Foreign Exchange // Punk Luke Hemmings

Basement

School today sucked to say the least.

During second period, which was my calculus class, I had to sit in front of Luke. He kept flicking my hair or kicking my chair like a little kid. During chorale, he had to go and show off his voice, making very girl swoon.

Except for me, of course.

I saw through his little charade. He was nothing good and I would prove it, even if it took the entire time he was in America.

Now I was driving to Del's house for band practice. I had my guitar in the back seat along with my mic and music journal.

Pulling into her driveway, I parked and got out. I opened the back door and retrieved my things. Making my way to her garage, I entered through the door there, as it was unlocked and this was like a second home to me.

"Hi Haylee," came Delilah's mom's voice from the kitchen.

"Hi Sarah," I called as I slipped off my shoes. I loved Del's mom. She let us call her by her first name, making it that much easier to talk to her. She also let us come and go through the house, trusting us enough to leave the garage door unlocked so we wouldn't have to go the through the front door.

"They're in the basement, as usual," she replied.

"Cool, thanks," I laughed and opened the basement door. I heard the others down there warming up and swiftly descended the stairs.

"Well look who arrived!" Tanner laughed from behind her drum set.

I rolled my eyes, making my way over to where I was always set up. "Shut up T. It's not my fault that jackass staying at my house wouldn't hurry up after school."

"Why do you dislike him so much?" Del asked sassily as she tuned her guitar. "He was really nice when I talked to him."

"He didn't try to claim you for his own," I retorted as I took out my baby. My guitar was perfect, a bright blue with purple mixed in. I loved it more than my own life. I plugged it in and looked at Del, who nodded. She played each string and I tuned mine based on hers.

"What's that supposed to mean Hay?" she asked suspiciously.

"I mean he literally said 'You're mine'. He thinks I'll swoon for him too, just like everyone else."

"Wow, thanks," Tanner scoffed.

"Sorry," I muttered. "Can we just get started? I have a new song to show you guys."

"Fine," Mitch said from behind me. I turned to look at him and gave a small smile. He just looked down at his bass, staying silent.

"Let's start with Time to Leave," T suggested. "That's always fun to drum to."

"Ok," I nodded, plugging in my microphone. Adjusting the stand I looked at everyone and nodded. "Ready? T, count is in 'kay?" I said quietly.

After that, we played song after song, repeating each one several times. Hours flew by, and soon it was almost eight o'clock.

The lights flickered on and off a few times, and we paused the song we were currently singing to listen. Sarah used this as a way to get our attention when we were playing, and it was very effective.

"Do you guys want some food?" she called down the stairs.

"I could go for a snack," Mitch shrugged. "We've been at it for a couple hours now."

"Yeah. Then I can show you guys what I wrote for that song," I nodded and turned off my mic.

"We'll be up in a sec mom!" Del replied into her mic so Sarah could hear her.

"Alright," her mom said before retreating to the kitchen. We put our things down on various stands and hurried upstairs. I hadn't realized how hungry I was until my stomach growled loudly.

We got various things to eat, including graham crackers, pretzels, chips, and popcorn (who needs healthy stuff anyway?) and sat down in the living room. I sank into the big couch, seated next to Del, while Mitch sat on the recliner and T sat on the second smaller couch.

We talked about what I'd written, discussing beats, bass lines, and harmonies for it. After we got the necessary things, it was nearing ten, an we were all getting tired.

"I think I'm going to head home," I yawned. "I still have a bit of homework to do."

"Pfft, like you do homework," Tanner laughed.

"I know. But I kinda want to get a good grade in photography so I think I'll do it," I rolled my eyes.

"Why don't you ever take pictures of us?" Del joked, striking a dramatic pose.

"That's why," I laughed. "I'd never get anything done with you guys. It would be a disaster."

"We get band stuff done," she argued.

"We'll see. I've got the whole rest of the year to take pictures, so who knows. Maybe we'll have to do a photo shoot for a project!"

"I think I'm gonna head home too," Mitch said sleepily. "Good practice guys. See you tomorrow?"

I stood and stretched, brushing graham cracker crumbs from my shirt. "Yup. Hopefully I'll actually get some sleep tonight."

"Yeah," Tanner stood as well. "I'll be there, sadly. I don't want to go to school, but I do."

"No one wants to go to school T," Del rolled her eyes. We went downstairs to retrieve our instruments, then went to our respective cars.

"Bye guys," I said before climbing into the front seat of my car.

"Bye!" they all called as I pulled out. Driving home, I almost forgot what I had to look forward to at home. Almost.

••••••••••

"I'm home!" I said as I walked in. Knowing my family, everyone would still be awake right now. No one liked to go to bed until at least ten.

"Hi, Hay!" came mom's voice from another room. I walked in and set my guitar on the kitchen table. I walked over to the fridge and got an orange. I peeled it, throwing the peel in the trash, then walked back to the table to sit. I picked off a piece, savoring the flavor as I bit into it. Oranges were my favorite food, oddly.

"You play guitar?" came a deep voice to my right. I jumped and found Luke standing there with a grin. He looked at me like I was a puzzle that he needed to solve.

"Yeah," I said slowly. "Danny didn't tell you?"

"No," he shook his head. Walking over, he plopped down across the table from me. He then had the audacity to open my guitar case before I knew what he was doing, looking at the instrument inside.

"Hey!" I snatched my prized possession from him, closing the case again. "Did I say you could touch that? Learn some manners!"

"Sorry," he said defensively. "Just figured you wouldn't care since I have thirteen of my own and they're all in perfect condition."

"Well how was I supposed to know that?" I rolled my eyes.

"You tell me," he smirked and plucked a slice of orange from my hand. "Night Haylee," he chuckled a he walked away, leaving me to stare incredulously after him.

What an ass.

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A/N

I'm so sorry about not updating in forever. I want to dedicate this to my friend from school. Her username is @jkervs1234 and she is just an amazing friend and writer. Go check out her stuff!!

This was an ok chapter. Kinda sucky but not totally. I promise it will get so much better.

Love you all and keep voting. Thanks for all the reads!!

~CC