Shadowsnow

Chapter 11: New Friends

A few days after Ronnie and Carter gave me my suit and mask, Xander asked me to meet him at his house. He said he had a surprise for me but wouldn't tell me what it was. My dad pulled up in front of Xander's house and put the car into park.

"Looks like a party from the cars here," he said, nodding at two other cars in the driveway. I glanced over and instantly recognized Hannah Greene's car. It was a fancy, cute, little red convertible. I flashed my dad a look and he raised an eyebrow. "Allie...you promised Xander you'd be here. Just because someone you're not friends with is here—"

"Doesn't mean I should skip out and break my promise. I know. I won't. It's just...Hannah and I...don't get along particularly well."

"You know what your mom would say, Al." I laughed lightly as I started to get out.

"Kill her with kindness. Especially since we might have more in common than we realize."  My dad smiled knowingly and nodded.

"Absolutely.  Besides, if she's here, she has to like the same music as you, right?" I bit my lip as I thought about it. My dad does have a point.

"Thanks for the pep talk, Dad. I'll see you later, okay?" My dad chuckled lightly.

"See you later, Al." I closed my door and headed up to Xander's house. Before I'd even reached the door, he opened it and waved me inside, a huge smile on his face.

"Hey, Xander. How's it going?" I asked, coolly. He grinned as he offered me a hand.  I shyly slid my hand into his and let him lead me into his garage, where Hannah was already waiting.  As soon as she saw me, she sneered.

"Oh, look.  It's the nerdy girl from math class," she mocked.  I nodded and spoke up before Xander could.

"Yeah, I'm here because Xander asked me to be.  He knows I like pop/rock, which is what he writes, plays and sings."

Hannah looked a little surprised and went quiet as she finished setting up her keyboard.  I glanced at Xander and he nodded at me to talk to her as he headed over to his guitar.  Two more people walked into the garage.  I recognized the girl as Xander's younger sister, Lily, but I didn't know the guy. As soon as the guy saw me, he grinned and walked over to me, slinging his arm around my shoulders.

"Hey, Xan.  Who's your cute friend?"  I shoved his arm off my shoulders and turned to face him.  Before I could say anything, Xander spoke up.

"Allie's my girlfriend, Cas.  Keep your arm off her."  I resisted the urge to grin at Cas as I walked over to Xander.

"Nice flirting, ace.  Maybe try flirting with someone who's actually available," Hannah teased.  Cas looked sheepish and walked over to the drum set.  I hide a soft laugh behind my hand as I turned to Xander.

"So, you've got a band, Xander.  This is awesome!" I exclaimed. Xander grinned as he finished setting up.

"Yeah, I do.  We...don't really have a name yet, though."  I shrugged.

"That's okay.  Maybe you don't need to have a name."  Xander brightened a little at my response.  Lily walked over to me and gently nudged my arm as she set up her bass guitar.

"So, you're Xander's girlfriend now, huh?" She asked softly, clearly trying to avoid Xander hearing.  I bit my lip as I flashed Xander a quick glance. He didn't seem to be paying attention to Lily and me talking.

"Yeah, I guess I am." Lily laughed lightly as she slung her guitar around her shoulder.

"It's been a long time coming, Allie." I whipped my head toward Lily, surprised.