Just Enemies (Original Story)

Crushed

Listening to Brandon sing was beautiful. His voice was rough but clear and there was passion as he sang the words. Des was amazing as he riffed off Brandon and they worked in perfect synchronicity. Lena loved every moment. She wouldn't admit it but she loved that she was sitting next to Rider but not so much that the two girls  were there on the old futon as well. They all listened to the boys play. Once the song ended Brandon checked his guitar as Rider came up and high fived Des on his skills.

Lena came up to Brandon and asked if he needed any help in putting things away. But he said he usually left things where they were to make it easier to come down and rehearse. That's when Lena noticed the garage was sound proofed. Probably so the neighbours don't  complain.

"You sound beautiful..when you sing I loved every minute of it."

"Thanks Lena...I'm glad you came."

"I'm starving man do you have anything besides Doritos to chow on."

"Ah sure we can make some real nachos in the kitchen if you want."

"I'm down."

Everyone went inside and made their way to the kitchen. Rider with the two girls who definitely didn't go to their school. They looked older.

"Hey..Des can I ask who are the groupies?."

"Oh..haha those girls are Riders F.W.B."

"What's F.W.B.?."

Brandon turned and decided to tell Lena.

"Friends with Benefits. Although I don't think they're friends so maybe just benefits."

"Ummmm...I'm gonna look dumb but what benefits?."

Des smiled and just walked slower since Rider and the girls were already in the kitchen.

"It means they FUCK."

"All three of them!! Together!!."

"Haha no they just...uhhh...Rider started young ya know."

"I...I...how old are they?."

"They're in grade nine so two years older."

"Wait they're in highschool and they are dating an elementary student."

"Technically we're middle school students."

"Technically they're fucking him so it's not dating."

"I..oh..wow..um...ok well."

"I think she's frozen."

"Come on Lena let's get some food in you."

After the delicious nacho snack Brandon and everyone made together it was time to go. Kat was waiting and Lena hugged Brandon goodbye and shook Desmond's hand. Because they weren't close to hug so she thought this was the best alternative.
She said bye to Rider and the two older girls who she found out were named Bailey and Gwen.

"Had fun little sis?."

"Yeah..it was good music and we made nachos."

"Cool well let's head home."

That night Lena was anxious and had an awful feeling about tomorrow. Maybe it was the late night snack she had that was the real culprit but that very morning she wanted to skip school.

Unfortunately Kat didn't by her fake done by the flashlight fever thermometer or her clammy thanks to the iced cubs hands. She told her to clean up and they walked to the bus stop like usual. Kat got on the city bus and Lena's banana orange yellow carriage awaited to take her to school.

At school she sat down and saw Caitlyn was sitting next to her but where was Max. Caitlyn told her Max got the flu for real and was out for a few days. Lena felt bad for Max but she took this chance to chat up Caitlyn and talk about things. Hopefully make another friend.

The first few hours with Caitlyn were fun and they talked about music and Lindsay Lohans new movie. Random things when the teacher started attendance and everyone said 'here' when called. Caitlyn peered at Lena's binder and at the corner of a page there was L+R in a tiny heart. If she wasn't wearing glasses she wouldn't of seen it. Caitlyn began thinking who R was. Then as she looked from face to face she saw Rider looking over at Lena who was writing what was on the board. Caitlyn figured it out or at least this would be the new gossip she'd tell everyone.

The gossip spread so fast thanks to Allison and Caitlyn that by lunch even kids in the grade below knew Lena had a crush on Rider. Lena and Brandon walked in from recess and sat and waited for the teacher when Lena heard the boys talking in a group. Giving Rider their condolences and sympathy. Rider was getting angry and stood up from the teasing and approached Lena and Brandon.

"You like me."

"Is that a question?."

"Not asking you Brando."

"Ok call me Brando again."

"Lena..I heard a rumour..it's not true right."

"You believe every rumour you hear."

"So it's not true."

"No!..."

"Good."

Rider walked off and Lena was flustered then cold all the way down her body. The goosebumps of being so publicly humiliated was enough to make her throw up. Lena held it together and sat down with Brandon asking what was going on and Lena not knowing either but just as confused. Who could've told him? She hadn't spoken a word to anyone. She wasn't subtle either which didn't help. Everyone was chuckling under their breaths but as Caitlyn sat down and smiled at Lena. Suddenly she realized who spread this. Caitlyn looked at her binder and saw on the page the tiny heart Lena made. Rider made every attempt to not look in Lena's direction and the day passed in a blur. Lena got on the bus and turned up her volume and tuned the world out. Her crush got crushed.

Lena wanted to stay home and maybe she was psychic like Raven on that's so Raven. Because this day was a disaster and now she was even more isolated from the other girls in class. Thank god for Brandon who was her rock the whole day. He kept her distracted and laughing while being everyone else's  joke. Once she got home she bolted for her room and cried into her pillow. This felt like getting punched in the gut. She was rejected before she even confessed.