The Heart Beats in its Cage (A Strokes fan fiction)

Booger Face

I wonder if what Nick said to Julian was true... did Fab really like me?

I turned and looked at who was talking to me. I looked up at him... wow. He's even cuter up close. "Hey, your name's Fabrizio right?" I said pointing at him, making sure I pronounced his name right.

"Yeah, you actually remembered. And don't worry, you pronounced my name right."

"How'd you-" I started.

"A lot of people pronounce my name as a question, like you just did. They always wonder if they said it right. And, you did."

"Cool, I'm glad." I said. 

"Hey, so um... what class you in right now?" He asked me. 

I grabbed my English book and closed my locker door.

"Oh, um... English. It's in room 350?" I said, unsure of myself.

He smiled and said, "Oh, that's just right up ahead. Uh.. You mind if I walk you to your class? I think it's right across the hall from mine. Er, that's if your boyfriend doesn't mind you walking with guys to class and stuff..."

"What? No, I don't have a boyfriend." I said quickly. I glanced up and down at him. He is really cute.

"Oh, groovy," he muttered under his breath. He cleared his throat, as if realizing what he said. "So... is that a yes?"

I smiled and nodded. I brushed my hair back behind my ear. "Let's go." I said, holding my book close to my chest with both arms. I looked at my feet while walking.

"So... what grade are you in?" I asked him curiously, finally looking at him. 

"Um... I'm a senior. Nah, I'm kidding. I'm a sophomore. I'm actually retaking English 9 because I got a D in it last year." He said as he looked down at the floor. He must've been ashamed... I was surprised that he was so honest.

"Oh, well, at least you got a second chance right?" I said encouragingly.

He chuckled. "Yeah, I'm definitely gonna try harder this year. I'm not wasting this second chance."

"So... how do you know Nick?" I asked him, worried that I'd sound too nosy.

"I just met him yesterday in gym class. He was outside the gym smoking a cigg, so I asked him if I could bum one off him. We got to talking about music and stuff... and I don't know man. He's a cool dude." He shrugged as he told me.

"Ehh. He and Julian always picked on me when we were younger. They're not that cool." I said laughing.

"Well, that's fucked up. I can't imagine having any reason to pick on you," he said with a crooked smile. "Mm... Well actually, that's a lie. Plenty of boys pick on the girls that they like..." 

I looked over and raised my eyebrows. "Did ya pull on any girl's pigtails?" I asked him.

"Nah, I never did that. I'm a nice boy" he said, putting his hands under his chin and making a cutesy face at me. We laughed.

"So, I don't know if the guys have mentioned it, but Nick, Julian and I are trying to get a band together." He said coolly.

I gasped and pushed him, "No way! That is so rad. What kind of music would you guys play? Oh, shit. Sorry." I gave him an apologetic toothy smile.

He pretended to be hurt, and then laughed. "It's hard to tell, we haven't even jammed out yet. I just know that I'm the drummer, Nick plays guitar, and Julian writes songs." 

"Ooh... sounds rad," I said, giving him an impressed look.

"Yeah, I'm excited," he paused for a second, and then said, "Hey, sooo um... I wanted to ask you something."