn't I just an unfashionable and unmade-up creature not too long ago?
Jay avoided my gaze as he turned towards the door. "Well, it's getting late, we have to go now," he said, "If we want to beat the traffic,"
Chace shook his head, obviously not pleased with Jay. He patted my cheek and gave me a pep talk. "I heard from Tyson that they had problems getting you into their band,"
Now I know boys gossip like old women.
"Do your best, all right? The boys worked hard for their reputation," Chace finished. That was rather uncharacteristic and charitable of him, if I say so myself.
I nodded before going after the boys.
-
It wasn't long before I realized that they hadn't told me what I would be singing.
"What am I supposed to sing?" I asked them as I sat between Lance and Gabriel -whom, according to Leo, was taking his position as a manager since I liked him so much, so why not?- as I had said earlier this afternoon.
"Are you familiar with Paramore?" Jordan asked, putting his bass guitar on the empty seat beside him.
"Yeah, pretty well actually," I confirmed, pleasantly surprised that they had mentioned one of my favorite bands. "I'm a fan."
"Which song's your favourite?" Tyson asked.
"Brick by Boring Brick?"
I saw Leo grin from the rearview mirror. "Excellent," he drawled in his sexy accent.
Leo pulled into a parking lot, and I realized that some of the people milling outside had guitar and bass cases in their hands. My eyes flitted over to a poster with the headlines'Amateur Rock Bands Contest!', then dread filled up in me.
"We-we're competing?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper.
"Of course, it's not exactly a one-band gig. This is good publicity for our band," Leo explained, before looking over at Gabriel and adding, "I suppose that should be your job now, eh?"
Gabriel nodded, a slightly confused expression on his handsome face. I knew it. Leo just dropped the job on him.
We climbed out of the van, Jay and Jordan holding their guitar and bass respectively, and Leo sent Gabriel off to go get our number.
I am toast.
The Lightning Devils were up soon, so I just watched the other bands perform. And I have to say, they were all just so damn good.
As our turn drew closer, my heart rate started accelerating and I started seeing white spots, a sure sign of a panic attack.
I think Jay must have noticed, because he turned to me, and finally spoke to me. "Hey, kitty, you okay?"
I looked up at him; my legs feeling like Jell-O.
"Can I skip this one?" I asked him, " 'Cause I don't feel so good,"
"Up next: The Legendary Lightning Devils!!" the MC screamed into the microphone.
Jay looked up to the others who were already getting on-stage, then looked back at me. He held out a black masquerade mask, which, to my irritation, was shaped like the upper-half of a cat's head. A lightning bolt was crudely drawn on the left side of the mask with neon-yellow marker.
"You're the Lightning Kitty for now, kitty," he said with the wink I knew so well, "By the way, did I mention how fabulously attractive you look?"
I gaped at him as he bounded on-stage with his guitar and plugged it in the amplifiers and gave a teasing pluck on the instrument. The crowd went wild, screaming for him and his band-mates.
"Today, we have a new addition!" Jay shouted into his microphone, "Please welcome the Lightning Kitty!"
I pulled the mask over my eyes and said a quick prayer before joining the guys.
I gripped the microphone as I looked over at Jay, who was standing beside me. He nodded encouragingly.
I took a deep breath and...
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