The Only Rule

God Gave Us Guitars

It was early in the morning.

Hannah was asleep, and I tugged on a pair of blue jeans and a white tank top, snatching Hannah's gray jacket and shoving it on my shoulders.
I kissed Hannah's forehead and snuck out of her room, dragging my bare fingers along the wall. My mom was in London this week, so my stay with Hannah just became longer. I pulled out my phone, and looked at the address Zack texted me, I became excited. "Where are you going?" Matthew asked, standing in the kitchen, chopping green peppers as eggs sizzled on the stove top. "Out with a friend." I shrugged, surprisingly no hangover from last night, I guess I didn't drink enough.

"Oh. Have fun, I'll tell Hannah you had errands to run, we both know how jealous she gets." Matthew nodded. I stood there awkwardly, rocking on my heels. "Did you want breakfast?" He shrugged. "No thanks," I smiled shortly, twisting a piece of hair in between two of my fingers. "Well do you need a ride?" Matthew asked. I was about to decline, had Zacks house not been so far. I stayed silent.

"Alright, Rosa, will you please finish up my eggs and put them in the microwave? I'll eat them when we return." Matthew said, digging his keys out of his pocket. "We? Your just dropping me off right?" I asked, feeling small as he stood staring down at me. "Your funny." Is all he said, with a serious face as he walked out the door, their cleaning lady taking over the stove.

●●●

"Liana!" Zack smiled wide as he saw me, I hopped out of the car, high fiving him. "Hey Zack." I said a red electric guitar strapped around his chest, his blonde hair a mess. He wore a dark gray tank top, and black jeans, making his pale skin brighter. "Meet the crew! Theresa, who you've met, plays soprano singer for the band, Johnny, who you've also met, as drummer, and me as lead singer, bass, and electric guitar!" Zack pointed around, Theresa smiled at me widely, and Johnny nodded politely. Zack smiled a little less bright when his eyes landed on Matthew, who gaze seemed to darken and his dark brown hair fell into his eyes.

"Hey Bro, you must be Hannah's brother, right?" Zack said, putting out a hand. Matthew glared at Zack's hand, and brought his eyes back up to Zacks, keeping his hands in his jean pockets. "Hi." Matthew nodded, and his eyes landed on me finally. "Alright, well we've got a couple chairs set up if you guys wanna sit down." Zack pointed to a couple of rusty chairs in the corner of the garage. I nodded and walked over, sitting down in one, Matthew in the other.

They started playing, a variety of drums, guitar,  and Theresa's and Zacks singing. Zacks voice was deep, no wonder he was bass. I brushed a piece of hair from my face, and in my peripheral I saw Matthew looking at me. I turned my head towards him with a raised eyebrow. "Yes?" I asked sarcastically. He shook his head. "Did I say anything?" He shrugged. I sighed. "No, but I can see you staring at me in my peripheral vision." I said, and suddenly the song ended, forcing my attention back to Zack. "Li, will you help me carry some packs of water out here real quick?" Zack asked, and I nodded. "Yeah sure, I don't mind." I smiled, Zack smiled too.

I got up from my chair, nodding at Theresa and Johnny as I walked inside with Zack. "This way, there downstairs." He said, wiping his forehead, the curly blonde hair falling back onto it. I followed him downstairs, the entire way dark until I heard a click, and Zack had turned the lights on. "So, did you like our song? It's called 'Follow Of The Siren'. Theresa is supposed to be the siren." He shrugged, picking up an eight pack of water. "Yeah, I liked it. You guys should record it for me so I can keep it." I shrugged, picking up a pack as well, and following him upstairs. "Too late I've got a copy you ca-" Suddenly I gasped as Zack came barreling down towards me, yelling.

I screamed, as I too fell backwards and hit the hard concrete.

"Shit shit shit! Liana are you okay?" Zack shouted, rolling off of me and laying beside me. I groaned, sitting up. "Yeah, were just lucky the water didn't kill us." I laughed, he laughed too. "Sorry, I couldn't see the step and I missed it." He sighed. "It's okay." I smiled, our proximity suddenly closer than expected. "You know, I'm glad I met you in band. It was really funny to see you so confident in something you never even ended up liking." He chuckled loudly. I blushed. "Didn't think you'd remember that." I said, glancing down at his lips, plump and chapped.

He furrowed his eyebrows. "I remember everything, even that you used to wear braids." He whispered the last part. I tried to smile, but it failed as he brushed the hair from my face and cupped my jaw.
I couldn't breathe, I've kissed him before, but it was for a dare.
His lips touched mine softly, and I let out a sigh I didn't know I was holding. His hand fell from my jaw to my waist, pulling me towards him as we were still sitting on the floor. "Guys! How long does it take to grab water!" Theresa shouted, opening the door and looking down the stairs at us.

"Oh, well hurry up!" She squeaked, slamming the door and leaving. I stood up quick, blushing like crazy. "Oops." Zack laughed, picking up the water.

All I could do was nod, and run up the stairs quick, when I came out Theresa was red but smiling at me.

So was everyone else, except Matthew, who looked like he was waiting on me. "Sorry guys." I mumbled, practically throwing the water down and sitting next to Matthew again, Zack smiled at me. Matthew raised an eyebrow, but didn't say anything. "I left my phone in my room." He mumbled like a child. I laughed. "Here, I've got a puzzle game on there you can play, but don't go onto my socials." I smiled, handing him my phone, my hand lighting on fire with his warm touch.

"Roger that captain." He chuckled, before pointing it at me so it could recognize me and open. "Alright were almost done, I guess you guys don't wanna stay with us for lunch huh?" Zack asked. "No, I've gotta head back, and I'm Li's ride." Matthew muttered, still staring at my phone. "Leave me the address and I coul-" "No." Matthew said suddenly paying attention, he ran out of time on the game. Zack held up his hands, and his eyes scanned over me.

"It's cool man, what she your girlfriend?" Zack asked, wiping his forehead and grabbing a water bottle. "Family friend." Matthew said, handing me my phone and standing. "See you guys." Matthew said, and nodded at me. Zacks eyes practically burned through Matthew. Zack walked over to me, and shoved something into my hand, and pecked me on the lips. "Text me later for dinner or something." He smiled, and walked back over to pick up his guitar. I nodded, my face like a tomato.

Matthew did not look happy.