In the Band

Chapter 35

Chapter 35: Carson’s P.O.V.

“The concert’s next week we really have to get perfect,” Brendon said enthusiastically. He was normally energetic about things, but he seemed happier today for some reason. “Like seriously, Carson, it’s your first big concert everything has to be perfect.”

“Is this a metaphor?” He laughed at my joke as he unlocked the door to his apartment.

He opened the door and revealed Allison sitting on the couch with Ryan on the coffee table in front of her. Ryan was holding her hands and leaning towards her his face filled with worry. When they saw us, they quickly let go of each other’s hands. Ryan stood up.

“What are you doing here?” Brendon asked Ryan.

Ryan looked over at Brendon, all traces of their feud left behind. He turned back to Allison.

“I should really go.”

She turned her head to watch him leave and I first noticed that her eyes were red with tears, probably embarrassed that she was caught with him. How could she go crawling back like that after he betrayed her? And after they both betrayed me? It really bothers me that Allison is such a tease.

Brendon must’ve just noticed Allison’s eyes too.

“Allison,” he quickly went over to her, he didn’t even look mad that she was just holding hands with Ryan. As soon as he had left, Brendon assumed the same position as Ryan in the Comforting Allison Committee.

She walked away before he could reach her however, and left the room, wiping her eye and looking embarrassed.

Brendon sat down on the couch with a sigh. He ran a hand through his hair, looking like it was all his fault that Allison was upset and like it was his job to fix it and make her happy again.

“I don’t get it,” I said a little harsher than I intended, but harshly all the same.

I walked over to the room that Allison had disappeared to. What I was doing was taking a shot it the dark, but there was something definitely going on. It was Brendon’s bed room. Allison was sitting on the bed looking out the sliding glass doors with her back to me. I sat down next to her.

“What’s happening, Allison?”

“I wish I knew.”

“No, really,” I tried, “A real answer is welcome.”

“Carson, you wouldn’t…” she trailed off, pausing, “It’s nothing. You don’t want to know.”

“Now I don’t think I would be asking if I didn’t want to know.” Her reply was silence. I got up, impatient. “Fine, just tell everyone you’ve known for two months instead of your best friend of twelve years.”

“You know this isn’t about you.”

“In yet, it kind of is.” I left the room in a huff.

I was really angry by the time I got to my car, muttering swear words and grinding my teeth. I found myself driving to the Crowne Plaza Hotel. Spencer would help me forget about the Ryan-Allison-Brendon triangle of whatever the hell is going on.

When I arrived at their hotel room, I was a bit calmer, even though I needed to get some things off my chest. Allison was probably right. It didn’t have to do with me, but what would it have to do with Ryan or Brendon?

I knocked on the door briskly. It was answered by Jon almost immediately. He had his jacket and shoes on.

“Where’s Spencer?” I asked right away.

“He’s out, but you’re welcome to come along with me, kid. I was just leaving.”

“But we never hang out,” I blurted out, instantly realizing what I said and blushing deeply. “I-I mean,” I paused laying on some awkward. “I’d love to.” I finished finally, giving a sheepish smile.

Jon laughed. “Nice save,” he replied, walking ahead of me to the elevator.

“So, where are we going?”

 “I finally got a cabin, I was gonna’ go and check it out.”

“By yourself?”

He laughed again, but I wasn’t sure why this time.

“I guess you’re wondering why I wanted to see Spencer so badly,” I said when we were in the car.

“Of course,” it was hard to tell whether Jon was being sarcastic or not.

“It’s just the whole Ryan and Allison thing, like what is going on. I’ve been out of the loop for so long and I thought he liked me you know? But now every time I see him he’s either with or going to see her,” I stopped, realizing the direction of this conversation might need a warning. “Sorry, I only have Allison and Spencer to talk about such girly stuff to, but obviously they’re both unavailable.”

“No problem, go on,” he was laughing again.

I spilled the beans to Jon and felt a little better, but there was still some frustration that I managed to describe in detail to him. He continued to laugh good naturedly (I think) and listen.

When we finally arrived at the cabin, it was dark outside and pretty cold. We ran inside to escape the weather. It turned out to be just as cold in the house so Jon lit the fireplace.

We were sitting on the ground warming ourselves in front of it when he pulled something out of his pocket.

“I think I’ve got just the thing for you, Carson.”

I looked to see what it was and gasped.

“Those are drugs,” I said not even acknowledging the childishness of my statement. Of course he already knew that.

“Yes, Carson,” he lit the marijuana with the fireplace and pressed it to his lips. I watched him puff out smoke. Then, he held it out to me.

“I don’t think I should. I could get caught and arrested and whoop there goes my college plans…” I remembered that I don’t have those. “Give it to me.”

Jon laughed. I sucked in some smoke and immediately sprang into a coughing fit.

“You have to hold it longer.”

I did as he told, and after a few tries, I think I got the hang of it.

“This feels…” I stopped. My eyes were gonna’ fall out, so I blinked really hard, until I felt they were secure. “…weird.”

I moved my head to keep up with the fire. Jon was laughing really, really hard.

“I’m hungry,” I said it, but it sounded as though it was coming from a distance.

Jon reached for the backpack he brought and handed me a plastic bag.

Inside was the best god damn ham sandwich I ever had.

“Jon…Jon,” I reached over to grab his shoulder, but only caught air, so I just continued to stare at the fire. “I feel soo much better. You’re one heck of a pal.”

He doubled over in silent laughter.

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There you go I hope you like it :)

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