Page 43 of Jinxed
It’s hilarious to watch Ashley, Kai, River and Tobias take it in turns to rock out on the big stage. River takes on a nineties rap song and nails every lyric. Since the others have been here before, they’re quick to draw up a playlist of their favourite tunes.
‘Come on, Lacey,’ Tobias drops down on to abeanbag chair next to me. ‘Aren’t you going to pick a song?’
I grin. ‘I’m happy just watching you guys! You’re all awesome.’
‘Oh no, that’s not how it works.’ He stands up and extends his hand out to me. Tentatively, I take it, and he pulls me up to my feet. He grabs a microphone from the ground and thrusts it into my hands. ‘Your turn now!’
‘But... I don’t know what song...’
I don’tget a moment to decide. Because just at that moment, the beat shifts, picking up into a song I knowalltoo well. It’s the theme tune toOuterlands, performed by my favourite boy band. I look over at Jinx, who has synced to the BakuBeats screen, and all of a sudden the bubble’s screen shifts so it’s almost as if we’reinsidethe television programme, on board the alien ship that travels to differentworlds.
It’s like I’m playing a rock concert in space. And I could sing these lyrics in my sleep. I can’t help myself. I get swept away, and it’s not long before I’m dancing and singing alongside my teammates, having the time of my life.
We spend the next couple of hours belting our hearts out to our favourite songs, discovering each other’s hidden talents along the way. It turns out River hasa surprisingly sharp memory for lots of different rap lyrics, and Kai’s voice can reach high octaves like that of an angel. I have no musical talent whatsoever, but with Jinx at my side I bash away at the drums with lots of enthusiasm and he translates my horrible syncopated playing into something that actually sounds halfway decent. The bakus light up in time with the music, and we dance untilsweat drips from our foreheads and our pulses are racing and we’re closer as a team than ever before.
After the musical interlude is over, we all collapse down on to the plush velvety cushions and order more pizza up to the bubble. I don’t think I’ve thought about Profectus or my career once since being here. I always knew Profectus would help me achieve my goals but I had no idea it could beso FUN. It’s... refreshing. It’s like a dream state.
Jinx vibrates on my lap, a familiar hum of an incoming text.
I look down at his back, reading the message as it appears.
ZORA: TELL ME EVERYTHING. I am so jealous right now. >:(
LACEY: OMG IT’S AMAZING. I don’t want to be a companioneer any more, I want to be a rock star.
ZORA: Haha yeah right!
LACEY: OK, you got me! But it is awesome.
ZORA: Glad you’re having an ace time. Text me back when you’re home.
All too soon, it’s time for us to leave the Beats pod. When we get back out into the lobby, Tobias clears his throat gently. ‘Okay, guys – this has been so much fun but Monday it’s back to the hard work and the training sessions.’
Ashley rolls her eyes. ‘This basicallywasas intense as a training session.’
‘True. But nowthat we know what we’re up against... surely you want to be extra prepared?’
Ashley shivers – the memory of Jupiter’s defeat still fresh in her mind. ‘Okay, you’re right.’
‘Good. Normal place then?’
The others nod.
‘Normal place?’ I ask.
‘We meet at an old hockey rink near my house I’ve commandeered as a makeshift arena.’
Jinx’s tail swishes. There’s another vibration from him, and Iwonder if Zora has messaged. ‘I’ll send you the coordinates – but it’s just behind my house.’
‘I’ll be there.’
Then, in a move that almost stops my heart completely, he grabs my hand. ‘Today was really fun. I’m glad I got to share this with you. You seem to really get it.’
My palm doesn’t stop tingling for the rest of the weekend.
AT HOME ON SUNDAY, AFTER THE exhilaration of BakuBeats, I see things through different eyes. Mom is at the stove cooking. I notice that it’s the exact same meal as last weekend – a big pot roastthat we can eat the leftovers of throughout the week. Her old cookbooks are abandoned on the shelf above her, grease-and flour-stained. They used to fuel Mom’s explosions of flavours, but now they lie dormant. She could have so much more. A huge kitchen. The money to buy whatever ingredients or appliances she needs. I could give that to her.
I’d planned on popping down to the locker to pick upsome supplies, but the elevators are down for maintenance. ‘Doesn’t it bother you that the lifts are broken again? It’s so annoying!’
