The show approaches, and the whole band is ready. Well, the Jakes aren’t, but everyone else should make the song sound good overall. People are setting up the stage for Audrey Willsons act. The band is backstage, tuning their instruments and trying to calm each other down. They had never performed before, no wonder they were nervous. The one who was suffering the most from this was Zoey, as she had anxiety. Everyone was trying to calm her down.

“It’s okay… I get scared too.” said Batman as he sat next to her.

“YEAH, HE’S RIGHT! DON’T LET THAT STUPID AUDREY SCARE YOU!!! YOUR INCREDIBLE!!!” Axel screamed louder than usual. “We love the way your rhythm feels” said Haley, she spoke for both herself and Millie. “Thanks guys, but I’m really not that great at performances” she doubts herself. “Yes you are! Every time you play is a performance! You just have to realize what all of us have realized a long time ago… That you’re amazing! Do me a favor, and think about that while you're on stage, alright?” Layan does it again. I bet he could bring peace to the middle east if he went there. The princess emerges from the darkness backstage. “Hmph! Hey Layan, why don’t you do me a favor, and quit lyin’! HA!” Oh wait, that's how his name is pronounced? Dang, I’ve been saying it wrong this whole time…

“That’s my cue, to outdo all of you! Later losers…” Audrey enters the stage. A 6,000 team band somehow manages to cram together behind her. It looks like a New York City subway station… it’s making me claustrophobic… They perform a grand and intense concert piece. She does six trumpet solos, perfectly. She really is impressive. At the end of the performance, Audrey grabs the mike and announces; “If any one of you judges don’t vote for me, I can, and WILL cut all of your paychecks~” She says cheerfully, and leaves. Her band exits the stage, which takes about 10 minutes… because there are so many members… Layan and Roxy’s band enters and sets up the stage. Layan takes his place as the conductor. Mr. Carry sits in the audience, hoping that the judges would notice how much time and effort all of his students were putting in to bring the band back. Everyone is looking at Layan. He is nervous, but he knows he has to stay strong, for the sake of his peers. Zoey and Batman are shaking violently. He smiles at them and mouths “You got this!” He begins the song. It starts off strong, with everyone aligned, and playing the right notes. Zoey gets to her solo, and snaps out of it. The whole audience is immersed now. There were some off moments, but so far the song is sounding overall pretty epic. And then it happens. The most anticipated moment for Roxy and Layan… Jake and Jakeson’s bongo and tom-tom duet. Every time they played this, it sounded like random banging. But Roxy was determined. She didn’t care that they were in the middle of a very important performance, the measure before their duet came up, she screamed; “JAKE! JAKESON! REMEMBER TO USE YOUR BRAINS!!!” Layan was not expecting that, but kept his composure, and conducted as if nothing had happened, so that the rest of the group wouldn’t get distracted. They stared in awe, looked at each other, and went for it. They played beautifully, they were fully focused, and it was the first time anyone had ever heard them sound so good. This really increased everyone’s adrenaline, which caused the ending to be perfect. The last few notes rang out for a few seconds, and then everyone clapped. It was clear who the judges favored more, too. The whole group cheered with the audience. Everyone was jumping and celebrating with each other. One of the judges, just so happened to be the principal of the school. He and Mr. Carry talked for a while after the show. That only made people more hopeful. The students departed home after a wonderful performance, hoping that when they came back, the band would be back in the program. The principal had decided to bring it back, and everyone was proud and happy for each other. They were like a new family. But Layan hadn’t forgotten one of their neglected members. Audrey Willson was on her way to burn down the entire school, when she got a phone call from Layan Noyes.

“How did you get this number?!” she demanded. 

“Hey Audrey! How’s it going?”

“You know, it was going great, until YOU CALLED ME!”

“Haha I see you're still yourself after that show. I was just calling to ask, because we could really use an incredible trumpet player like you. How would you like to join Brooklyn High’s Concert Band?” Now, instead of immediately lashing out, Audrey thought for a moment, which was really out of character for her. It was true that she wanted to be at the center of attention all the time… But what she also really wanted… were just friends. People who understood her love for music, and people who she could perform with. Layan was even able to bring peace to her. 

“You know what, Layan? I think I will join your pathetic Concert Band.”

“Really?!”

“Yeah… BUT I’M GETTING ALL THE COOL TRUMPET SOLOS!”

“Hahaha… Okay alright. I’m happy to have you in our family, Audrey!”

The End