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

"I know. I know," I answer him. "But it can’t be helped. It’s not like I can switch it off anytime I want to. They voiced out my fears. Hearing it aloud tore at me."

Eric nods. "It’s not easy at all, mate."

"And then I thought about how maybe, we can use experiences like those to help others," I continue.

Eric scratches his head. "I don’t comprehend."

"I snapped out of those cynical thoughts because Lily sent me a couple of encouraging words."

"Oh la la!" Eric says with a naughty undertone.

Benji waves him off. "So you were saying?"

"What if we mentor musicians who are starting out? Sort of like a spin-off or a side-project of The Hush Society’s. I told Cassie about it and she loves the idea. I wanted to see if you lot are on board with it, too."

"Of course," Benji says and smiles. "I’m in."

"Me too," Eric beams.

I grin. "We’ve a lot of planning to do, but there’s no need to rush it now. Let the idea marinate in your head…see if you come up with any ideas."

"Good ‘cause I’ve got to roll," Eric says, getting out a cigarette stick and placing it on the corner of his mouth. "I’ve got a date."

"With who?" I ask, incredulous.

"Just a cute Irish lass from The Seven Mermaids the other night," Eric says. "Ta-ta! Can’t be late." He salutes us good-bye, gets his things, and dashes off.

Benji shakes his head.

"It’s like he chats up someone new in every city. How does he do that?"

"It’s the Baker charm."

"Ha."

"I really like this idea of yours, Cameron," Benji says rubbing his tattoo-covered arms.

"Thanks," I say and pick up my guitar, strumming a spontaneous melody.

"It reminds me a lot about the youth rehabilitation centre I go to every week. Of course the music does its job and gives them an outlet to cope with their negative emotions, but it’s the encouragement that comes from one another and from their advisors that helps them with their insecurities and makes them believe they’re worth more than they think they are."

At this, I stop strumming and set my guitar aside. "A few kind words do have such a massive impact."

"Yes. They do." Benji nods. "Which makes me think about making your mentorship program bigger." His arms open up, to further drive his point. "What if you turned it into a non-profit with a full-fledged program that teaches these budding musicians how to deal with self-doubt, rejection, the ins and outs of touring, marketing…you get my drift."

"Benji, that’s brilliant!" I shout and jump up. "Maybe even grant the best students a start-up fund or give back to a chosen charity organisation!" I scramble to find his black notebook to jot it all down.

"Yeah," Benji says, locating the notebook and tossing it to me together with a pen. "We could tie-up with the youth organisation centre I work with."

"Bloody wicked! We could start as early as now, too. Do you think Cassie would approve if we used the music festival as an avenue to raise funds?" I rip off the pen’s cover and scribble all our ideas as fast as my hands allow.

"I’m sure she’ll love it!" Benji says as he packs up his Gibson Thunderbird IV bass guitar into its case as I do the same.

"All this planning and excitement’s got a lad famished. It’s time for some food." I pat my stomach after I hand him back his notebook. It’s flatter now that it grumbles. There’s usually more podge in it. "Where do we treat ourselves?"

"Actually, mate, looks like you’ve got a lunch date already," Benji says as we finish packing our gear. He cocks his head behind me.

"Hi," Cassie says to me. "I owe you for the other night. Want to grab a bite? Lunch is on me."

Benji gives me love eyes and wiggles his eyebrows up and down.

I laugh. "Well. See ya later," I say to Benji and wave.

Cassie turns around and starts walking. I catch Benji winking and gesturing something inappropriate as I turn to follow Cassie.

I gesture back at him.

"You told me once that you like Indian food, so I found this place a few blocks from here. If you’re up for the walk," Cassie says.

"Always," I reply. "So there’s been a development with the mentorship program I was telling you about the other night."

"Okay," Cassie says with a sweet tone. "What is it?"

"I told Benji and Eric about it and they’re on board with the idea. Benji even gave a couple of great suggestions to up the movement. He said that we should turn it into a non-profit organisation that nurtures and guides budding musicians—a full program on how to build a sustainable career in music. We could teach them about the industry, about dealing with rejection, supporting a worthy cause or charity, spreading positivity through their music."

"Oh, Cameron, I absolutely love this development," Cassie beams. "It’s perfect. The sort of thing that would fit in so well with The Hush Society. I didn’t know it before you mentioned it, but this is what I’d hoped The Hush Society could do."

"I’m glad to hear that," I say. "What do you say to transforming the Manchester music festival into a benefit gig? We could raise the money there to put up this non-profit. I’d love for you to help me spearhead this movement."

"Done and done," Cassie says and hugs me. "All the more reason to treat you to lunch."

"You don’t have to buy me lunch, really."

"Yes. I do. Really. Like I said, it’s to make up for the other night."

"If it eases your conscience, then by all means."

She elbows me in the stomach, laughing. "Any embarrassing stories you would like to share with me? To even out the score?" Cassie asks.

I laugh. "Not a chance."

"No embarrassing tales at all?"

"Too plenty to choose from," I say.

"Don’t be greedy. Go ahead and share them."

We walk out to the side street.

"I swallowed a coin once and almost had to undergo surgery just to get it out."

She screeches