Faded (Rock Star Trilogy)

prepared to work your ass off, and get here as soon as you can.”
    Alec doesn't give me a chance to respond. He just ends the call. Seconds later, I get a text from him with the address.
    “Do you want to go home or go to the studio with me?” I ask Stephan. “I'm probably going to be there all night, and it will probably get boring.”
    “No, I want to go. It sounds fun.” He seems excited.
    I laugh. “Okay.”
    “So why aren’t you recording at the studio in your basement?”
    “A lot goes into recording a professional album, but I don’t have the equipment needed for the best sound. My studio is more for my entertainment than anything else,” I explain.
    On the drive, I think about the first time I was in the studio recording. I was so excited . We were recording my album Jaded . After two weeks straight of eighteen hour days, it got old quick. But even now, after recording four albums, I still get excited the first few days. It’s when exhaustion sets in that it stops being fun.
    I can't help but dread school… At least when I was recording my other albums I didn't have to deal with schoolwork. This is without a doubt going to be a miserable few months.
    Maybe I can convince Bridgett to let me get a tutor and stay home from school.
    Probably not.
    They like “school drama” for my documentary. Or reality show. Whatever the hell it is.
    As I pull into the address that Alec gave me, I check the numbers on the building a couple of times.
    “This can't be it,” I tell Stephan. Then I see Alec walk outside and wave me in.
    What the f...
    “There is a studio inside this house?” I ask him, as I get closer. I am really beginning to question Alec's sanity.
    “Yes. This studio is amazing . The guy who owns the studio works with my dad. Great quality.” Alec names off a band that recorded an album here, and I’m impressed. Maybe it won’t be so bad.
    Stephan and I follow Alec inside. First, he introduces us to Otto. He is going to be recording for me. Otto is… interesting, to say the least. He has long hair, like I seriously think it's longer than mine. It's pulled into a low ponytail to the back. If I had to guess, the dude had to weigh at least 300 pounds… And he's MY HEIGHT , 5'1”. I don't think I've ever met a guy as short as me.
    “Let's start by laying down the music tracks,” Otto says.
    “Okay. I'm playing all my own music. Get me a ticker set at 98 BPM.”
    I grab my sunburst, American made,Fender Telecaster out of the case. Alec has brought all my guitars, but for recording I like using my Fender. It has an amazing sound… As it should, considering how much I paid for it.
    “Let's lay down a clean guitar track,” Otto says. “Just simple rhythm. We can add the fancy stuff later.”
    I smirk at him. “Oh, this isn't my first time in the studio.”
    I put on my Bose headphones, and plug my guitar into the chord Otto hands me. Bridgett and Stephan are both staring at me in amazement. Alec, however, is watching Otto. We've both done this so many times that it's second nature to us.
    I hear a click, and see the red light come on. I count to five in my head, and start playing, keeping it simple and clean.
    A lot of musicians play by note, or scales, but I play by ear. I don't need anything when I play — just me and my guitar. I love playing. It's the best feeling in the world, and I’ve missed it.
    After we put down the track, Otto seems very satisfied. “Good. Now, let's put down a temporary voice, and then we'll record the rest of the music.” He flips a switch, and another room lights up.
    Inside the room, there is yellow foam on the wall. There is a single microphone in the room, and headphones are strung from the ceiling. It's not the most professional looking studio I've seen, but it's efficient. Once I'm inside and am situated, I signal at Otto, and he starts the track.
    Time literally flies. Once I laid down my temporary voice, we finished the music. I got to play the drums, all the guitars, and the bass. Alec laid down a few piano tracks for me, but there were NO SPECIAL EFFECTS . Just me. I have to admit, just me sounds pretty damn good.
    After we laid down the music, I recorded the lead vocals, then the back up and harmony vocals. Between the Red Bull, and being so pumped about being in the studio, I didn't even realize it was late. Bridgett is asleep on the couch, and Stephan is starting to nod off in the chair beside her. When I finish, it is nearly two in the