Heard it Through the Grapevine

Chapter Three

As we made our way downtown for the SLO Thursday night farmers market, I couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to watch the Honeyboys play. I had never seen them perform in person before. When we got there, Ari told me to enjoy the market while they set up to play.

I wandered over to a booth that read "Cal Poly ASI" on the tent. Their table was decorated with Cal Poly merchandise and a colorful wheel-of-fortune style wheel. There were a few people standing around in black ASI polos–girls with birkenstocks and fanny packs on, boys wearing flip flops and donning backwards baseball caps. I felt a bit bewildered–why did all of these people have their toes out so late at night? I don't know if I'll ever understand why so many Cal Poly students were obsessed with putting their toes on displays. A few of them motioned me closer.

"Sup bro, you wanna spin the wheel and win a prize?" one of the dudebros asked me. I suddenly became overwhelmed with their intense presence and stares, and shook my head as I walked back over to where the Honeyboys had finished setting up. I sat down on the curb and pulled a book out of my tote bag and started reading My Year of Rest and Relaxation–I wasn't like the other students there, I didn't really feel like getting up and dancing or socializing. A small group of people were forming around the makeshift street stage. I noticed a gaggle of freshman girls squealing like fangirls with excitement, people chit chatting who looked like they had just crawled out of the goodwill bins, and a couple of goth girls standing off to the side with crossed arms and bemused expressions.

Just then, the Honeyboys started their set. I immediately lost my focus on the page as the honey-sweet music filled my ears and Ari started to sing. I noticed Matt staring over at me, but when I looked over, he didn't pull his gaze away. He just rolled his eyes, and motioned for me to join the crowd.

The farmers market air felt electric. Watching the boys play each of their instruments was beautiful, it was like they were all dancing together. They shone so brightly, and I knew that the Honeyboys were in the middle of making history.

As the show came to a close, I found myself dancing and singing along with the crowd. The boys ushered me over as soon as they saw me, and we all started packing up the van.

"That was so much fun!" Reese and Nick exclaimed.

"Nights not over yet boys. Let's hit the town!" Ari whooped, and started running off towards the bars. Even Matt broke a smile.

"We're going to MoTav bitches!"