Chapter 12

 

It took six months for us to record our debut album. That was in between school, music lessons, holding down part-time jobs, homework, cheerleading, soccer training and soccer games. Josh decided to stay in the band, but Karen did pull him out of school. He now studied by correspondence, and was able to work on the album more than the rest of us.

 

It was during a weekly band meeting that we drafted our album dedication. Zarah came up with it – I was preoccupied with the fact that it was very close to one year since Justin had died, as was Josh. “How’s this look?” she asked, scribbling something on the whiteboard that we had in our meeting room.

 

Dedicated to Justin Andretti, who not only taught us the meaning of friendship, but to love others just for who they are.

Justin Curtis Andretti

March 14, 1983 – August 26, 1997

Aged 14 years

 

“We gotta use it,” Taren said. “It’s perfect.”

 

“You really like it?” Zarah asked. “Well, that’s a first.”

 

We all started laughing. Carine stuck her head in. “Haven’t you guys got a recording session today?” she asked.

 

“Not until next week,” Zarah answered. “It’s our last one. Then we have at least six weeks of anonymity before we’re well-known.”

 

“Or not,” Taren reasoned. “We might screw this whole thing up completely.”

 

“I doubt we will,” Zarah shot back. “We wouldn’t have been signed if we sucked.”

 

“Point well taken,” Taren agreed.

 

I looked at my watch. “If we’ve finished our little discussion, I say we head on home. I think Mikaylah wants to get started with the planning for the surf crawl. We’re starting it in December.”

 

“We’ll have to get it cleared with Lisa, first,” Taren reminded me. “We deserve a break, anyhow. We’ve worked our rear ends off getting this album done.”

 

“I reckon,” I agreed. “I hope you guys can all come.”

 

When I got home, I opened my mail – bank statement, postcard from my friend Kelly and another letter from Taylor. I quickly read over Kelly’s postcard, then opened Taylor’s letter.

 

Kat,

 

How’s Currumbin? More importantly, how’s the album going? Is it almost finished? Last I heard, you weren’t even halfway through. Knowing you guys, you’re probably finished already. Which makes my question totally irrelevant! Oh well. You guys are gonna be a hit. I mean that sincerely. You’re some of the most talented people I know, and that’s saying something!

 

I was thinking that we could get together again this Christmas, but you could come here instead of me going over there. I’ll probably ring you in a couple of weeks anyway. We can have a talk then, or maybe over the Internet. I don’t know. I’d have to see what’s happening over Christmas, since I don’t know what’s set in stone and what isn’t. I’ll let you know.

 

I’d better go. Catchya later.

 

Taylor

 

I remembered Mikaylah’s idea of a surf crawl. Just then, the phone rang. I snatched it up and answered. “Katia Andretti speaking.”

 

“Who did I say you sounded like? Oh yeah, your sister. How’s Queensland?” It was Taylor.

 

“It’s okay, considering that it’s winter. What’s been happening?”

 

“Major concert tour. You’d love it. I considered asking you to come, but I decided it’d be a bad idea. You are still at school, right?”

 

“Do not remind me. I’m at the start of my second semester of Grade 10, and I have to do the Grade 10 Certificate exams in a couple of months. School is possibly the bane of my existence.”

 

“I don’t like it much either, but at least I don’t have to do it for six straight hours.”

 

“Lucky. My sister’s organised this surf crawl thing with Karen, and she’s asked me to consider a few people who I want to invite. I think the band’s coming. You want in on it?”

 

“I’d love to!”

 

“D’you reckon it’d be okay with your parents?”

 

“Yeah, they won’t mind. I’ll ask them anyway.”

 

“You do that. I hope you can come. I got your letter today, by the way.”

 

“Did you?”

 

“Yeah. We’ve almost finished recording the album. Just one more recording session and it’s over.” I heard the front door open. “Mikaylah’s home. I’d better go. I don’t want to be caught on the phone to overseas.”

 

I hung up. “Are you home, Katia?”

 

“In the kitchen!”

 

Mikaylah came into the kitchen. “Bad day at work?” I asked.

 

“No, it’s not that. It’s just that Aunt Sarah and Uncle Marcus are moving here, and they don’t want to buy or rent a house. I told them that they could move in here instead. What do you think?”

 

“Yeah, sure. Why are you asking me?”

 

“Well, you do live here. If they do end up here, there will be some changes around here. Sarah will be your legal guardian. I’ll be going to university in Brisbane when the new year starts, so you will have to answer to her from then onwards. You will most likely have to share your room with Nerida or Samantha, and I want you to choose which one. Sarah will be responsible for the running of this house, which will mean no more than three overseas phone calls per week, no more than six hours a week on the Internet and telling her where you will be at all times. That includes flute lessons, band practices and cheerleading.”

 

“I want to share with Samantha,” I decided. “Nerida would just take over completely.”

 

“And another thing. Mum always intended for you to attend boarding school in grades 11 and 12. There is a boarding school in the northwest of the state, called Mountain View Academy. It’s near Mount Isa. I’ve looked into it, and they would be willing to take you for the next two years.”

 

“What? Boarding school? Mikaylah, no! I won’t go!”

 

“Katia, listen to me. You can’t honestly enjoy going to Currumbin High.”

 

“That’s the thing. I do like it there. I’m a cheerleader, I’ve got my band and I have friends. I wouldn’t have any friends at boarding school.”

 

“I’m willing to bet that you would. You’re going for at least six months. If your grades haven’t improved and you’re miserable, then you can leave.”

 

“What about Aunt Sarah?”

 

“She’s agreed to it. Don’t worry, Samantha will not be allowed to take your room over. She will have to leave it as it is.”

 

I sighed. “Oh, all right.” I cocked my head to the side. “We’re still going on the surf crawl, right?”

 

“Yes, but not for another year or so.”

 

I swore. “And no swearing when Sarah moves in. Go and do your homework.”

 

I went up to my room and picked up my photo of Justin and I. I was so angry with Mikaylah. Leaving Currumbin meant leaving my friends, leaving the cheerleading team and possibly leaving the band. That was not going to happen – not if I could help it!

 

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