[XOTM] Xero of the Month September 2022

Lithium was getting amped up hearing the crowd going crazy for the band currently playing. He was sitting backstage preparing to play at the biggest music competition and festival being hosted at the Harbor. He picked up his guitar and started his pre-show check. Corduroy walked out the the talent refreshment room with a bottle of water for him and his boyfriend. Corduroy handed one bottle to his boyfriend and said “ Here you go, your already sweating a bit.” After taking a drink himself he continued. “You got this. You will win this competition easy. You played for the Harbor many times. You are going to rock their world.“ Lithium responded “ Yeah I am!! There is nothing like the noise of the crowd.” Lithium then drank some water then left to join his band in a pre-show ritual for good luck etc. A few minutes after the band finished the stage manger called Lithium’s band to the stage. Lithium chugged the rest of the water and quickly went through the three song set order in his head. And ran with his band mates on stage. He played his guitar perfectly. He had the crowd jumping up and down and everyone went nuts for his guitar solo. After they were finished the band returned back stage. Lithium got a towel like his band mates was doing to rub the excess sweat of their hair and faces. Then he ran up hugged his boyfriend. Corduroy said “ That may have been your best performance yet.” “ You say that everytime” Lithium responded. They sat waiting to be called on stage for the results. When the stage manger called for all bands to come to the stage, butterflies instantly hit Lithium stomach. Nervously he thought to himself “ You got this” The host went through the whole scream if you want this band to win bit and pointed and each band. It didn’t change the judges vote but it sure gets the crowd hyped. Finally after announcing the third and second place winners. Time seemed to have slowed as Lithium stood there waiting for the first place announcement. The drumroll finally finished and the host finally said the first place winners was Lithium’s band. They started jumping up and down, screaming and going crazy. The proudly held up their trophy and then the oversized check as confetti rained down. Once they were backstage Lithium ran up to Corduroy and kissed him. After it ended Corduroy said “Hey I so they are having a after party for all the bands that competed in a dive bar across the street. They even have (Xero version of a chicken wing) challenge with a ghost pepper imported from earth. You get a T-shirt and your picture on the wall if you complete it. “ “ Hell yeah I’m down “ Said Lithium. “Hey before you do that make sure everything is on the band bus” one of the band members exclaimed. Lithium groaned he absolutely despised the after gig cleaning. He just wants to party after a gig and usually finds a way out of it but his band mates look like they are not allowing it today. Begrudgingly he finishes the cleaning and heads to the dive bar where he partied till it closed.