Stream of Colors • Josh Kiszka

9.

Josh's P.O.V

A couple days had gone by in what seemed to be a blink of an eye, making me realize that very soon, my life for the last four years, would be over. In just under two months, Jake and I would be out of the school I had grown accustomed to, even if I didn't want to admit it.

We would be pushed into the real world, whether we liked it or not, leaving everything open to experience as well as so many new chances, which was honestly exciting to think about even though I knew I wouldn't be perusing any of them since the band continued to pick up momentum.

There was no chance I would ever just up and leave my brothers in a time I know they needed a me most. We were in it together for more or for less.

Somehow in between all of those scrambled thoughts, wandered in Vienna.

Would we stay friends?

Would she bolt the second we turned in our project?

Would she go somewhere else?

Is she going to college?

I cringed at the ideas floating around in my mind, knowing it wasn't my place to be thinking those things, even if I desperately wanted to know the answers.

I had to continuously remind myself that I was just there for her when she needed cheering up as well as our project. There wasn't anything else because there were no deeper feelings.

Or that's at least what I may have involuntarily contorted my brain to believe.

"Josh! Hello? Earth to Josh!"

I snapped back into reality as Jake started wiggling a carrot stick in my face, causing my hand to quickly come up, pushing the vegetable away.

"Would you quit it, man?" My voice was louder than I expected, as he continued waving the food around.

"Jeez, I'm sorry, I wasn't the one completely zoned out while their brother was trying to talk to them."

I shifted my body around as my eyes looked around the cramped cafeteria, "I know, I know. There's just been a lot on my mind recently, I apologize for zoning out."

Jake shrugged popping the food into his mouth, "It's fine, just wanted to irritate you."

I rolled my eyes, as I picked at the disgusting looking food in front of me, trying to concentrate on whatever Jake started blabbering on about, but failing as my mind continued to wander off into unknown places.

"-and then she asked me if I wanted to go to this party she's throwing, and I said yes."

My eyes immediately shot up to him a smile forming on my face, "A party?"

"That's what I just said." Jake replied with a groan.

My hands flew up in defense, "I'm sorry, really. I can't help it."

His brown eyes rolled back as he pushed the tray away, "Anyway, the party is on Friday night in honor of Spring Break starting, or something like that, I wasn't really listening until she said I could invite whoever. . . So you wanna tag along?"

I looked up, as if I had to contemplate my answer, even though it was already begging to be released from the confines of my mouth, "Sure, I haven't gone to one in awhile, probably time to make a public appearance, hm?"

Jake nodded, glancing around the room, as I had done countless times before. "You know, you could invite Vienna." His smirk daunted me ruthlessly.

I instantly glared at him, "Enough of that. We're friends. That's it."