As cars were honking and the sun was shining in the busy streets of New York City, the sound of music could be heard through the area of Time Square. There was a crowd gathered around a man sitting upon a bench who was beautifully playing an acoustic guitar and singing along to the strums.

“Starlight, we go blind. Softly, we fall without a sound. I’ll be, on your side. Just hold me, hold me, hold me down.” He sang softly as he strummed along. A few more people started to gather around as the white haired man played. “It’s all yours! I’ve been saving for you. Come collect all my love, there’s no substitute.You know, just what to do. Come collect all my love, come collect all my love…”

As the last strum had echoed out the final note, he had looked up from his guitar to see the crowd and smiled. His long white to red ombre hair framed around his pale face as some strands stuck to his forehead from sweat. The crowd had been cheering for him as some went to leave money. He shook his head and denied the money because that isn’t why he was playing, he was playing to make other people enjoy their day a bit more.

He stood up from the bench, waving the crowd goodbye with a smile. He put a black beanie on to cover his hair as he heard something from afar.

“Ashton!”

Someone had yelled his name as he turned to see his friend running at him. He seemed to be angry, or at least annoyed. The crowd had already departed as his friend stopped in front of him, hunched over, panting heavily from running so fast.

“Dude, you're late!” He yelled kind of moderately at him, because they were in public. He looked up at him with a stern look as he sighed. “It’s an hour past our meet up time."

Ashton kind of laughed nervously as he looked down at him, “sorry, Dan. I got kind of distracted, you know how it is when I get absorbed in my music.”

“Sadly I do. And why the hell are you wearing that outfit? You know how cold it is?” He asked, shivering as a breeze blew by.

Ashton looked down to his outfit, a black ripped tank top with a design of a fanged smile, ripped dark red jeans, and worn out black converse. He looked back up to him and shrugged “oh well. I’m fine, let’s go”

The two walked down the sidewalk as they were making their way to a large building. They were on their for an audition, an audition to find a singer for their band.

Ashton was in the world famous band Arcane Haven, one of the best punk groups around, at least that's what the magazines say. They lost their lead singer about half a year ago and have been looking for someone to take over the position.

Ashton may seem to be a bit carefree but has always had a passion for music.

Ashton’s mother, when she was young, had been in a band herself. She was the one who taught him to play guitar, encouraging him to follow his heart no matter where it took him. For his sixteenth birthday, his mother had bought him his very first guitar, a red and white Fender Stratocaster. To this day he has taken care of the guitar and played it for his performances.

Dan was a member of the band as well. Daniel Freeman, Drummer of Arcane Haven. He's a very bubbly and carefree person. His bangs fell into his face as he swept to the side in annoyance.

"Dude, why don't you get a haircut if it annoys you so much?" Ashton had asked.

"I'll have you know, this hairstyle is a very popular style for the punk genre." He grumped.

"A teal femover?"

"Yeah, now leave me and my amazingly annoying hair alone."

He only chuckled in response as he stopped in place. He heard something coming from a distance and he began walking in the direction of the noise. Daniel tried to stop him but he couldn't, he wasn't even strong enough. He sighed and just followed in pursuit.

Once the sound got louder, Ashton had stopped, looking to where the sound was coming from. The beautiful notes, the great pitch. This guy was amazing. Ashton slipped some shades on as he watched from the back of the small crowd listening in.

"We go together. Better than birds of a feather, you and me. We change the weather, yeah. I'm feeling heat in December when you're 'round me. I've been dancing on top of cars and stumbling out of bars. I follow you through the dark, can't get enough. You're the medicine and the pain, the tattoo inside my brain. And, baby, you know it's obvious"

Ashton listened as the man's voice danced around the crowd. The pitch and tone were amazing. Wonder how his range is, he thought to himself.

Pretty soon this tan man was done singing and the crowd was disappearing. The guy was packing his bag up as Ashton walked up.

"Hey, nice pipes kid."

He turned around to see a man slightly taller than him. He blinked a few times before responding.

"Oh, um, thanks."

"Ever thought of becoming professional?"

"Oh no, I never could. I'm not good enough for that."

"Who says so?"

The guy seemed to get a little flustered as he looked up at Ashton and suddenly seemed shocked. A few strands of hair fell out of his beanie.

"A-Ashton Parker!" He exclaimed loudly.

Ashton quickly covered his mouth before anyone else took notice. "Ssh, don't need to cause a commotion."

Ashton slowly released his hand as he noticed a slight blush across the shorter one's cheeks. He smirked as he took his shades off, "so you don't think you're good enough, but I do. Come to the auditions. We're looking for a new singer and I think you would be a perfect fit." He told him with a wink

Before anyone could say anything, Ashton turned around and walked away. Daniel looked between the two before running after him. "What the hell was that about? And what makes you think he'll even show up?"

"You wouldn't understand kiddo" he said, ruffling his hair "and trust me, he'll come. They always do."