The Boy Made of Static

The Show

Cafe Lecteur was the hottest place near campus, coffee shop by day and bar by night. After Lyla had cleared the main room of chairs and tables to make room for the oncoming crowd, she slunk back behind the counter to get ready to bartend and try to avoid people for as long as she could.

The sound guys would be coming in soon to set up for the band, and they were always making Lyla feel uncomfortable, especially Michael.

"Hey kitten," Lyla heard from behind her. Great. They were here early.

She turned and faced Michael. "Not your kitten," she said. That shit made her nauseous.

"Aww kitten, you're so cute when you're all riled up," Michael replied. Lyla ignored him until he finally left to go do what he was there to do: his JOB.

The University students started slowly packing the room as the time neared closer to 8. Cafe Lecteur was right near Columbia University in Chicago, where Lyla attended. She was working towards applying to law school. It was something she could do where she felt her mind reading would actually be useful instead of a burden. Imagine knowing the truth about your client. Knowing how the jury is reacting to your case. She could be the best lawyer Chicago had ever seen.

Finally, the band arrived. Late, of course. Lyla rolled her eyes. At least this way she wouldn't have to deal with that boy from earlier, the one who she couldn't read.

"We are Riot Shield and we're here to make you think about death and get sad and stuff!"

Great. How original.

"I drove by all the places we used to hang out getting wasted.

I thought about our last kiss, how it felt, the way you tasted.

And even though your friends tell me you're doing fine,

are you somewhere feeling lonely even though he's right beside you?

When he says those words that hurt you, do you read the ones I wrote you?

Sometimes I start to wonder, was it just a lie?

If what we had was real, how could you be fine?

'Cause I'm not fine at all."

Riot Shield began their first song and even though Lyla thought it was garbage she tried to get lost in the music if only to just drone out the sound of everyone's thoughts. She took a shot.

"That's coming out of your paycheck," her boss shouted above the sound of the music.

Jesus Christ, what a prick, Lyla thought. She took another shot.

Michael came back to the bar, breathlessly drunk. "Heyyy kittie kittie kittie. G-gimme a tequila ssshot." He tripped and spilled his rum and coke all over Lyla's Doc Martens.

"For Christ's sake," Lyla groaned.

Michael leaned onto her and put his hand on her neck. "Listen baby, I know you want me. How about I pull that skirt up and do you right here?" His grip on her neck tightened.

Lyla kneed him in the balls and he keeled over, grunting and muttering expletives. Lyla boxed. She wasn't scared of Michael of all people. And she certainly didn't need a man to protect her.

When Lyla looked up, she swore she could see the drummer smiling. He quickly looked away.

When she saw him glistening with sweat, his hair pushed back, his face all red, the static in her ears grew overwhelming. For once, she wished she could read a mind. His mind. She wanted to get lost in something the way he was getting lost in the music. And what better to get lost in than him?

She shook the thought from her head.

When Riot Shield finished their set, the drummer made his way to the bar. He was wearing a leather jacket when he entered, but he had lost it over the course of the night. Now he was only wearing ripped black jeans and a white t-shirt that clung too close to his body for Lyla's comfort. Oh, and his combat boots, of course.

"Am I gonna have to repeat myself this time?" he said with a smirk.

"Funny," Lyla replied. "You look gross. How about water and a towel to wipe up your sweat before you drip all over my counter."

"I hate water. But I'll take you up on the towel. Oh, and I'll have some Jack Daniels," he said.

Lyla was stunned. "You... you hate.. WATER? That doesn't even make sense. It's water."

"Just not my thing," he shrugged.

"Whatever," Lyla said, turning away. She really couldn't stand this guy. She had customers to serve and thoughts to ignore. She didn't need some annoying, stupid, water hating, angsty, good for nothing, sexy, no stop that, wannabe to think about. To wonder what his lips felt lik—

"Hey!" he said. "What about my drink?"

———— AUTHOR'S NOTE ———-

Sowwwwwwyyyy it's taken me so long to upload guuyz, i know my loyal fanbase has been shivering with anticipation for this update xD. Idrk where to go from here tbh so tell me what you want. Are we feeling #slowburn or #sumfingelse😏? Skool is crazy rn so pleaz be patient wiff meeee.

— xoxo, Brokenstar Crowfeather