A/N: Hey guys, I'm just here to offer some help with your experience. If you haven't been doing this, you need to immediately start listening to the songs I name in the story. That way you can immerse yourself further into the sound produced. Just imagine Becca is singing, and you guys should know what her voice is capable of. Alright, please enjoy! Drop some comments!
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After the movie that night, Freen offered to drive Irin home once they had arrived at the Armstrong house, leaving Becca and Richie to gather their thoughts before bed, both feeling a little scrambled from the night they had. Waving to the girls as they pulled out of the driveway, the siblings remained standing in the humid night air, simply staring into open space for a while before finally turning towards one another. They both instinctively knew a talk was about to follow.
Becca and Richie had been close all their lives, despite the occasional sibling spat or rivalry. Richie had always been exceptionally protective of his little sister in any and all situations, while Becca, to the best of her ability, was just as protective of him. When she had been young she had struggled with being bullied quite a bit for being the odd one out. Richie was always there to console her and when he could he would even throw a punch or two. He was always willing to get into trouble for Becca. Becca herself scared off quite a few girls when Richie had still been at school simply because she 'didn't like the look of them'. When their parents had gone through a rough patch of fighting and separation, it was each other that they turned to and shared their thoughts and feelings with. They might have lost touch a bit when Becca was in high school and Richie at college, but their bond remained strong, which was what pulled them back together again and pushed them to start working on their shared dream together. More than anything they loved each other dearly and only wanted what was best for the other.
"So..." Becca started and grinned at her brother next to her. "So..." He returned right back at her with a small smirk. "You first." Becca motioned towards him as they turned to head into the house. "I saw you guys kissing."
Richie chuckled and lightly shoved Becca with his shoulder before letting her walk through the front door ahead of him. "Yeah, and? Does it bother you?" He knew to tread lightly and figured it might be strange for Becca considering it was her brother and best friend that were hooking up. "Not at all. I think it's really good. But only if it's possibly going to go somewhere. I love you both and if either of you fuck up I might have to kick some ass." Becca arched her brow and stared hard at Richie as he walked to the fridge to get them each a drink. Becca slid onto one of the chairs at the counter and watched him closely for any tell-tale signs.
"It's too soon to really tell, but I swear I really like her. She's funny and quirky and really beautiful. Not to mention smart. And already approved of by my little sis." He laughed and pointed his bottle at Becca. "At least I know you won't chase this one away."
Becca gave a chuckle of her own before taking a sip from her drink, rolling her eyes over the brim of the bottle. "Hey, I'm not that bad! Well, at least not all the time. And like I said, this time I approve. Just... Take it slow. No need to rush anywhere, ya know?" She sighed and placed her bottle on the counter, thinking of her own situation and how slow it was going. Richie must have caught the faraway look in her eyes then as he leaned onto the counter in front of her, eyeing her suspiciously.
"What about you and Freen? Don't think we haven't all noticed what has been brewing between you two. Wanna talk about it?" His warm big brother side settled over her like a comfy blanket, assuring her that he'd always take care of her, both physically and emotionally.
"You already know what happened between us at school. It's just been really hard for me to see past that..." She shrugged as she stared hard at the counter before her, seemingly confused at her own words. Richie tilted his head questioningly before asking, "Why exactly Becks? I just mean... It's been a long time since then, you know? And it has become blatantly clear that she is fucking smitten with you. In fact, it's almost disgustingly cute how she's so down bad for you." He laughed as Becca tried to give him a smack, but he managed to pull away just in time. "But seriously though... Are you ever going to give her a chance at redemption?"
"I am giving her a chance. I... I just don't know how long. One day I feel so alive with her around, and then the next day I get so scared..." She shook her head and continued sipping on her drink, letting the images of Freen flash through her mind. "Becks, it just sounds to me a little bit like you're being your own worst enemy. I know you're scared and I know you don't want to get hurt again and I don't want that for you either. But are you also going to let her slip through your fingers now that it really seems like she's already putty in your hands?" He shook his head and put a reassuring hand on Becca's shoulder. "Stop wasting time, or you will definitely get hurt again."
"When did you get so wise?" Becca laughed and shook her head at her brother, a little bit in awe of the advice he managed to share. "What do you mean? I've always been wise!" He joked and sent her a wink before moving out of the kitchen and heading towards his room. "Stop wasting time, Becks!" He called back to her one more time before closing his door for the night. Becca shook her head in response as she remained seated at the counter, leaning onto her elbows as she lost herself in thought. 'Stop wasting time', he had said. Was she really just wasting time? Was she purposely denying herself happiness that was so easily within reach? She had to admit... She was getting hellishly tired of fighting her emotions and asking so many doubtful questions.
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"Shot one, go!" Heng called to the table, trying to sound audible over the loud dance music. The band was waiting for the time their performance would take place. They had already fine-tuned their instruments and their sound to be ready for the gig that Saturday night.
"Shot two, go!" The gang was following their tradition of going on an alcohol rush just before their performance. It both relaxed them and increased their fervour. Everyone joined in, from both the band and the friends. The unit was strong and impenetrable, which made Becca smile at the back of her mind. She had never enjoyed having such a rather large group of friends, but somehow they just managed to fit one another so well. She wouldn't trade the group for anything, realising the gravity of the moment that she moved on from being the black sheep to now rather being among other black sheep in silent comradely unity.
In simple terms, Becca felt like she finally found her family in her band and their friends. It was the experience Becca never knew she needed.
As for Freen, she managed to look around herself at all she had achieved in such a short time, and she felt amazing. She wondered whether making the orchestra would have been better, or too boring. Being part of the band made her feel alive and she enjoyed every moment of the electrifying, emotional chords and notes. Not to mention that continuing being so close to Becca was exactly what she needed to feel fulfilled. Her heart was wrapped around Becca and whenever they were together she just tried to squeeze her closer. Even when she started feeling impatient, she knew that Becca would most likely find her way back to Freen. She couldn't imagine that either her nor Becca were meant to not be with each other. It was simply written in the stars in Freen's mind and she knew that she was capable of waiting patiently.
"Down!" Heng yelled, letting both Becca and Freen feel like they were shocked back to consciousness. Everyone lifted their bottles and drank half before coming up for air. They had gotten quite good at the habit. "Are you ready for this?" Freen asked Becca as she leaned into her, wanting to genuinely check whether their frontman was ready for the performance. They have never really performed on this scale with such a large audience while they have to play a full set. Nerves were crashing in waves over the whole of the band.
"Yeah, the only way out is through, right? I'm ready to do this." Becca assured Freen and gave her a quick once-over. "How about you, lead guitar? Are you ready for this?" She grinned playfully at Freen.
"I'll let you know that I have played successfully under more pressure than this! You should try performing before and for an orchestra! Where no one is better than anyone else. Everyone is exceptional and you feel like you're just not good enough. A small fish in a big pond, whereas before that experience I was a big fish in a small pond. It's funny how life works out. Maybe I ended up in this band for a reason..." Freen let her one hand swing forward slightly, not having to go very far to hook into Becca's fingers.
Freen gave her a meaningful look before Becca dropped her eyes, not quite ready to get lost in Freen just yet. It was that tug of war again between her head and her heart, only this time the earth was wet and slippery and she was moving between the two opposite poles at a rather quick and sudden pace.
Alright Sarocha, let's do this." Becca smiled with warmth and encouragement at the taller woman before her, letting her know that they were about to have a hell of a good time.
"For one night only, I present to you the new favourites on the block - The Sickstrings!" The MC shouted into the crowd as Becca and her band skipped onto the stage and took their instruments and their place. They had to start with a kicker of a song in order to grab the audience and get them hooked. They went with 'Mr Brightside' by The Killers and jammed like a peanut butter sandwich! The crowd was instantly on its feet, belting out the familiar lyrics as they bounced around in excitement.
The band kept the mood going as they transitioned into the next song, 'Sugar, we're going down' by Fall Out Boy. The sound stayed energised and the crowd was hanging on every note. The band was having the best performance of its life and they enjoyed themselves to the max. Nothing could break them in the high they were experiencing.
When the third song approached, Becca was almost out of breath, making a mental note that she would have to do more cardio. "Okay, let's slow it down for a moment. I need to catch my breath." Becca smiled at her audience as she enjoyed interacting with them. "I'll give you breath!" A guy heckled from the crowd and Becca chuckled before replying, "Do you have a vagina? Otherwise no thanks. I'd rather suffocate." Becca laughed as she heckled back. "Anyway, I have enough breath for the next song. Hope you enjoy." The band then entered into a new song that fit the mood, still permeating the whole place in the form of 'How to save a life' from The Fray. Freen expertly played the piano notes on her guitar and after a while Richie followed her on the drums. By the time the chorus played, Heng's bass guitar and Becca's rhythm guitar joined in. Becca's voice sounded both gentle and pained, reaching right into one's chest. The song was vivid enough to bring the whole bar to a standstill and once the song came to its slow end an uproarious applause broke out.
The audience had absolutely loved it. Their screaming and hooting and clapping hands shouted "We want more". It left a special kind of taste in the whole band's mouth, but especially in Becca's. She was getting a taste of what she wanted to achieve. She just wanted to grow and climb the ladder until they're filling a stadium. She could envision it in her mind's eye and lead her band as if that was the case.
Freen had her own experience as she got lost in her guitar, treating it like an extension of herself. She didn't know what it felt like to be part of a grand orchestra, but she had to wonder whether the setting made any difference. All she needed was to get lost in the music. It was the music that mattered most, regardless in what way it was obtained. For Becca it was through her vocals. For Richie it was his rhythm. And for Heng it was the vibrations that he could feel. They all merely had different ways of connecting to the music. The music was all that mattered.
The band transitioned into the next song as Becca's voice came over the the music, "Okay one more to get you hyped and then we'll take a break before we get into the rest of it!" She breathed deeply and started to sing the opening lines of 'Just the girl' by The Click Five along with the music. Becca enjoyed songs like this one as she felt like she could seduce the audience with it, pretending to mean every single word. She became everyone's girlfriend during a three to four minute song and they melted for her.
Of course another person who melted for her was Freen and she was completely unable to hide it, beaming and grinning at Becca as Becca also spared some time to turn her seductive and flirtatious singing at Freen every now and then.
Once the song came to an end, the band added a final drumroll and high hat stop to indicate the break in their set. They caught their breath as they put their instruments down and got off the stage, heading for the bar. Irin, Nam, Non and Tor were waiting with a round of shots for everyone to keep them buzzing. Their drinks were delivered soon after and they all toasted to a good first round before taking a swig. The feeling of closeness and camaraderie expanded and covered the band and its friends.
However, it would only be natural for an obstacle to suddenly present itself.
"Hey, Freen. It's good seeing you again. You look good up there." Scott said as he reached for and held onto Freen's arm when he materialized in the peripheral of the friends' union space. Freen went rigid, looking to her left as the familiar sound filled her ears. Becca's entire face became dark as she seemed ready to attack. The truth was that she had made a decision. The talk with her brother screamed from the back of her mind. "Stop wasting time." The words stuck loudly on the roof of her mouth.
She could choose to run away again as she kept doing, ever since school days. Or she could choose to claim what she wanted... What was hers.
She didn't move or make a sound as she observed Scott talking to Freen. She let it happen. She allowed Freen her last chance to prove to Becca that things were different now. She had to see and hear it for herself.
"Uhh, thanks. Are you guys playing tonight too?" Freen frowned and pulled herself out of his grip.
"Nah, just enjoying the night. And maybe checking out the competition." Scott replied with a wink and his famous charming grin. It made Becca's face slowly turn hot. Her insides were starting to churn, but she still couldn't help but hope that Freen would choose her without reservations.
"Yeah well, enjoy the show." Freen smiled at him and started turning away when Scott reached for her wrist and pulled her back to face him. At this point Becca was getting to her breaking point as her blood started boiling at how Scott forced his presence on Freen. "Dude, that was her cue that the conversation has ended. I suggest you move along.", Becca nearly growled.
"Hey, I remember you." Scott pointed at Becca from his spot about 3 ft away, grinning. "You're Freen's friend from school. God she couldn't talk about you enough. She was pretty..."Oof!", Scott got winded by Freen's jab to his stomach, getting him to stop retelling past actions and emotions. She didn't want Becca to know how weak she felt over losing Becca.
"Oh? Is that right...?" Becca smirked at Freen, feeling like a cat that just got a mouse trapped in the corner. Freen blushed furiously in response.
"Yeah, so Freen, will you let me buy you a drink?" Scott tried his luck with Freen and Becca knew it was the moment of truth. If she engaged Scott any further by allowing him to take her to the bar, the bond would crack. But if Freen put up a shield against Scott and keep turning back to Becca...well then that would be something...
"Nah thanks, Becca already got me a new one." Freen smiled politely and came to stand behind Becca where she was sitting on her barstool. Her arms snaked around Becca and her chin found its way to her shoulder as they both observed Scott. It took him a few ticks, but finally he clicked and realised there was no mere friendship standing before him. "Alright, I get it. My apologies.", Scott stepped back with his palms up, showing he was not about to intervene in whatever was going on between the two women. "But just for the record," he started as he backed away further, "you two do look mighty fine together!"
Both Becca and Freen grew hot at the spots their sticky skin touched. There was a certain pulse they both shared, a frequency only they existed on. Becca turned in Freen's arms and looked up at Freen's jaw as she pressed it against Becca's cheek. "You drive me crazy..." Becca choked out finally, the words like fresh spring rains on Freen's ears.
"Hey Becca. Becca! BECCA! We have to get back to the stage!" Richie called in the women's direction, breaking them apart. Both leaping hearts aiming for the stage to continue their performance. As they got on the stage and started picking up their instruments, Becca called the other three band members closer to make a quick alteration to their set list. Richie responded with an eye roll, Heng burst out laughing, and Freen protested vigorously. It was pointless, however, as everyone knew the band would always bend to Becca's whims.
"This song is for this woman to my right: the most stunning lead guitarist you will ever see... And she's ours." Becca lulled her words over the mic while pointing at herself at the word 'ours' to indicate that really Becca was stepping in and taking possession of Freen. She finally made the decision of whether to let go of what she wants, or go for it. And she went with it. She was telling everyone in the room, proudly, that Freen was hers.
Freen soon hit the first chords on the newly added song in their set list and the crowd immediately went wild at the familiar sound. When Becca's eyes finally found the gaze of Scott McAllister, she grinned and started singing through keeping eye contact.
"Scotty doesn't know that Freen and me
Do it in my van every Sunday.
She tells him she's in church but she doesn't go,
Still she's on her knees and Scotty doesn't know!"
Becca slowly dropped to her knees as she sang, never missing a beat with her rhythm guitar.
"Oh, Scotty doesn't know!
So don't tell Scotty!
Scotty doesn't know!
Scotty doesn't know!
Freen says she's out shopping,
But she's under me
And I'm not stopping..."
Becca lifted one of her legs, placing her foot down that left her in the kneeling position. She thrust her hips forward in a rhythmic motion as she continued playing her rhythm guitar. Her expression joined her sexual display when her tongue peeked from her lips.
"'Cause Scotty doesn't know!
Scotty doesn't know!
I can't believe he's so trusting,
While I'm right behind you, thrusting...
Freen's got him on the phone
And she's trying not to moan.
It's a three-way call and he knows nothing, nothing..."
Becca went into the apex of her sexual display along the lyrics of the song. Here she had slung her guitar onto her back and had taken the mic in one hand while she climbed to her feet and pressed herself into Freen's back. The side of them facing the crowd was where they could see the repeated 'thrusting', while Becca visibly ran her hand down Freen's bottom while 'thrusting' into her.
"Scotty doesn't know!
Scotty doesn't know!
Scotty doesn't know!
So don't tell Scotty!
'Cause Scotty doesn't know!
We'll put on a show!
Everyone will go!
Scotty doesn't know!
Scotty doesn't know!
The parkin' lot, why not?
It's so cool when you're on top...
His front lawn, in the snow.
Life is so hard 'cause Scotty doesn't know.
Scotty doesn't know!"
At least Becca received an opportunity to redeem her hedonistic display when she pulled away for the rest of the song, directing her attention back to the crowd as she picked up on playing rhythm again. The song eventually reached its fading end and Becca and Freen were grinning widely at each other and both of them knew: after this night their lives would never be the same again.
"Alright alright!" Heng piped up on the mic as Becca and Freen were still coming back to reality from their intense gaze. "We'll just jump into the next song and hope our two leads can hold back a little while longer." The crowd went haywire as Heng let them interpret those words the way they wanted to. The idea of the two leads of this up and coming band being a couple had fans squealing.
Becca chuckled as she pulled back and grabbed her water bottle, giving herself a moment to recover. She was having the best time of her entire life thus far. And so was Freen. Finding the electrified atmosphere addictive, Freen just soaked in more and more of it.
"Okay, here we go!" Becca finally growled over the mic and started the next song: 'Here it goes again' by OK Go. It had the crowd once again grooving along to something a little lighter with a slower beat, but they happily continued on the musical ride.
"Okay, we're nearing the end of our performance for tonight. Remember to find us on YouTube, Instagram and tiktok and join our Facebook page to make sure you know where and when the next gig is." Becca managed to get an applause breaking through the audience with a few whistles here and there. "One more slow song and then a banger to end with.", Becca said as the guitars lead them into 'Hands Down' by Dashboard Confessional. Becca tried her best not to keep taking glances at Freen as the lovesong progressed and Freen doing the same with Becca.
It seemed that all pretense was melting away.
It became especially clear near the end of the song as Becca almost expressed her own emotions in the lyrics. Freen felt like she couldn't breathe now that she could clearly distinguish a look in Becca's eyes that was not there before this night. She was silently gasping for air at the mercy of Becca's gaze. She felt like she was being possessed by the look Becca fixed her with every other moment.
"Okay folks that's one down and one to go!" Becca called over the mic as she spoke to the audience. They sounded sad and whiney that the performance had to come to an end, which was nothing but a good sign for the band. "I'd like to thank all of you for coming out here to join us in an awesome time as friends and family alike. You guys were awesome!" Becca brought her hands together and bowed slightly at the audience.
'Move Along' by The All American Rejects came over the bar as a last effort to entertain the crowd before they were to wrap up. When the end finally approached, their departure was praised as the crowd cheered for them to new heights of excitement. All four band mates took turns hugging each other and then finally wrapping themselves up in a four-way hug. The adrenaline was rife in their blood in the moment and the release of endorphins just heightened their enjoyment.
They finally peeled themselves apart and started packing up their instruments. Becca and Freen watched over the gear while Richie and Heng moved it to the cars bit by bit. Once they were done they finally approached their friends and greeted them before being overcome by hugs and kisses all around.
It felt amazing...