Chapter 4
Crisis number two came about two weeks into the recording. Hanson was right on schedule, and even though the studio barely had it’s head above water, we were doing okay. That wasn’t the crisis though.
Jake was in with the guys mixing some cool sounds into one of the songs while I paid some bills and called up some local artists confirming their recording dates and did my homework as well at the secretary’s desk. I was mid-Calculus assignment when I heard several girls’ voices and watched as they entered, clad in tiny tank tops and short shorts--kind of underdressed for March. They must have been freezing, but none seemed to show that quality as they made haste towards the door to the studio.
“Hold it! Where do you girls think you’re going?” I said in the most authoritative voice I could muster. I was only a few years the senior of these girls and not quite sure if my “booming” voice would stop them. Fortunately, it did, giving me time to scurry to the door and block it.
“We were just going to say hi to the guys. We’re friends with them,” a bleach-blond girl that must have been at least 4’11” without the eight inch platforms she was donning, informed me.
“I’m sorry, they don’t have any scheduled visitors during this session.”
“Oh, come on! We’re old friends. I’m sure if you just open the door and ask them, they’ll tell you we know them,” another girl in all Calvin Klein pleaded.
“Oh, that’s not necessary,” I smiled as I pointed at the intercom by the door. It was created to prevent whoever was recording from visual distractions while they were recording. I pressed the “page” button and waited until Jake answered.
“Yeah?”
“If you could, Jake, ask the band if the know anyone by the name of-”
“Brianna Baker,” CK Girl supplied.
“The name of Brianna Baker, please.”
“Sure thing.” The crackling of his intercom died and I waited and watch kind of amused as the girls turned very interesting shades of crimson.
“Nope, sorry. Talk to you later, Mel.”
“Bye, Jake,” I turned off my intercom and turned to the girls. “See you later.”
“Okay, we know Hanson is in there! And we’ll be back with more girls next time and we will DEMAND to see them OR ELSE!” Platform Girl threatened.
“Unless you’re planning on puncturing me with those too-tall-for-you platforms, you really don’t have much on me, little girl. These are private sessions and the bands do not appreciate hormonal teenagers flaunting the boobs they don’t have in front of a band that probably isn’t even who they think it is. As of right now you are trespassing on private property, so you’d better be off of it before I get to that phone over there, or your parents will be recieving a subpoena in the next week. Have a nice day,” I said, smiling as the girls turned, still trying to be dignified in their barely-there outfits, and paraded themselves out of the studio.
***
As the months came and went, I enjoyed myself thoroughly as I learned so many things and found that I truly enjoyed the whole process of recording, even if I wasn’t the one making the music. I got along great with the guys, and always found something to do on breaks. I struggled to keep my grades above the required 85 average and was very proud of myself when it was announced that I was in the 90th percentile of my senior class. When May rolled around, I felt kind of sad to be leaving high school behind. It had brought so many things to me: My first boyfriend, my first kiss, my first failing grade, my first love, and my first internship. I invited Jake to the graduation and was surprised to see him there along with someone else.
“Jake! I’m official! I have my diploma!” I smiled as I approached him in my cap and gown. My parents were off somewhere talking to my friends and congratulating them on their accomplishments, so I snuck off to greet Jake.
“Great job! Hey, someone tagged along with me today,” he smiled.
“Who?” I looked around and didn’t see anyone familiar. I eyed a man with a brown cap and a brown beard suspiciously when saw the gothic cheekbones and the curls protruding from the safety of the hat. “Hi, Ike.”
“Hey, Mel. Good job.”
“Thanks...um, nice costume,” I flinched at my wording. “I mean, disguise...or whatever.”
“Or whatever. Spoken in the words of a true high-school graduate,” Jake kidded me as I blushed. “I’m sure you have a bunch of graduation parties to go to tonight, so I won’t ask you to come in and help with the Underwear Men today. They’re recording their latest song, ‘The Waistband’ on the ‘Wedgie’ album.”
“Thanks, I appreciate it, Jake,” I smiled. The Underwear Men was a band that made all their ludicrous songs from different things to do with underwear. I couldn’t help but wonder when they were going to run out of material. (No pun intended.)
“Oh! I gotta go! I’m meeting with a prospective client today in about 10 minutes! Ike, you think you can find a ride home?”
“I can take him,” I offered quickly.
“Thanks a bunch, Mel.” Jake pecked me on the cheek before running off into the crowd and leaving no trace but his lingering cologne that he had ever been there.
“You sure you don’t mind taking me?” Isaac questioned, looking at me.
“Nah. I’m only going to one party, and it’s my parents. My friends each have to go to their parents and the only one they’re having together is tomorrow and I can’t make it.”
“Why not?” Isaac got jerked around a bit as people pushed past him.
“Well, I have to work at the studio,” I said matter-of-factly.
“Tell Jake you’re going to take the day off. It’s your graduation. You need to go enjoy it. I mean, I would give so much to be able to do this stuff. Prom, graduation...they’re supposed to be the things you remember for the rest of your life. Go enjoy it.”
“You don’t understand. Jake can’t get along without me. I organized that entire studio, meaning he has no clue where the notes for the old recording junk is, he probably won’t be able to find a thing without me telling him where it is.”
“Gee, I’m feeling a little sick. I don’t think I’ll be able to make it in tomorrow,” Isaac raised his eyebrows.
“Huh?”
“I’ll cancel tomorrow for the guys and we’ll take a day off so you can enjoy your party.”
“Isaac, you don’t have to do that. You’ll have to pay for it anyway, and I won’t let you waste your money.”
“Yes you will. In fact, not only will you do it, you will also enjoy it.”
“Well if you’re gonna make me....” I smiled, hugging him. “Hey, why don’t you join me at the party? You get to see what us regular people do for fun.”
“Regular people, huh? So I’d actually get to see how you guys pass the time?”
“Yep, you’d see us take part in our trivial activities...”
“Sounds like a date to me.”
I kind of bit my lip at the prospect of Isaac and me on a “date.” I nearly laughed with excitement. I couldn’t wait to see what kind of a date he was.
Tell me what you think
Chapter 54
Chapter Index