Standing Next To Me [Milex]

2.

Alex's spiral of thoughts was interrupted by the deafening sound of the bell. He was just glad it was break time.

Maybe he'd see Miles.

Just thinking of him made Alex feel all tingly inside, a crimson red blush creeping onto his skin. He unsuccessfully tried to push the thought away.

📱

9:50 | Alex: hey matt idk if ill be at the lunch table today bc im gonna go to the band room

9:50 | Alex: plus its my next class anyway

9:50 | Alex: sorry again

9:51 | Matt: Dw Alex its okay

9:51 | Matt: See u later

9:52 | Alex: thanks matt :)
Seen by Matt

Jeez I just spent like 10 minutes searching for this guy - oh maybe he's with Matt! Miles timidly approaches the small group.

"Hey Matt-"

"Miles! Great to see ya again, how was Alex?" Matt disconnected with the conversation, immediately shaking hands with Miles.

"Yeah, I was jus 'bout ta ask where he was." Miles scratched his head.

"I'll show ya soon, he's just at his extracurricular class right now. Speakin' of tha -- 'ave you signed up for any?"

"Not tha' I know of..."

"'Ey, maybe you could do music along with Alex! I can show ya there if yew want."

Music? His heart fluttered at the mention of it.

"For sure! I'd probably join it anyweh."

"Right this way..." Matt pointed to his right, directed at a large building. "The door to the right."

"Thanks, Matt."

》》》

Miles took a deep breath before placing his hand on the doorknob, hearing the delightful sound of a guitar from the inside. He hesitated after hearing someone start to sing.

"He's thunderstorms...
lying on his front, up against the wall...
he's thunderstorms..."

Miles slowly creaked the door open, the sound of one's voice ringing louder into his ears.

It was Alex.

The boy sat faced away from the door, strumming his guitar. Miles quietly closed the door behind him, not wanting to disturb the singer. The taller boy was immediately charmed by the other boy's singing, his voice calm and delightful. He couldn't help but become starstruck.

"I've been feeling foolish, you should try it...
he came and substituted the peace and quiet for
acrobatic blood, flow concertina
cheating heartbeat, rapid fire

He's thunderstorms...
lying on his front, up against the wall
He's thunderstorms...

Here is your host, sounds- huh?"

Alex felt someone's eyes on him, so he turned around just to be met with the boy he met earlier.

"I- H-how long h-have you been there f-for!?" Heat slowly traveled up Alex's cheeks.

"Long enough to hear how beautiful your voice sounds." Miles grinned in amusement. In response, Alex buries his now-red face into his hands, extremely flustered.

"By the way, what song was tha'? Neva heard it befoh." Miles sits down alongside Alex, who still has his face connected with his hands.

"U-um..." Alex started, trying to find the words to say. "I wrote it..."

Miles gaped, staring at Alex in astonishment.

"No way..." Were the only words able to escape Miles' lips.

"I know... I-I know... it's cringe-"

"Nonono, don't get me wrong, Alex, tha' shit sounded amazin'!" Miles interrupted. "You'd prolly become hella popular if yew perform gigs ya'know?"

"...Y-you realleh think so?" Alex looked up at Miles with his innocent looking eyes, making Miles blush a bit.

Why does he have to be so cute?

"Hundred percent." Alex responded with a small giggle.

RING!! RING!!

Alex flinched at the sound, causing a little laugh to come from Miles.

"Ya seem ta be new here..." A teacher entered the room. "...Miles, correct? Miles Kane? Ya joinin' music class?" Miles nods and she flashes him a smile. "I'm Mrs. Ras, the music teacher! Well, since yew two already know each otheh, I think I'll partner yew two up for the project I'm assignin' todeh."

"Okay!" Miles couldn't hide the excitement that erupted inside him. In contrast, Alex remained speechless, fiddling with his capo anxiously.

"Well, I'll leave yew two to it! I don't normalleh assign stuff, onleh projects, so ye can basically do what ye want in 'ere." Mrs. Ras waves bye and says she's free anytime we need her.

Alex felt the need to start a conversation. "Um-what music do you listen to, Miles?" He quietly asked.

"Mmm... I listen to a lot of the Beatles, The Smiths, some Black Sabbath... yeah, yew probably see the genre I'm in." Alex was mesmerized by the way he spoke, doing different motions with his hands. But realizing that he and Miles listened to the same genre of music made him snap out of his daze.

"You too!?" Alex's face lit up. He started to accept the fact that he was in love.

Miles chuckled. "Yup! Probably one of my favorite songs from the Beatles is I Want To Hold Your Hand." Alex grinned at the statement, not feeling very anxious anymore.

It's like anything Alex does has an euphoric effect on Miles. It was nothing like he had ever experienced before. He'd been with numerous people, specifically girls, but no one has had such an impact on him, like Alex.

A small number of students flowed into the band room, sitting by their instruments.

"Hello, musicians!" Mrs. Ras exclaimed.

"Hi, Mrs. Ras." We all said in chorus.

"Okay, I got sum good news and bad news. Which do yew wanna hear first?" The class broke out into murmurs.

"Good news first!"

"Alreyt... so... we have a new student 'ere todeh, Miles Kane!" She signals her hand over to Miles, awkwardly sitting next to Alex. Everyone's eyes traveled to the two of them, waving hi. Of course, Miles waved back in a friendly manner.

"Okay, soooo... bad news: Yew guys 'ave a project assigned tode-" Before Mrs. Ras could finish, the class groaned in displeasure.

"Gee, I didn't even get ta finish." Mrs. Ras playfully rolled her eyes. "Anyeweh, yew guys will be paired into groups of two, by me of course, yew guys alredeh know each otheh pretty well, so it'll be fine." She grabs a paper from her desk. "The prompt is to create a song from scratch, providin' meh with a recordin' of both of yew guys playin' or singin' it."

"Miles, Alex, yew two can start alreadeh." The two boys nod, turning their heads toward each other in sync.

"PFFF-" Miles broke out in laughter. Alex couldn't keep it in anymore either, becoming a giggling mess. It soon toned down, leaving the two gasping for air.

Miles managed to get a sentence out, still slightly chuckling. "W-well, sh-should we start?"

"Ye-yeah..." Alex's mind brightened with an idea. "Wait, Miles, do yew wanna hang at me house later for the project?"

"Sure, if it's all good wif yew?"

Alex nodded, trying to figure out if it was a good idea or not. He ignores the thought and writes down his phone number and address on a piece of paper.

~~~

AN: me n who