The hamburgers didn't take long to arrive. The waiter placed each plate in front of its owner as the rich aroma filled the table.
Eduardo was the first to react. "Now that's a hamburger!"
He grabbed the Stoutzilla with both hands and lifted it a few inches to admire it. The two beef patties barely managed to hold the melted cheese together while strips of bacon and crispy onion rings stuck out from both sides. A small wooden skewer pierced through the center to keep the entire burger from collapsing.
Daniel looked over at Oriol's Triple Bock and shook his head. "...I think yours is even worse."
Oriol grinned proudly. "Three patties. Three kinds of cheese. Luz, your uncle creates works of art." Then he took an enormous bite.
Christina pointed at his burger. "That's a heart attack."
Ren studied his own Stoutzilla for a few seconds before taking his first bite. "I shouldn't have ordered this... Oli, I shouldn't have listened to you."
Oriol couldn't answer while chewing, so he simply gave him a thumbs-up.
Luz raised an eyebrow when she saw Ren take another bite. "Well?"
Ren chewed slowly before answering. "...I take it back. I could eat this every day."
Luz smiled with satisfaction. "By the way, Hannah, what did you order?"
Hannah looked up from the half-finished Triple Bock in front of her. "Hmm... this one. It's really good."
Christina looked her up and down before shaking her head. "How do you fit that much food in there and still stay so skinny?"
Hannah flexed one arm. "I go to the gym."
Daniel poked her bicep. "You know... I think we really should start training with Lalo. I don't want Hannah beating me in a fight."
"But I don't know how to fight." She calmly took another bite of her burger. "I just work out."
Then she opened her purse and pulled out a small taser. "That's what this is for."
The four guys froze completely. They all swallowed at the exact same time. Inside every one of their minds, the exact same thought appeared.
(Do not make Hannah angry.)
Hannah was the first to finish eating.
She gently pushed her plate forward and took a sip of her soda while watching everyone else. Then she fixed her gaze on Ren. "Can I borrow the pick?"
Ren pulled the green guitar pick they had won at the arcade from his pocket and placed it on the table.
Hannah picked it up and slowly turned it between her fingers. "...I really like it."
Ren smiled. "Because it's green?"
She shook her head. Then she gently placed it back in front of him. "Because I want you to carry something with you whenever you play music... That way you'll remember you're never alone."
Christina smiled warmly. "That was unexpectedly sweet."
Hannah simply took another sip of her soda.
When everyone finished eating, Eduardo let out a long sigh. "...Someone roll me home."
Oriol raised one finger. "I still have room for dessert."
Everyone stared at him.
Christina spoke first. "...Where do you even put all that food?"
Oriol put on a completely serious expression. "I go to the gym."
Ren couldn't help laughing. "Since when have you ever gone to the gym, liar?"
Oriol raised another finger before anyone else could respond. "To the gym... and then to yum."
Christina covered her mouth to keep from bursting into laughter. "You're such an idiot."
Luz checked the time on her phone. "...We should get going. We need to arrive at the bar early so I can get ready."
Ren looked up. "What's your band's name?"
She slipped her phone back into her pocket as if it were nothing. "We're not officially a band yet, but we call ourselves LightBeat."
Eduardo smiled. "Why that name?"
Luz had just handed her card to the waiter to pay, so she took a moment before answering. "Well... my name is Luz, so there's Light. And my friend who helped me get all these gigs is named Beatriz. So... Light and Beat. It's kind of a silly joke."
Ren rested an elbow on the table while thinking it over. "I actually like it. You could even build your performances around the name. A light show synchronized with the music... Light and Beat. People would remember you much more easily."
Luz's eyes lit up. "Tempo, that's an amazing idea! I'll tell Bea."
Daniel nodded as well. "I honestly like it too. It's easy to remember."
Luz lightly bumped his shoulder. "Thanks, Dani."
Daniel blushed and muttered under his breath before she could hear him. "Sure... anytime."
Oriol stood up. "Let's go."
The group left the restaurant and headed toward their cars. Luz sent everyone the GPS location, started her truck, and drove off ahead of the others. Oriol left together with Eduardo.
A few minutes later, they arrived at the venue's parking lot. After leaving their cars, they walked toward a hallway that descended by a flight of stairs.
Ren glanced down the staircase. "Stay together."
After walking downstairs and through a side corridor, they began hearing the murmur of dozens of conversations. A small stage illuminated by soft lights could be seen in the distance.
Above the entrance, a sign read: Amplifier.
Ren looked at the stage with interest. "...This is where Luz is playing?"
Hannah smiled. "They invite her to perform here every month."
Daniel nodded curiously. "It sounds cool, let's get a table."
As they walked through the entrance, a young man standing nearby noticed them and approached. "Excuse me... are you Christina and Hannah?"
Eduardo immediately stepped in front of them. "And who's asking?"
The young man didn't lose his smile. "Luz told me she reserved a table for you. She said one pretty blonde girl and... a red-haired young lady were her friends."
Hannah looked him straight in the eyes. "What exactly did she say about me?"
The young man slowly raised both hands in surrender. "'...A red-haired young lady,'" he repeated.
Hannah narrowed her eyes. "I'll get my revenge tomorrow."
Everyone exchanged a quick glance... and smiled. (Poor Luz.)
The young man gestured for them to follow him.
They walked past several occupied tables where groups chatted while music played softly in the background. The atmosphere was warm. Dim lights illuminated the walls, while rows of bottles behind the bar reflected tiny flashes of light.
Their reserved table was close to the stage while still being far enough away from the speakers.
"This view is perfect." Hannah said while sitting.
Eduardo dropped into his chair. "If a drumstick hits me in the face from here, I'll keep it."
Daniel slowly scanned the stage. "It's bigger than I imagined."
Oriol picked up one of the drink menus. "The important thing is... they sell chips here."
Christina rolled her eyes. "You just had dinner."
"Exactly. I already made room."
Hannah quietly studied the stage. Her eyes lingered on the microphones, the amplifiers, and the drum kit waiting at the back.
Luz walked over to them and set her backpack beside the table. She no longer wore the same smile she'd had just a few minutes earlier. "...We have a problem."
Christina immediately stood up. "What happened? Are you okay?"
Luz shook her head and sank into one of the chairs. Running a hand through her hair, she answered, "Romina isn't coming."
The six of them exchanged confused looks.
Daniel spoke first. "Did something happen to her?"
"Nothing serious." Luz let out a quiet sigh. "Her dad took her car because his wouldn't start. She lives pretty far away, and there's no way she'll make it here before we're supposed to go on."
Eduardo frowned slightly. "And what did she play?"
"The guitar." Luz answered as she covered her face with both hands.
The group fell silent for a moment.
Ren sighed. "...Yeah... that's a real problem."
Author's Notes:
I'll beg for comments, haha.
So... what do you think of the story?