Camp for the Musically Inadequate [Alex Gaskarth][1]

Audrey Raelyn Greene. You can see the piercings and hair; she's skinny; around 110 pounds and 5'2.

www.myspace.com/bandalohafromhell

^^ check out her new friends vivi, felix, moo, max, and andy.

(Audrey's pov)

I was never one to sit at home. I didn't like the 'too comfortable' 'too familiar' surroundings. Sometimes, change was fun. Sometimes. My mom's idea of change had always been the next-door neighbors house, or the beach fifteen minutes away. So the summer I turned eighteen, I thought I'd put MY idea of change to use.

"Maryland? Hunnie why Maryland? What could possibly be waiting for you over 2000 miles from home?" my stubborn mother asked. Right well I suppose she had a good reason for asking this.

"I already told you mother." I said with impatience in my voice. "I don't care about whatever high and mightly college you want me to go for some prestine god-awful job I'll hate. Look at me mom; what do you think an ivy league college dean would say to a girl who wears black skinny jeans and has multiple facial piercings? They'd say buh-bye. And if you think I'd take them out your wrong; I just got my bridge done!" I exploded.

"Audrey Raelyn Greene don't you talk to me like that."

"Okay; alright sorry. I just know you don't think this whole 'music thing' is practical, but I feel it mom. I'm eighteen. I've never left the state. I'm done with California for now. There's this place in Baltimore, its new; its um sooortaa like a class! Yeah its exactly like a college class mom it will help teach me the fundamentals of writing and playing my music." I said triumphantly. A class was something she'd like.

"A class? Its not run by a college though." She said narrowing her eyes. "But its only for the summer? So its like a summer camp?" She said teasing.

"NO mom its not like a summer camp." I said in a mocking voice. "Its a class which will help me start my musical career." I grinned.

" Audrey I just don't understand why you can't go to a college like Yale or Princeton...or-or Stanford and make something of your life! Be a-a lawyer or a doctor!" She said waving her arms around.

"Because thats you mom not me! I don't wanna go to Yale or Princeton and become lawyer like you!" I was fed up with this conversation.

"Stanford?" I glared at her. "Alright I'm just worried about you; what is this place called? How did you hear about it? How do you know its not a scam!" She accused. I took a piece of paper out my purse and shoved it in her hands.

"Vandalla Place .Where the musically inclined stand a chance at being recognized the cut throat music world!" She read alound then continued scanning the short article which showed the teachings they offered, payment amounts, and dates.

"I know its a little sketchy but it won't hurt to go out and try! Worse comes to worst I'll just come home empty-handed." I offered.

"Worse comes to worst you'll end up stuck in a warehouse with a bunch of creepy men who want to rape you!" she offered.

"Thats absurd. Mom your delusional. I've already paid the guy the money up front; it wasn't too hard to take out of my college fund." I winked. "See the date? Thats in three days. See the scribblings in the margin? Thats my flight, which is tomorrow morning." I explained walking upstairs. I left my mom speechless and angry in the kitchen as I headed to my room to pack my stuff. I would be in Maryland for 2 months and 7 days. I wasn't exactly sure how the weather would be there, so I packed a little bit of everything I owned. After three hours of wondering, cursing, and folding I dragged my two full suitcases, carry-on bag, and purse down the wooden steps.

"Did you leave your bed?" my mom joked. Tears started streaming down her face.

"Ah mom don't cry." I leaned over and pulled her face into me.

"I'm sorry its just, I'm gonna miss you so much! I can't believe my baby's grown up; going to be a rockstar." She sniffled.

"I don't know about all that" I snorted. "But hey you won't have to miss me too much, you still have George." I gave her a half smile refferring to our obese mut of a dog. We both lauged and said our goodbyes; she would be gone at work by the time I had to leave for my flight in the morning.

The next morning I woke up to an obnoxious buzzing in my ear. I leaned over and smashed the off button just in time before I rolled off the bed, bringing my Nightmare Before Christmas comforter down with me.

"Ow" I pouted to myself getting up and mosying my way to the bathroom where I showered, brushed my teeth and changed. At 8:15 my cab arrived and the short hispanic driver helped me load in my stuff. It was a hot day in Anaheim, CA and I figured it couldn't possibly be COLD in Baltimore. So I'd worn a pair of navy blue shorts and a grey tank top. When I got to the airport I lugged my stuff to the check on area to get rid of my oversize and overweight luggage. After paying an extra 25$ due to that luggage I was free. I made my way to the waiting area for my one way, non-stop flight to Baltimore grabbing a breakfast sandwhich at some overpriced airport cafe on the way. I also grabbed a diet coke and a magazing. I sat down in the uncomfortable grey chair, waiting for the slutty attendant to call rows 12 through watever. I started flipping through my magazine when I noticed someone in the chair behind me looking over my shoulder. I slowly looked behind me, her face was inches from mine.

"Oh hey I'm sorry! I just love Seventeen I didn't mean to bother you." the girl said shyly.

"No its okay we can share." I said happily, this girl looked like some I would get along with. She was wearing a pair of black skinny jeans and a bright yellow cami.

"I'm Audrey." I introduced.

"I'm Vivi." she introduced shaking her bright blonde full frontal bangs out of her eyes.

"I like your hair." I commented.

"Oh thanks. I like yours too, you know your color is my natural color." she laughed at my blackish colored hair.

"Yours is my natural color." I laughed with her. We bonded over our magazine and laughed and chatted until four guys came up and took seats next to us.

"Hey guys." Vivi said. "These are my band mates. Feli," she pointed to a good looking blonde, "Max, Moo, and Andy." She pointed them out, all of them with blackish brown hair. Mumbled heys came out and they became uninterested again. Except for Feli, he took the seat on my side.

"So what's your business in Baltimore?" he said making conversation.

"Umm I'm going to this place called Vandalla Place, its for people to learn more about playing and writing music."

"Sweet that's where were headed too." He said with a slight accent.

"Where are you from?" I asked curiously.

"Oh were all from Germany."

"Oh really thats so cool, guys who are bilingual are so hot." I confided. "Oh my gosh I didn't even mean to say that out loud." I said embarrassed.

"Its okay, your hot too." he winked at me, getting up as rows 12-20 were boarding. 'Greattt first impression'.