Chapter 9 The Audition

"You guys are exhausting! Look at us all sweaty and stinky!" Kellen ranted as they approached the group. "If we didn't text Kale, we would've waited at our hangout the whole day!" she added.

"Blame Kev! It was all his fault," Lemon told Kellen, her lips pursed.

"You're not the only one who got wasted! I second that notion!" Kale added, stomping his foot.

"Kellen, do you know that Lemon can sing?" Kip asked his twin, who shook her head with her forehead wrinkled.

"She can? O-M-G! Go and audition for the band!" she squealed.

"That's why she's here. We forced her to try and audition," Kipz bragged, clapping Kevz's shoulder smugly.

"So, have you heard?" Kellen asked, but Kip shook his head. "You're a bit OA! I thought you heard her sing. That's why you insisted that she audition," she smirked.

"Kevz heard, and he said she was good," Kip stated, and Kellen nodded.

"Okay, enough! You guys are talking as if I'm not here," Lemon butted in. "Don't blame me later for wasting your time, okay?" shooting her brows up at Kippler.

"I doubt that! I trust Kevz's judgment. He might be out of his mind most of the time, but he's focused when it's about the band!" Kip assured.

The conversation went on until Kip gave them a backstory of the band. According to him, it was only last year that the band received recognition from the school. It was Mr. Punzalan's idea.

The current adviser of the Music Club thought of forming three bands for the club. It will be like the Dance Club with folk, contemporary, and modern dance.

However, the original plan was to form three bands with three different genres. But competition between bands started.

Since OtoJam members were good-looking and talented, they became famous almost instantly. Even college students at SMU are very familiar with them.

They are the ones often invited to perform at school events as well. Last year, they performed during the foundation day, prom, and graduation party of the senior high school and Liberal Arts.

There are times when they get invited to outside gigs as well. They sometimes play at the bar of Homme's brother, although it was rare since they were all minors.

They got so engrossed in listening to Kip's storytelling that they forgot the time. It was already three in the afternoon.

"Let's head to the auditorium," he told everyone before turning his attention to his cousin. "Have you decided which song you're singing, cuz?" he asked.

Lemon pouted at him and smiled sheepishly. "I can't think of anything. We'll see what will play on my list later. I'll sing that," she responded casually.

Kip was panic-stricken when he heard what she said. "Cuz, this is serious business!" he exclaimed.

"What?! I'm serious cuz, don't worry, I'll give it my best!"

When they got inside the auditorium, Mr. Punzalan was already there. He sat at the long table, along with Roj, Drew, and Homme.

The Music Club adviser informed them how the audition would go. Then he started calling the auditionees, one by one, 'til it was Lemon's turn.

"Leslie Monica Juarez," Mr. Punzalan called, placing the form back on the table. He was looking around, so she raised her hand to get his attention. "It's your turn," he said.

Kellen even pushed her lightly, so she hurried to the stage. "Do you have your CD?" the adviser asked.

Lemon shook her head, and he immediately frowned. "I don't have a CD, but I can sing in acapella," she informed him.

Kevz and Kip whispered something at him, and he nodded in response. Then he looked back at the form as if re-reading her information.

"Go ahead, Miss Juarez," he told her. Lemon quickly stood behind the mic stand and cleared her throat.

She inhaled and exhaled several times to calm herself down. As everyone fell quiet, she suddenly felt nervous. One more long breath, then she started singing.

The audition continued until Lemon and Rawbin got picked as the new vocalists. "Congrats!" Lemon smiled, giving Rawbin a high five. After a while, the band, her friends, and Rawbin's teammate joined them.

"Congrats, Lemon!" Al said before turning to his friend. "Congrats, dude! I really hope you can sing!" he teased.

Kippler and Kevz glanced at each other after hearing what Al said. It was as if they were asking each other what was happening through their eyes.

"Let's go eat! It's already past six anyway," Kippler told everyone.

"Are you treating us?" his twin asked.

"Of course, but it's exclusive to the band," he teased, and Kellen hit his arm. "Sure, sure, you guys can join," he added, and everyone laughed at the twins.

They went to McDonald's, not far from the campus. The place was jam-packed, and their group was a little loud too.

"Hey! Why are you so quiet?" Rawbin asked. He noticed that Lemon only laughed with them but didn't talk much.

"Don't worry! You'll get used to her too. Sometimes you really have to press the unmute button for her to talk," Kale commented, and the handsome lad chuckled.

When the food arrived, Kip started discussing where the band would perform in the coming months. "So, we have to make sure that we allow enough time for practice, especially the two of you."

"You think we can start our practice tomorrow? It's Saturday anyway," Kevz asked.

"We can do it at home if you want," Kip suggested, but Kellen contradicted him.

"No twin, not at home. Dad got visitors tomorrow, remember?"

"Ugh, shoot, I forgot. Then yeah, we can't do it at home."

"We can do it at home. That is if we'll fit in our garage," Lemon suggested.

"Ah yeah, the garage can definitely accommodate you," Kale confirmed.

"Then let's do it at Lemon's place," Kip announced.

"Sure! What time will it be?" Roj asked.

"We can start early, around nine, maybe? Then we can go on until late in the afternoon. Will that be okay, Lem?" Kip asked, and she nodded in agreement.

After the meeting, everyone headed home. Lemon informed Letty of the band's plan, and she permitted them to use the garage.

And since she and Kale were still full, they decided to head straight to bed. It will be a long day tomorrow, and she needs all the rest she can get.