Heard it Through the Grapevine

Chapter Two

After a short drive, we made our way to the Hive, located on Slack Street by the Cal Poly campus. From the outside the Hive was a colorful and whimsical building, sweet enough for the boys. There was a brightly colored sign which read "Home of the Honeyboys." The house felt welcoming enough but I didn't know what I was getting myself into. What does it really mean to be a Honeyboy? And could I actually become one?

As we entered the house, I immediately smelt the lingering scent of green tea wafting in from the kitchen. My ears were greeted with the sound of music, and my eyes remained focused on the posters of famous musicians. The living room sofas invited us to sit as all of us crowded in.

The boys begin to properly introduce themselves, "As you know I am Ari, the singer of the Honeyboys. We want you to feel comfortable with us and your new home! Please let us know if there is anything we can do for you."

Ari energetically motions for the other boys to chime in. Finally the skinny, balding white boy smiles, "I am Grady, I play the piano. It is nice to have you with us Nathan!"

Following him was the aloof, Asian man, "I am Matt."

"Oh don't mind him! Matt is just shy!" replied the curly-hair boy. "He plays the drums and I play the guitar. I am Reese. We are so excited to meet you! I think you are going to love it here!" Sitting next to Reese was another white boy, who was holding his hand. "This is Nick, he plays bass!" Nick smiles at me and announces that they will give me a little house tour.

Motioning us to leave the sofa, the boys and I make our way through the kitchen and the garage, our rehearsal space. Each room was large and inviting, all adding to the quirky musical vibe. I could see myself being happy here but I couldn't help but start to miss my life before this. What would happen to the Nathan I knew if I accepted my life as a Honeyboy?

As we made our way upstairs, we visited each of the boys' rooms, starting with Ari's. The bed was decorated with a brightly colored patchwork quilt, surrounded by soft cushions while the walls were covered in shelves filled with CDs and records. In one, insidious corner held his collection of toe rings and painted toe nails. Weird... but who was I to judge?

The next room was Reese and Nicks, which they shared together. I assumed they were a couple but I wasn't bold enough to ask. Their electric space held a bunk bed with dark blue comforters. The wall space held posters of musical artists and concerts they have seen. One wall was specifically dedicated to their instruments and a letterman jacket for wrestling.

Next was Grady's room, it was calm and uncluttered, filled solely with Rubix cube decorations. His bed dawned a green duvet with a cube pillow while his bedside table showcased a few different types of cubes, ranging in sizes, shapes and colors.

Matt's room seemed to reflect his moody personality, as little light escaped his black-out curtains. The room held onto his musky smell which filled my nostrils as I peered in from the doorway. His walls had a plethora of Jeremey Lin posters and one corner held a variety of sauces from Hot Ones. His room felt almost as mysterious as him.

We finally reached my room which was completely empty besides a full-size bed and a dresser. As the boys hovered around the doorway, I moved to the end of my bed. I looked out the window overlooking the Cal Poly track and field. This was my new home and these were my new bandmates. I sucked in a deep breath, there was no going back. I had to become a Honeyboy whether I wanted to or not. I couldn't believe they had accepted me so readily. As I turned to look at the boys, something caught my eyes, a note written on the window sill, "Erin Waz Here." As I read it aloud, Matt began to storm out of the room. I don't know why this upset him, I didn't even know who Erin was. Noticing my confusion Nick hurriedly responds "Don't mind him, but it's best if you don't bring up Erin again. Get some rest Nathan. We have a show tonight and you're coming!"

The rest of the Honeyboys leave and I am left wondering what the rest of the night will look like.