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

So long we walked

‘’It was a theatre previously, but they don’t use it anymore…’’ Stella answered,

I let her lead the way inside. There were about five to six auditoriums inside and we were to go in the second one. The door led us inside where it was dark. The first thing I noticed was the stage that had been set up with the instruments and sound system, Mr. Flynn stood at one end examining the wiring and frowning now and then. The chairs were empty except the bands scattered here and there. It was rather spacious.

Up in the front was a table set up with three chairs sitting next to each other. Judges, I realized.

‘’C’mon’’ Lars put a hand on the small of my back and ushered me forward to our seats. Performing in front of experts was one thing; getting your faults picked out in front of each other was a different story in all.

‘’Stop looking like a scardey cat, and try not to wet your pants.’’ I gave Rhodes a silent glare and kept moving forward.

We sat on the third row side by side, I found myself between Lana and Rhodes both of whom started giving me a lecture on my nerves. I was scared, but I wasn’t as scared as they thought.

‘’And don’t worry Quinn even if we mess up we still have third round, and we have enough marks from the first one.’’

‘’That’s not the point here,’’ Lana said facing Rhodes,’’ Violet can’t screw up, it’s not allowed for her. And if she does something foolish, she is going face a very painful slow death, filled with a loads of blood.’’

‘’She’s already having second thoughts about taking the lead, don’t scare her. Stop being a dark freak all the time.’’

‘’It’s not about…’’ I lost the train of what they were saying when I felt like someone was watching me, the skin at the back of my neck prickled and out of instinct I turned my head a little, and my eyes locked with Oliver’s.

I felt a jolt of electricity rush through me as I realized he had been watching me. He had the same uncertain expression like he had on our last session with Mr. Flynn and I couldn’t quite place what it meant. For a moment I thought he would look away, but he didn’t. He kept staring, not caring if anyone was looking.

I wanted to talk to him so badly about what happened. I had a right to know why he kissed me, was it involuntary action? Did he regret it? I tried studying his expression, but it was perfectly composed as blank.

‘’Stop ogling Quinn.’’ Rhodes pinched my arm and I tuned back, rubbing the spot,

‘’What was that for?’’

‘’Stop being so obvious already, you are slowly becoming a closet fan girl.’’ He had no idea what I was becoming.

‘’Oh there are here!’’ The judges were three men, and I didn’t recognize either of them, so I assumed they were either composers or background singers, but the way Mr. Flynn was regarding them it looked like they were famous and respected among their peers. I craned my neck for a better look of their faces but they sat down quickly to begin the round.

Mr. Flynn called the first band which consisted of some bulky jock guys from some other campus and they all shook judges’ hands before starting their performance. They played well and I had to admit I was surprised by the song, it was well written for some obnoxious jocks like them.

More performances followed and just like I had feared, they were reciting comments and marks straight away, and although I was paying attention halfheartedly, when the names of ‘Loud Howls’ was called I almost shot up from my seat.