mockingbird:
Maybe I really do need your friends.
eastcoleman:
I’d be happy to share.
mockingbird:
You’re a good friend, do you know that?
eastcoleman:
I do my best.
Part 4Chorus
Chapter 13
Easton
Birds—Imagine Dragons
It’s late by the time I drive Rayne back to school in the rattly old van that my dad gave me for my seventeenth birthday. That was right before the guys and I had our first gig and we needed a way to transport our instruments, especially Jax’s drum kit. The van wasn’t in the best condition even then, and now it’s almost falling apart, but somehow it still drives.
Rayne and I didn’t talk much more after she told me everything; we just lay next to each other on my bed and listened to music. At some point we ate the ice cream. It was already half melted, but that didn’t bother us. The silence between us wasn’t uncomfortable, but somehow companionable. It didn’t need to be filled with words.
“See you tomorrow morning?” Rayne looks at me questioningly, one hand already on the door, ready to get out, when I stop the van in the parking lot in front of campus.
“If you come to class, I’ll see you tomorrow.”
She smiles almost imperceptibly, and I can’t help but hope that I’ll see a real smile on her face soon.
“See you then.” She opens the door and a burst of frigid air rushes into the car. Rayne makes a face. “It’s too cold in Boston.”
I can’t disagree with her. It really is much too cold right now. But she probably feels it even more acutely compared to the warm Southern California winters.
“But spring is beautiful here.”
“Somehow, that doesn’t comfort me at all.” She shivers and hunches her shoulders. “That’s not for ages.”
“About two and a half months.”
“Then it’ll be March. How warm is it here in March?”
“Hmm. Around forty-five degrees?”
A look of horror crosses her face. “That’s still way too cold!”
I have to laugh. “The right clothes help. You’ll get used to it.”
“Somehow I doubt it. It’s nice and warm in LA right now.” She sighs wistfully, and suddenly she looks sad. It’s clear she’s missing more than just the warmer temperatures.
“But it doesn’t snow in LA.”
She glances meaningfully out the windshield. “It doesn’t here, either.”
“Yes, but it will soon.”
