The night had finally come, our first actual gig, it was going to be awesome. The gym did look great, they did some more decorating since yesterday as now balloons filled the ceiling and stuck on wall sconces glowed with fake fabric fire, it certainly looked like the prom. The air was heavy with imitation brand punch, various perfumes, axe body spray and just a hint of nervous perspiration. So it certainly smelled like the prom, only thing left was for it to sound like the prom.

The other students began filing in around eight that night and they came dressed to impress, and we weren’t too shabby either, the girls all had on matching blue satin dresses, not full gown length skirts though mind you, it’s kind of hard to play the drums or just rock out in general with full length skirt after all. Yours truly was decked out in an old school tux with tails, white vest, black bow tie and don’t forget the big top hat, I looked like the fricking Monopoly guy. As I scanned over the filling gymnasium I saw the principal pointing at the clock and motioning for us to start, and seeing as he was the one paying us we began the show.

Ayashi approached the mike and gave it a few taps. The students and various chaperones turned towards the stage, out first actual audience. “Hello Brookline,” Ayashi said to the crowd. “How is everyone doing tonight?” A few half-hearted mumblings could be heard from the crowd. It was evident we didn’t have the crowd on our side seeing that no one them had really heard about us, but by the end of the night both of those things would change.

“Alright then,” Added Ayashi, trying to recover. “We’re called Valefor, and we’re here tonight to play a little music for you all. Hits from yesterday, today and tomorrow, all sharing one thing in common, rock. I hope you enjoy it.” And with that the gig officially began

We started the evening off with the same song we first played during practice, Foo Fighters. Learn to Fly. Not the hardest song in the world. Nice and simple, not too fast, not to slow and definitely something you could dance too and for all those reasons we felt it was the perfect song to start with. When the song was finished we got a few applauses, the crowd was beginning to sway to our side. For the next song we decided to stick with our strengths and played When You Were Young, by the Killers, faster than our last song, but it still has steady easy melody. Saviris slipped up on a few notes in her solos, and Ayashi could have projected more during her solo part, but I don’t think the crowd noticed. I held things together with my bass and Kelsi was just perfect on drums. We got a lot more reaction from the crowd this time around, they’re reactions became louder and more positive with each passing song.

After we finished our eighth straight song Ayashi took the mike and said, “Alright we’re gonna take a little break now, so for the next few minutes please enjoy the music styling of my ipod on shuffle.” Ayashi then plugged her ipod into the sound system and it started to play. I put my bass down and jumped off the stage. After being up there for almost an hour I had an interesting mix of being tired, hungry, needing to pee, a feeling I’m sure I’d get used to if we started to play more gigs. I began to make my way towards the bathroom but stopped when I felt someone tap on my shoulder.

“Oh my god Riley, you guys are awesome.” I turned around to see that it was a girl who stopped me, the same girl who questioned the school’s monetary commitment to the prom by hiring a student band. She was wearing a nice dark green dress that highlighted her eyes and complimented her hair.

“Thanks,” I said back to her, still not knowing her name, though I suppose through word my mouth she had learned mine. “It’s nice to hear that you guys are enjoying the show.”

“Oh definitely,” she agreed, then adding, “Sorry about saying the school was cheap for hiring a student band to play the prom.”

“Nah, don’t be,” I said reassuringly. “Besides its true, they’re not paying us that much. Anyway thanks for the compliment, hope you enjoy our second set.”

I then began again on my way to the bathroom but not before I heard her say, “I will.”

After a half hour break we made our way back to the stage. Ayashi was carrying a little secret in a covered box and the rest of us did a few sound checks on our instruments, while we were doing that Ayashi took the mike and began to work up the crowd. “So how’s the everyone’s prom going?” she asked to crowd and was answered by applause and cheers. “Awesome, glad to hear it, so while the rest of the band gets tuned up I think a few introductions are in order. You may know us as Ann and Alice Kelly, Riley Aaronson and Kelsi LeBeau, but tonight I am Ayashi on vocals.” She then pointed at Saviris. “Saviris on guitar.” She then pointed at me. “Ryle on bass.” I then tried my best to play a funky fresh improv bass riff. I think I succeeded. Lastly Ayashi pointed towards Kelsi and said, “And Kelsi on drums.” Kelsi then followed with an excellent drum solo. “And together we make Valefor!”

Ayashi then bent down and picked up the mystery box, a little something extra I thought would be fun to add to our stage show.

“So far we’ve played a little bit of everything tonight, but there has been one thing missing.” The crowd looked around wondering what she meant. I had a feeling of what was inside that box.

“You see, I have a little bit of a fever,” Ayashi told the audience as she uncovered what was inside the mystery box. “I have a fever, and the only prescription is…?”

“More cowbell!” cheered the audience, just like I hoped they would, as Ayashi held up the cowbell.

“That’s right, time for Don’t Fear the Reaper.” Don’t Fear the Reaper, I knew it was coming, it was one of the more complex songs we know, with lengthy solos that showed off each of our talents, hell it even had a bit of a bass solo, and it just happened to be on the list that Dr. Walker gave us. I was pumped, and as Saviris began to strums that unmistakable opening riff and then Ayashi joined her on the cowbell the crowd cheered and applauded and for one moment the night ceased to be the Prom and became a concert, but then again this was the Prom after all, and it became very apparent when Ms. Garnet and her PTA chaperone cronies went to rush the stage to stop us from playing this unapproved song, and yeah I guess that makes sense, it is technically a song about a guy trying to talk his girlfriend into committing suicide with him, not quite the message they wanted at the Prom. But Dr. Walker had out back. He stopped them before they got to the stage, turning towards the stage he gave us the okay sign and we continued the song. I knew this would be the defining moment of our performance.