The Hush Society Presents... by Izzy Matias (best desktop ebook reader .txt) 📕

certain rules you’re taught, but there’s beauty in chaos when you let your imagination take over. And I also really love music: how it brings people together and is a beacon for hope."

I nod before taking another swig of my drink.

Cassie licks her lips before continuing. "I met Ella at one of The Gramophones’ secret gigs with her boyfriend, Dan. She’s helped me through tough times, so when The Gramophones announced an indefinite break, I wanted to continue giving music fans an avenue—in my own way—to connect with each other and encourage them to be their best selves."

"There are loads of gigs out there, but I loved how passionate The Gramophones fans were," Her eyes are wide with excitement. "I saw how they built these genuine friendships from meeting each other at shows. When they announced they were on hiatus, I craved for that sense of belongingness through shows, so I started organising them.

"It was a natural transition to have Ella and Dan co-organise The Hush Society with me and take charge of a couple of city hubs when we started expanding."

"The world needs more positivity," I say. "I am glad I stumbled into your world when I did. What you do is inspiring."

She gives me a shy smile and thanks me. As she reaches for her drink, I get a glimpse of a golden tattoo on the inside of her arm. "My curiosity is getting the best of me. What happened between you and Elliot? Eric told me you were in a punk band?" She states the last line as if it were a question.

"It would have been better if he said he wanted to disband," I explain. "He told me he wanted to settle down with his wife and get a new job…"

And I quit the band after he told me that.

My fists tighten at the recollection of Elliot’s speech, and then discovering him this afternoon. "Apparently, his new job still involves music."

"What a liar! I don't want someone like that in any of our upcoming gigs if he has that kind of attitude." Cassie puts down her drink with force and the table gets splashed.

"I don’t want you to ban him because of what he’s done to me," I tell her. Even if it would be sweet karma. "He’s a stellar musician."

I grab a bunch of tissue from the paper holder between us and wipe the spilled alcohol. She flushes and grabs a few pieces of tissue, cleaning the rest of the liquid nearest her. "You’re not the only one clashing with him. His diva attitude drove me to the edge earlier. I have to talk to Ella and Dan about it, but I’ve made up my mind."

"Okay, as long as it’s not about me." I give myself a mental high-five because the taste of justice is sweet.

"Aren’t you in a band now?" Cassie asks, and leans in.

"Not since Lewis kicked me out."

"Who’s Lewis?" Cassie’s brow furrows. "I thought Elliot—?"

"I was in a folk duo with Lewis, but he kicked me out a week after Elliot and I called it quits." Why do I keep telling people I want to impress about my failures? I reach for my drink.

"That shouldn’t stop you from being a musician!" she says. "I saw that fire in you when you were up on stage."

My hand stops with the bottle mid-air.

"Like I said…Benji, Eric and I were just messing around." I press the bottle to my lips and take another swig.

"Maybe then you were, but what about right after the gig?" she says playing with her golden bracelets. "That didn’t sound like you were messing about."

"You heard that?" Before I got up on stage, I was sure I saw her pushing the door to the back alley as The Hush Society crew hauled their equipment out The Verve.

Cassie rolls her eyes and sighs. "Don’t tell me you’re giving up just because you’ve hit a couple of rejections."

"I’m a frustrated musician," I joke and take another sip of my drink.

"That’s too bad, because I would have invited you to play at The Hush Society."

I give her a bewildered look, like she’s offering me a million pounds up-front.

"You want the lad who’s been kicked out of five bands to play at The Hush Society?"

"Do you want to be a musician or not?"

My heart beats fast, like adrenalin pumping from the concert high. "More than anything."

"Then be a musician." As if it’s as simple as that.

It seems like a challenge the way she’s looking me. Suddenly, the booth we’re in seems too small for us, and the cracks on the wall deeper.

"The Hush Society’s got hubs in a couple of cities," Cassie continues. "Ella, Dan, and I are visiting them over the summer. We split up, bring one or two rising acts with us, and at the end of the tour we meet in Manchester for The Hush Society’s first music festival. Amber Sky—she was one of the performers at the gig where we first met—has also confirmed to go on tour with us this summer."

"Why are you telling me this?" I ask, afraid to hope.

"Because I have one more slot left." She smiles. "The Psychedelic Glitch were supposed to come along too, but since their drummer’s injured, that’s one slot I need to fill. It’s perfect timing I found you when I did."

How can she think I have what it takes to go on tour?

I have no band.

No songs.

Nothing.

It hasn’t even been a day since I’ve decided that I wasn’t going to Uni, so that I can pursue a full-time career in music; she can’t be serious about bringing me on tour.

"You haven’t heard a proper set… I mean, it’s just, I don’t even have a band." I stumble over my words. "Why me?"

"Who says you need a band?" Cassie throws her hands in the air. "Amber Skye is a solo project! As for the why… it’s what The Hush Society stands for. We take a chance on musicians. I love