“Tortured cats!” Illyana Sanchez exclaimed to her band mates as they sat down for lunch at the Scandalica Delicatessen, “I can’t believe his nerve.”

Alarie Thackery, their drummer, just shook her head with amusement and Leona grimaced at the insult.

“Nick just needs a good kick in the shins,” Alarie chuckled. Illyana nodded in absolute agreement.

Leona hid her face behind her menu, pretending the listed foods were much more interesting than the conversation. She had planned to tell Illyana that she was dropping out of the competition but knew that news on top of Nicholas Hart’s summation of their group’s sound, wouldn’t help Illyana’s mood one iota. Nick had a point, though. Between Alarie’s haphazard beating on the drums and Illyana’s sub-par attempts at metal guitar, Leona thought their group’s sound wasn’t as top-notch as other bands. Practices hadn't been much in helping progressing the quality either.


“So what are you ordering?” Illyana asked, turning toward Leona.

“Fried Chicken,” Leona mumbled.

Illyana arched a brow, knowing immediately something was off with her friend. Thankfully, the waitress came to take their orders and Leona was saved from giving an explanation.

The conversation wandered to music and boys–mostly between Illyana and Alarie–with Leona throwing in absent-minded nods of agreement as they waited for food. Halfway through eating, Illyana was reminded of Leona’s change in disposition.

“Why are you so quiet today, is something wrong?”



Leona took in a breath, “You guys, I have to drop out of Battle of the Bands. I’m singing at the Mayor’s Ball that night.”

“You got a spot to sing the Mayor’s Ball?” Alarie smiled wide with surprise. Leona felt a tiny inkling of relief that she wasn't being yelled at immediately but knew better than to hope Illyana's temper wouldn't boil over.


Illyana, after a brief moment of seeming dumbstruck, jumped up from her seat and angrily said, “Why didn’t you tell us this before you agreed to sing in the competition?”

Leona bit her lip, “It just came up yesterday. I thought auditions had closed but I was just offered the gig. Please don’t be mad!”

Alarie was taking the news delightfully well but Illyana was clearly fuming, fists balled, and standing very stiffly.

“You’re giving us the shaft to sing at some dance for boring, snobby, adults?” she scowled, her voice rising and causing other patrons of the deli to take notice.



Leona stood up in defense, hand on her hip, “You know it’s my dream to be a professional singer. There will be influential people at the Mayor’s Ball, how can I pass this opportunity up?”

Illyana’s scowl only deepened, “You’re being selfish. You made a commitment to sing for OUR band.”

“It’s always been YOUR band, Illyana. You only started it to stick it to Nick anyway and he’s right–we do sound like tortured cats! We won’t win anything!”

A chilly silence covered the room and Illyana and Leona could only glare at each other in contempt.