“Uhh, yeah. I've been practicing every night.”
“Is that before or after you're making out with your cheerleader?”What the hell did he just say?He briefly signals down the hall with his smug look. The way he's practically drooling at Candi has me on edge.She's not a piece of meat, asshole.Both of us watch her grab her books from her open locker.She looks amazing today.
Her red hair flows in her natural, loose waves; it falls down her back, hitting just above her waist. She's wearing her light-washed, tight skinny jeans that hug all of the right places, andher mint green Aèropostale hoodie that narrowly hits her denim waistband.This girl is in a sweatshirt and jeans, and I'm practically salivating over her.
“I don't know what you're talking about…”
“Really, man. Come on… you're going to talk to Rayne about your thing with Candi, but not me?”So, that's what this is about? Are you jealous I didn't talk about girls with you?
“Oh, that. It's uhh… nothing. We're just kind of… hanging out, I guess.”The lie is poison on my tongue.
“Mr. Douglass!” Mr. Ferguson’s voice carries over Seth's metallic beats. “Would you mind putting your drumsticks away? Some of us have classes to prepare for.” His arms move over his maroon sweater vest as he impatiently waits for Seth to stop.
“Aye aye, Captain Ferguson.” Our teacher shakes his head and makes his way into his classroom.That man has to be so disappointed to come into work every day. This place fucking sucks, and with students like us, the man has to have a stash of weed under his desk.
“Did you ask her to come to the show this weekend?” He asks, putting his sticks in his bag.
“Yeah. She said she'll be there…”
“No, shit?! I don't know, that doesn't sound likenothing, not from you anyway. The Andrew I know doesn't invite girls to shows…”
“The Andrew you know?” I ask, slamming my locker shut after grabbing my history notebook.
“Yeah. The guy I know doesn't give a shit about girls and only cares about his bass. I think you might've heard of him. He’s usually glaring at everyone who tries to talk to him…”
“Oh, yeah. I know that guy. He still doesn't give a shit about anyone, minus one person.” My voice trails off when she gets closer. Her form moves towards me like she's in slow motion;everything else around me becomes a blur. She is my only focus.My girl. My Candi
“Wassup, Candi?!” I swear I can feel Seth’s eyes on me. The tang of disbelief and surprise mixes with Candi’s tropical scented shampoo. It fills my lungs when I inhale. She always smells good enough to eat.
“Morning, Andy.”That damn smile will be the death of me.
“What the hell, man?! You let her call youAndy?I've been trying to call him that for years.”
“This is Seth… he plays the drums in our band…”
“Nice to meet you, Seth.” Candi chuckles uncomfortably under her breath.
“Andrew here, tells me you're coming to the show this Saturday. It'll be nice to see someone in the crowd for him for a change.”Ouch, asshole.
“Uh… yeah.” Her fingers restlessly tighten their grip around the straps of her backpack. “I'm excited to see him play. I bet it'll be fun.”
“Fun is one word for it…”He's having too much fun with my embarrassment.
“So, are you three going to take your seats, or are you going to teach the class about checks and balances?”I've never thought I'd say this, but thank fuck for teachers.
“Sorry about him,” I begin, as Candi and I make our way back to the back row of desks. “He's kind of an idiot, and he doesn't know when to shut up around hot girls.”
“It's okay. He's… funny.” She moves a piece of her hair behind her ear before looking for her pencil.
“Don't tell him that. He'll take it and run with it. I'll never hear the end of it at practice.”
“Oh, no. I wouldn't want to do that. Your band practice would be terrible…”Please, keep laughing. I love the way you tease me.
“You have no idea…”
“I guess I will on Saturday.”
“Y-you still want to come to my show?” I don't know why, but the fact that she wants to be seen with me still has me baffled. Will I wake up from this dream I'm in, or is this my reality?
