“What the hell? New member? Hell no!” Skylar spits, his hand busy lighting his cigarette. They are supposed to not smoke in the campus music studio, but no one can stop Skylar. That studio basically belongs to their band, after all.

“Would you stop smoking and listen to me? Damn, you even can’t perform with that lung!” Yannick nags in pure annoyance. Just because they're allowed to basically do everything they want inside the studio, doesn't mean he enjoys the room and all the furniture and instruments inside smell like nicotine. Yannick swears he will be livid his keyboard tuts touched by those nicotine-coated fingers of Skylar's.

“what? I’m not the vocalist!” Skylar fires back and even childishly sticks his Tongue out.

Galan, their real vocalist who is slurping his banana milk peacefully, rolls his eyes. Feeds up by the guitarist's antic who steals his role as the youngest in a term of childishness.

“Anyway, I kinda agree to find the new member. I mean, we are popular and stuff among the students, but we never win in any competition, like literally never,” Adam starts, bringing everyone back on track. Based on his experience as a team manager, he knows more than anyone that every conflict in the team usually starts from a petty argument. David prefers to prevent it rather than have to clean the mess of the aftermath.

Skylar grimaces, keeping his eyes closed, letting the smoke fill his lung before exhaling it, leaving the burn sensation on his chest. “What’s the point of winning the competition? Aren’t we agree to be dedicated to music, stay with our authenticity and don’t let anyone changes that?”

Adam sighs loudly in the corner. He met Skylar when attended the same lecture; they have the same taste in music and they both started to make their own music as a hobby since then they began to recruit another musician at the uni to make a professional band. Basically, Adam and Skylar are the pillars of the group. Everything starts with them, including their songs that are rich in artistic influences from both. 

Despite their exquisite synergy, they are both rather being headstrong in what they believe and sometimes they’re not always on the same page.

“I know, we won’t change our identity, but we need some improvement,” Adam explains patiently. He is always on the level-headed side.

“For what? For recognition? Bullshit,” Skylar scoffs, his lips twitching in disgust. No one takes it to the heart. They understand that Skylar has his own idealism for his music. He always emphasizes staying sincere and doesn't let the expectations of others tarnish their authenticity. "I tell ya, fame will add pressure, pressure means we need to meet people's expectations even if that means we should change our identity" He takes a long drag, exhale then meet everyone's eyes with those lazy eyes.

The other members agree with him - at least, to some extent.

“I guess Adam is right. There’s a competition this summer, right? Remember the price? Money and privilege to record our album under the Big label. We can use the money for new instruments and oh my god, if we can make our album under the biggest label in this country, we will be famous. That’s a huge step. Well, I don’t know about you guys, but I don’t want to be a campus band forever,” Hobi says, shrugging his shoulder.

“Me neither,” the youngest adds.

“Well, that is that. Anyway, we will keep searching for a new member. We need improvement, everyone needs to improve, otherwise, we will leave behind. It’s for the band, not just competition,” Yannick states his final decision, the perk as the oldest.

Skylar makes a grunting voice from the back of his throat. “How exactly a new member can bring improvement? What position we should give to them, huh? Cable porter?” he chuckles. No one laughs except Hobi, of course, that ball of sunshine even laughs for 10 minutes trying not to laugh kitten video.

“Whatever, Adam and I decided we might need another vocalist,” Yannick says carefully to not lost his cool, after clearing his throat multiple times he adds "People always said we lack something, with a new member hopefully we can fill that gap. There's no harm in trying"

“Oh come on~, Galan is good enough as the vocalist” Skylar opens his eyes and makes a disgruntled sound as he shifts his sitting position to face his bandmates. His fingers flick the cigarette butt. He intends to throw ash into the ashtray but some fell into the rug. Yannick pretends not to see and saves the nag for later.

“He is, but he’s original as the bassist. We need the diversity of the voice. You know, maybe someone who can sing one or two-note higher than him. No offence Galan” Adam waves his hand to the youngest.

“None taken, I agree tho” The youngest shrugs nonchalantly. Galan was assigned as the bassist but he happened to be good in sing so here he is taking the double roles. "Playing instrument while singing - both in the same Intencity, is damn hard. If I focus more on the bass I less putting heart on the lyric, but if I more focus on the singing I could miss one or two keys"

“I agree with Yannick and Adam, we need some fresh air,” Hobi speaks up after downing his sprite

“how about you Jass?” Yannick asks the boy who busying himself playing dart on the corner.

“Agree, I need a new friend. You are all boring” Jasper glances back and shows his toothy grin to his friends despite his insult.

“It seems you’re the only one left.” Adam raises his eyebrows to Skylar, who just stares in boredom, showing no interest in his bandmate's opinion. 

Before Skylar can open his mouth, suddenly his phone rings. Interrupting them, he lifts his index finger, gesturing them to wait and everyone just watches him unimpressed. 

Jasper is ready to throw his dart to pierce Sky's phone, or rather, to someone behind that call. Unfortunately, Yannick has sent him a threatening glare to hold himself. The rest of them decide to not bother with that anymore. David and Hobi play with their phones after a long heavy sigh, Galan grabs his game console and Yannick - playing his role as the big brother - keeps his eyes on Jasper and his temper like he usually is.

Skylar closes his eyes and put the phone in his ears. Everyone who sees him probably thinks he just received a call from his mother asking him to go home because he is already past his curfew. After about 5 minutes, Skylar basically just listened to the never-ending chirp from the other side of the phone. He puts his phone back in his pocket even though the muffled voice from the phone sounds doesn’t end yet.

“Yeah just do as your please, I gotta go” the blond boy grabs his bag and heads to the door, leaving the room without sparing a glance at the rest, let alone bother with their final decision.

“Is that his girlfriend again?” Hobi asks to disbelieve.

“Sounds like her,” Galan states, shrugging his shoulder. The game he plays has completely stolen his attention.

Jasper finds this situation somewhat ridiculous. 

A few minutes ago, they had just talked about improvisation in their teams and dreams to win the competition, but in an instant, that enthusiasm seems to have been thrown out of the window. He realises that Sky always has a big influence on the team but Jasper never thought that the spirit of other members would really shrink like a balloon that lacks air only because of the indifferent attitude of a member who is dubbed as - The Soul of the Band.

Disappointment is an understatement. If possible, Jasper will ask for compensation for the wasted time.

"WHAT'S THE POINT WE WERE ARGUING WITH HIM WHEN HE JUST WALKED AWAY AFTER A SINGLE DAMN CALL??!" Jasper kicks the chair, and sends it hurtling to the wall. He promptly grabs his bag and marches toward the door after saying "I respect him as my big bro but he is simply disappointing-" then he glances at his band mates over his shoulder "And none of you dares to point that out! Why am I the one who should always hold back?"