the bittersweet damage | ben plunkett

3 | you don't know me

The bell rang, and morning classes were finally over. It was lunch at last, and Avery went with Hailey and the band kids to lunch today. Usually, she would sit with Ben, Mandy, Zenobia, and Charles, but because of the night last Friday, she had a crazy, demented plan.

"Decided to sit with us this lunch, ey?," Calvin said, as they all sat down on the lunch table. Avery nodded, and gave everyone a smile.

Vinny, being late, he sat down right beside Avery, excusing Hailey and held her hand. Avery was very uncomfortable, and the only person who could tell was Wyatt. Avery tried everything she could to stop holding hands with the boy, but every time she'd finish eating or sipping from her drink, Vinny would take her hand again.

Avery felt imprisoned, and all she wanted to do at that moment was run back to her real best friend's table, Ben. But because of a certain argument, she couldn't.

Avery took a quick glance at Ben's table, and saw all of them glancing at her. Although, her reflex to all of their eyes were odd. She felt something that she needed to prove, so she swiftly took Vinny's arm and placed it on her shoulder. Vinny felt flattered by her gesture, so he didn't take his arm off of her. Avery, of course, felt very uneasy, but seeing the shocked and surprised look on Ben's face made that uneasiness lessen. In fact, it made her smile.

☆

Class and band practice was over, so the band was tidying up before leaving the place. Hailey, being the leader, she had an announcement to make. "Alright, everyone. Tonight, we're going to perform at Kayla Jacobson's party. It's a big thing, y'all. Us band geeks are finally getting the recognition we deserve! So I want you all to give your best. And... by best I mean, please. Do not mess up. If we mess up it'll be a big disgrace to all of us. Okay, that's it. I just want you all to know, have a great night, get your chords right, and be here early so we can get to the party early."

Avery had one last thing in mind before she wanted the band to leave, "wait, everyone." They all turned back before getting out of the door. "Do you guys have any spare time left? I... I have this song, and... I was thinking we--we you know, use it as our band's first original song."

The band member's eyes widened as it's been ages since they desired of performing an original song, and to perform it publicly at a party where the whole senior class was going was a major dream come true.

"O-M-G! Do you have the chords?," Hailey squealed in excitement. Avery nodded, and handed everyone sheets for their specific instruments. Everyone eagerly reviewed their sheets with big grins on their faces.

"This is amazing, Avery! Thank god we finally have a songwriter in this band. You should've told us earlier! Now what the hell are we waiting for, let's rehearse?," Wyatt said, while everyone dropping their bags and began to rehearse the song.

To whoever said things get better when made with love, it was true. This rehearsal was one of the band's best because everyone loved the moment. It was exciting, and it was an achievement.

☆

"Okay, that was amazing. Heaven sent us you, Avery. Now let's get outta here," Hailey concluded as they finally left the school.

Avery smiled at the accomplishment she'd just made for herself, and for the band. She walked home because it wasn't that far using legs.

☆

"So, um, dad... I got a girlfriend," Lucas admitted to their father as the sound of utensils screeching on ceramic plates continued.

"Well, that's nice. Introduce us one day."

"Huh?"

"What? You don't want us to meet her?"

"N--no, it's not that... I just... thought you'd be mad, that's all," He stammered, in surprise that their dad didn't have any sort of violent reaction to relationships.