“You guys are exhausting! Look at us all sweaty and stinky!” Kellen rants exaggeratedly as they approached the group. “If we didn’t text Mika, we would’ve waited at our hangout spot the whole day!” she added.
“Blame Kevz, it’s all his fault,” Lemon told her with her lips pursed.
“You’re not the only one who got wasted! I second that notion!” Mika added as he stomped his foot.
“Kellen, do you know that Lemon can sing?” Kip asked his twin, who shook her head at him with her forehead wrinkled.
“She can? OMG! 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 could only shake his head. “You’re a bit OA! I thought you heard her sing that’s why you insist that she auditions,” she smirked.
“Kevz heard and he said she’s really good,” Kip stated, and Kellen nodded at him.
“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 comes to the band!” Kip assured.
The conversation goes on until Kip starts giving them a backstory of the band. According to him, they only became recognized by the school last year and it was Mr. Punzalan’s idea.
The current adviser of the Music Club thought of forming three bands for the club. Just like how there were folk dance, contemporary, and modern, in the Dance Club.
However, the original plan was to form three bands with three different genres. But that wasn’t followed and competition between the three even started.
But since O2Jam members are good-looking and talented, they became popular on campus 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 for 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’s very rare since they’re all minors.
They got so engrossed in listening to Kip’s storytelling that they didn’t notice 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’s sitting at the long table along with Roj, Drew, and Homme.
Kip led them to the empty seats not far from the table and left them there. He and Kevz joined the rest of the group.
“Okay, we’ll start the audition now. We’ll call you one by one, this is random by the way, then you’ll go up the stage and sing your chosen song,” their adviser explained. “Based on the forms submitted, we have 12 girls and 7 boys, so we’ll start with the girls.”
“How will it go Sir?” one of the female auditionees asked.
“First round is, of course, all twelve of you. Those who won’t be chosen in the first round will have to leave the auditorium immediately and the rest will continue until we’re down to the last one. The same goes for the boys,” Mr. Punzalan answered. “So, let’s begin!”
From where Lemon was sitting, she could clearly see the members and their adviser’s reactions. They would crease their foreheads, shake their heads, and facepalm from time to time.
She suddenly felt nervous. This is the first time she’s actually been thru an audition and she can’t help but sweat and feel uneasy.
“Hey calm down, you can do this!” Audrey whispered as she lightly squeezed her shoulder.
“Why? Is she nervous?” Kellen asked and Audrey nodded. “Tss, this is a piece of cake for you!” she stated, trying to boost her confidence.
Lemon wanted to be convinced by their words, but they hadn’t really heard her sing, so she couldn’t just trust their cheers. Besides, some of the auditionees are really good.
“O-M-G! Look who’s here!” Mika whispered. “Don’t tell me he came here to see you,” he added.
Following his line of sight, they saw Rawbin sitting not far from them. ‘What is he doing here? Why is he even here?’
In all fairness, Mika was right when he said that Rawbin’s oozing with hotness. He’s tall with a good build. No wonder he’s a head-turner not just among high schoolers but among college students as well.
It was as if he noticed that they were looking, and he suddenly turned in their direction. He then smiled and waved at them. Mika was about to stand and approach him when someone suddenly spoke.
“Leslie Monica Juarez,” Mr. Punzalan called before 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.
She saw Kevz and Kip whispering something at him and he nodded in response. Then he looked back at the form as if re-reading her information.
She should be confident. She’s tried singing in a huge crowd before. That’s why she can’t understand why she’s suddenly feeling nervous.
“Go ahead, Miss Juarez,” he told her as he placed down the form again. 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.