Clockworks Together

The Clockworks waited patiently back stage along with Nahida. Their turn was next, their turn to show what they're made off. The band members with hand held instruments began unzipping them from their respective cases. Carter could hear zippers being unzipped as Kokomi and Beyond took out their bass and electric guitar.

Kokomi unzipped her cerulean blue bass guitar. The ruffles on her wrist-length sleeves were getting in the way of her work. She pulled the sleeves upward till it reached her forearm and continued on her work. Kokomi strapped the bass over her shoulder and sat down in an empty chair, away from the group. She then pulled out her phone and tapped on the guitar tuner app she had downloaded on her phone.

Kokomi found this app reliable because well, she felt no need to buy a real one. Carter on the other hand, was trying to quietly practice the vocal exercises that Kokomi and Nahida had taught him. He stood in a corner while humming the song they practiced for the competition. Albert was practicing his part in his head as his fingers moves slightly, as if he's playing an invisible keyboard. Simon just stood around, observing his juniors nervously practicing their parts so they wouldn't mess up.

He silently smiled to himself.

'We used to be like that when we first begun', Simon thought as he looked towards Beyond, strapping on his electric guitar.

Simon twirled his drumsticks and gently smiled. How far has he come as a drummer? Quite far, he said so himself. But not far enough. Is it worth being a drummer for your whole life? His family members had ask him these questions ever since his high school days. Simon didn't had a proper answer to that yet. He hasn't found a worthy answer, he couldn't just say that it was just for fun. They wouldn't understand him if he gave such a simple answer.

Beyond gathered them all, they stood in a circle, facing each other. He clasped his hands together, trying to think of some encouraging words to say that would boost his friend's and juniors' spirit.

The sound the audience's applause echo throughout the auditorium, indicating that the band who performed was done with their performance. Now, it was The Clockworks turn to shine on the stage. The band members grouped together, along with Nahida as they waited patiently to be called onto the stage.

Kokomi then hears someone rapidly tapping their foot. She turned to her left to see Carter tapping his foot, either excited or anxiously waiting to get on stage. Unbeknownst to Carter, Kokomi shared his anxious feeling. She didn't know why she was feeling this way but she reassured herself that everything will be fine. She moved from her spot on the chair and went to stand beside Carter.

Hearing some thud sounds made from heals worn by somebody, Carter assumed it could be either Nahida or Kokomi. But his doubts were confirmed by a huge huff of someone exhaling their shaky breathing. Carter smiled softly and halted his tapping foot. He was glad that he wasn't the only one who was nervous.

"Alright gang, this is our chance to become stars!," Nahida coax, trying to motivate the Clockworks.

"Nahida's right, we've practiced and came this far. Let's give our most astounding performance ever!," Beyond cheered.

"Yes!," Kokomi clenched her fists near her chest in determination.

"Let's do this together," Carter followed.

"We'll give it our best," Simon cheered.

"We've practiced so hard, I'm confidant we can make it through this," Albert said.

Soon, the previous band who were on stage, returned to the backstage area. They were sweating while holding their instruments. But the adrenalin pumped into them so they had big smiles on their faces.

"Good Luck, Clockworks!," Cherry beamed her happy smile.

"Good luck, Clockworks," Jessie timidly wished with a small smile.

The previous band that performed was none other than 'Petrichor', the twins' band, led by Ranni. The members of the band wished the Clockworks good luck. Rajesh walked towards Kokomi and pulled her into a soft side hug.

"Good luck, just do your very best," Rajesh wished.

Kokomi, with her cheek squished onto Rajesh's chest managed to mutter out:

"I will,".

Rajesh then turned towards Carter and Albert, pulling them into a hug by wrapping his arms around their necks.

"Good luck brosss, I wish you all the best. I'm wishing only you guys cause I know your seniors don't need beginner's luck," Rajesh explained.

Nahida saw Rajesh's action and stomped over towards them. She pried Rajesh's arms off her juniors and turned towards him with a annoyed look.

"Don't touch them until the performance is done and dusted. Kokomi and I worked so hard to get these boys to look extra appealing, so, please treat them like a statue on a display case at the moment," Nahida scolded as she pointed a finger at the confused man.

Rajesh put his hands up in defense and backed away and hid behind Cherry. Before Ranni could step forward, Beyond was already blocking her way.

"This dispute can be settled later, we have a show to perform," Beyond asserted.

"Ugh, despicable as always," Ranni states before stepping up to Kokomi.

"Good luck," Rannin muttered with her stoic face.

"Thank you, Ranni," Kokomi replied with a big smile.

Ranni blushed in embarrassment and rushed out the backstage door and into the dressing room. The rest of Petrichor retrieved into the dressing room as well.

"Now! Lets welcome our next band, The Clockworks!," the announcer announced excitedly as the audience applauded.

"Alright this is our moment. We have to look out for each other, alright?," Simon said, looking at his fellow bandmates.

"Let's do this!," Kokomi pulls her fist to her chest in determination.

"I'll do my best," Carter promised, as he waves his hand as if looking for something and places his hand on what he presumes to be Kokomi's shoulder.

"The audience is waiting," Albert concluded.

The other bandmembers gave each other a subtle nod before taking turns to climb onto the stage.

"Good luck my babies!," Nahida cheered.

The Clockworks walked up the stage which led them to an enormous brightly lit stage. Above their heads were spotlights shining down different color lights. Blue, orange, yellow, pink, red, purple and white. An assortment of wonderful bright colors, making the atmosphere more party-like. The lights soon dimmed before turning completely off except for the small lights by front of the stage and the audience's seats.

Kokomi guided Carter towards the microphone on its own stand while the other members took their places. She was careful not to accidentally hit him with her blue bass guitar that was strapped over her body. Carter could feel Kokomi's poofy dress swaying with her as she walked along side him. He then felt that poofy dress stopped. Kokomi had stopped walking and came to a halt, he felt her soft hands taking his and placing it on something hard but thin and sturdy.

'This must be a mic stand?' Carter assumed.

"The microphone is right in front of you, take it in your hands if you want," he heard Kokomi whispered into his right ear.

"Alright, thank you," Carter whispered back.

He was then met with a silence, he assumed Kokomi had walked to her spot. He then felt her hand on his shoulder as she whispered again.

"I'll be right beside you if something goes wrong, so just sing your heart out and don't worry about a single thing. I'll take care of it," Kokomi said

Carter felt her hand slip down from his shoulder and soon heard the clicking of heals getting further away from him. He took a deep breath, still holding on to the mic stand.

He could hear all kinds of sounds around him. The sound of the members plugging in their instruments with a little buzz from the speaker around them. The sound of the audience members trying to whisper their conversation. The sound of pitter pattering footsteps of the stage crew pacing about the stage.

Soon, the stage lights turned back on, this displaying normal yellow lights. It shined onto the stage, revealing the members of The Clockworks, ready to give their performance. Carter stood in the middle of Kokomi and Beyond. Beyond was much farther than him while Kokomi was closer. Albert and Simon were at the back because their musical instruments are not hand-held like the latter.

Some of the audience gave a gentle reassuring applause. After the clapping sound died down, Carter introduced their first song simply by its title.

"Falling Rose," Carter said into the microphone, confidently.

Simon looked around at his band members to see them all prepared. He then hit his drum sticks together three times to begin the beat. Beyond began playing his opening riff on his beloved electric guitar which was soon followed by the other band members playing their respective musical instruments.

Carter had his eyes closed as he waited for his que to start singing. He heard the bass and keyboard going softer and he began his singing of 'Falling Rose'. The exciting sound of rock music got the audience cheering with excitement. Albert's keyboard supported the song as it made the overall atmosphere sound elegant and mysterious. As if one has been transported to the era of the Victorians or those of the 18th century.

A certain man with tattoos on his forearms gawked at the Clockworks. Astonished by their teamwork and playing, they made it look effortless. But Jun knew, that an effortless looking performance was resulted from tiring and serious practice sessions. He smiled to himself, engraving the name 'The Clockworks' into his brain, a potential band that he found interest in.

'Hm....they will surely win', Jun thought to himself.

The more Carter sung into the microphone, the more confident he became. He soon lifted grab a hold of the microphone, still in its stand with one hand as he became immersed with the song. Doing hand gesture which he thought was elegant, letting his body take over him as he sang the lyrics with power in his voice.

Soon, the music saunters into a ballad where it was only accompanied by Kokomi's bass guitar. Carter lowers his tone of voice to smooth and elegant, befitting Kokomi's playing. Soon Kokomi stopped playing and Albert continued on her behalf.

The song reaches its climax as all the members played their hearts out to accompany Carter's powerful voice again. The song soon ended by Albert playing a few last notes that sounded like a tubular bells. The song ended.

Carter stepped back a little from the microphone to catch his breath. He slowly regains his breath. The audience was rather quiet at first but soon gave them a roaring applause. But, it was not the end quite yet, there were two more songs left for them to enjoy.

The Clockworks were delighted to perform for their audience.