Twisted Strings [MONSTER EDITING - Read at your own risk]

Battle of Bands

Lana sighed, ''Not in a bad away. A small cut will suit you. With that outfit and hair, you'll kill them all.''

I scrunched up my face and Lana was still assessing my hair like a fashion Nazi, when Mr. Flynn called our attention.

''I'm sure you guys are very curious about how we will proceed with the competition. Remember the evaluations I did? That was for the specific purpose of forming the groups.'' I exchanged a wide eye look with Rhodes and the word 'groups' rang in my mind.

A collective murmur ran through the club room, Mr. Flynn continued, ''We have sorted you all into groups of five and you will proceed with the contest, within those groups.''

''You mean bands.'' Stella Baker interrupted, giving him a pointed look.

''Bands? No one said anything about bands!'' I whispered to Rhodes, urgently. Bands meant playing music with more than one person, it meant singing along with others. I had no idea what that meant and I had no practice of singing in one.

Rhodes looked as alarmed as I was. He was even worse with strangers.

It wasn't just us. Everyone in the room had same thoughts. Shock was written on their faces and they began whispering amongst themselves. Indigo Brown looked like she was going to throw up.

Oblivious to the reactions and groans, Mr. Flynn said, ''I'll announce the bands now. You will sit with your bandmates, coin a name for your team and submit that on Friday. Let me explain how the first round is going to work.''

''You are required to prepare a cover of any song ever. You can chose an old song or a new one, you can even chose a song that no one has heard of. But prepare it well. As long as the lyrics don't change and the tune remains same, you can add to the particular song. You will practice the song for a week and half and the contest will be held in Clarins Hall on 20th June.''

It seemed far and yet close at the same time. But I was freaking over whole band deal. We were being paired with strangers and we had to perform with them in ten days? That was so not enough. And so not fair. Panic rose in my throat and I felt a little sick. For a horrid moment, I wondered if I would be in Melissa Corner's group. Or Stella Baker. God, that was even worse. 

''You will be judged and scores will be awarded to each team. In the last rounds, you will win if your collective scores exceed the other teams.'' He gave us a sceptic look and we all nodded, still in daze. ''I'll announce the lineups now-''

I held my breath and most of the room was sorted into bands. My nerves were on fire as I waited for any familiar name to be called. Ms. Forman knew how well Rhodes and I did together so there was a chance we had each other. But if we weren't...

''We'll be fine.'' Rhodes whispered to me.

''Group three,'' Mr. Flynn announced. ''Melissa Corner, Indigo Brown, Kiminari Yuto, Brooke Vernes and Oliver Parker.'' A look of utter happiness crossed Melissa's face when she heard that. She first hugged Brooke and the Oliver. A few rows behind her, Indigo Brown was questioning her life choices and Yuto the Japanese guy from our music club, was already making his way to sit with them. Oliver appeared shocked as well and if I wasn't seeing things; he looked disappointed. And I would be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed either. Why did Oliver was in her team out of everyone? The thought that I cared was scary. 

Oliver looked at us briefly and I bit my lips. His gaze stayed on mine for a second longer before Melissa snatched his attention, talking loudly about how excited she was. He gave her a small smile, no more than that. 

''That's all the kids from our school, except Oliver.'' I whispered to Rhodes. And this meant...

''Team four...Lars Hale, Rhoderick Sullivan, Violet Quinn, Stella Baker and Lana Curtis.'' I nearly died with relief and enveloped Rhodes in a crushing hug. He returned it and laughed.

First, I thought I had heard Mr. Flynn wrong. My eyes widened and my jaw dropped open, Rhodes mimicked my expression and we stared at each other with utter disbelief. How did that happen? This had to be fate right? Me and Rhodes getting to be in the same band was God answering my prayers. It was a miracle. We found each other's hand and our fingers intertwined, 

''We're together,'' Rhodes breathed out, shell shocked. I felt tears of joy threatening to surface and bit my lips to keep them at bay. The panic I had felt earlier dissipated and I found myself letting out a huge breath. 

''God, I can't believe this! We're together!'' I gushed, feeling incredible.

''I know, right? We're stuck together again!'' Rhodes looked like he might start to cry, but instead he gave me a quick hug, grinning from ear to ear. 

I laughed and placed a hand over my mouth, still in shock. Just then, two more people joined us.

''Violet, if it isn't fate.'' Lars flashed me a huge grin and right behind him was Stella Baker. Stone faced and cold, she took a seat beside Lana. 

''Hello.'' She uttered a single word that had me exchanging frantic looks with Rhodes and Lars. In my happiness I forgot for a second that I was grouped with three more people. I opened my mouth and closed it again, nothing came out. The awkwardness was crazy real and dread filled me.

Oh no...