Band Practice

Thomas carried the equipment up the stairs to Allen's apartment and knocked on the door. He had an extra key, but he still felt it was polite to knock. He had been best friends with Allen since middle school.

They were both gamers and would usually play games or practice music together. Allen was a tall and skinny black teenager with glasses. He was shy and nerdy. Thomas was outgoing and more muscled than Allen.

Allen came to the door and greeted Thomas. He was too shy to introduce himself to Jasmine, so Thomas introduced them. Allen's mother came to the door and welcomed them inside.

She said, "Hey sweetie, who is this pretty young lady you brought home?" Jasmine smiled and greeted her. "Hello mam, my name is Jasmine." Allen's mom liked her instantly and hugged her. She told her, "You can call me Martha. Thomas, you found a nice girl!"

Thomas smiled and thanked her. He replied, "Thank you, Miss Martha. I love her a lot! She is so sweet to me. She is going to be the singer in our band. You should hear her sing; she sounds like an angel!"

Martha got excited and asked, "Oh honey, you can sing? I want to hear you sing! These boys play their guitars all the time, but they never had a singer. I bet it will sound good!"

Jasmine was a little embarrassed by the compliments and hoped she didn't disappoint Martha. She was so nice! Allen and Thomas set up the equipment in the living room. They didn't have a microphone, so they turned the amps down so as not to overpower Jasmine's voice.

Jasmine told Allen, "I've been thinking about a song that is about bass and female empowerment. It goes kind of like this." She hummed a little bit and started to sing, All About That Bass by Meghan Trainer, and snapped her hand to keep the beat.

"Because you know it's all about that bass,

'Bout that bass, no treble.

I'm all about that bass, bout that bass, no treble.

I'm all about that bass, bout that bass, no treble."

Allen started a bass line to match her tempo and Thomas started to play a little with them as well. Martha clapped her hands in excitement. She loved it!

"Yeah, it's pretty clear, I ain't no size two.

But I can shake it, shake it like I'm supposed to do.

'Cause I got that boom, boom that all the boys chase.

And all the right junk in all the right places

I see the magazines (ah-ha) workin' that Photoshop (ah-ha)

We know that shh ain't real.

Come on now, make it stop.

If you got beauty, beauty (ah-ha), just raise 'em.

'Cause every inch of you is perfect.

From the bottom to the top

Yeah, my mama, she told me don't worry about your size (shoo-wop, wop)

(Sha-ooh-wop, wop)

She says boys like a little more booty to hold at night.

(That booty, booty, uh, that booty, booty)

And no, I won't be no stick-figure, silicone Barbie doll (shoo-wop, wop)

(Sha-ooh-wop, wop)

So, if that's what you're into

Then go ahead and move along."

The boys were impressed, and Martha loved it! She loved the doo-wop songs that reminded her of New Orleans. Allen picked up the bass easily.

Allen even ended the song with a bass riff. Thomas was happy to see his shy best friend and his girlfriend getting along. Martha was happy to see her shy son getting along with a pretty and talented young lady.

She asked Jasmine, "Sweetie, do you have any friends you could introduce to my son? He's a little shy, but he is a nice boy." Jasmine thought of her friend Alice. She knew that Alice had a crush on him in her past life.

She responded, "I know a good girl who likes him." Martha got excited and Allen blushed shyly. He didn't think any girl had a crush on him. He was smart and shy and usually sat in the back of the class.

Martha asked, "What is her name? What is she like?" Thomas was even curious. He looked at Jasmine with interest. It would be great if his best friend was going out with his girlfriend's friend. They could all hang out together.

Jasmine replied, "Her name is Alice. We usually walk home together after school, and I think she has a class with Allen. When I told her I was going to his house after school to play music she looked excited. She said he was the cutest shy boy she had ever seen."

Allen thought about Alice from his class. She was beautiful and he had secretly had a crush on her for years. He asked, "Is she the black girl who is in my math class?"

Jasmine replied, "I think so, I'm not sure which class she shares with you. She has light brown eyes and curly hair." Allen blushed. She was just his type! She had curves in all the right places and was sweet!

Martha got excited, she cooed, "Oooh child, you'll have to bring her with you next time you practice. I want to meet this girl!" Allen was embarrassed and responded, "Mom, be cool!"

She shushed him and told him, "Oh hush, you are too shy, you will never make the first move. Don't worry. Mom and Jasmine will help you out!" She winked at Jasmine and Jasmine smiled back at her.

They could play matchmaker for Allen and Alice. They could be a great couple together. At the very least they could hang out as friends. Jasmine thought about asking Alice tomorrow when they walked home together.

Thomas was excited for his friend and patted him on the back. Allen was too skinny, and the 'friendly' pat moved him forward afoot! He looked at Thomas's smile and smiled back at him.

Jasmine brought them back to the music topic. She told them, "I want to focus on positive songs. Preferably songs that are body positive for young women."

Martha nodded and agreed with her, "Yes girl, young women these days are too insecure with the way their body looks. I agree with you that you are perfect the way you are. Those magazines are setting a bad example for young girls!"

Jasmine smiled and told her, "I also have a song about Victoria's Secret!" She giggled. The boys blushed. Martha looked amused and responded, "Oh, let me hear it!" Jasmine sang Victoria's Secret by Jax.

"I know Victoria's secret.

And, girl, you wouldn't believe it.

She's an old man who lives in Ohio.

Making money off of girls like me"

Cashin' in on body issues

Sellin' skin and bones with big boobs

I know Victoria's secret.

She was made up by a dude (dude)

Victoria was made up by a dude (dude)

Victoria was made up by a dude."

They all laughed and applauded! Thomas thought she was the most beautiful and talented singer ever! She was also funny! He was so proud to be her boyfriend.

Jasmine smiled to herself. She knew these songs were going to be popular in the future. If she could borrow them and use them to make money, she would be happy. If not, it was still fun to play music with the guys.

Allen and Thomas came up with the music to Jasmine's new song and she tried to teach them what she remembered. She was not an instrumentalist, so she didn't know all the chord names. She would hum or sing, and they would match her pitch.

They worked well together, and Allen's mom was happy for her son. She left to make dinner and asked Jasmine, "Do you want to stay for dinner? Do you have any allergies I should know about before I start cooking?"

Jasmine replied, "Yes mam. Thank you. I have a seafood allergy and am lactose intolerant so I can't handle any dairy products." She felt bad because most people would not even think before using those products normally.

She remembered one time her mom made broccoli cheese soup and told Jasmine, "Don't worry, I won't add the cheese to the whole soup." Jasmine asked, "What about the milk and butter?" Her mom thought about it and replied, "I guess I didn't think about it."

Jasmine just laughed and responded, "It's ok. Just make it how you like. I can make a sandwich." Her mom felt bad, but it wasn't her fault. Jasmine understood and didn't hold it against her mom.

Dairy products were in most foods around her. It had taken years to adjust to a non-dairy diet in her past life. She usually ate simple meals like chicken with potatoes and vegetables or beef stew.

Jasmine used Smart Balance Spread as a butter substitute in most of the things she cooked. It was also supposed to be heart-healthy! That was a plus considering Thomas's heart condition.

Too much cheese was not good for the heart anyway, so Thomas didn't complain. He could still eat ice cream when he wanted. He also had protein shakes that had milk in them.

Jasmine made sure he still had a balanced nutritional food plan at home. She tried to be a good wife and look out for her husband's needs as well as her own.