AHH, what am I doing here?!

Beca screamed as she woke up on a

circular chair connected to a round table. She immediately rolled off
the chair and onto the floor.
Beca, welcome to the cafeteria of...My moms job. Mandy lied as she
approached her best friend who stood and dusted herself off.
Behind her, a drum set was set up, Charley had his keyboard, Tara
had brought her dads old bass guitar, and Enrique brought his
California Classic Electric Guitar. In the front stood three hooked up
vintage microphones.
This looks more like a school cafeteria than a hospital cafeteria. Beca
contemplated her surroundings.
This is the...Employee cafeteria. Mandy lied, Doesnt matter, this is
where our band will practice from now on.
How did I get here, Mandy?
Beca, just trust me and dont ask questions. Mandy said sternly.
Mandy, I swear you better not make me punch you. Beca said, then
walked over to the drum set.
Nice set. She took a seat on the stool and picked up nearby
drumsticks.
She played the beat from the chorus of New Romantics.
I like it, but still not as good as my baby.

I knew you liked Taylor Swifts music. Mandy mumbled to herself.

Beca glared at Mandy. Only her new album.
Mandy grinned then marched over to Tara.
Beca, this is my friend Tara. Mandy gestured toward Tara.
Hey. Tara mumbled, but she was trying to set up her guitar to the
amplifier.
You already know my brother, and my friend Charley from the
concert.
And, last but not least, this is Pooja, the inspiration for the song.
Mandy introduced Pooja who was warming up her voice with different
exercises.
Hey. Beca waved.
Pooja replied with, Do, Re, Mi, Fa, So, La, Ti, Do.
The first Do being her lowest note, and the last Do being her
highest.
Mandy secretly was a little jealous of Pooja because of how amazing
her vocal range was. Pooja was better with high notes, and she could go
slightly lower than Mandy when needed.
Okay guys, we good? Mandy questioned, ready to start the bands
first day of practice.

Beca did a drum roll, then gave Mandy a thumbs up. Tara and Enrique
nodded. Charley played a few notes on his keyboard. And Pooja stopped
her vocal warm ups. She grabbed a nearby stool, and lowered the
microphone in front of her.
Ok, Ill do the song in acapella really quick.
Mandy ran through the song. When she was done, everyone looked at
her with amazement.
Okay, Beca, start us off. Mandy instructed.
Beca started off with a slower beat. Dun, thss, dun, thss.
I know youre special, the way you make my heart beat . Mandy began
to sing.
Tara followed Becas beat with bass, and Charley tried to find an
appropriate tune with his keyboard but failed. After a few minutes,
Enrique held his hand up.
Okay, guys, guys, guys, this beat is not working for the song. He said.
Beca beat her symbols in frustration. I was going for a slower beat,
like in the song Here by Alessia Cara.
This is not R&B, try going a little softer. Something that Charley can
follow on his keyboard, and I can pick up with my guitar. Enrique said.
Im the drummer, and the drummer controls the beat, dont tell me
what to do! Beca barked back.

Okay, guys, lets just take it from the top. Beca Mandy glared at her
friend.
Could I start this time? Charley asked cautiously, not wanting to
enrage Beca.
Go right ahead. Beca said with slight annoyance.
Charley pressed a key producing a light melody, then continued playing
faster and faster, almost like a criss-cross pattern. Kind of like in the
song Halo by Beyonce.
I know youre special, the way you make my heart beat He then sped
his playing of the keys a little more, and his notes became a tad bit
deeper. I love the color of your eyes, they're the first song my heart

sang to me, Why I let you go is a mystery to me

Beca started her beat on the drums as the chorus approached.
You make me feel like Im floating on a cloud, and with you I never

want to look down.

The music paused, then Beca picked back up with a beat, and Tara let
her bass blend in to give the song that uplifting vibe. True love aint

hard to find, its whether you know its wrong or riyyaght, Pooja joined
in on background music saying things like: yeah, and oooohhhh.
Its the way you smile, the thing that makes me want to go for miles

and miles, I hear you all night long, stuck in my head, youre my first
song. Mandy sang the last note out softly as Charley played a last few
keys before everyone dropped their instruments.

That was...Amazing! Beca said with excitement. Everyone looked at

her with surprise at her sudden outburst.
Enrique cleared his throat. Forgetting something?
Why didnt you join in? Mandy asked her brother.
There was no room for an electric guitar in that sample. Enrique
complained.
Oh my gosh, cllate Enrique! You are literally the only one complaining.
Youre telling me to shut up? This stupid song doesnt even have the
right tune.
Then what is the right tune, Enrique? Mandy snapped back.
Country, salsa, electronica, rock, anything besides this slow garbage.
Enrique, dude, you can just grab a classical guitar. Charley suggested.
What Im saying is that the beat isnt right for the song. Its...Too
original. We need something different.
Wait a minute, Enrique may be onto something. Pooja took a few
seconds to think.
Hey, I think its fine as it is, maybe you just need to change your part,
Enrique. Beca joined Mandys side. Beca, Pooja, Enrique, and Mandy all
started arguing.

Tara plucked a few strings on her dads old bass guitar then smiled.
She remembered how he taught her when she was four, they were
going to start a daddy-daughter band, she would sing, and he would play
bass. Now that she thought about it that wouldnt have been such a
good band. She chuckled. Then she looked up and saw that everybody
but Charley was arguing. She must of zoned out.
Shes been zoning out a lot lately, trying to think of all the good
things in life. She got a tattoo that caused her to lose her spot on the
West Forth Wild Kids Dance Team. She could always join another
dance group, but the Wild Kids were so...Different. They always
cheered Tara on and often thought of her as the best dancer there.
She was best at hip-hop dancing, but she did a little bit of everything.
And she was definitely known for her L-kicks.
She shook herself out of her own thoughts, then carefully placed her
guitar on its stand. She then walked toward Charley who decided to
stay away from the arguing happening before them.
Hey. Tara said.
Charley jumped, clearly startled. Oh, hey Tara
Is it true that youre a so called master on the keyboard? Tara
leaned on the instrument.
Charley stood tall with confidence and smirked. Tara pushed him
aside.
I bet I can play a song on this thing like a pro.

Oh really? Charley raised an eyebrow.

Tara smirked. Really.
Be my guest. But I doubt you can just randomly play like a pro.
Who said anything about randomly? Hey, I watch YouTube tutorials
buddy.
Charley chuckled inwardly and watched as Tara slowly pressed some
keys. He automatically recognized the song and was surprised that she
could play it. That wasnt necessarily at beginners level. He hated to
admit it, but sometimes Tara just seemed to pick up on things faster
than others. Charley slowly approached one of the microphones in the
front as Mandy, Pooja, Beca, and Enrique kept arguing.
Know Ive done wrong, left your heart torn, Is that what devils do?

Took you so long, where only fools go, I shook the angel in you. Now Im
rising from the ground, Rising up toward you, filled with all the
strength Ive found, theres nothing I can do.
Immediately, Mandy shushed everyone and turned toward Charley.
And she thought he couldnt get better, but he could sing. Love Me
Again by John Newman, one of her favorites. Everyone immediately
went back to their instruments to pick up the song. Enrique was
impressed to see Tara was the one playing the current music from
Charleys keyboard.
I need to know now, know now, can you love me again?

I need to know now, know now, can you love me again?

I need to know now, know now, can you love me again?

I need to know now, know now, can you love me again?

Can you love me again? Mandy joined in with Charley making it a duet,
while Pooja decided to contribute to back up.
Oh, I told you once again, do this again, do this again, oh

I told you once again, do this again, do this again, oh, Mandy and
Charley sang in harmony. Mandy adding a light touch to Charleys deep
voice.
I need to know now, know now, can you love me again?

I need to know now, know now, can you love me again?

I need to know now, known now, can you love me again?
Becas beat was non-stop, Enrique played like he read the sheet music
for this song a million times, and Pooja sang her vocals while Mandy and
Charley paused to give the instruments a chance to express
themselves.
Can you love me again? Charley and Mandy said one last time before
the song ended.
Mandy took a moment to catch her breath.
Now, dont ruin it this time Enrique, that was epic! You guys are
amazing! I mean, me, being the talented drummer I am, I pick up on
beats like that, Beca snapped her fingers for emphasis, But if I knew
you guys could do the same with your instruments, I wouldve formed a
band with you guys a long time ago. Beca said in a rush.
Much better than those bone-heads in my brothers band.

Fue increble! Enrique pumped his fist in the air.

Mandy nodded in agreement. And Pooja, nice job keeping up with the
vocals. Mandy said.
Thanks. I think it puts good emphasis on your voice. Pooja and Mandy
looked at each other in agreement.
And Charley and Mandy, I couldve sworn you two were dating with the
way you guys sang together. Beca said absentmindedly.
Mandy turned away from Charley so he wouldnt see her face turning
red. Charley just grinned while Enrique glared at him.
Oh, and T, that was amazing. I didnt know you could play keyboard.
Enrique complemented.
I cant, I literally just know that one song.
Charley laughed. Doesnt matter, you still played it like a pro.
Okay guys, since not all of us agree on the beat for our song, Mandy
glared at Enrique, Well have practice tomorrow at the same time and
have a meeting on what musical genre the song should be in in the first
place.
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Okay, everyone is dismissed. Id like to say our first practice was
successful, but due to the fact that our bass player had to play
keyboard to get us to stop arguing makes me say it was meh. First
days practice was meh. Mandy said.

Wait, before we go, whats the band going to be called? Beca

questioned. Her brothers band was called Toni and the Weaklings.
Yeah, Beca beat him up everyday for 14 days straight for the fact that
she was considered one of the weaklings.
Well, I think its only fair that Pooja chooses. I mean after all, I did
shoot her with a dart to steal her song from her personal journal.
Mandy felt a little guilty when she said it out loud.
A dart? What the...Mandy? Beca questioned confused.
Mandy told Beca to let it go with a quick glance and Beca just
shrugged.
Pooja thought. It was clear to whom those letters that would never be
read were for. This whole thing should be about him. If she happens to
write anything else that Mandy wants to turn into a song, it will be for
him.
I think the band should be called Letters To Him. Pooja looked up
nervously while scratching her left arm.
Are you serious, what a girly goo-goo, ga-ga name. Enrique huffed.
I can feel the girly feelings settling on my skin, I dont like it! Beca
joked.
Before everyone could start arguing again, Mandy whistled using her
fingers. Thats final, our band is now called Letters To Him. Our next
practice is tomorrow, get out before I shoot you all with dart guns!
Mandy warned.

Charley and Enrique rolled their eyes at Mandy, but left anyways.
Pooja kept bugging Charley, trying to get him to give her a piggy back
ride and he kept just telling her to get taller so she could see over the
crowd. That earned Charley a strong kick in the tuchus. Mandy tried
not to get jealous over their close relationship, only if Charly saw her
the way she saw Pooja. She sighed inwardly.
Come on, Beca, Ill walk you home. Mandy mumbled as she discreetly
walked over to her best friend, then punctured her in the neck. She
was out like a light. Mandy hoped that the sleep serum didnt have any
bad side effects, because this would now become a routine. Mandy
figured they could just leave the instruments there. Its not like Spy
Team would be full of agents, due to the fact that it was on lockdown.
Only leaders, and second in commands were allowed in.
Mandy was actually the second in command at Spy Team
International, Chicago. Just like Pooja had promised after they
brought a team to rescue her in California, she was promoted. She
helps Pooja communicate with the other Spy Teams around the world,
and she communicates with D.C. for new mission arrivals.
Tara left with the rest of her co-workers/friends. But instead of
going home, first she took a few turns down some alleys. She wasnt
planning on spending the night there again, the other night Emily had
covered for her with both her parents and school. She didnt know
about the mission, but she was so used to having to cover for Tara,
that it became a habit of hers. In fact, they often did it for each
other when they had missions that they couldnt pass up. She found
herself knocking on a rusty green door of an old, brick house.

The door was soon opened by Hailee. Tara knew she had a gun in the
back pocket of her jeans, because Hailee wasnt willing to take any
risks.
Oh, youre back. Hailee said slightly surprised. We need to talk. She
opened the door wider, allowing Tara to step through the doorway.