Freak Like Me (Azure, Open)

[Deleted]

November 12, 2013
Tuesday 8:00 p.m.
Ilene's Room

Halestorm, why in the world hadn’t she discovered this band before? Sure, it wasn’t the only rock band out there with a lead female vocalist; but, it was just so easy for Ilene to imagine herself in the woman’s place: standing on stage strumming her guitar over a sea of fans, the feel of the drums rumbling through her very core as the warm, bright lights shone down on her – uh – slender form.

The music drifted down the hall from Ilene’s bedroom door which was slightly ajar. It wasn’t overly loud, but it sounded as if Lizzy Hale was actually in the room singing along with her own sound track.

“I’m on the train that’s pullin the sick and twisted,
Makin the most of the ride before we get arrested,
We’re all wasted,
And we’re not going home tonight.

Covered in black we lack the social graces,
Just like an animal we crawl out of our cages,
They can’t tame us,
So if you’re one of us, get on the bus

If you’re a freak like me,
Wave your flag!
If you’re a freak like me,
Get off your ass!
It’s our time now,
To let it all hang out

So shout if you’re a freak like me,
You were born to burn,
This is no disease you don’t need a cure!
It’s our time now to come out!
If you’re a freak like me!
If you’re a freak like me!”

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Hilda was in her room, laying on her bed on her stomach, reading. Her ears perked up at the sound of music. When the bass kicked in, she lifted her head, attention caught. It was rather catchy, although it was not a style she was particularly fond of of. Since her own door was closed, it was not loud at all, but clear enough to her sensitive ears. Then the vocals started.

Wow. It sounds like... It had to be -- the singer was in the building, it wasn't just a recording. But that didn't sound like the kind of voice any student would have. Okay. I have to see this. She placed a bookmark in Stevenson and slid off the bed.

Stepping out into the hall, she paused. The music seemed to be picking up in volume and ... well, roughness. The lyrics made her smile, but she wasn't sure if her ears could take it if it got any louder. On the other hand she wasn't sure if she could concentrate enough to shift with that tune in her ears. It made her want to dance (or maybe fight), not repress herself.

Making her mind up, she walked down the hall as she was. She noted that the door from behind which the music issued was slightly ajar. Nonetheless she knocked on it.

"Excuse me?" She pitched her voice loud enough to get the singer's attention, if the knock did not.

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Ilene couldn't hear the knocking over her own singing, but she did hear the voice. She faltered mid line and whirled around to tap the space bar on her lap top. The music stopped abruptly, “get off your ah--.” Ilene then turned back to her door, and saw much to her dismay, that it wasn’t completely closed. Magenta began to rise up from the apples of her cheeks and she tromped over towards the door. Someone had heard her singing and had come to complain, was that it? But, it was only 8 p.m., she was allowed to make some noise until 11, wasn’t she?

The door creaked open a few more inches and Ilene peered out to see… a tall girl with a white, fuzzy face and furry blue ears like a cat. Maybe she was one of those ‘anime’ fans. “Ello…” Ilene said, “Can I help you?”

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Despite the setting, Hilda was halfway expecting an adult to open the door from the voice. So she was momentarily bemused when she could easily see over the head of the girl who peeked out at her. She stepped back, so she did not have the feeling of towering over the girl, and looked down to meet the brown eyes. Maybe this was not the singer -- this girl's voice sounded entirely different from the one she'd heard.

"Hi." She smiled, her ears dipping a bit in apology. "I'm sorry to interrupt, but I couldn't help but overhear the music. I was amazed, and had to find out who could sing like that."