Page 96 of Don't Love the Boy Next Door
The other guests are starting to grow restless. They busy themselves taking selfies, but how long will that last? Should I tell Ethan how it is out here? No, that’s dumb. It’d just freak him and the others out more.
I wish Katie wouldn’t have quit. I tried to talk her into waiting until after the concert, since Eric worked really hard putting it all together. But she told me it hurts her heart every time she’s in the same vicinity as him. She uses up all her energy duringBeauty and the Beastrehearsals and has no more left for the band. Who am I to judge? I mean, I was the jerk who blamed an innocent guy for trolling me.
And now he’s my boyfriend.
“Rock E’s! Rock E’s!” the audience starts to chant.
I wince. I doubt that’s helping them.
Finally after what feels like forever, they sprint onto the stage, causing the crowd to erupt in cheers. All of them look like they’ve seen a ghost, especially Amber. I feel really bad for her. It couldn’t have been easy learning all the songs in less than a week.
They start to play, and the crowd goes even wilder. I yell, “That’s my boyfriend up there on bass!”
But then everyone actually pays attention to what enters their ears. And it’s… horrible. They’re not in sync, Amber’s voice is scratchy and cracking, and Eric…is he even playing the right chords?
I gasp as I stare at them. No, no, no, no. I’ve heard them perform many times. I know how amazing they are. But right now? They’re not sounding very hot. Not one bit.
“What the heck is this?” someone yells. “Boo!”
Other people boo as well, though some still cheer. The band continues to play like everything is okay and normal.
The second song is slightly better. Only slightly, though. Oh my gosh, I can’t believe this is happening. Their first concert.
While others boo, I cheer at the top of my lungs. These people have to know that this is just a fluke. The Rock E’s are amazing. We have to give them all the support we can.
And the third song…gosh, that’s the worst. Amber forgets most of the lyrics and Eric’s hands are very shaky. Ethan’s got the most disappointed frown I’ve ever seen on his face. I can tell from the look in his eyes that he wants to bolt. But he forces himself to stay with his bandmates.
When it’s over, no one calls for an encore. Amber mutters thanks and the four of them flee from the stage.
“What a waste of money!” someone grumbles as everyone starts pushing and shoving toward the exit.
“They must lip sync at their other gigs,” someone else says. “Because that was the most awful thing I’ve ever heard in my life.”
“Sounded like cats were being strangled.”
“And what was with the girl? She can’t sing worth crap. Why did they get rid of Katie?”
“I heard she quit the band. Who knows what goes on over there?”
“Well, I’m still a fan,” a girl says. “Maybe they were just nervous or something.”
“I’m still a fan, too, but I can’t say I’m not disappointed.”
“They lost me as a fan.”
I push through everyone to get backstage, trying to block out all their comments. I really hope the band can overcome this little hiccup. Okay, it’s a big hiccup. Ugh, what a mess.
“I’m so sorry!” I hear Amber say as I draw closer. “I totally blanked on the last song.”
“It’s fine,” Ethan says. “It’s not your fault. We shouldn’t have gone on when we weren’t ready.”
“What am I going to tell my parents?” Cody asks. “They think I’m throwing my life away. Now that the band is done—”
“The band isnotdone,” Eric says. “We’ll pull through.”
Ethan’s eyes light up when he catches sight of me. “Phoenix, hey.” Then he scowls. “Were we really as terrible as we think we were?”
I press my lips together as I move closer. “Um…do you want the truth or should I lie?”
