A Drummer Girl - Part 5

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I was walking. I didn't know how to describe what I was feeling, it was very gloomy, the worst sadness I had ever been in. I didn't know where to go, people were giving me stares, it was so bad, so humiliating.

It was my dad, "I will never see him again."
What the fuck he did he want, testing me like that?
What was wrong with dressing like a girl?

As I was walking along, I felt very uneasy. I had not eaten anything since morning, and was very hungry. I must eat something, shit, wait a minute, I left my wallet at the house. This crappy day, just got even shittier. One thought that came to my mind, Is God punishing me for going against his will, like man should be man and women should be women,and not following it, you will be going to hell?

Really, this hunger is playing with my mind. The first thing I should do is to calm down, and ignore these bullshit thoughts. I took a few deep breaths and then decided what I was going to do.

I was wearing my wristwatch, it was almost 8:45 pm. By 10 pm I must be at the bus stand. I wrote the details which  Marcus had given me about the bus, but had kept the paper in my wallet. I was trying hard to remember what I had written on the paper.

I think the brand name of the bus was Faster Trans. All the buses in this town depart from one point and I knew the place, it was 20 minutes walking distance from here.

I started walking as I couldn't call a taxi. I was in a dress and pumps, on the street it was awkward. Walking in pumps with 4-inch heels, you must be careful and watch for manholes. The dress was above my knees and sleeveless and I was feeling the cold. Some men were staring at me, and it was scary. So I started walking keeping my head down.

All the crying made my face feel dull. I had to freshen up somewhere and I also needed to pee. There was a Cafe across the street. I went inside, and straight into the women's room. After doing all the work, looking in the mirror there was a very pretty girl, there was no hint of a guy left. There was a woman beside me who was applying lipstick.

"Girl you are looking hot in that dress."
"Thanks."
"Are you with your boyfriend?"
"Oh, no."
"Want some lipstick?"
"No thanks."
"Ok, as you wish."

And she went out. I wanted to put some water on my face but I can't because makeup will wash off. One negative thing about being a girl. Off I went, out of the Cafe.

It was really getting cold. After walking for 10 more minutes, I finally reached the bus station. I searched for the "Faster Trans" sign, found it, and what I saw was surprising. Mom was standing outside looking around, she saw me, came running toward me, and hugged me tightly. She was crying.

"My poor baby, I am sorry, I am sorry."
I also started crying, "I am starving mom."
"Yes baby, don't worry."
It was 9:30am, a half-hour before the bus was to arrive. In front of the station, there was a fast-food joint. We went inside. I ordered 2 burgers and some french fries.

"I am sorry baby, please forgive me."
I was not mad at my mom, I told her,
"It's ok mom, I forgive you, but not my fucking dad."
"He deserves it", Mom said. "I have brought your things".
"Thanks mom you saved my life."
"I will do anything for you, my girl."
"Mom, please call me Alysa, it suits me better dressed like this."
"Yes Alysa, my baby, I will call whatever you want".
"Alysa you are very beautiful, don't be afraid of what people say or call you, you can fight them or just ignore them, there can be hard times to come than this, so try to stay positive, and one more important thing, be careful, the music industry is a world full of drugs and terrible things. Please Alysa, please stay away from it."
"Don't worry about your father, you can come back to the house anytime you like."
"I heard you, mom, I will be strong and will try to stay away from the shitty things."
"That's like my good girl."
"And one more thing, Seriously, can you girls change the band name? Touch My Butt and You're Dead?  Who the hell came up with that name? It's awful and not funny."
"Stop it, mom it's a good name."
Mom and I laughed out loud about it.

It was getting late, so we went to the bus station holding each other's hands. The bus arrived.

"I love you baby, and I promise, I will always back you in any condition, whenever you need support, you can call me anytime." "Oh mom, I love you too", I replied, as I was climbing up the bus stairs.
"Don't forget to call your mom, and don't forget to send me your concert tickets, when you are playing in town. I will always be waiting for your call, take care, my baby."
"Ya I will, okay, bye mom, see you soon".
And she kissed me on my cheeks.

I went inside the bus, and sat in a window seat. As I looked outside the window, I saw Mom's worried face. We waved goodbye.

Some birthday!  That one I will try to forget, but in the end, it was not that bad because of my mom, she is great, always backing me up. And this dress is so pretty. My dad was not always like that, but today he was an asshole. I had always seen him as a role model, but today, I lost all his respect toward him, I just hope, that one day, he will understand me. This is what we call, life, real life. And sometimes real life doesn't go the way we want it to go.

Then I started thinking about the name of our band. Mom was right, it was an awful name, "Touch My Butt and You're Dead." With this name, who the hell will take us seriously? The name could also make a bad impression on people. We must change it. But what can it be? I started thinking about it. Sexy 5, Hotties, Hot Black, "Oh no, then we have to always wear black", it must be something regal, something the fans will love.

I have to discuss this with the other girls. They will be mad at me at first, but I know they will agree with me.

On the bus, all my time went sleeping. It was 6:15am when the bus arrived at the station. I was feeling fresh. Walking to the curb, I called out for a taxi, a few minutes later, I was in a taxi and on my way.

It took 20 minutes to reach the hotel. When I was in the lobby the receptionist called. "Miss? Are you, Alysa?" "Yes, it's me", "This a note from Marcus", "Ok thank you". I opened the note. Take the key, room number 402, yesterday, we did some shifting, all your stuff will in that room. There is an important meeting with our clients, so make sure, you will be in the lobby at 10 am. Wear something formal or decent.

I took the key and went to my room, all my staff was properly arranged. I went to the bathroom, there was a full-size mirror. My makeup was vanishing off but I looking decent enough.

It was almost 7am. More 4 hours to go. Watched some tv shows. It was 8:30, I had to get ready. So very quickly, I took a bath and, came out.

What clothes should I wear? Must be something formal? What is formal anyways?  Never in my life, had I worn anything like that. I had no idea what formal clothes girls wear. Someone knocked on the door.

"Who is there?"
"It's me, fucker."
From the voice, I recognized it was Carla, "Is your name Fucker?  I don't know anyone named Fucker."
"Goddammit, open the door you asshole."
"Ya, coming Fucker".
"Hey Carla how are you?"
"I am great what about you? How is your mom?"
"It's a long story, will tell some other day, I don't want to spoil my mood "
"Ok no problemo, so for the clothes, are you in formal wear"
"Ya babes."
"That looks dull."
"Ya I know babes, we have no choice". Carla was wearing a black sleeveless top and a boring gray skirt and black 2 inch block heels. "So what you are going to wear?"
"I have no idea. Carla, can you choose for me?"
"Ok let's see what you have." She started searching in the closet. "You have nothing here which can be called formal".
Then she went inside the bathroom. "What a sexy dress, whose is it babes?"
"That was my mom's, she gave it to me yesterday because it was too short for her"
"Oh my god Alysa, your mom is great."
"Let's talk about this later"
"Ok, fine, unfortunately, you can't wear this"
"Why not?"
"Because it's a party dress, you idiot girl!"
"So what will I wear?"
"Wait a moment, let me think." Then Carla left the room.

A couple of minutes passed, Carla came back again. She brought some shirts, oh no, they were blouses, and gave me a powdery blue colored one. It was plain but had very short sleeves. As I was opening the buttons they were on the wrong side. It took more time to open up the buttons. I wore the shirt with a push-up bra and over the corset.

"Don't worry your boobs look real".
I pushed up my chest hard, to make them even bigger.
"Stop it babes, or it will hurt you later. Trust me, if you want them bigger, you will have to get implants. Look at you. they are popping out of that dam top! Babes, don't forget I am a real woman and you are not."
I was upset at what she said. "Fuck you Carla."
"I am sorry, it was a joke."
"It was not funny!"
"I will not do it again."
"Ok, fine."

She opened the closet and came up with a black plaid skirt which I had worn on one of our performances.  It was somewhat above my knees. I put on red lipstick and foundation and the heels I wore were the same ones from last night.
"You are looking like a sexy office secretary."
And then she was looking deep into my eyes and we kissed, spoiling each others lipstick. It was so hot. After the deep kiss, I saw the time. It was 9:10.

Caral told me she had some stuff to do in her room.

Breakfast started at 9, so I had to hurry up. I went down for breakfast, but I saw no signs of our band.

I was not hungry, so ate some salad and waited in the lobby.

The first to come was Marcus, wearing a suit and tie. I don't know where Xenon came from, she was looking pretty good in a light green pair of cotton blend trousers and a pale pink blouse.

"You are looking great Xenon."
"Oh this? I hate it, are you going for an office interview? Looking at you now, were you once a guy?"
"Fuck off, Xenon." We were not that close but it was too rude, "Where did you come from Xenon?"
"None of your business, asshole."
"Girls, this is not the time to catfight." Marcus interrupted. "Ok fine boss." Xenon was not in the good mood, I should leave her alone.

Coming from the front of the lobby it was Hyatt and Katya, looking like two office girls. "Marcus it is compulsory to wear these ugly clothes? Oh hey how are you, Alysa? And where is Carla? She was with you?
"Na, ya she was with me, and then she had some stuff to do, so she went to her room. Here come the bitches", Blanch and Carla came together.

Everybody was looking at me and it was the tight hugs. Marcus was in the mood for business.
"Listen up everybody, today is the most important day of our life. With Dave's help, we got another offer from the biggest, or I will call them the giants of the music industry, "Music X", known for making the careers of big-names, or I can say they become big because of them".
Everybody started jumping except Xenon, "oh my god it's great news but wait a minute, haven't we already signed the contract with another label?"
"Don't worry about that, I have arranged for someone to cancel the contract, and according to the terms we can cancel the contract within 5 days, after signing it. Let's go, girls, the Music X bus is waiting for us."

As it was, Music X is really a big deal in this music industry. They have all the power to manipulate the industry. Singing and dancing we all went into this big fancy bus, with neon lights all over it. Marcus was explaining the benefits of having a deal with Music X.

"Listen to me girls this day will be the most important day of your life, and your career in music, so I request you to be professional, that why I told you to wear formal clothes, for this meeting. You see, Music X controls the music industry, as they have tie-ins with music tv channels, radio stations, magazines and with some of the top critics, which was can be the rocket booster that will send the band to the top".

The girls got all excited. The dream that every band has, was about to come true.

"One important thing Alysa, and to all, promise me, please never, ever, tell Music X, or the fans that Alysa is Mac, or she is he, or the truth about the real Alysa, who she is. This can ruin, or end your whole music career! Please don't ask me why, you girls already know the answer to this".

"Be careful, especially you Alysa, just forget that you were a guy, or born one."

"Ya Marcus I got this."

"This can make or break the deal".

As Marcus said, I got somewhat worried about what would people think about me, or the band. If they react like my dad, now thinking about it, was making me sick. I just had to keep quiet and forget the past and be the girl. It was a risk, if someone found out or researched about me.

"Don't worry and be positive, we will be the next show maker, the next big thing in the music industry", Carla was looking at me.
"Ya girl, we go girls," I shouted.
"Now that's like my girl."

Then we kissed. It was a stress reliever, just like a shot of vodka.

On the bus, everybody was dancing and singing. 'kick my ass', kick my ass'. It was like, party on a bus.

Singing and dancing, we finally reached the 'Music X, building. The entire 50-floor building belonged to them.

After we stepped out of the bus, Marcus gave us few final words. And we went inside the building.

There were two secretaries, huge posters, images, frames of famous singers, bands, and groups, and the albums which become diamond, gold, and silver. There were hundreds of them hanging on the wall.

Blanche shouted, "One day our posters will be there on these walls, no one can stop us now."

Then Carla shouted, "Our bright future is coming here."

One of the secretaries calls us. "Touch My Butt and You're Dead, is this you?"
"Yes."
"You have been called up for an appointment on 18th floor, you may proceed, best of luck".

Walking towards the elevator, everybody was nervous. It was like going to an interview, it felt like my stomach was sick.

To increase our moral, Marcus spoke, "Just calm down, relax your mind, take a deep breath and as Carla said, the future is ours".

As the elevator door open, it was much of a shock. Dave was standing there, with big grin on his face.

"What the fuck, Dave?"
"Just don't talk, they are waiting for you girls, hurry up".

Stepping forward towards the meeting room. There was one man sitting, and a woman standing beside him, who I thought was his secretary.

Dave introducing, "The King of the music industry, "Sir Michael Jordan".

Oh my god, what a welcome, the co-founder of Music X is sitting in front of us.

"Welcome to Music X, girls", I will tell you important things about the contract", the women spoke to us.

These are the terms and conditions, listen carefully.

1st. 50% of your sales which comes from, album sales, single-song sales will belong to Music X.

2nd. You cannot break the contract for 4 years with Music X.

3rd. After 2 years we will only take, 30% off all your sales.

4th. You have to follow our orders. For example, if we call you to do any ads, interviews and talk shows on tv channels, or radio stations and concerts, you can't say no or refuse.

5th. which is the most important of all, the copyrights of the songs, albums, music, and jingles you create belong to us, this all comes under the 4-year contract. This means that all the music you make in these 4 years, the copyright belongs to us.  After the 4th year, if you do not wish to continue the contract, for the music you make after that, the copyright belongs to you.

The Benefits you will get after signing the contract with Music X.

1. Promotion of your band and your songs and albums on billboards, tv, radio, and many other ways. In simple terms, we will make you a household name or famous or I can say a brand.

2. Your music will be played all over the tv channel and radio.

3. We will provide you with a villa, for 4 years, stocked with all the things you will need, with staff and a sound engineer, with a studio where you can record. It is a studio villa where you can live and make music.

4. You can have the biggest stadiums in the country for your concerts.

What you have to do.

You have to release an album every 7 to 8 months. To promote your album, one single must be ready after a month. The song must be from the album. 10 days before the album releases the best song from the album will be played and promoted everywhere by Music X.

Remember every album must need 8 or more songs.

So this what Music X all about. Do you guys have any queries to ask?

Marcus said, "we need some time to discuss this".

"Take your time".

"While coming up here you guys must have seen the posters, and all that stuff framed on the wall.  They all signed the same contract with us, before they became famous. This contract will not be changed, it is you who have to decide whether to sign it or not, be famous or losers, take your time and decided, the future is in your hands my darlings." Bold statement from, Sir Michael Jordan.

The speech by Sir Michael Jordan made our minds clear. It was apparent, "Let's do it girls what you say, Marcus".

"Ya girls let's do it".

"And one more thing for God's sake, please change your fucking band name, 'Touch My Butt and You're Dead', what the fuck is this name, people will not take you seriously, and I will not allow going forward with this shit, name change or contract will be canceled"

Everybody, "we will change the name".

Dave spoke up, "come up with something new and fresh, which can be easily called".

During my bus ride, I was thinking about it, and there we go.

"I have a very nice name for the band, can I say it?"

"Ya of course".

"The name we can give to our girl band is,"Kick Me To Heaven!"

All of a sudden Dave, Sir Michael Jordan, all the girls, and Marcus started clapping.

"This what I call a name well done, what's your name darling". Sir Michael Jordan applause me.

"It's Alysa, sir". "Well done Alysa, what a name you have thought of", it's official from now onwards, your band name has been changed to 'Kick Me To Heaven'.

I saw the happy faces on everybody, with no further discussion, we all signed the Music X contract.

"Well done girls", Dave was smiling towards me.

The woman informed us again, "You have a day to pack your bags, tomorrow morning you will moving out to our villa, For further information, I will call your manager Mr. Marcus".

Everybody was shaking hands with Dave, and Sir Michael Jordan.

"I have big expectations from your band", said Sir Jordan, "Please don't disappoint us, and thanks, to Dave, for he was instrumental behind all of this".

"Thank you, Dave".

Then we left the building. Dave took me to a dark corner of the parking lot, and kissed me.

"I did this for you, Alysa".

I was stunned at what he said, and kissed him again and ran towards the band and into the bus.