Composition is Vital!

Carter felt really happy and excited after Beyond said he passed the audition. Everyone in the studio congratulated him, especially Nahida, who gave him a big embrace.

"Welcome to the team, glad to have someone new on board. I'm tired of taking care of these childish boys. Except Mimi, she's the only one who keeps me from leaving", Nahida said.

"Hey! since when did we give you trouble?", Simon protested.

"Since I've first became your manager", Nahida said as she stopped hugging Carter and crossed her arms over her chest, feeling irritated.

"Oh you're no manager, you're just the band's assistant since you would find ways to promote the band and attract people to watch our live shows", Simon stated.

Nahida looked down in embarrassment and clung onto Kokomi's arm and wailed loudly.

"YOU SEE MIMI! Simon's bullying me! I'm better off quitting if it weren't for you. Carter too, well 'cause he's now in the band", Nahida complained, slightly shaking Kokomi's arm.

Kokomi frowned and tried to calm Nahida down by having her seated on the sofa.

"Now, now, Nahida. There's no reason to be upset because of Simon",Kokomi cooed.

"But he bullied mee, it's starting to get on my nerves",Nahida said, clenching her fist.

"I'm pretty sure he's trying to mess with you by indirectly calling you a show-girl of The Meerkats. But, I promise, we really need you here. You're promoting skills is sublime", Kokomi reassured her by complimenting her more.

"Stop with the words, I know you're in a literature course 'cause it's making me embarrass", Nahida flustered and tried to wave Kokomi away with her hand.

Kokomi gave her a small smile as her eyebrows expressed her feeling of pity towards her best friend. Kokomi shook her head lightly and helped Nahida up from the couch and back into the practice area where the boys were waiting for them.

Carter was getting worried about the two girls but managed to whole his conversation with Albert about didgeridoos and whether had he touched one. If you didn't know, Didgeridoos are wind instruments, produces a countinuos drone sound when the players use a special breathing technique called circular breathing. Carter wasn't really paying attention to the conversation much because he didn't even know what it was.

Carter's worried expression lifts up when he heard two sets of footsteps walking into the room, one had hard taps while the other had soft footsteps, almost un-hearable.

"Are you ok, Nahida?", Beyond asked worriedly because he kept quiet during Simon's little teasing act and gave him a good scolding about it.

"I'm fine", Nahida muttered, wiping off a stray tear trying to fall down her eyes.

"I'm sorry Nahida, I didn't mean to make you upset, I was only teasing. Please don't take it to heart", Simon apologized, steeping in front of Nahida.

"Apology accepted, be glad that Mimi is here or I would've quit today permanently", Nahida huffed as she crossed her arms and looked away.

This whole time, Kokomi, Carter and Albert stood beside each other, listening attentively to the 'adults' talking. He used his hands to figure out which side Kokomi was standing. He found out when he accidentally hit Albert's jaw. Albert rubbed his jaw while grimacing in pain. He would've punched Carter back but remembered that Carter can't see so let it go. Carter then leaned down towards Kokomi's ear after finding it buy feeling it with his hands. Kokomi flinched a little at the sudden touch but relaxed when she knows it was Carter..

"What's going on?", he whispered, cupping a hand to block the side of his mouth.

"You know, child's play. I understand Nahida perfectly well but I don't share her feelings when someone teases. Simon shouldn't have done it anyways. Like she said, he's been doing it since back when she first joined us", Kokomi whispered back.

Albert leaned in to listen to the conversation but he changed his mind and leaned back because he thought it was rude. But he did caught a few words that were spoken, child's play, understand and teases. Albert didn't know much about the band members yet except Kokomi because he joined only a few months prior.

After the fire was put off and all was left was cool steam, The Meerkats began discussing about the songs they would perform and alter to fit Carter's voice. The band sat around in a circle on the carpeted studio floor of the break room. Kokomi had her laptop with her, Nahida had a letter in hand she had gotten after signing up the band for the competition. Albert had his keyboard on the floor so they could use it to determine the different tones they would like to use easily. Beyond was holding an acoustic guitar and Simon just sat on beside him, holding onto his drumsticks.

Kokomi sat in between Carter and Nahida while Albert is seated on Nahida's left. Beyond then sat on Nahida's right. Nahida showed the terms and condition of the competition as well as what song they expect from each band. The band could play any genre but must comply to the type of song that the competition wants. In this case, they're required to play 3 songs. A song and an instrumental song from another country and a local song from Malaysia. The total performance time is 12 minutes.

"Dang, gonna be a lot of contestants then if they only give us 18 minutes", Carter said, sighing afterwards.

"Actually, 18 minutes is just as about as long for 3 songs. That means each song gotta be about 4 or 5 minutes each. Not to mention, we gotta save some time if our instruments are out of tune and our singer is heaving for air", Kokomi said.

"How about we just play the ones we already wrote?", Simon suggested.

"We have to comply with the competition rules in order to win. No one likes a rule breaker", Nahida said, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Aw fine", Simon huffed.

"Besides, unique composition is vital if we want to showcase our band's worth", Beyond said.

"Alright, everyone think of a song they really like and I'll choose which would be perfect for Carter so Albert and I can alter the tone", Kokomi said, Albert nodding in agreement.

"You can suggest too Carter", Kokomi said, smilling up at him.

"Oh! ok", Carter smiled.

The group thought hard about which song would sound cool. Kokomi didn't mind which song they pick as long as it sounds, as she puts it, 'boppin'. Carter compiled all the music he had listened the past few days and tried to think of one which sounded cool to him.

"OH, how does video game music sound? For the instrumental part I mean", Simon suggested.

"Sure, but what video game music do you have in mind?", Albert questioned.

"Hmmm, I'm thinking the Athletic Theme from Super Mario World", Simon said, while his hand was on his chin.

"Good choice, anyone else?", Kokomi asked.

"I can't think of anything other than Collei's trailer music, Sprout in the Thicket from Genshin Impact", Nahida said.

"Ooo that sounds amazing", Kokomi said, writing down the suggestions in her laptop.

"Nightmare King from Hollow Knight sounds awesome too", Carter suggested.

"Now that's another good one", Albert praised.

"I have an idea though, how about we turn classical music into our own style?", Beyond suggested.

"OOO That would sound boppin!", Kokomi gleamed and wrote down in her notes.

"Let's discuss the instrumentals later. Now, how about the song from another country?", Albert questioned.

Carter figured out now that a song shall be chosen when Kokomi says the word, 'boppin' out loud. The band seems to rely on her when it comes to choosing the music. Well, she and Albert would arranged the music so it's natural for them to have a good idea on the band's showcasing genre. Carter wondered if everyone else would pick songs to be played as well.

"I'm thinking on either Latin music or J-rock. Those two are the goats", Simon said.

"Yep, I believe Ricky Martin's songs will be a good choice", Nahida said.

"True, but which one though?", Albert inquired, putting his hand on his chin.

"'Livin La Vida Loca' or 'Maria'?", Beyond inquried.

"Pretty sure someone would choose those since it's really popular already", Carter explained.

"Oh yeah...", Beyond agreed sadly.

The band on discussing through the morning until it was time for lunch. Everyone felt hungry, even Carter's stomach was rumbling. Kokomi thought it was high time they get something to eat so they could continue on with band practice and teach Carter some vocal exercises.

"I didn't make anything so we have to go out for food", Kokomi said.

"Mimi, they can't be relying on your luxury home-cook meals everyday you know. They gotta learn to cook for themselves", Nahida said.

"We'll have to teach them another time. For now, our babies need food so lets go for fast food", Kokomi said, standing up and patting down her calf length skirt.

Everyone got up from their sitting position and proceeded to climb the stairs and out the store. They were walking down the street towards the only fast food place in their area. Kokomi, Albert and Carter walked together. Simon, Beyond and Nahida walked ahead of the three. Carter suddenly remembered that he didn't had any form of currency on him. He was panicking on the inside. Albert took notice of this.

"Hey Carter! What's wrong?", Albert called out.

Carter looked straight ahead and answered him. "No, nothing's wrong".

"Are you sure, Carter? If there's something wrong, you can tell us", Kokomi assured.

"I assure you, nothing's wrong. Don't worry your pretty little head over me", Carter said as he kept on looking straight ahead.

Kokomi looked towards where Carter's hands were and saw them rubbing his jean pockets which were empty. He kept putting his hands in and out of the pockets, trying to show that he had something in his pocket. But, given his not easy to read expression, his body language said otherwise.

"Don't worry Carter, I'll pay for your meal", Albert offered.

"Me too!", Kokomi added, smiling up at him.

Carter smiled after hearing this, they were so kind to him. He hoped that that it wasn't out of pity. He hoped that it was them being good friends instead.

"Thank you guys. I'm glad I joined you".