Crystal Rose

“You have to be the dumbest human in the world! Are you really going to drop out of school to form a band! You’re so dumb, you’re so smart why the hell would you do that to yourself Crystal?” My mother screamed at me.

“Mom, you know I’ve always wanted to be in a band! You yourself said I was a good singer, and I am!” I told her.

“Yes, but that doesn’t mean you can make a career out of it! How the hell are you going to become a big “rock star” in the middle of the mid-west!” she yelled more.

“That’s why I’m moving to L.A.” I said.

“You are such an idiot! You are going to go no where! Go ahead, move to L.A! But the moment you drop out of school forget you are even my daughter! The humiliation I’ll have to face. I always thought you were going to become something in life!” she cried.

“I promise mom, I will… This will all work out.”



Those were the last words I’ve ever said to my mother. After that tough conversation I dropped out and moved, just like I said I was. I know live in L.A all alone, with a steady job at Target. I’ve showed record labels a few of my demos and they think its good, but they want me in a band; so far I’m not in a band. I’m still looking for members. I’ve been in L.A for about five months now. Like my mother said, she stopped talking to me the moment I dropped out of school my last year. I didn’t bother finishing, I didn’t see the point. I wanted to become a singer and I didn’t need a high school education for that! I know its tough on me now, but I know in the future I’ll become something in life. I’ll be just like my heroes; I’ll save lives! I’ll be someone’s inspiration. That’s what I’ve always wanted.
My parents never understood that. My father left when I was fifteen years old. I never knew the true meaning why, he just walked out the door saying he’d be back in an hour, but never came back. He left all his things, all his memories. I haven’t heard from him since. Ever since then, my mother had it tough, she managed to gain one more job and so did I. Apart from school I worked at the Target in my hometown. Together my mother and I made just enough money to rent an apartment.
I went to a good school, one of the top schools in the nation. I had good grades and a good amount of friends. I wasn’t the popular girl or the nerdy loser, even though my school didn’t seem to have any of that, I was just normal. That’s the good thing about my high school, no one really ever got bullied. Everyone just seemed to except everyone else, since we all grew up together. There was no discrimination of any kind, ever. And if there was almost everyone would frown upon it.
So with the you could say “simple life” I was having, I still felt empty. I felt like something was missing. I took choir in school, always being the solo singer since apparently to everyone, “I had the voice of a thousand angels” but I never believed that. I knew I had talent, but I wasn’t all that great. I was no Beyonce or Whitney Houston! However it wasn’t until the winter show that I finally got what some people call, my ‘big break.’ Once again I was the solo singer for Silent Night. While I was on stage without knowing I finally realized this was what I wanted. I wanted to sing, everyday of my life. I wanted to pour my soul out every night on stage with people screaming the lyrics back at me.
That’s when the thought came to me, why not just make a career of that? Leave everything and follow my dream. That’s what so many, almost all, of my heroes did! Why couldn’t I? So that’s what I did and know here I am working at the music section in Target full time, a record store at night part time, and sing at a bar every Friday night. For now I only sing covers. I haven’t really tried to right anything yet. But I know I need to, and soon. More and more people come to see me each week, word gets around. Tonight, was the night that I would close the session. I always loved closing it, that’s when everyone was shit face drunk and got into the music.

“Derrick I’m leaving now.” I told my boss.

“See ya’ kid! Good luck tonight, heard you’re closing the old joint.” he smiled.

“Sure am. You going to go watch me this time?” I asked.

“Wish I could kiddo, but I have to close up tonight. I wish you luck though. I have a good feeling about this one.” he winked at me and walked away.

I smiled, he always said that whenever I would close a show, but for some reason I felt like he was right. I walked out to my car and drove straight to the club. Through the back door I found a few of the other singers. Talking off my uniform and putting a robe on while I got my hair and makeup ready. I could hear a good friend of mine playing the drums, Ana.

“She’s amazing tonight ain’t she?” I heard the owner say. She was an old women who still dressed like a twenty year old. Clearly she wanted to bring back the 80’s with this bar. It was totally themed that way. Her name was Daisy.

“She sure is, giving it her all!” I smiled.

“Which you better give tonight darling. Everyone here is already asking for the great Crystal Rose.” she winked at me and walked out of backstage to the club.

I smiled and worked on myself. Like always I did my usual dark black eye shadow all around my eyes. I filled in my eyebrows to make them arch better also eyeliner on my waterline. My full lips were a bright red. Big curls hung over my shoulder and my bangs came across my forehead. My jet black hair made my pale skin look even more pale. Once hair and makeup were in place I wore a tight black sequence dress, strapless. With my leather studded jacket and boots. I took one last look in the mirror; satisfied with what I saw I practice my vocals cords when I heard my introduction.
“Finally, the women girl you’ve all been waiting for. The star of the night our beautiful, Crystal Rose!” Daisy smiled as I walked out.
I sat on the stool ready for me, mid stage. I smiled into the audience and waved, then the music behind me started. Tonight I was singing Florence & The Machine songs, first of was No light, No light. As I begun to sing everyone watched silently. I always put so much emotion into my singing. Waving my arms around, closing my eyes at the high notes, sometimes I get so into it I forget I’m singing to a crowd and cry.

“No light, no light in your bright blue. I never knew daylight could be so violent. A revelation in the light of day, you can’t choose what stays and what fades away. And I’d do anything to make you stay, no light no light. Tell me what you want me to say…” I sang.

When the song ended we moved on to Breath of Life, which was one of my favorites. Florence & The Machine was also a huge inspiration to me. Her voice was beautiful and so was she. After that song I sang one of her newer ones, Over The Love. I started getting emotional in this song. It wasn’t until the last one I sang, my favorite, Heavy In Your Arms.

“I was a heavy heart to carry, my beloved was weighed down, my arms around his neck, my fingers laced to crown. I was a heavy heart to carry, my feet dragged across the ground and he took me to the river, where he slowly let me drown. My love has concrete feet, my love’s an iron ball. Wrapped around your ankles over the waterfall. I’m so heavy, heavy, heavy in your arms.” I sang.

It wasn’t until the end chorus that I let the tears fall. I always say you know you give it your all if you make yourself cry. And once again, I gave it my all. The audience clapped, I dried my eyes and bowed. “Thank you!” I said one last time into the microphone and walked backstage, followed my the instrument players.

“Oh my god, Crystal! That was the best show you’ve ever had! You were amazing!” Anna, the drummer, said.

“Awe, thank you so much! Sure took my breath away. There were so many people today, why is that?” I questioned. There was always people, but almost never this much.

“Love, you are going viral! People are posting video’s of you singing and they love it! They are all here to see you!” Anna smiled and hugged me.

“Crystal, darling, please clean yourself up. Someone wants to speak with you.” Daisy winked at me.

I was of course confused but I cooled myself down and walked to the meeting room. In there was a man, about late 40’s in a suit. I walked in and he looked up at me, and smiled.

“Hello.” I smiled.

The man smiled, he was somewhat bald or in the process of losing his hair. He was wearing jeans and a nice classy shirt. “Hello young one.” he said.

“What can I do for you Mr.…” I paused.

“Feldmann. John Feldmann. Pleasure to meet you Crystal. I’ve heard lots of things about you.” he smiled.

John Feldmann? Where have I heard that name? It sounded so familiar. “Nice to meet you Mr. Feldmann-”

“Please call me John.” he interrupted, I smiled.

“I heard you wanted to talk with me?” I was still some what confused.

“Yes. I don’t know if you’ve heard of me, I’m a producer and I happened to pass by and so the line outside. I asked what was going on and a young gentlemen told me, ‘The most amazing voice is going to sing tonight.’ my curiosity killed me and I walked in too. When you walked out, I figured you were the star everyone wanted to see. And my god were they right. You have, how do I put this, one of the many few and extraordinary voices this generation can sing live.” he made me blush.

“Oh, thank you so much! I’m so honored that an actual producer thinks that. And one who has helped several of my favorite bands out.” I smiled, it hit me. He was John Feldmann the man who helped make Wretched & Divine. My favorite band’s third album and also my inspirations.

“I’m glad you know who I am. Curios, which bands?” he asked.

“Well mainly one, Black Veil Brides.” I smiled and so did he.

“I thought so. Any who, what I came to talk to you about is…” he paused, “How would you like to perhaps track a few demos in the studio. Maybe release and EP?” he grinned. My mouth dropped, was he serious?

“R-really? Oh my god!” I screamed. Which caused him to laugh, “I would love to! I-oh my god!” I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Being produced by John Feldmann! The man who produced Black Veil Brides’ greatest album!

“There’s just one problem…” he whispered, and just like that all hope was lost.

“Oh no…” I whispered.

“It’s nothing bad, no worries. Its just, it would be better if you were in a band. Do some Paramore type, female singer…” he looked down then back up at me. That wasn’t so bad, there’s just one problem…


“But, I don’t have a band.” I frowned.

“No worries, I’ll give you time to gather some friends. I’m sure you must know some talented people. The drummer here was great! You should chat with her.” he looked confident, he also gave me hope.

“Ok. I’ll try and I’ll get back to you.” I smiled.

“Alright, I’ll give you two months.” he smiled, “Here’s my card. Call when you are ready.” he stood up and walked to the door while I stared at his card.

I heard him clear his throat, “You’re going to be big Crystal, I see it now.” he smiled at me, and walked out the door.

I sat there and thought about what had just happened. I was offered an opportunity to become something. To track a few songs, release them, make it big! It felt like a dream, which it was. My dream was coming true; it’s true when they say that it takes time. The only problem now was that I needed a band. I knew a drummer and bass player, I can play guitar but just three people? Just as I was in the thought I heard a beautiful sound come from outside the building; It was a violin, playing so smoothly and beautiful.
I walked out to see who was making this amazing tone. I saw a girl, with brown hair, a few ombre red highlights here and there. She was tall and slim, really long legs, tan skin and blue eyes. She was beautiful and her talent was too. She continued to play, her violin case had a few dollars in it. I smiled and slowly walked to her, placing a five in her case. It wasn’t until then, that I realized what song she was playing. She was playing Overture by Black Veil Brides. Once the song was over I clapped, she shyly looked up at me and smiled. A small rose color came to her cheeks.

“That was so beautiful.” I said.

“Thanks.” she whispered. She looked and pulled her hair behind her ear. She was tall, 5’5” perhaps, I was only 5’7” without heels. She was also thin, almost model like. She could have been a model, she had the face of one.

“I love that song by the way. Jinxx is such an incredible musician.” I grinned.

“You know Black Veil Brides?” she grinned.

“Hell yeah! My favorite band! Play another song, The Mortician’s Daughter?” I asked. She nodded and began; I sang along.

When we were done we had gathered a small crowd, also won her some more money. We said our thank you’s to the crowd when I invited her for a late drink.

“I’m sorry, I never fully introduced myself,” I held my hand out for her to shack, “I’m Crystal.” I smiled while she shook my hand.

“I’m Scarlett, but you can just call me Scar.” she smiled back.

“I like that! Scar, its so unique.”

“Thanks, my friends always called me that.” her smiled turned into a slight frown.

“Is everything ok?” I asked.

“Yea, just the thought of home always gets me kind of moody.” she shrugged.

“You know if you need anyone to talk to, I’m here. I’m a good listener.”

“Thanks. Its just that, I had some trouble at home so I came here to L.A. I didn’t even finish school, I couldn’t take it. So I packed everything and left, leaving my friends too.” she looked down.

“Hey, don’t worry. You’re not alone here, I did the exact same thing.” I patted her back. She looked back at me, and grinned.

“I’m glad I met you. Actually, I’m glad I decided to play in that street today.” she laughed, I laughed with her.

“Me too.” I smiled at her.

I truly was glad I had meet her. Great minds think alike, and I’m so glad I took those moments to look for her music. I didn’t know what it was, but I had a feeling her and I were going to be close friends, but something deep down also told me to look after this girl. That she needed a friend; I didn’t know what was telling me this, but I’m sure as hell going to listen to it.