Unexpected

Chapter 1

"And where do you think you're going, Mr. Patterson?"

The boy froze at the sound of what he knew was the voice of his principal behind him. He turned slowly, plastering the most innocent, smiling look on his face he could muster.

"Principal Lessa, how nice to see you. You're looking very beautiful today. Did you do something new with your hair?"

"Flattery won't work for you this time, Luke. This is the second time this week I've caught you trying to sneak off school grounds."

"I know, but hear me out. There is this mega important audition I wanted to get to. It's a matter of my future. You understand."

"I understand if it was that important your parents would've called the office to excuse your absence. There would be no need for this sneaking."

"Mrs. Lessa, you know my parents don't appreciate my talent."

"An unfortunate misgiving on their part, but the fact still remains you're not allowed to leave the school without permission. I expect to see you after school today to discuss the details of your detentions."

"Detentions? More than one? Come on, Principal Lessa. My band practices after school. I can't be stuck in more than one detention."

"Perhaps you'll remember that next time you decide to make a break for it. Now get back to class."

Luke turned his back to her and rolled his eyes as he made his way back down the hall to the class he was supposed to be in. He was half tempted to skip out on his meeting with the principal after school, but he knew that would mean excruciatingly long lectures from his parents and possible grounding from now until eternity. He figured it was best to suffer the consequences here. Whatever they may be.

"Luke! We set to practice after school today?" Luke's friend Reggie greeted him in the hallway after class.

"Principal Lessa caught me trying to skip earlier. I've got detention."

"That sucks. I had some new material I wanted to try. Don't go." Reggie suggested with a casual shrug as the two walked down the hall after their last class.

"Yeah, and then get grounded by my parents until I'm forty? I don't think so. Whatever Lessa has in store for me is far less painful than what my parents will do."

"What's up guys?" Their friend Alex greeted as he sidled up beside them in the hall.

He tugged at the strap of his backpack as they pushed their way through the crowd.

"Luke landed himself in detention for the next year, so it's just you and me after school" Reggie informed him.

Alex rolled his eyes as he dodged a group of cheerleaders.

"Ok, but I am not playing any of that country crap you've been working on."

"I'll be back to rehearsing by the end of the week," Luke assured them both.

"Yeah, ok." Alex replied sarcastically then stopped suddenly.

Both Reggie and Luke stopped short to consider why Alex had suddenly gone catatonic until they looked to see him staring ahead at the object of his unrequited affection, Will. He was leaning on Alex's locker, talking with a group of friends.

"You alright, Alex?" Luke asked smacking him on the chest with the back of his hand.

Alex blinked and nodded seeming to come back from his trance.

"Yeah, why?" He asked dazed.

Luke and Reggie shared a look behind Alex's back as they continued on.