The Sound

Part 7 - Jules

Eddie followed me out of the door, waiting for me as I locked up. I was thrilled with how tonight went – I think we actually might have a chance at being friends. I just needed to watch my questions. And stories. And make sure I didn't get too excited about anything. Oh, especially tomorrow night – I had to make sure I wasn't too excited at the concert.

I turned to him, hiking my bag onto my shoulder. Eddie's face was serious again, glancing around the parking lot. I tried not to take it personally – we had forged a friendship tonight. An unstable, potentially volatile friendship, but I would take a win where I could get it.

Everything would soon be perfect at The Sound.

I grinned up at him as he returned my stare. He didn't smile, but his eyes crinkled at me—I'll take it.

"Well, I'll see you tomorrow night, Eddie Munson!" I chirped, starting towards my beat-up Honda. Eddie walked alongside me, still unsmiling as he jammed his hands into his pockets.

"Hopefully our sound doesn't upset your delicate senses," he remarked. I couldn't tell if this was an insult or a joke. I faltered before deciding it would be a joke.

"I don't know if you know this about me, Eddie," I started walking backwards to my car as he stopped at his van, his eyebrow raising. "But I'm pretty hardcore."

"Oh, yeah?" he asked. I nodded, still walking backwards. He smirked. "Pretty brave of someone who already fell doing exactly that tonight."

He was commenting on my backwards walking. I smiled as I reached my car, opening the door.

"Like I said – pretty hardcore."

I quickly got into my seat, slamming the door behind me before I could further put my foot in my mouth, jeopardizing any potential friendship. I waved as he watched me drive off, still riding the high of a new friendship.

---

I padded around the kitchen, washing the dishes from my lunch. I glanced at the clock – it was already four, and I was still in my pajamas. Alan had come by earlier today to grab the keys to the store – he was weirdly evasive after I told him Eddie invited me to the Corroded Coffin show tonight, suddenly needing to leave.

"Good morning, favorite offspring!" My father bounded into the kitchen, grabbing a mug before heading to the coffee pot. I turned to him, grinning. His thin brown hair was messy – he had obviously not brushed it.

"Only offspring," I corrected. "And it's the afternoon."

"Well, I guess it is my morning," he replied, stirring his coffee. "And even if I had to have additional offspring, you'd still be my favorite."

I grinned at my strange father. He turned his head to the side.

"So, how was the asshole last night?" he asked. I laughed out loud at his question.

"Surprisingly, very un-asshole-ish," I answered, nodding my head. He raised his eyebrows, surprised.

"So, maybe there was more to the asshole than we were privy to?" he remarked. I laughed again, nodding.

"Maybe!" I started drying my hands on a towel, wondering if I should tell him about Eddie's invitation. "He actually invited me to see his band tonight."

"Like a date?" My father was concerned. He had heard a lion share of the stories about Eddie being mean to me. I shook my head, laughing even harder.

"Eddie Munson would never ask me on a date," I assured him. "My boss made a joke about it last night and he got so mad. No – I think he's just trying to be friendly."