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“This isn't working, Zoey.”
Mira huffed and set her electric bass down. Hot pink, deep, fiery- like her.
Zoey sighed. She couldn’t argue because Mira was right.
She set her drumsticks down and pitifully banged her head into her symbol, letting it rattle into her eardrums, which were already failing her, said her audiologist a mere 4 months prior.
It was a stupid idea, really. Zoey had thought of it in her and Mira’s shared apartment in their freshman year of uni.
“Mira! You play the bass, I play the drums, all we need is a vocalist and or a guitarist, and we can make a band!”
“Zoey- how would we even find someone to join? Most of the people I've met so far are boring and stuck up.”
“Come on! Please let’s try? Surely we can find someone eventually…”
“Fine, only because it could sound cool- I guess.”
But- it had been a full year since that conversation. The pair had done everything. Put up flyers, chased around some of the university's band kids, and tried playing shows at local bars. It was just the two of them still.
They were fine with that. It had been the two of them since the very start of freshman orientation, when Zoey was near tears because she struggled with fluent Korean and the tour guide was talking too fast for her to understand. Mira had known English and Korean thanks to her snobby, rich parents' insistence. Match made on the fairgrounds in front of the business administration building.
Ever since Zoey’s roommate unexpectedly packed up and left their shared apartment one point 5 weeks into the first fall semester, Mira had lived with her. Coincidentally, they were both music majors. Zoey was concentrating on music composition and creative writing, while Mira was concentrating on music production. Between the two of them- they could compose music and produce it entirely, start to finish.
Quite the duo they made.
But their small “band” never sounded quite right. Their duo of low bass and steady drums never filled a space exactly the way they imagined. Too fast- too much. Too slow- too little. Nothing was ever it.
“Lets just- get out. It’s a Friday. You down for clubbing?” Zoey asked in defeat after finally picking her head up, the weight: heavy from misery, and woeful ideas, as per usual.
“Yeah- I could use a drink” Mira shrugged. She walked over to Zoey and helped her girlfriend up from her stool.
It was a routine now, drilled into their bones. They practiced together in their apartment in a noise-proof room lined with foam. The room had once been Mira’s, but after they’d started dating, the need for a noise-proof space increased after stupid old lady neighbor Janis called the landlord and filed the 7th noise complaint on them. 10, and they would have been thrown to the streets.
Every Friday, if they didn’t have somewhere to play at, they’d practice at their apartment, just the two of them. Then, after an hour of practice, they would realize the music wasn’t moving right. The sound waves didn't blend. Harmonies never formed. Notes never became golden. So they quit practicing, got dolled up, and drank the rest of their worries away at one of the nearby bars.
Rinse and Repeat™.
So that's exactly what they did.
Zoey pulled on her favorite metallic teal tube top, mesh long sleeve with black stars on it, and neon teal cargo pants with bleach patches all over them. Zoey loved bold choices. While she didn't really understand fashion, she went through a ton of Western American fashion phases- now she wore whatever made her feel good.
Mira, on the other hand, cared very deeply about her carefully crafted wardrobe. White cropped top, black mini skirt, sheer tights with hearts patterned onto them, her knee-high boots, and her favorite magenta pink leather jacket Zoey had thrifted her.
They did each other's makeup. Mostly because Mira was weak, and Zoey loved decorating Mira’s face like her own personal canvas. Black eyeliner, magenta eyeshadow, glitter, and a face card that Zoey swore up and down could get her free drinks for an entire night. Zoey was next, Mira took great and gentle care, unless Zoey was squirming. After a few teasing scolds, a heavy hand on her jaw, teal eyeshadow, mascara by the pound, and dark lipstick, Mira asked herself how she bagged such a hottie.
After the jewelry, the hair, and the grabbing of the essentials, they left their apartment, already forgetting their failed band endeavor.
The club was always packed on a Friday night. Always full of desperate university kids trying to drink their failing grades away or pretend “being liked” was a synonym for “being surrounded by drunk people.” Zoey swam off to greet the people she recognized while Mira went over to the bar to start a tab. Happened every week.
“Hey Ro. The normal, please.” She called, leaning against the bar.
Romance was in her production managing class back in the freshman spring semester. The two had connected over having pink lushous hair. Since Mira and Zoey frequented the bar every week, they’d grown into good friends.
“Hello my amazing friend Romance, I missed you. How are you doing?” Romance mocked, walking over after flirting with some pick me girls with voices so high-pitched, it made Mira’s head throb.
Mira scoffed. “Nice try.” She rolled her eyes, watching the girls squeal and walk off. Romance didnt even like girls. He was just a natural flirt who craved the game of getting tips.
“Another bad practice?” Romance slid her a Jolly Rancher cocktail. Zoey’s go-to.
He knew how much they tried and failed to form a band. He offered to help, but the most he could do was play 4 cords on a guitar.
“Yeah. Zoey’s pretty persistent in not giving up, though.”
Romance made her a cosmopolitan and slid it over.
“It’s Lady Gaga night. Have some fun, loosen up. God knows you need it.”
Mira rolled her eyes- again. She took the glasses and made her way into the sea of bright lights and sweaty bodies to find Zoey. Paparazzi blasted on the speakers so loudly that Mira could feel her pupils shake out of her head with every beat. She found Zoey eventually, already chatting up a storm with her friends Baby and Mystery. Zoey had a lot of friends, but only a few friends.
“Here Zo. Sorry for the wait. Romance was slow.” Mira passed the neon blue drink to Zoey, who quickly took it and downed half of it.
Mira paced herself with her drink like she always did, unlike Zoey, who drank her candy-sweet cocktails and got tipsy quick.
Minuted bleed into hours. Lady Gaga never stopped. Rain on me, Born this way, Poker face.
Mira and Zoey danced. Bodies sliding together in sync. So connected, so perfect, so them. The night bleeds, so does alcohol. Neither of them get black out drunk, that would be a safety hazard and a mess the next morning. They know their limits.
Mira was beginning to further respect the amount of skin Lady Gaga had in the game. Zoey wasn’t kidding when she said she withstood the test of time.
After hours of dancing in the crowded club, Zoey’s half deaf ears heard it. Singing. Playful singing, not entirely serious, but good enough that Zoey, in her tipsy state, sobered herself up to catch it.
Her eyes scanned like a hawk, locking onto its next meal.
Purple hair swinging to the beat, loud singing that Zoey’s brain latched onto like the boy in Polar Express with his bell.
Yes.
Zoey needed that voice like Ursula needed Ariel’s.
“Zoey, what are you-”
Zoey grabbed Mira’s wrist and started shaking it.
“Listen!” Zoey shook, pointing towards the woman with purple hair, jumping with the group around her,
Mira strained her ears, fighting through the loud harmonies of Judas.
“Mira, we need her voice!” Zoey cackled.
“Zoey- we can’t kidnap her and force her to sing-”
“Of course we can!” Zoey begged, viciously now shaking Mira’s shoulders.
I'm in love with Juda-as Juda-as
How ironic.
“We can talk to her.” Mira emphasized, sobering up from all of Zoey’s shaking.
Zoey waited. Watching the purple locks like a man on a mission, she waited a few minutes till the perfect time to strike.
She dragged Mira halfway across the club. The group around the purple haird lady had settled and dispersed now that Fashion! Played, leaving a perfect opening for Zoey to worm her way in and charm this vocal goddess.
Ok- maybe that was a little dramatic, but Zoey was desperate for someone to complete their band.
After what felt like forever- Zoey was finally in front of the woman, and wow, she was beautiful.
Deep purple hair in a wolf cut, dangerously ripped black cropped shirt, purple leather skirt, ripped black tights, heavy black combat boots, and an aura that made even Mira tense up behind her.
Jesus-
“Hi. Can I help you?” The angelic voice pulled Zoey out of her trance. God, it was smooth, sort of like Mira’s, but a bit higher-pitched.
“Uh-” Zoey swallowed, suddenly forgetting how nouns, vowels, and prepositional phrases worked.
The woman patiently waited, a small cat-like smirk on her face.
“I’m Zoey! And this is Mira! Uh- We've never seen you around before!” Zoey rushed once her brain stopped playing kickball with her thoughts.
“Mmm, Zoey and Mira.” The gorgeous lady tested the names on her tongue. “I'm Rumi. Transferred this semester.”
Rumi.
Yes… maybe Zoey could put her name in a pot and hire a witch to manifest Rumi joining their band…
“Rumi, huh? You have a nice voice.” Mira finally spoke up after staying silent behind Zoey.
“Thanks, got it from my mom.” Rumi smiled. Zoey coo’ed
“We should hang out sometime! Me and Mira have been trying to start a band for forever. You should jam with us!” Zoey practically bounced out of her sneakers.
Rumi’s eyes dart from Zoey to Mira. She couldnt exactly tell if Zoey was being genuine or if it was the alcohol or- possible caffeine in her system. Mira wasnt giving her much to work with.
“Uhh- I don't know- are you sure you want my voice-” Rumi asked nervously, playing with one of the chains that hung off her belt loop.
“Yes! I mean- yes. Very sure.” Zoey excitedly cut her off, clearing her throat to remain calm.
“We’ll buy you a drink.” Mira’s deep voice rang behind Zoey. She nodded over to the bar, and wow- Rumi was quite charmed.
So Rumi got a free drink. Despite how she knew she was everyone's type, a free drink from these two interesting souls quite intrigued her.
They chatted. Learned Rumi was a music major studying music business. Rumi learned that the two of them were music majors too and had been desperately searching for a lead singer or guitarist to finally have a band.
Rumi had met a lot of people in her first semester after transferring. Her friend Jinu had introduced her to new friends and brought her around the local clubs, but these two caught her attention quite a lot.
After a few drinks, they were all tipsy again. Heavy metal lover started playing, Rumi couldn't help herself but drag her new muses onto the dance floor with her.
The beat of the loud music seemed to loosen them up again. Soon enough, they were making a dance group, jumping and laughing as if nothing mattered beyond the 4 windowless walls of the club.
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
Heavy metal lover
Rumi didn’t exactly know how Mira slid behind her, and Zoey pressed in front of her until she was sandwiched between the two. She felt like the happiest girl in the world. Number 1. Or maybe it was the tequila shots talking.
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
Heavy metal lover
The room spun with excitement. The lights pulsed at their whim. Crowds cheered and bounced, but Rumi was so focused on how she felt. It was euphoric.
She felt free.
“I could be your girl, girl, girl, girl, girl, girl”
Zoey heard her and pressed tighter, hands curving around her wrist and waist.
“But would you love me if I ruled the world, world, world?”
Mira heard her and curved a hand around her hip.
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
Rumi knew this was where she wanted to be. Maybe she would take their offer up for a jam sesh.
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
Zoey shot a look past Rumi’s shoulder to Mira.
Heavy metal lover
Mira shared the same look with Zoey.
Heavy metal lover
This was their new bandmate, whether she liked it or not.
Heavy metal lover.