Stereotyping Rock (Stereotyping Series) | ✔️

Chapter Thirty

Courtney

I stared up at the sign that swung slightly in the cold, night wind. Narrow Mice Pub it read. 

"Court!" Will half-shouted, "You coming?"

I turned my attention from the sign to the door that he held open. I nodded, sending her a small smile. I tightened my grip on the bass guitar - which I really felt like smashing right now - and followed Will inside. 

Matt spoke politely - for once - with the man tending the bar, "Five of us. Drummer, lead guitarist and vocalist, bass guitarist, electric guitarist and keyboardist."

"Do you have your own guitars and drumsticks?"

"Right here," Matt nodded, "Are we good?"

"You can take the 7:30 through to 8:00 slot," the bartender replied, "Do you have a band name?"

Matt glanced immediately to Will. Will's eyebrows furrowed slightly, in thought. Jenna stared at him too. Georgia shifted uncomfortably in the silence, waiting for anyone to speak up. As I analysed everyone, I saw they all expected Will to know. 

Why would Will be able to come up with a decent band name? His first dog was named Dog, for crying out loud.

Will suddenly smiled, a full-blown grin, "Mental Project."

Mental Project? 

"Mental Project," Georgia echoed faintly. 

I loved it. 

***

Jen

I smiled slightly as another group of people wandered in, took a seat and just watched us. Everyone in Narrow Mice was engaged in our music. 

It was incredible. 

I finished the last chord of Caught in the Middle and let it pan out with the rest. I grinned back at my bandmates before Matt said into the microphone, "We're stopping there, ladies and gentlemen. We hope you enjoyed listening. If you wanna hear some more come on down to the high school in ten days. We're competing there. It'll be epic."

Will stood up quickly and took the guitar from me. I balanced on my good leg and reached for the crutches at my feet. I straightened up before slowly following him off stage. I slid carefully into a corner booth table and Will squashed up next to me, wrapping an arm around my shoulders. 

Matt and Gee filed in and Court smiled, "I'll go get us all some drinks. Is everyone over eighteen?"

Gee was the only one to raise her hand, "I'm seventeen."

Court asked, "Lemonade?"

"Perfect," Gee nodded.

Courtney turned around and headed to the bar to order. 

"Well," Matt began, "We crushed that."

"We were pretty incredible," Gee smiled gently. 

I let my own smile grace my face. Georgia was still angry but not with herself anymore at least. Matt was still feeling guilty but at least he wasn't being a stoic like before. Will was perfect, I was fine and Courtney...

The smile fell from my face as I glanced down at one of Will's hands drumming on the table. I sighed. Courtney will most likely never be perfect again. 

But I love her. 

"Jenna?" Georgia asked from the other side of the table, "Are you okay? You look... spaced out."