Escapade Kids

Last Sunday at midnight, I found out that all Harper Collins submissions are required to be 70,000 words.

How did I discover this? By attempting to send them my manuscript, which was promptly rejected because it was 51,000 words. Bummer, right?

A normal person would've given up. It's irrational to try to compose 19,000 words in just a few short days, right?

Wrong. I went at it, typing until my fingers (and eyes) felt like they were about to fall off. Currently, the book has 65,000 words. My goal is to reach the 70,000 mark by Monday.

Game on.

So, the excerpt below is one I worked on this morning. Krista Contessa and her sister Talia are about to meet the lead singer of a huge, nationally-known band. This is all thanks to Ethan Carlson, the guitarist who used to be Krista's arch-enemy but recently became her friend. Mostly, that happened because Ethan agreed to use his superpowers to help Krista.

I think that's enough background info to make the excerpt readable. Enjoy!

Love,
Lisa

“I can’t believe it! Ethan, we’re gonna meet them? As in, talk to them?” Talia cries, leaping forward to pull him into a hug. “I think I love you.”

                “Don’t say that just yet. They might be in a hurry, setting up,” he warns. “But hopefully you’ll get to see them, at the very least. Up-close.”

                “Oh! This is the best belated birthday gift ever,” she says dreamily as we walk around the side of the building. “Aside from the guitar you gave me, Krista.”

                “I was involved in that gift too,” Ethan points out. “So I guess I’m your hero?”

                “Absolutely. That’s what we’ve always secretly thought,” I say, rolling my eyes dramatically.

                Ethan uses one finger to push me to the side. I’m laughing hard enough to stumble, but not hard enough to fall over. Instead, I just reach over and shove him back. He turns toward me, feigning shock.

                “It’s so on,” he declares, rolling up the sleeves of his black hoodie.

                “Enough, you two! Do I have to separate you?” Talia teases.

We continue down a narrow alley, sidestepping stones and cracks in the pavement. I’ve never been inside The Tabernacle before. From this perspective, it looks antique. The building towers above us, a stone structure with menacing appeal. It’s old-fashioned and rustic.

Very hard-core.

                The alley eventually leads to a clearing. Tour buses are parked in a semi-circle. Fire Starters has this massive black bus that could probably fit the entire population of Georgia inside. Escapade Kids’ bus, on the other hand, is downsized and far less showy. But Ethan doesn’t seem to mind; his green eyes are fixed on the vehicle. For a few seconds, he stares with this look of amazement on his face. Clearly, he approves of the bus.

“So that’s your new apartment, huh?” I say quietly, envisioning Ethan on the tour bus all summer long. It’s not something I want to think about, but I can’t avoid the subject forever. Summer is only a few weeks away.

“Hopefully,” he responds. Brown hair blows around his defined, angular chin as he gazes at his potential home. It might not be spacious, but it offers a chance at a dizzying, action-packed life. Which is Ethan’s dream. “That’s the goal, Krista.”

                The boys in the band are hanging out by the trailer, grabbing equipment as they discuss tonight’s setlist. I’ve seen these guys on posters and occasionally on MTV clips. I heard them play in Six Flags just a few days ago. I know exactly what each band member looks like, but it’s still weird seeing them in person. They’re standing no more than ten feet from me. It’s surreal.

                Jared, the lead singer, could pass for an older version of Ethan. Jared’s got long, dark hair and light eyes. His hair is practically black, though, as opposed to Ethan’s chocolate hue. And Jared’s a bit shorter. More muscular, too, as though he spends most days swimming or biking. Both, possibly.

Benny, the drummer, has medium-dark hair that’s significantly shorter than Jared’s. In every poster, concert, and tv snippet I’ve seen, he always has a laid-back grin slapped across his face. Even now, as he helps lift heavy musical gear off the trailer, he is smiling. It seems the kid is incapable of being unhappy.

                Not a bad thing, I note internally.

                Elijah and Scotty are carrying guitars very carefully. Scotty’s the bassist. His artsy glasses outline almond-shaped eyes. Elijah, on the other hand, is built like a surfer. He’s as toned and athletic as they come.

                Overall, the band is incredibly good-looking. It’s undeniable that their talent got them this far; Jared’s original songs are really heartfelt and catchy. But being attractive didn’t exactly hurt their case. Every one of these guys could’ve gone into modeling if the music career hadn’t worked out. Not that they need to worry about that anymore; Escapade Kids has just reached the level of stardom, and their massive fan base continues to grow daily.

                “Tyler looks different in real life,” I whisper, jutting my chin toward the bus.

                “In what way?” Ethan asks.

                I pause. “Blonder. Is that a word? And more fun. In photos, he usually has a serious expression.”

The guitarist, Tyler, leans against one side of the van. He’s grinning like a kid on Christmas. In front of him stands a pretty girl with light brown hair. She’s got a rock on her finger the size of a grapefruit. I remember, briefly, reading online that one of the guys in the band was married.

It must be Tyler, I reflect, searching his left hand for a ring. He doesn’t seem much older than Ethan or me. But, judging by the look on his face, it was a smart decision to marry young; there’s no question he’s 100% in love with this girl. Sometimes age is really irrelevant.

                “Tyler’s the married one, right?” I whisper to Ethan.

He nods. “Yeah, to Julie. She’s probably the nicest person I’ve ever met. They’re only two years older than me, which I thought was weird at first. Julie was seventeen when they got married.”

I let out a low whistle. “Shoot. Still in high school, huh? I can’t even imagine.”

“Me neither,” Ethan admits. “But it’s working. They’re so good for each other, Krista. The band took me to dinner a few nights ago; I just couldn’t believe how perfect Tyler and Julie are together. It was…I don’t know, inspiring.”

From behind us, Talia lets out a happy sigh. I’d almost forgotten she was here.

I whirl around, facing my baby sister. She’s got this star-struck stance; her feet rest lightly on the ground, as though held there only by gravity. Talia’s always been obsessed with celebrities, but this runs much deeper. She’s got big dreams as a musician, after all. To see people who have made it, guys who have taken the music scene by storm…well, I can only imagine how that must feel. I’d be in the same boat if I got to meet one of the professional artists and graphic designers at SCAD.

“No fainting,” I instruct Talia. “Got it? Mom will kill me if you come home with so much as a scratch.”

“I’ll try my hardest not to pass out,” Talia agrees sweetly. “Can’t make any promises, though.”

                “Ok ladies, here we go,” Ethan says softly. “I think they’ve got a lot to do, so I’m just going to grab Jared for a second.”

He clutches my hand and moves forward.

                It’s so incredible, the way his fingers just find mine. I wasn’t expecting Ethan to reach for me. His skin is warm. Smooth, too. For someone with such a tough image, Ethan is much gentler than I would’ve imagined.

                “Hey Jared,” Ethan says when we approach the band’s frontman.

                Jared looks up from the pile of equipment. He breaks out into a huge grin at the sight of Ethan, offering a handshake. With his free hand, Ethan accepts.

                “Dude, we’re so happy to have you here,” Jared says. “Welcome to the circus, bro. I know you’ll do great tonight.”

                “Thanks. I’m excited to be here,” Ethan tells him. “Hey, I wanted to introduce my friends really fast. Before we start setting up and doing soundchecks.”

                “Yeah, sure. No problem. I’m Jared,” he tells me and Talia. As though we were unaware of this.

                “Krista Contessa,” I wave.

                “And I’m Talia. I just want to say that I’m so thrilled to see y’all tonight. I love your music and Fire Starters are awesome, too,” Talia gushes, her cheeks flushed from all the excitement. “This is really unbelievable. You guys are some of my favorite musicians in the world.”

                 “Thank you. That means a lot to me. We’ve been working really hard since we put out a new record, so it’s always nice to get compliments from people,” Jared says. His voice is totally sincere. The kid is humble; he could easily have an inflated ego, considering the recent success of the band. But he’s not cocky. In fact, he seems down-to-earth and genuine. “Keeps us motivated to churn out more songs, you know?”

                Talia nods. “Quickly, I hope. Can’t wait for your next album.”

                “It’ll be a little while, since we’ve got the tour to focus on right now,” Jared admits. “But I promise we’ll hit the studio as soon as that’s done. Hopefully with Ethan this time.”

                “The newest member of the band,” I reflect, still amazed that Ethan’s associated with this nationally-known band.

“Alright man, we should let you get back to work,” Ethan says. “I’ll come help out in a minute.”

                He walks me and Talia toward the alley. I glance back one time, watching the bandmates buzz around the van like flies. They’re on a mission.  

It’s crazy to think I just stood beside the lead singer of Escapade Kids, I reflect. I’m shocked that he took the time to meet me and Talia. On top of that, he was really nice. Talia’s heart is probably fluttering like a hummingbird’s.

“Ok, I’ll come find y’all after we play,” Ethan assures us.

                “Sounds good. Text me before you step on stage,” I remind him.

He nods in understanding. Talia stares straight ahead, a dazed look on her face. I elbow her side, trying to stir her back to reality. It’s a lost cause; she’s off in dreamland. I know my sister well enough to know that she’s already planning her children with Jared.

                “He’s got a girlfriend,” Ethan points out. The comment seemingly comes out of nowhere, but I know that he is reading Talia’s memories. She probably has a detailed, vivid picture of Jared’s smile. Or maybe his eyes…he did have striking eyes. Nearly as unique as Ethan’s.

                “Huh?” Talia asks innocently.

                “Jared. He’s dating this chick named Violet,” Ethan says with a shrug.

                “He’s too old for Talia anyway,” I point out. I wrap an arm around my baby sister protectively.  The guys in Escapade Kids are nineteen or twenty. Even though she doesn’t act like it, Talia’s only thirteen. Barely.

Sometimes I forget that.

                She wiggles out from beneath my arm. “Whatever, Krista. I’m way more mature than my actual age. Aren’t I, Ethan?”

                He nods hesitantly. I laugh.

                “Besides, Krista…five years’ age difference isn’t so different than two,” Talia points out. It takes me a minute to figure out what she’s talking about. Once the realization sets in, I clamp a hand over her mouth. Then I turn toward Ethan with a smile.

                “Ok, you’ve probably got a bazillion things to do. See you in a while, Ethan. Break a leg,” I say.

I smile and blink furiously, trying my hardest not to recall Talia’s comment. Ethan will surely see it in my memories, and I can’t take that chance. 

                He nods. If he caught onto my sister’s joke, he gives no indication of it. I watch him make his way back to the van. He slaps Scotty on the back, as though they’ve been friends forever. Ben and Elijah look up. They both nod in approval. Clearly, Ethan’s already one of the guys.

He grabs an amp and hauls it inside the building.

 “Can you take your hand off my mouth now?” Talia laughs, her words muffled by my fingers.

                “Oh,” I note. “Sorry. You’re ridiculous, by the way. Ethan and I are not dating, Talia.”

                “Hmm. If that’s true, then why are you blushing?” she teases.

                I shake my head as we walk around toward the entrance. They’ve started to let people inside, so the line no longer winds all the way around the building. I scan the crowd for a tall blond girl, but there are too many to weed through. I’m not even sure I would recognize her immediately. My memories are so scattered and fuzzy.

But that’s why I enlisted Ethan’s help, I think, trying to stay positive. He can confirm my cousin’s identity. I could only make an educated guess. At best.

“You’re insane,” I note, wrapping an arm around Talia’s tiny neck.  “No more awkward comments, ok? Please?”

She nods hesitantly. “I’ll keep my mouth shut, if you insist. But it won’t change the chemistry between you two…”

“There’s no chemistry,” I insist. “C’mon, let’s go find our seats.”