sunday girl

                                    

                                          
Music had always played a huge factor in Arielle's life. From becoming the "prodigy" of her family at age four to performing in pubs across London, she found it easy to say that music was her life — as cliché as it sounded. Saying no that night took everything in her but the gig meant everything to Lola — possibly for her own career, if not theirs. They stood by the stage as Arielle tuned Lola's guitar she borrowed for the night while Lo sipped tea, warming up her vocal chords. Lola wanted the gig more than Arielle had. She wanted to build a fanbase and get their names out there, maybe record an EP. But Arielle had no say in the matter, she never did.
                          
"You can't possibly believe that this will go well." Arielle said walking up to the first mic with little hope.
                          
"It will trust me." Lola said, fixing the strap around her neck. "Just follow my lead, okay?"
                          
Arielle nodded, hands shaking as she placed her hand on the mic. She tapped once causing their audience to turn their heads and focus on the two young women before them. Clearing her throat, Lola introduced themselves. "Hello, we're Lou and Dahl and we'll be performing for you tonight." 
                          
Arielle felt a shiver run down her spine as Lola moved closer, whispering something she couldn't quite comprehend in her ear before speaking again. "This first one is for those who have been a tad confused with love." Immediately, the two started to play. 
                          
It was one of their best songs, a hit with the locals in Soho. Lola wrote it during a relationship she wasn't sure was going to work out but faithfully it did and they've been going strong since. As for Arielle, relationships were not her forté. She had no clue how to keep someone from getting bored and walking away, as it had happened many times before. All she had to do was breathe the wrong way and they'd leave. She didn't give up on love, nor did she want to. She just didn't know where to find it. 
                          
As the two sang harmonies and looked over their audience, Arielle could see the same expression on every face — they weren't satisfied. They never were. Someone once told them, 'Girls, if you want to succeed you must have flare. Give them a reason to pay attention.' Of course they listened, they wouldn't have been standing on that stage if they hadn't. But something was still missing. They didn't have the so called flare they needed and if they never found it, everything would go to shit in a matter of seconds. 
                          
Lola continued to play beautiful chords while Arielle sang the last verse. There was chatter and laughing throughout the pub that made Arielle want to scream. She found it incredibly rude to disrespect an artist the way they were but in reality, she had no say in what those people could and could not do. When they finished, there was very little applause. Rolling her eyes, Arielle sat on the stool behind her mic as the audience waited for their next song — a cover of "The Only Living Boy in New York" by Simon and Garfunkel. They figured a cover would most likely get a positive reaction but once they started, the dissatisfied faces still remained. 
                          
They sang a little romantic ditty after, hoping for at least one smile. Unfortunately, nothing came about. The duo glanced at each other and knew that they were never playing that pub again. They had played pubs and small venues with other artists without a problem. Many of their audiences enjoyed their set and danced along to their more upbeat songs rather than sitting at a table with a pint in their hands and a puss on their face. Arielle wanted to get signed more than anything, it was basically the reason they played those gigs — hoping one day someone would be impressed and want them on their label. But their talent was easily wasted on shitty nights like this. 
                          
Arielle set her guitar next to the stool when they finished. Yet again, there wasn't much applause but there was one loud clap among the crowd that had her smiling. "I'm getting a drink." She whispered, exiting the stage after Lola nodded.