You’d all survived the first week of senior year, and now it was finally the weekend. The sun was shining, the breeze was warm, and the air held that unmistakable buzz of late-summer freedom. You’d just picked up your best friend Alicia, and the two of you were on your way to watch Eddie and his band practice at Gareth’s house—his parents’ garage, to be exact.

Eddie had mentioned it at school earlier that day, excitement in his voice as he told you they had a new song they’d been working on and he wanted you to be the first to hear it. You couldn’t stop smiling as you drove, a mix of anticipation and happiness bubbling in your chest.

As you pulled up outside Gareth’s place and turned off the engine, you and Alicia could already hear the music pouring out of the open garage. The gritty, familiar sound of Corroded Coffin echoed down the driveway. Without a word, you and Alicia got out, exchanging a look full of excitement as you made your way down the long path toward the band.

The music grew louder with each step until Eddie’s voice came through clearly, riding the edge of the heavy guitar riff.

“Are you lost in your lies? Do you tell yourself ‘I don’t realize’? Your crusade’s a disguise. Replace freedom with fear, you trade money for lies. I’m aware of what you’ve done—”

And then his voice exploded into the chorus, full of grit and fire, sending a shiver down your spine.

“NO! No more sorrow! I’ve paid for your mistakes! Your time is borrowed—your time has come to be replaced!”

He held the last word in a perfect scream that echoed with raw emotion. You couldn’t help but grin. There was something about the way Eddie transitioned from singing to that perfect metal scream—it never failed to give you chills.

You and Alicia stood there, both of you bobbing your heads to the beat, completely caught up in the energy of the song. Your heart pounded watching Eddie onstage, hair wild, fingers flying over his guitar, completely in his element.

Alicia’s gaze, however, was locked onto Gareth behind the drum kit. You knew she had a massive crush on him—it was painfully obvious—and if you weren’t mistaken, Gareth liked her just as much. One of them just needed to make a move already.

Your attention drifted back to the rest of the band: Jeff on bass, focused and steady, and Kyle hammering out rhythm guitar beside Eddie. The four of them were completely in sync, their chemistry on stage undeniable. The music wrapped around you like fire and thunder, and you couldn’t stop smiling.

God, they were good. If they kept playing like this, they could really go somewhere.

And you were here for it.

“They sound so good.” Alicia says leaning over so you could hear her better and you couldn’t help but smile and nod, agreeing with her.