It Could Happen...Someday

Something Unexpected

Ryder.

The bell rings again.

I make my way up the hall towards the office.

Turning in the attendance folder beats hearing about the significance of the "Law of Gravity" any day.

A few other students pass by me, and I wink at a hot chick that goes by... She practically melts at my feet.

Good to know you still got your charm, ol' boy!

I stop at the drinking fountain when a blonde catches my eye coming out of the girls' restroom.

"Well look who it is, the infamous Ryder Lee has returned," she says seductively, twisting a section of her pin-straight hair between her fingers.

"Jess? Is that really you?" I laugh, "I daresay, you're even hotter than I remember in ninth grade."

"I'm hotter in a lot of ways. Just saying." She winks stepping towards me.

"Is that right?"

My own voice surprises me by how soft and husky it has become.

"Mhmm. Maybe you could see for yourself... After school?"

"Maybe I will."

Jess bites her lip and slides a piece paper in my back pocket running a hand down my chest before walking away.

My gaze follows her, shaking my head and smirking.

So not happening.

I take another drink from the fountain before deciding to head down to the office.

Wiping off my mouth as I turn to leave, I stop again.This time, I hear something.

It was... Music, and singing?

"White lips, pale face, breathing in snowflakes. Burnt lungs, sour taste..."

I walk over to the auditorium door where the voice is possibly coming from.

I make sure no teachers are coming before looking through the small window. It's hard to see who it was, especially since the stage is pretty far away, so I narrow my focus.

The scene in front of me causes my eyes to widen in surprise.

"No way.." I whisper. It was her!

The mysterious girl from the beach is sitting on the stage, playing a guitar and singing.

The stage lights seem to create a luminous haze around her, like she's angelic. Her hair in perfect waves that frame her face just right, exactly how I remember.

I'm snapped out of my mesmerizing when an idea dawns on me...

I smirk, thinking I had just found a perfect revenge plan. I quietly open the door and slide in without her noticing.

But my smirk fades as I listen.

"The worst things in life comes free to us. 'Cause we're just under the upper hand, or go mad for a couple grams. And she don't wanna go outside, tonight..."

The more I hear her sing... the more I realize, she is actually really good.

Amazing, in fact.

She has this slight rasp to her voice, yet it's sweet. Something I could listen to all day. Emotion is so evident in every line sung.

I look to my right and notice the sound booth door was open.

I sneak inside and look down at the sound board.