The Flight Of The Phoenix

Chapter- 1

*beep* *beep* *beep*

What on earth is that God awful noise...

I believe I've heard it before but I just can't place it.

*beep* *beep* *beep* 

“LUNA GRACE!”..... 

“FOR GOODNESS SAKES LUNA GRACE, IT'S ALREADY 6:30!”

Mom? 

Suddenly the light found its way under my eyelids and I could see my mother towering over me. Her hand clenching my alarm clock. 

"Oh no... I did it again didn't I?" She nodded, a look of irritation starting to crease her brow.

I'm always staying up late studying until all hours of the morning and then I completely sleep through my alarm.

"This... this is a piece of crap, I'm buying you a new one." My mom says slamming my alarm clock back down onto my nightstand. "Now get up, I'm not paying for your classes for you to fail."

My mom has raised me by herself my whole life. I've seen my dad a few times for my birthdays. Usually he would put 20's in my birthday cards but that's all we've ever seen ‘support’ wise from him. 

"Yes mom." Slowly I sat up in my bed, amongst my force field of blankets. They were all that was protecting me from responsibility and this day.... 

School started at 7 and by the time I was jumping out of the shower, I was grabbing a pre-made green juice from the fridge with my soggy wet hair and then jumping into my car with about ten minutes to spare. 

I always ended up running down the hall to my classroom, bursting through the door and then sliding across the wooden floor to my front row seat with such a ruckus I had everyone staring at me with alarm. I had gotten used to the annoyed glares and laughter.

Haha. I was surprised that they hadn't gotten used to my normal morning charade. The teacher, Mr. Evans was never on time. In fact, he was usually always late. I don't know why I always freaked myself out so badly with making sure I was in my seat on time. I always felt so flustered in the morning... 

By the time my Introduction to music theory class was over, it was on to Introduction to music Production. Now I liked my teacher of that class, Mrs. Stefan's. She was always on time and never cared if you were late. 

Fast forward to 5' o'clock. School ends at 2 for me so it gives me time to go home, shower, eat and relax for a little while before I have to go to work. I work at a local music venue/ nightclub/ bar in town called ‘The Vertigo'. I've been working there since I was 16. I do random things like, help with lighting and sound. Serve food and clean. Recently I got my bartending license so lately I've been working the bar and serving drinks. 

My mom has known the owners, Greg and Mava since she was in high school. They were all originally from California and we moved to Philly for my moms work. Greg and Mava eventually followed suit. My mother and Mava had been best friends since kindergarten. 

It's how I got the job. Or should I say 'Jobs'. Hahaha. I'm also lucky for the fact that I get along with the manager Maxwell. He's been working there since before I was hired in. He was like the father I never had. We were always picking on each other, telling each other about our problems and giving each other advice. He also taught me not to take any crap from anyone. 

One of the biggest annoyances that came with working at the bar, drunk idiots. Specifically drunk i***t men. Max and our longest working security guards, Tim and Anthony were always watching out for me. A lot of the guys that come in now know not to mess with me but every once and awhile there is that one guy who just has to say something....

Tonight one of the biggest uprising bands was playing at The Vertigo. A band all the way from Los Angeles, California called 'Phoenix'. We were one of two stops at the very end of their tour. Tim was really into them and had let me listen to their album on his phone, an hour before I was scheduled to work. I always came in early to hang out. 

I liked what I heard. Finally a band that didn't scream... I could compare them to a mixture between- 30 seconds to Mars and One Republic. As weird as that sounded... Tim had also told me that people were coming from all over to hear them tonight. Rumor was as far as Canada. I could understand it. Their music was pretty good. I had traveled farther to see bands that I had loved in the past. 

¥

‘Phoenix’ wasn’t scheduled to go on until about 9. There were 3 other bands before them, doors opened at 6, the show started at 7. Working here always had me reminiscing about my teenage high school days when my friends and I did nothing but go to concerts. Oh the pandemonium... the nostalgia.

Slowly I headed back to the office and I clocked in. After putting on my apron I headed to stand behind the bar and started getting stuff set up. 

Max was already on it and when he saw me he welcomed me with a hug. "Evening kiddo, ready for tonight?" I winked at him. "Like always Maxi-O." He laughed. "We got us some big shots here this evening!" 

As soon as he said that a guy from off to the side of the bar area where they were setting up Merch tables walked over. "Max, you ass." He had a huge smile on his face. "Well looky what we got here.... Levi Matthew! What's up man, how've you been!?" 

They did a manly hug thing over the bar and patted each other on the back. "Not too bad, not too bad! I'm pumped for tonight as are the guys of course. I'm excited to finally get to play your club! I told you we would drop in some day soon." 

Max turned to me. "Luna, this is my brothers kid. Levi. I've known him obviously and the guys of Phoenix for a very long time." I put my hand out and shook Levis hand. "Pretty cool, nice to meet you. It all makes sense. Your brother Fred from California." 

Both Levi and Max nodded. "That's right! It's very nice to meet you Luna. You have gorgeous green eyes by the way." Max shook his finger at him. "Don't get any ideas boy." I thanked Levi and we all laughed.