Try it.

You still weren't sure about music as a whole, but maybe singing in the shower, and a few piano lessons when you were younger could help you. For now your chorus practices were the highlight of your day throughout middle school. Being praised a little was something missing in your life. Outside of choir class you were Chris, the girly boy who got picked on at all situations, including on locker rooms.

You did your best to always be the last to shower to not be mocked, but sometimes you had to play along to prevent being bullied. No matter the choice, you were doomed, so you stop worrying about it. But you couldn't help to look at the huge dicks of your friends.

In order to prevent them seeing your fragile body, you changed your routine, and tried once again the benefits of working out. With a tight schedule, the best you could do was a morning race that made you all sweaty for almost no effort showing how bad is your physical condition. It was better than nothing, but your secret training didn't last long.

One day of the guys saw you running in the morning, and gave you a few tips. For a moment you truly felt part of the popular guys, but after the race he dared you for a piss contest. Sounded simple, piss while showering, and see who lasts longer. But it was a trap.

"Look at Miss Babydick over here!" he laughed with a teasing tone. You tryed hard not to react. With one comment, he hit your most vulnerable place.

" You're looking at my dick? " You asked trying to defuse a mine about to explode, thinking that it was all a friendly joke.

" Guys are supposed to get morning wood, doll face. I just wanted to confirm something." He whispered walking away.

You tried to forget what happened focusing on what really matters, your falling grades. Choir was a place to forget it, you were admired there, and you strange tone of voice was special for them. Your parents also seemed happy because you found something you were enthusiastic. Overall you'd have to say that your middle school life was a happy one.

By the time you were getting closer to moving on to high school you had a sit down with your chorus director. She suggested that you should complement your singing with an instrument, because broadening your musical horizons would help you become a better singer.

" Girls would see me a bit cooler if I played guitar." You thought convinced that girls appreciate art, not fame. That's when you made up your mind and decided to try learning guitar over the summer. You had a bit of money saved up from your allowance, mainly because you never went out to spend it, and you knew instruments were quite expensive. It was time to call for backup. You talked to a couple friends from chorus who also played instruments and they all thought it would be a great idea for you to learn guitar.

" $200 range is more than enough for a starter guitar." Your friend Erick said.

Your friend Eddie, who played timpani and drums for the orchestra joked that if you got pretty good, maybe you all could start a band. For some reason the way he said pretty lasted longer on your mind. Art is one thing, and beauty is another, but looking at all the famous stars on thing is certain. Fame and beauty walk side by side, and talent requires a certain look. For a moment you felt that a ticket to popularity could be reached.

As soon as summer break started, you convinced your mom to take you to a nearby music store. She wasn't happy on you spending all your savings on a hobby you may not stick with, but she smiled seeing how excited you were about this.

When you got inside and looked over all the instruments a feeling of wonder captivated you, as you saw a whole new universe opening before your eyes. Once you took a look around the store a clerk approached you and asked if they could assist. You spoke to the clerk about your desire to start learning guitar.

"We offer lessons, and have student discounts. But to get started is best to have a few beginner books to learn tabs and beginner chords. The affordable acoustic and electric guitars are here." The clerk said.

"But won't those sound bad?" You asked.

" If you're not a professional, there isn't a ton of sound difference between a $200 guitar and a $2000 one. For electrics is quality and number of pickups. For an acoustic, there is ... Sorry, this takes a lot of time to explain. The point is that a small difference is not noticeable for the public, and go cheaper is best to learn the basics. " the clerk said.

You decided to follow the advice, got an acoustic guitar, a few picks, and an intro to guitar book. The clerk even threw in an electric tuner and a case at no cost, and you felt that maybe you did found your path.

After your mom took you home you quickly ran upstairs to your room to get started. That afternoon you quickly learned that this wasn't going to be easy. After about 20 minutes trying to play some scales and chords, your fingers felt like the skin was being torn off.

" Playing to my fingers bleed ... " You sang on your mind Bryan Adam's advice on the Summer of 69. Sounds terrible, but is not very different from the process a martial artist goes when punching a board with his fists.

" Can I bend the fingers like that for an "F" chord? Maybe I should think about becoming more flexible, like the hot babes doing yoga at the park." You think while closing your book to take a break, realising that you can have a fit body even without being a walking gorilla lifting iron. But you focus now was only for the music.

Summer went on and you practiced as much as you could during your free time. You felt you were gradually getting better, because it no longer hurted to play since your fingers began to build up some calluses. At first you wondered if this was just the body adapting, but while practising you understood that you had most of the basic chords down and a few scales memorised.

" You can do so much with three chords. " You remember mentally the advises on the book, while figuring out various songs you heard on the radio while listening to them.

*By mid summer a packet from your high school arrived. It was time to pick out electives. You and your parents went over the classes you'd be signing up for. You'd already selected art class because of your new appreciation for pretty things, and noticed Guitar 1 as an elective was also a good chance to get free instruction. For a moment you felt that your life was really changing, and you could have an excuse to bring your new guitar to school every day*.

Dad said that weight lifting and physical education build up muscle, and that's the fastest way to impress the girls. And is time for you to get a girlfriend. You argued your case, and your mother sided with you showing how much time and money you are investing on your future. In the end your dad laughed.

" If that's what you like, make sure your grades are good." He said supportively. And with that your high school life was about to begin. You still had plans to continue to sing chorus as an after school club activity to increase you musical experience. With cautious optimism you looked forward to high school life.

High school was by far the least amount of bullying you received. Maybe it was the fact that the school was so large. Or maybe people grew up a little. There wasn't much abuse on your way, except the petty name calling "doll " epithet behind your back.

Your choir club continued to give you that rush you've always been seeking. This was no longer focus, but a need for attention, only satisfied when someone praised you. Guitar classes were at first a fun way to get that rush. But as your performance are got better, your needs also got bigger. You were learning to read sheet music instead of just guitar tabs expanding your musical horizons. And your grades were above average because you are doing something that you were good at. By sophomore year you were good enough to start playing around and jamming on weekends in a friend's basement. Metallica had Garage Days, this was your Basement hours.

Eddie and Erick, your friends from middle school also seemed to enjoy playing with you. Eddie played drums, just as he did for orchestra. But since you now played guitar and sang, Erick decided to play bass.

"Bassists get the hotter chicks." He'd often say.

It was during one of your jam sessions that some life altering comments were first made.

" If Chris were a hot girl that singing voice would open us doors for a few shows and get a bunch of fans. We could maybe even do this for a living." Eddie said laughing.

"Yeah. That's too bad," You replied as you laughed uncomfortably. That was the end of that idea for a while. Eventually you purchased your first electric guitar and amp, an entry-level Fender Stratocaster. With the inclusion of your electric guitar, a lot of what you guys began playing had a heavy rock sound. Over the next years your band got gradually better and were able to write some songs ,and even got a name. You all settled with "The Derps."

Towards the middle of your senior year, you, your first band mates, and other friends that joined the band after you began to sound more than amateurs pooled your money together to purchase some studio time. It was here that you saw a sign of your future on the bulletin boards in the hallway.

Cross Music Festival: Your band has what it takes ? Cross Tavern wants you. Come to celebrate our 10th year in business. We're looking for talents to play for our show. Slots are limited, this will be a free concert, but talent scouts from recording companies will be present. This is your big break. Answer fast.

You never heard about Cross Tavern before, but decided to point this out to your friends, who quickly became excited.

" I'll submit a copy once we're done mixing." Eddie said matching your enthusiasm.

A few weeks later you guys were practicing. Eddie's doorbell rang. A package had arrived from Cross Tavern.

" We were picked!" He said excitedly after opening the package. You all couldn't believe it. Inside was a form for you all to fill out where you were to submit your set list and lighting instructions. As well as a hand written note from the concert coordinator.

Derps, out of all the applicants we've received you're the ones we're the most excited about, so we've chosen your band to be our closing act. Your female vocalist is outstanding and I can't wait to listen her in person. Please fill out the enclosed set list form so that we can coordinate with our crew. Be on time and ready to play. Regards, Jeff, Concert Director, Cross Tavern.

" He thinks you're a chick. They will bump us for sure. " Eddie said.

" They loved our music. I doubt they'd bump us just because of that confusion." You replied.

"Concerts are all about visuals as well as music. This guy Jeff even said that wants to listen her in person. Maybe you could just pretend you're a chick. We are the closing act. " Eddie said emphatically. A heated argument broke out amongst you and your friends. All the other band members wanted you to pretend a female singer just liked Eddie suggested. It was you vs them. Finally Eddie pleaded.

"There are going to be talent scouts from recording companies listening us, and we get to be the final act! Don't blow this for us Chris ... You play so cool when the creeps call you doll, take one for the team. "

You took a deep breath. Thinking back to your days in elementary school and not having many friends, you didn't want to go back to that. Plus this was a chance to get to perform live with you being in the spotlight, not just a member of the choir club. But as a real artist.

" Calm your jets, guys. Especially you. We made an agreement to not call Chris none of those pet names. That includes doll, doll face, sweet bums, tasty peach, bunny, sweet lips, pretty mouth, sexy legs, and all the others ones. Remember Eddie ? " Said Bryan making all the others silent, and you worried. You knew that people called you doll behind your back since that day on the showers, but all the other names was something new. From your face, lips, mouth, to your legs and behind, they got skanky names to almost all parts of your body, and for some reason that wasn't bothering you. quite the opposite, it was another way to feed your attention starvation.

" I know Brian, we are all friends here, and Chris knows that. I was just trying to make a point to grab an opportunity. Being a closing act means that Jeff liked our band a lot. " Said Eddie bringing you back from your dream state.

" Then why don't you dress like girl ? " Said Bryan with a mocking tone.

" If I had a body like Chris would do it without thinking, Bryan. You remember Lola, my ex ? She plays on the street, and makes a lot of money just for using a pair of leggings. " Answered Eddie without thinking.

" Manolo is ... I mean Lola uses a pair of leggings in public ? " You say only seeing the problem after you talked.

" Sorry, I didn't want to ... " You say fast to prevent worsening the situation.

" That's cool, Chris. Here we all are friends, so is normal to talk about ... stuff. She uses a pair of black leggings, and panties, and it works for standing up on the street with a guitar. For dancing in the clubs she uses other things ... but that's not important. "

" A pair of black leggings ? Is that all ? " You say confused.

" Sounds simple right ? But it's not. From all here, only you could use them because ... " Explains Eddie.

" Because I'm skinny ... " You almost whisper.

" All you need is your own imagination / So use it, that's what it's for (that's what it's for) / Go inside for your finest inspiration / Your dreams will open the door (open up the door) / It makes no difference if you're black or white / If you're a boy or a girl / If the music's pumping, it will give you new life / You're a superstar, yes, that's what you are, you know it. " Eddie begins to sing while dancing the worse way possible giving a small performance without holding back.

" Eddie, if you are thinking about becoming a dancer, forget it. You have no rhythm. " Says Brian while all laugh.

" I know, Lola told me. Remember Chris ? " Says Eddie looking at you.

You remember it, the first time you met Lola. And the song. You take a deep breath.

" Come on, vogue (vogue) / Let your body groove to the music (groove to the music), hey, hey, hey " You sing in a low tone matching Eddie silly movements.

" Wow ... Eddie was right. " Says Brian

" What ? I just copied what he did ... " You say looking at Eddie, he reach his hands towards you.

" It's all about the looks ... doll. " Eddie says, laughing. You join his laughter while he hugs you.

" Sorry ... I got carried away. " Whispers Eddie into your ear, while you melt on his arms.

" It's ok ... we are all friends here. " You whisper repeating his words trying to keep things light.

" It's our secret ... doll." He says once more now smiling, hugging you a little tighter.

" Don't push it." You giggle in his ear breaking the hug. You and Eddie bow to the thunderous applause and cheers from your band friends sealing the deal.