Teenage Dirtbag

Ch 16: Song & Regret

Peyton pov:

The week for the song project was up. I'd managed to survive by keeping our sessions in public or at school, that way she wouldn't try something again. Which she didn't, thank God.

Going to music class I sat with my group and waited for the teacher. He came in and started calling students up to perform for the class. They weren't all half bad.

A lot raged on happy songs or little joke songs for people to sing and laugh with. It was nearing the last few people when Kenji got called up. He went up with the Nia chick and played bass.

She sang while he happily played his bass. It was a song about gossip and drama but in a funny way... I think. When they finished, people clapped and cheered a little for them.

More kids went up before Matt and Cam went up. He picked up some bongo drums and she picked up a tambourine. I would say I understood their song but I didn't, she sang in Spanish. It was lively and passionate, Mattbdid ad-libs for her or back up vocals when it was his time.

People cheered for them when it was over. They're two happy people that made a song that sounded just like that. I was impressed by the two. The last pair to go up was Fallon and I, I dreaded it a bit.

Going to the small stage I pulled up a stool and grabbed a guitar while she grabbed her own chair. Facing each other I started to play the song, enjoying the feel of the strings on my fingers.

"Heavy humid night, corner of Park and Main

Cast that first glance: your smile, my veins

At maximum capacity, blood pumping so fast

My girl, if looks gave heart attacks"

I started the beginning of my verse, catching her eyes for a moment. Focusing back in, I straighten myself out.

"The dangerous men in the shadows

Were like an audience

And even the meanest among them

Had a special little shine

In their eyes when they saw us walk by

Walked about twenty blocks talking

About good bars

And better towns than this one

Kissed that first night

And then the rain opened up the sky to get"

finishing my own verse I look to her to make sure she's on cue.

"One last kiss, I love you like an alcoholic

One last kiss, I love you like a statuette

One last kiss

I need you like I need a broken leg."

We sing together, I pour my emotions into the lyrics, wanting her to take the hint. Even though I enjoyed our time I couldn't keep doing it... I hated it.

"I was getting off the late shift

Attempting to recover

Crumpled up the bus pass

Tossed it into the gutter."

I play the guitar as she sings her verse, her eyes never leaving mine as she sang. Her voice was silky and husky, it gave me shivers.