"It's a beautiful night we're looking for something dumb to do" - Marry You by Bruno Mars

Most of use remember our first weeks of certain things, first of week of elementary, first week of middle school, first week of high school. The weeks are where we find our footing and learn the ropes of the certain things either crashing and  burning or somehow finding the grounds to succeed but ultimately our first week doesn't define the rest of our course. I certainly hope not because my first week in Treble because I burned.

"AGAIN!" Phil had been screaming again and again for the past two hours and my voice was feeling the pressure. I was to sing 'Marvin Gaye' by Charlie Puth on the first round of Treble. "Mr Carol please I can't anymore, I'll lose my voice" I grabbed my water bottle off the piano and took a long sip but even then it didn't soothe my aching vocal chords. Phil sighed and rubbed his forehead in annoyance "fine Marley we are done for the day and can you send in Peggy next?" I was embarrassed I had let him down and when I saw Peggy sitting outside the music I gestures for her to go in. I waited for a few moments and heard Peggy start singing her song choice 'matter of time' by Taylor Henderson which suited her voice perfectly and I heard the room soon fill with Phil's praise and I soon left.

~~~~~

The Florence Entertainment centre (now becoming known as 'the Flo') was a maze of hallways and places to sit and relax which gave me great comfort. I liked one of the older hallways which looked out onto New York, not to its complete amazement but it was still dazzling. "We meet again" I turned to see Mason who was leaning again the wall but concealed by afternoon shadows. "Mason, always a pleasure" I gestured for him to come closer and he joined me near the window.  Mason was unusually handsome with his pales skin, crooked nose, green eyes and his floppy brown hair but it was the scar down his cheek that somehow made him looked rugged and handsome, the awkward part was I couldn't stop staring.

"Marley ,it's not polite to stare" Mason chuckled and shook his head lightly "sorry how did you-?"
"Get my scar?" He interrupted "I believe that's a story for another time" I pouted which Mason noticed. "Marley you don't talk about yourself much and neither do I" it was true Mason didn't really talk about himself or really much at all and I didn't particularly like talking about my...troubles. "Perhaps one day you'll tell me Mason"

"Perhaps I will"

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There were three days until we had to perform, three days until I got up in front of that live audience in the studio and everyone else watching and give it my best shot.

My best shot...

I was lying in my hotel room, staring at the ceiling like the beige paint was going to give me all my answers. I kicked my feet up and swayed them above my head for a few moments but flipped down again in frustration, what the hell was I doing!?

*knock, knock*

I sat up and walked over to the door and peeped out of the little hole and saw Mason staring back. "Hello again Shipton" I greeted as I swung open the door. "Oh and hear I thought we were on a first name basis Gate" I rolled my eyes at his remark and noticed he want along that his band mates had joined him. None of them spoke just simply gave me a head nod and then took their stance behind Mason, the typical set up between them. "We were wondering if you wanted to hang with us?" Mason asked "doing what?"
"Dive bar maybe, something quiet" "why not" I shrugged at him casually and turned to grab my wallet. "Aren't you going to change?" Jack piped up and looked down at my old, slightly ripped turquoise And jumper, my old tights and a pair of yellow ballet flats "no? I am not fussy" Jack stood they staring, I don't think he had met a girl who wasn't particularly concerned with looking runway ready at all times. "All right then let's go" I closed the door and followed them outside and I don't need eyes at the back of my head to realise they were all a little stunned.

About fifteen minutes later we found ourselves outside 'Flapjacks' an old looking dive bar which looked like someone has been murdered there but for some reason it felt inviting. "Bro you sure?" Ryan asked Mason, a slight quiver in his voice. "Come on now little cousin don't be scared" Mason just laughed and walked inside.

Wait cousins?

Well that was a new one. Ryan and Mason did look a bit similar but nothing striking but I suppose it served as a good twist. "Close your mouth girlie and come on" Ryan tugged at my sleeve and gestures for Jack to follow him too.

Walking in I heard a soft country song playing the background and the setting before me was quiet, a bit sleazy but secluded and honestly it felt kind of great. "You look mildly impressed for a hole in the wall" Mason chuckled slinging his arm around my shoulders casually, I wasn't used to this type of contact. "It's actually perfect, I'm not into flashy"
"And your in a singing competition? That's ironic"
"I suppose so" Mason dragged me over to a booth and his band mates followed him, I honestly forgot they were there.

After ordering a round (I was an exception as I didn't drink) and everyone ending up chatting about music and life and the general chit chat. "So why are you guys called the Emeralds?" I asked them sipping at my third lemonade (like I said I don't drink). The boys all began to exchange and look and began to laugh and then tried to compose themselves which is how they laughed harder. "Sorry girlie it's not you but it's just so dumb but we think it's brilliant" Brody explained wiping a tear away. " you see Mason here has green eyes, Jack had green hair when we met him-" I stared at Jack amazed who just shrugged but still touched his jet black hair slightly embarrassed. "Ryan's favourite colour is green, I mean the dude has a green pickup and me well I'm Irish and Irish are associated with...?" Brody looked at me expectantly "green!" I cried and they all laughed politely "wow that's cleaver and Emeralds is so much more unique than the Greens" and they all nodded. "Anyway Marley what about you tell us about you" Mason pried. I laughed uncomfortably "oh no but tell me about how you all met?" They looked disappointed but begun the tale.

They didn't need to know about how fucked up I was or they'd run for the hills.

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Just saying this now but Marleys secret might not be as predictable as you think ;) at least I hope not...

Love you all x