She Is My Baby, I Love Her So, But It's Too Late Now, I've Let Her Go, chapter 1
'Bailey Jade. ' Ms. Sharp's voice echoed around Bailey's closet/ bedroom. Ms. Sharp spoke again, harsher this time. 'Bailey Jade. Get UP, or no breakfast. You have five minutes. ' With that, Ms Sharp swept out of Bailey's room. Bailey Jade Regis groaned, as she swung her legs out of bed, blowing a kiss to a massive poster of Tre Cool. She stumbled across to her wardrobe, and pulled on her school uniform. Or, at least, her version. The regulation black skirt had been shortened to five inches above her knees, the tie also cut short, and loosely knotted around the 'V' of her tight shirt, showing a more than generous amount of her more than generous cleavage. The hideous red blazer had been customised with pin badges and patches of Bailey's favourite bands and slogans. The Foo Fighters, Good Charlotte, Metallica, Led Zepplin, The Offspring, Green Day and others. That was the best thing about living at the Dumping Ground, Bailey decided. The threats her teachers made to the other kids- phone calls home to parents, etc didn't apply to Bailey. Well they did, but Ms Sharp wasn't her mother, so there was nothing she could do. The Dumping Ground, The Baker Street Home For Teens, was a type of orphanage, a 'rest stop' for teenagers who couldn't get foster placements. Oh, sure when you were young and cute babies, everyone wanted you. But when you hit that rebellious teenage stage, fuck off. Bailey had figured this when she was ten, and had hit the teenage stage three years early. She had just been kicked out of her fourth school for something, she couldn't remember what- probably fighting again, and her foster parents 'just couldn't cope', according to her file, and she had lived here since then. Almost five years, now. She slid her straighteners through her dyed purple hair.
'BAILEY JADE MARIA REGIS! ' Ms Sharp sounded seriously pissed now, so Bailey stuck her feet into her favourite Doc Martens, and clumped downstairs. Ugh. Bacon. Bailey clumped into the kitchen and stared into the frying pans. (Well, EVERYONE clumps in DMs. )
'I'm not eating that. ' Bailey announced flatly.
'Yes you are. ' Ms Sharp carried out three plates of bacon to the table.
Bailey followed her. 'Uh, hello, I'm vegetarian. '
'So get some porridge. '
Bailey pulled another face as she poked at the lumpy oatmeal. 'I'd rather starve. ' Bailey declared dramatically, grabbing an apple from the fruit bowl, and began the ten-minute trek to her school. Reaching into her bag, she pulled out her MP3 player, an expensive present given to her by her last placement family, right before they took her back to the DG, and flicked to Green Day's Dookie, and put the player on Random. Basket Case. Nope, that reminded her of her Mum, who had been admitted to a psychiatric hospital after she'd tried to commit suicide for the third time when Bailey was six. She was still there. Chump, then. No, that was too much like her Dad. Bailey had never seen him, either. Welcome To Paradise? You're kidding, right? 'Some call it slums. / Some call it nice'? Totally the DG. She? Nah, that's exactly how Bailey felt nearly every day, like screaming at someone till their ears bled, or smashing stuff with bricks. Oh, fuck it. She put the MP3 player back into her bag. She was nearly at school, anyway. She could hear the bell ringing. Bailey broke into a run. Normally, she couldn't be bothered, but her best friend, Naomi Winters, was due back from America today. She had been to California with her latest foster placements.
Sure enough, the gorgeous Goth Naomi was sitting at their desk, running a brush through her indigo hair, a massive grin breaking out on her lovely face as she saw her punky best friend. Naomi held out her arms, and Bailey broke into a slow motion, Baywatch run. It was a piss-take of those old, corny movies, where the soppy music played, and the lovers ran to each other. (Note- Bailey and Naomi are NOT gay. ) Just as Bailey was about to leap into her friend's arms, they grunted at each other, and shook hand instead, before collapsing into giggles.
Naomi pushed Bailey away, and reached into her designer bag. 'OK, where the fuck are the boys? I've got something really big to tell you. ' 'The boys' Naomi was referring to were the rest of their band, Baker Street Noise. Nibs, the drummer, PeeWee, the backing guitarist, and Chalky, lead guitar and backing vocalist. Bailey both played bassist and shared lead vocals with Naomi, who played the keyboard. The entire band either lived at the DG or had lived there.
'Um, Peewee and Chalky were just leaving, and Nibs was still asleep. But they'll be here in about five minutes. '
Sure enough, the three punk boys wandered in a few minutes later. Naomi was as excited as she could get- bouncing slightly in her seat, bright pink flushes in her pale cheeks, her long fingers skittering over the tabletop as though it were a keyboard. She opened her mouth, but the bell rang before she could speak. She let out a very violent swears word instead.
'Never mind, Nay. We've German now. ' Bailey pulled her friend to their back row seats. The boys sat at the table in front of them, and turned around. Herr Kopf, their teacher, was prattling away in German, and ignoring his class.
'Ok, ' began Naomi. 'I've just found the most fantastic opportunity for Baker Street Noise. ' She reached back into her bag and pulled out some forms, and an envelope. From the envelope, she tugged a letter. 'Read that. ' Bailey took the letter, and read it aloud.
'Dear Entrant. Please find enclosed all necessary forms for the entry of your band for this year's NuRock competition. This year's coaches are Dave Grohl, from the Foo Fighters, Gerard Way, from My Chemical Romance, and Mike Dirnt, from Green Day. The three finalist bands will be coached by one of these rockstars. To begin your entry, fill out the enclosed forms, and a video cassette tape of you and your band performing to the above address, before the closing date of July 31st. You must sing three songs, from other bands, but may sing your own material at a later date, if you are put through. If you are successful with your entry, you will be informed between August 10th to August 31st. You must be free to travel to London after these dates. Good Luck! ' Bailey began to scream. Then stopped as she remembered where she was. Herr Kopf ignored chatting, but even he noticed eighty-decibel screaming. She looked at her friends. They were all wearing the exact identical looks- stunned. Exited. Etc.
That lunchtime, they were seated in the library, not their usual haunt- behind the school, smoking illicit cigarettes- filling out the forms. Bailey let out a small howl of despair.
'I can't do it! '
'Why the fuck not? ' yelled Nibs, flipping his middle finger at the tutting librarian. Bailey pointed at her form.
'Entrants must be at least fifteen. I'm still fourteen. '
Naomi sighed in relief. 'Bailey, the competition doesn't officially start till the closing date, July 31st. Your birthday is June 12th, next month. '
Bailey looked puzzled. 'Is it? Oh, yeah. Ok, panic over. ' She went back to scrawling out her name. Naomi looked at her now peaceful friend in shock, before shrugging helplessly at the boys. How could anyone forget their own birthday?
On Friday, a teacher's day so they weren't at school; they were ready to begin their video. Nathan, Marco, two more boys from the DG, and Robert, on of the DG's social workers were their unofficial roadie crews. Nathan was doing the lights and sound checks, Robert, the only adult, would be filming, as it was his camera and camp Marco was the stylist and was organising venues for the songs to be filmed at.
Nathan was running around, waving his clipboard. 'Right, ' he yelled. 'Where's Nibs? '
Bailey yawned. 'Still in bed. ' Nathan looked at her in shock.
'Why? ' he screamed. Chalky entered the DG living room. Paler than his usual Goth punk normal, he was also yawning.
'Because it is half past five on a Friday fucking morning, and bed is where normal people usually are at this time. '
'We- YOU are not normal. You are fucking rock stars now. '
'Piss off, Nathan. '
At a more reasonable hour, half past eleven, the teens met in their DG common room. Nathan still had his clipboard, but was now a lot less bossy, nursing several sore bruises after Bailey and Chalky's early morning beating.
'Right, so, the songs we've decided on are Green Day's Welcome To Paradise, filmed here, Waiting, also by Green Day, filmed at Train Wreck, and we haven't actually decided on a third, have we? ' The band shook their heads. Bailey squealed with pain as Marco got distracted bitching at a picture of Paris Hilton looking less than perfect, and tried to straighten Bailey's ear.
Thirty minutes later, they were ready. The band piled into Robbie's car, and drove... Thirty feet down the road. Robbie was standing at the gates to the DG, camera ready. They walked down the road in a group, Bailey, singing lead on this one, ever so slightly in front. She looked directly down the camera lens and began mouthing the words. Robbie's camera was a cheapish one, and the sound quality wasn't very good, so they were dubbing in the sound later. Three hours later, they had finished 'Welcome', and were hurriedly clearing up the broken glass and litter artfully strewn around the car park before Ms Sharp came back from the supermarket and freaked.
'And you definitely have got a full house at Train Wreck? ' Bailey was double-checking all Marco's arrangements. Marco gave a theatrical groan.
'For the fifth fucking time, Bai, YES! Calm down, you'll have another panic attack. '
The band and crew were in Robbie's van again, driving to Train Wreck, an abandoned warehouse by the railway tracks, where many illegal raves were held. Baker Street Noise had played at many. It was now half past six, Saturday evening, and Marco had been on the phone all day, telling people about Baker Street Noise's video being shot there. The theme for their version of the 'Welcome To Paradise' video had been them arriving at the DG, and wandering round the local streets. It was actually quite a good video, although slightly moody. This one was Baker Street Noise's ambitions, singing to a massive audience, etc. Robbie pulled into the deserted parking lot.
'Where is everyone? ' Bailey's voice sounded panicky. Naomi squeezed her hand gently. She had seen Bailey having a panic attack before, and it was bloody terrifying. Marco stroked the back of Bailey's head.
'Don't worry babes. ' He said in a soothing voice. 'I told them to arrive at about nine-ish. We need time to get ready and set up. '
Bailey took some big gulps of air. 'Kay. ' She said bravely.
They were filming the opening shots by eight thirty. The shots were of the van swinging into the parking lot, Bailey, Nibs, Naomi, Chalky and PeeWee walking in, setting up. Bailey mouthed the first four lines sitting alone on an empty stage, the boys lugging speakers and electrical equipment around behind her. The punks were beginning to arrive now, so Robbie got some shots of them filing in. As they were playing to a live audience, he switched off the sound, so they could sing for real.
Chalky was singing the faster verses, from 'Downtown, lights will be shining' to 'It's too late ready or not at all. ' Then Bailey would sing the slower parts, 'I'm so much closer than I have ever known' then Nibs would yell 'Wake up! ' and it would be Chalky again.
The three hundred plus punks and Goths were going wild. Sure, this song wasn't a particular favourite of everyone's, but whatever. Baker Street Noise was actually seriously good.
They finished just in time. Obviously, someone had called the police, as the place was suddenly swarming with cops, so Robbie caught some shots of them too. Luckily, all the heavy equipment was already in the van, so Bailey and the boys grabbed a guitar each, Nibs tucking Naomi's keyboard under his arm, Naomi carrying the stand. They ran to the van, and Robbie slammed his foot on the accelerator, and sped back to the DG. They were nearly finished.
Sunday. They had decided that Bailey, by far the best singer, would sing a solo of Kelly Clarkson's Because Of You, track number four on Kelly's album Breakaway. They were going to film it at school, using the old piano in the hall, and the DG. They had convinced Ralf, the DG cook, to play Bailey's abusive 'dad'. Bailey had never met her natural father, so she didn't know if he really was abusive, but she didn't really care. Result? Well, they had now finished their video, and Robbie had layered the sound over it perfectly, but Bailey now had a broken wrist and a sprained ankle after Ralf had gotten a little carried away 'pushing' her down the stairs. Oh well, at least they were finished. Now all they had to do was wait. For over two months. Bugger.
Bailey's fifteenth birthday came and went. Naomi's placements began the procedure to officially adopt her. Nibs smashed PeeWee's motorbike into a wall. PeeWee hit him. Hard.
Finally, it was August the 10th. As promised, the letter from NuRock arrived dead on time. Bailey came into the dining room. It was just the band and a couple of teenie boppers living there now. The boys were grouped around the envelope, just staring at it as though it might jump up and bite their asses if they turned away. Bailey could tell they were nervous- Nibs had only eaten three quarters of his Nutella smothered waffle with Cheerio sprinkles.
'Should I open it? ' Bailey asked.
'Yeah. But get Naomi on the phone. ' Chalky was already dialling Naomi's number. He passed the cordless to Bailey.
'Nai, it's here. '
'Oh, God. Open it. '
Bailey took a deep breath, and slipped open the envelope. She read through it silently. Then she carefully folded it back up, and calmly put it back into the envelope, which she slipped into her pocket. She reached passed PeeWee for the box of Cheerios, and poured some into a bowl, whistling softly under her breath. Nibs thumped her on the arm. Bailey reached up and slapped him round the face, before grabbing the milk. She picked up her spoon, the Cheerios halfway to her mouth before picking up the phone again.
'By the way, we're in the final three. '
Three days later, they were in Starbucks. They should have been discussing the travel arrangements for the trip to the NuRock competition in London, but Naomi was late. Nathan was just about to begin without her, when she ran in, tears streaming down her face.
'I can't do it. They won't let me. ' Naomi sobbed. Her friends crowded round her.
'What? '
'Why? '
'They know how much this means... '
'I know! ' exploded Naomi. 'But they're my legal parents now, and if they say I can't go, then I can't go. '
'Well that's it then, ' said Bailey, 'None of us can go. '
Naomi looked thunderstruck. 'But why? ' she gasped, 'You all wanted it as much as me, Bai, you wanted it MORE! '
Bailey nodded miserably. 'Yeah, but can we go without you? I mean, not only without Naomi the keyboard player, without Naomi the friend? '
'YES. ' Chorused the whole group, including Naomi. Bailey looked at Naomi, and thought hard.
'Well, if you're sure, Nai... '
'Yes. '
'... Well, then I guess we are going. '
August 31st. They had arrived at the hotel, where NuRock were paying for them to have one of the posh penthouse suites. Nibs immediately backflipped over the sofa to the mini bar.
'Holy SHIT! They have mini Cokes for three quid! ' Nibs grabbed one, and swallowed the whole lot in one mouthful. 'Expensive Coke is GOOOOOOOOD! ' Nibs exclaimed.
The phone rang. Robbie, accompanying the band answered it. Bailey hit the speakerphone button.
'Hello, Baker Street Noise? ' An official sounding voice spoke. ' This is Nick Ryan, I'm the co-director for NuRock. Uh, we're gonna need you to be in the hotel restaurant in half an hour to meet your judge coach, and that basic shit, OK? ' He hung up.
Nibs, Chalky and PeeWee hurried down to the restaurant. As they still had twenty minutes, the all ordered a burger. Typical boys. Five star hotel, and they order cheeseburgers. Bailey was still in her room of the suite, getting unpacked. Robbie was in reception, checking over some things.
Mike approached their table with another guy. Chalky whispered that it was Nick Ryan, the co-director. The co-director bloke spoke first.
'Hi, ' grinned Nick. 'You must be Baker Street Noise. ' He held out his hand to Chalky, the closest to him. Chalky rearranged his face into an expression he hoped didn't make him look like a total twat. He gripped Nick's hand.
'Yeah, if you're talking to us, we must be. Well most of the band. Bailey is getting unpacked. ' Chalky explained. Nick nodded, and shook hands with the rest of the boys.
'Nibs. '
'Chalky. '
'Uh, PeeWee. '
Mike couldn't help but snort a little at the last kid's name. When he had read PeeWee's name on the forms, he had been expecting a tiny little runty brat. Not this massively muscled giant. Mike sat down at the head of the table, and leaned back in his chair. He coughed slightly, drawing Nick's attention.
'Well, as you've probably guessed, this is Mike Dirnt, and he will be coaching you for the remainder of this contest, which will start officially Friday of next week so practise hard, and do as Mike tells you. Um, I've pretty much explained everything to him, so if you have any questions, just ask Mike. ' Nick waved his hand, and hurried off.
Nibs swallowed the last of his cheeseburger. 'So where are the other finalists staying? ' he asked Mike.
'Um, I think Dave Grohl's band, Illicit, are staying at that hotel next door, and I'm not sure where K16, Gerard Way's band, are staying. '
Chalky noticed Bailey walking through the restaurant doors. 'Here's Bailey now. ' He said. Mike turned back in his seat to see the punk girl. His mouth dropped open as he took in the face of the girl, her heavily eyelinered, greeny hazel eyes in particular. She looked just like B... No. No freaking way could she be...
'Hi, guys. ' Bailey sat down opposite Mike. She held out her hand to him, but he was too busy staring at her. She waved her hand in his face instead. 'I'm Bailey Jade Regis. '
'Adie will freak. ' Mike muttered to himself.
'BAILEY JADE MARIA REGIS! ' Ms Sharp sounded seriously pissed now, so Bailey stuck her feet into her favourite Doc Martens, and clumped downstairs. Ugh. Bacon. Bailey clumped into the kitchen and stared into the frying pans. (Well, EVERYONE clumps in DMs. )
'I'm not eating that. ' Bailey announced flatly.
'Yes you are. ' Ms Sharp carried out three plates of bacon to the table.
Bailey followed her. 'Uh, hello, I'm vegetarian. '
'So get some porridge. '
Bailey pulled another face as she poked at the lumpy oatmeal. 'I'd rather starve. ' Bailey declared dramatically, grabbing an apple from the fruit bowl, and began the ten-minute trek to her school. Reaching into her bag, she pulled out her MP3 player, an expensive present given to her by her last placement family, right before they took her back to the DG, and flicked to Green Day's Dookie, and put the player on Random. Basket Case. Nope, that reminded her of her Mum, who had been admitted to a psychiatric hospital after she'd tried to commit suicide for the third time when Bailey was six. She was still there. Chump, then. No, that was too much like her Dad. Bailey had never seen him, either. Welcome To Paradise? You're kidding, right? 'Some call it slums. / Some call it nice'? Totally the DG. She? Nah, that's exactly how Bailey felt nearly every day, like screaming at someone till their ears bled, or smashing stuff with bricks. Oh, fuck it. She put the MP3 player back into her bag. She was nearly at school, anyway. She could hear the bell ringing. Bailey broke into a run. Normally, she couldn't be bothered, but her best friend, Naomi Winters, was due back from America today. She had been to California with her latest foster placements.
Sure enough, the gorgeous Goth Naomi was sitting at their desk, running a brush through her indigo hair, a massive grin breaking out on her lovely face as she saw her punky best friend. Naomi held out her arms, and Bailey broke into a slow motion, Baywatch run. It was a piss-take of those old, corny movies, where the soppy music played, and the lovers ran to each other. (Note- Bailey and Naomi are NOT gay. ) Just as Bailey was about to leap into her friend's arms, they grunted at each other, and shook hand instead, before collapsing into giggles.
Naomi pushed Bailey away, and reached into her designer bag. 'OK, where the fuck are the boys? I've got something really big to tell you. ' 'The boys' Naomi was referring to were the rest of their band, Baker Street Noise. Nibs, the drummer, PeeWee, the backing guitarist, and Chalky, lead guitar and backing vocalist. Bailey both played bassist and shared lead vocals with Naomi, who played the keyboard. The entire band either lived at the DG or had lived there.
'Um, Peewee and Chalky were just leaving, and Nibs was still asleep. But they'll be here in about five minutes. '
Sure enough, the three punk boys wandered in a few minutes later. Naomi was as excited as she could get- bouncing slightly in her seat, bright pink flushes in her pale cheeks, her long fingers skittering over the tabletop as though it were a keyboard. She opened her mouth, but the bell rang before she could speak. She let out a very violent swears word instead.
'Never mind, Nay. We've German now. ' Bailey pulled her friend to their back row seats. The boys sat at the table in front of them, and turned around. Herr Kopf, their teacher, was prattling away in German, and ignoring his class.
'Ok, ' began Naomi. 'I've just found the most fantastic opportunity for Baker Street Noise. ' She reached back into her bag and pulled out some forms, and an envelope. From the envelope, she tugged a letter. 'Read that. ' Bailey took the letter, and read it aloud.
'Dear Entrant. Please find enclosed all necessary forms for the entry of your band for this year's NuRock competition. This year's coaches are Dave Grohl, from the Foo Fighters, Gerard Way, from My Chemical Romance, and Mike Dirnt, from Green Day. The three finalist bands will be coached by one of these rockstars. To begin your entry, fill out the enclosed forms, and a video cassette tape of you and your band performing to the above address, before the closing date of July 31st. You must sing three songs, from other bands, but may sing your own material at a later date, if you are put through. If you are successful with your entry, you will be informed between August 10th to August 31st. You must be free to travel to London after these dates. Good Luck! ' Bailey began to scream. Then stopped as she remembered where she was. Herr Kopf ignored chatting, but even he noticed eighty-decibel screaming. She looked at her friends. They were all wearing the exact identical looks- stunned. Exited. Etc.
That lunchtime, they were seated in the library, not their usual haunt- behind the school, smoking illicit cigarettes- filling out the forms. Bailey let out a small howl of despair.
'I can't do it! '
'Why the fuck not? ' yelled Nibs, flipping his middle finger at the tutting librarian. Bailey pointed at her form.
'Entrants must be at least fifteen. I'm still fourteen. '
Naomi sighed in relief. 'Bailey, the competition doesn't officially start till the closing date, July 31st. Your birthday is June 12th, next month. '
Bailey looked puzzled. 'Is it? Oh, yeah. Ok, panic over. ' She went back to scrawling out her name. Naomi looked at her now peaceful friend in shock, before shrugging helplessly at the boys. How could anyone forget their own birthday?
On Friday, a teacher's day so they weren't at school; they were ready to begin their video. Nathan, Marco, two more boys from the DG, and Robert, on of the DG's social workers were their unofficial roadie crews. Nathan was doing the lights and sound checks, Robert, the only adult, would be filming, as it was his camera and camp Marco was the stylist and was organising venues for the songs to be filmed at.
Nathan was running around, waving his clipboard. 'Right, ' he yelled. 'Where's Nibs? '
Bailey yawned. 'Still in bed. ' Nathan looked at her in shock.
'Why? ' he screamed. Chalky entered the DG living room. Paler than his usual Goth punk normal, he was also yawning.
'Because it is half past five on a Friday fucking morning, and bed is where normal people usually are at this time. '
'We- YOU are not normal. You are fucking rock stars now. '
'Piss off, Nathan. '
At a more reasonable hour, half past eleven, the teens met in their DG common room. Nathan still had his clipboard, but was now a lot less bossy, nursing several sore bruises after Bailey and Chalky's early morning beating.
'Right, so, the songs we've decided on are Green Day's Welcome To Paradise, filmed here, Waiting, also by Green Day, filmed at Train Wreck, and we haven't actually decided on a third, have we? ' The band shook their heads. Bailey squealed with pain as Marco got distracted bitching at a picture of Paris Hilton looking less than perfect, and tried to straighten Bailey's ear.
Thirty minutes later, they were ready. The band piled into Robbie's car, and drove... Thirty feet down the road. Robbie was standing at the gates to the DG, camera ready. They walked down the road in a group, Bailey, singing lead on this one, ever so slightly in front. She looked directly down the camera lens and began mouthing the words. Robbie's camera was a cheapish one, and the sound quality wasn't very good, so they were dubbing in the sound later. Three hours later, they had finished 'Welcome', and were hurriedly clearing up the broken glass and litter artfully strewn around the car park before Ms Sharp came back from the supermarket and freaked.
'And you definitely have got a full house at Train Wreck? ' Bailey was double-checking all Marco's arrangements. Marco gave a theatrical groan.
'For the fifth fucking time, Bai, YES! Calm down, you'll have another panic attack. '
The band and crew were in Robbie's van again, driving to Train Wreck, an abandoned warehouse by the railway tracks, where many illegal raves were held. Baker Street Noise had played at many. It was now half past six, Saturday evening, and Marco had been on the phone all day, telling people about Baker Street Noise's video being shot there. The theme for their version of the 'Welcome To Paradise' video had been them arriving at the DG, and wandering round the local streets. It was actually quite a good video, although slightly moody. This one was Baker Street Noise's ambitions, singing to a massive audience, etc. Robbie pulled into the deserted parking lot.
'Where is everyone? ' Bailey's voice sounded panicky. Naomi squeezed her hand gently. She had seen Bailey having a panic attack before, and it was bloody terrifying. Marco stroked the back of Bailey's head.
'Don't worry babes. ' He said in a soothing voice. 'I told them to arrive at about nine-ish. We need time to get ready and set up. '
Bailey took some big gulps of air. 'Kay. ' She said bravely.
They were filming the opening shots by eight thirty. The shots were of the van swinging into the parking lot, Bailey, Nibs, Naomi, Chalky and PeeWee walking in, setting up. Bailey mouthed the first four lines sitting alone on an empty stage, the boys lugging speakers and electrical equipment around behind her. The punks were beginning to arrive now, so Robbie got some shots of them filing in. As they were playing to a live audience, he switched off the sound, so they could sing for real.
Chalky was singing the faster verses, from 'Downtown, lights will be shining' to 'It's too late ready or not at all. ' Then Bailey would sing the slower parts, 'I'm so much closer than I have ever known' then Nibs would yell 'Wake up! ' and it would be Chalky again.
The three hundred plus punks and Goths were going wild. Sure, this song wasn't a particular favourite of everyone's, but whatever. Baker Street Noise was actually seriously good.
They finished just in time. Obviously, someone had called the police, as the place was suddenly swarming with cops, so Robbie caught some shots of them too. Luckily, all the heavy equipment was already in the van, so Bailey and the boys grabbed a guitar each, Nibs tucking Naomi's keyboard under his arm, Naomi carrying the stand. They ran to the van, and Robbie slammed his foot on the accelerator, and sped back to the DG. They were nearly finished.
Sunday. They had decided that Bailey, by far the best singer, would sing a solo of Kelly Clarkson's Because Of You, track number four on Kelly's album Breakaway. They were going to film it at school, using the old piano in the hall, and the DG. They had convinced Ralf, the DG cook, to play Bailey's abusive 'dad'. Bailey had never met her natural father, so she didn't know if he really was abusive, but she didn't really care. Result? Well, they had now finished their video, and Robbie had layered the sound over it perfectly, but Bailey now had a broken wrist and a sprained ankle after Ralf had gotten a little carried away 'pushing' her down the stairs. Oh well, at least they were finished. Now all they had to do was wait. For over two months. Bugger.
Bailey's fifteenth birthday came and went. Naomi's placements began the procedure to officially adopt her. Nibs smashed PeeWee's motorbike into a wall. PeeWee hit him. Hard.
Finally, it was August the 10th. As promised, the letter from NuRock arrived dead on time. Bailey came into the dining room. It was just the band and a couple of teenie boppers living there now. The boys were grouped around the envelope, just staring at it as though it might jump up and bite their asses if they turned away. Bailey could tell they were nervous- Nibs had only eaten three quarters of his Nutella smothered waffle with Cheerio sprinkles.
'Should I open it? ' Bailey asked.
'Yeah. But get Naomi on the phone. ' Chalky was already dialling Naomi's number. He passed the cordless to Bailey.
'Nai, it's here. '
'Oh, God. Open it. '
Bailey took a deep breath, and slipped open the envelope. She read through it silently. Then she carefully folded it back up, and calmly put it back into the envelope, which she slipped into her pocket. She reached passed PeeWee for the box of Cheerios, and poured some into a bowl, whistling softly under her breath. Nibs thumped her on the arm. Bailey reached up and slapped him round the face, before grabbing the milk. She picked up her spoon, the Cheerios halfway to her mouth before picking up the phone again.
'By the way, we're in the final three. '
Three days later, they were in Starbucks. They should have been discussing the travel arrangements for the trip to the NuRock competition in London, but Naomi was late. Nathan was just about to begin without her, when she ran in, tears streaming down her face.
'I can't do it. They won't let me. ' Naomi sobbed. Her friends crowded round her.
'What? '
'Why? '
'They know how much this means... '
'I know! ' exploded Naomi. 'But they're my legal parents now, and if they say I can't go, then I can't go. '
'Well that's it then, ' said Bailey, 'None of us can go. '
Naomi looked thunderstruck. 'But why? ' she gasped, 'You all wanted it as much as me, Bai, you wanted it MORE! '
Bailey nodded miserably. 'Yeah, but can we go without you? I mean, not only without Naomi the keyboard player, without Naomi the friend? '
'YES. ' Chorused the whole group, including Naomi. Bailey looked at Naomi, and thought hard.
'Well, if you're sure, Nai... '
'Yes. '
'... Well, then I guess we are going. '
August 31st. They had arrived at the hotel, where NuRock were paying for them to have one of the posh penthouse suites. Nibs immediately backflipped over the sofa to the mini bar.
'Holy SHIT! They have mini Cokes for three quid! ' Nibs grabbed one, and swallowed the whole lot in one mouthful. 'Expensive Coke is GOOOOOOOOD! ' Nibs exclaimed.
The phone rang. Robbie, accompanying the band answered it. Bailey hit the speakerphone button.
'Hello, Baker Street Noise? ' An official sounding voice spoke. ' This is Nick Ryan, I'm the co-director for NuRock. Uh, we're gonna need you to be in the hotel restaurant in half an hour to meet your judge coach, and that basic shit, OK? ' He hung up.
Nibs, Chalky and PeeWee hurried down to the restaurant. As they still had twenty minutes, the all ordered a burger. Typical boys. Five star hotel, and they order cheeseburgers. Bailey was still in her room of the suite, getting unpacked. Robbie was in reception, checking over some things.
Mike approached their table with another guy. Chalky whispered that it was Nick Ryan, the co-director. The co-director bloke spoke first.
'Hi, ' grinned Nick. 'You must be Baker Street Noise. ' He held out his hand to Chalky, the closest to him. Chalky rearranged his face into an expression he hoped didn't make him look like a total twat. He gripped Nick's hand.
'Yeah, if you're talking to us, we must be. Well most of the band. Bailey is getting unpacked. ' Chalky explained. Nick nodded, and shook hands with the rest of the boys.
'Nibs. '
'Chalky. '
'Uh, PeeWee. '
Mike couldn't help but snort a little at the last kid's name. When he had read PeeWee's name on the forms, he had been expecting a tiny little runty brat. Not this massively muscled giant. Mike sat down at the head of the table, and leaned back in his chair. He coughed slightly, drawing Nick's attention.
'Well, as you've probably guessed, this is Mike Dirnt, and he will be coaching you for the remainder of this contest, which will start officially Friday of next week so practise hard, and do as Mike tells you. Um, I've pretty much explained everything to him, so if you have any questions, just ask Mike. ' Nick waved his hand, and hurried off.
Nibs swallowed the last of his cheeseburger. 'So where are the other finalists staying? ' he asked Mike.
'Um, I think Dave Grohl's band, Illicit, are staying at that hotel next door, and I'm not sure where K16, Gerard Way's band, are staying. '
Chalky noticed Bailey walking through the restaurant doors. 'Here's Bailey now. ' He said. Mike turned back in his seat to see the punk girl. His mouth dropped open as he took in the face of the girl, her heavily eyelinered, greeny hazel eyes in particular. She looked just like B... No. No freaking way could she be...
'Hi, guys. ' Bailey sat down opposite Mike. She held out her hand to him, but he was too busy staring at her. She waved her hand in his face instead. 'I'm Bailey Jade Regis. '
'Adie will freak. ' Mike muttered to himself.
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