The Throw-Aways

Friday morning came all too soon. Austin was driving his car off to the studios to meet up with the others. We were going to have our first official meeting with Mark Drews, the manager of the band. Apparently, he was anxious to meet me.

When we got to the Rise Records studios, I followed in the wake of the other members. We entered the lobby and went up the elevator to the third floor of the large building.

“Oh, you’ll love the equipment. Rise has tons of great instruments.” Alan gushed. I beamed and thought about the keyboard. Austin nudged my shoulder excitedly. I couldn’t help but be a little happy and nervous at the same time.

Would Mark like me? Would I have to play for them? What would I have to do?

Before I could let the worry get to me and gnaw at my insides, I was being pulled through the door. We were in a small meeting room. Really, it was more of a lounge. There was a fridge, microwave, and counter in the far corner. A few couches and chairs huddled by a TV. A blonde haired man got up to meet us.

“Hey, Mark!” Everyone smiled and shook his hand. I was forced to the front, shedding my scales of shyness and shook his hand. He seemed like a very friendly person. Austin had explained to me that Mark was in charge of booking the shows, getting dates down for recording sessions, and other general parts and pieces of the band.

“So you must the be famous Raven Skarrson.” He admired. I nodded, glancing to my friends around me.

“That I am.” I chuckled lightly. We all sat down on the couched and chairs, Mark crossing his legs and looking at a clipboard he had brought with him.

“So are you excited to start performing?” Mark chuckled and started to scrawl down some writings on the papers. I nodded excitedly, but a queasy feeling crept into my stomach. Oh man, was I really ready for this?

“We have a Rowling keyboard with us. It’ll be a pretty good starter keyboard. Austin told me you already had a laptop, but the job perks come with a new one.” Mark winked. Woah, a “job perk”? What was this madness?

Mark must’ve caught my crazed eyes because he smiled and handed me the clipboard. I looked at the sheets. The only job I had ever signed on for was a place at my dad’s restaurant-and that was just the legal paperwork!

“Woah, the only job I’ve ever held was at the diner back home.” I laughed faintly. My nervous hands grasped the pen and paper, reading over the words.

“Basically, you sign your life away.” Tino said. Aaron whacked his arm. I read over the paper.

“This is basically your contract for the band. It can be terminated any time in the next two weeks, which is when we’ll be practicing. Basically, this means that you can practice with the band for the next couple of weeks and if you just can’t do it, then we’ll terminate the contract. Otherwise, if you’re going to stay with the band after two weeks, the contract is permanent and will be renewed the next year.” Mark tapped a paragraph at the top. I scanned through it before reading the sentences after.

“Work perks?” I asked. Austin nudged my shoulder, grinning ear to ear with his usual charming smile.

“Lots of fun stuff!” Everyone in the band nodded excitedly.

“In general, everyone gets basically all the Monsters they want, a fair share of the concert profits, sponsor gifts, tickets for family and friends to any concert, and other assorted free stuff. As keyboardist, you’ll get a starter keyboard that the company owns. It’s just a lender until you want to buy your own. The company gets a discount from basically any company, so that’ll lower the price as well. Oh, and you’ll also get a new laptop for sound effects during the songs. It’ll be preloaded with all the needed files and the program used to run them.” Mark explained. I looked and read the spot on the form that showed the list of perks.

“Woah.” I breathed. Mark smiled.

“Just sign and you’ll be set for the next year, unless you terminate the contract within the next fourteen days.” He smiled. Everyone patiently waited for me to choose.

“Why can’t I find the line?” I grumbled and searched the page. Austin laughed and pointed it out. Three signatures later, I handed the packet back to Mark and everyone cheered.

I was officially part of the band.

Notes

SOOOOOOO......I hope you liked this chapter!!! Raven is OFFICIALLY part of the band now!! We'll get to see more of them practice and perform soon enough!