The first chord rang across the courtyard.
Jack's guitar cut through the speakers with a sharp opening riff, the note echoing off the brick school walls before rolling across the courtyard like a signal flare. Clean, precise, confident.
Several students near the front immediately looked up. "Whoa." "That sounds good."
A second later Peter's drums crashed into the rhythm. BOOM. BOOM. BOOM. The bass drum thundered across the stage, vibrations traveling through the wooden boards beneath their feet.
Mary Jane joined in smoothly. Her keyboard melody slid into the music like a rising tide, soft notes weaving between the guitars and drums. The added layer transformed the sound, giving the song a depth that many of the earlier bands had lacked.
Then Gwen stepped forward. Her voice met the microphone — clear, strong, confident.
For a brief moment the courtyard quieted. Students chatting near the food stands slowly turned their heads toward the stage. Even a few teachers stopped writing on their score sheets.
This wasn't chaotic noise like some of the earlier performances. The song had structure, flow, purpose. Jack's rhythm guitar anchored the track, his steady chords holding the backbone of the song while Gwen's lead guitar danced above it with sharp melodic accents. Behind them, Peter leaned harder into the drums.
The chorus arrived with force. The snare cracked through the speakers and MJ's keyboard filled the spaces between notes with shimmering layers of sound. Students near the barricades started nodding along, one group clapping to the beat.
At the judges' table, one teacher raised an eyebrow. "Interesting." Another leaned forward slightly. "They're tight."
Backstage, Flash watched from beside the curtain. His confident grin slowly faded. "…Not bad."
On stage, Gwen leaned closer to the microphone as the chorus rose. Her voice climbed above the instruments — stronger, higher. Students began cheering. Someone near the front shouted loudly. "LET'S GO!"
The energy shifted instantly. More students pushed closer to the barricades, phones lifting to record, the crowd beginning to move with the rhythm.
Jack glanced sideways toward Gwen. She caught the look and gave him a small, confident smile.
That was all the signal the band needed.
They pushed harder. Peter struck the drums with greater force, the rhythm pounding through the courtyard. MJ raised the keyboard volume slightly, letting the melody swell. Jack tightened his guitar rhythm, driving the song forward with heavier chords. The music grew bigger, louder, stronger.
The song reached the bridge. Gwen stepped forward, her fingers moving across the fretboard.
Then the solo began.
Her guitar screamed through the speakers — fast, sharp, precise. The notes climbed higher and higher, sparks of sound flying across the courtyard. Students shouted. "WOOOO!" Several people near the front jumped. Even some teachers began clapping along.
Backstage, Flash slowly crossed his arms. "…Okay. That solo was good."
On stage the solo ended with a powerful final note that rang across the courtyard. Peter rolled into a rapid drum fill. The final chorus hit like an explosion — drums, guitars, keyboard, vocals all crashing together at once.
The entire courtyard moved. Students jumped, hands clapping above heads. Then someone started shouting the band's name.
"NEON! NEON! NEON!"
The chant spread quickly. Dozens of voices joined in.
Jack felt adrenaline surge through his body. Practicing in a quiet room was one thing. Performing in front of hundreds of people was something else entirely. The crowd's energy pushed the band forward like a wave.
The song climbed toward its final moment. Peter slammed the final drum fill. Gwen struck the last lead chord. Jack hit the closing rhythm. MJ held the final keyboard note as it echoed across the courtyard.
Then silence. Only for a heartbeat.
The courtyard erupted.
Cheers exploded from every direction. Students clapped loudly, some whistling, others shouting the band's name again. At the judges' table, the panel exchanged impressed looks. One of them leaned toward the microphone and spoke quietly. "That was excellent."
Backstage, Flash stared at the stage. "…Seriously?"
Peter sat behind the drum kit looking stunned, his hands trembling slightly. "Did we… just do that?"
MJ laughed. "Yes."
Gwen exhaled slowly, smiling out at the cheering crowd. "Nice work."
Jack rested his guitar against his hip. "That went well."
The host quickly returned to the stage and grabbed the microphone, clearly energized. "Give it up for Neon Skyline!" The crowd cheered again, students near the barricades pounding against the metal rails.
After a few minutes the stage crew began preparing for the announcement. All the bands gathered near the side of the stage. The judges leaned together whispering and comparing score sheets while students waited anxiously — some arguing about who had won, others shouting predictions toward the stage.
Finally the host stepped forward again. "Alright everyone!" He raised the microphone. "Time for the results!"
The courtyard slowly quieted.
"Third place…" He read from the card. Applause followed. "Second place…" The host paused slightly. "…Midtown Crushers!"
Flash blinked. "…What?"
His band stepped forward stiffly as the crowd clapped politely. Flash's expression darkened.
Then the host lifted the card again. "And first place…" He paused dramatically. "…Neon Skyline!"
The courtyard exploded. Students cheered wildly. Peter nearly fell off the drum stool. "WE WON?!" MJ jumped in excitement. Gwen laughed.
Jack raised an eyebrow slightly. "Well. That worked."
Flash walked forward slowly, his expression tight with frustration. But the entire school was watching.
Jack folded his arms. "Your move."
Flash sighed. Then he stepped up to the microphone. "…Alright." He glanced toward Peter. "I may have been a jerk." A few students laughed. Flash rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "Sorry Parker. And… I'll stop bothering you."
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