Destined... | Anthony 'Ant' Vaugn

004 Noodles

Renaissance Titties 
Part 1 

The school parking lot buzzed with its usual chaos as I walked in with my brother, Dusty, and Ant. The morning was hot, and too hot to justify the thick jeans I had on, though that didn't matter much. As soon as Ant climbed into the car, he slipped a red slap band onto my wrist with a smirk. It was for the gig on Friday, the one my brother's band was playing at.

"Here you go," he said, like it was something I desperately needed. I raised an eyebrow at him.

"Thanks, but you know I'm already going, right? I mean, considering it's my brother's band?" I teased, giving him a look. Ant just shrugged, his smirk growing wider as if to say, I know, but I got it for you anyway.

We parked, and the four of us made our way into the school, blending into the stream of students walking into school. The entrance was filled with chatter, the kind that drowned out any coherent thoughts. I glanced to the side and spotted Amerie. She was crouched on the floor, gathering up a small avalanche of her belongings. Her bag must've spilled. Typical, honestly.

Dusty, the good guy when he wants to be, was already bending down to help her pick up the scattered books, papers and tampons. His shoulders tensed a bit under his hoodie as he leaned down, handing her a couple of notebooks. I slowed my pace as Spider and I approached them.

"Cool shirt," Dusty said to Amerie, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. He gestured to her tee, one with some obscure band logo splashed across it.

"Thanks," she said, flashing him a smile as she slung her bag over her shoulder again. The way she grinned, all bright-eyed and grateful, I could tell she wasn't bothered by the little mishap. Amerie was good like that, always easy-going.

Before I could join in, Spider, being Spider, couldn't resist chiming in. "Name one DZ Death Ray song."

Typical. I rolled my eyes. Of course, he had to go there.

"Shut up, Spider," Dusty, Amerie, and I all shot back in perfect sync, our voices blending together with just the right amount of exasperation. Spider, clearly defeated but not surprised, mumbled something under his breath and wandered off, hands shoved deep into his pockets. I snickered at his retreating figure.

Just when I thought things were settling down, I suddenly felt strong arms around my waist. Ant picked me up like I weighed nothing and slung me over his shoulder. I let out a shriek, my legs kicking as I tried to push myself up from his shoulder.

"Oh my god, Ant! Put me down! What the hell are you doing?" I half-laughed, half-screamed. He didn't respond, though. Instead, he just started running toward Malakai like I wasn't flailing in protest.

We reached Malakai, who gave Ant a raised eyebrow but smiled when he saw me being manhandled. "Well, hello to you two," he said, throwing his arms out wide in greeting.

As soon as Ant set me down, I gave Malakai a quick hug, catching my breath. "Hey, Malakai," I said, still recovering from being swung around like a rag doll.

Ant, clearly wanting more attention, crossed his arms dramatically. "What? No hi to me?"

I gave him a look, trying to suppress a grin. "Ant, I saw you like fifteen minutes ago. Did you forget I drove you to school?"

He just shrugged, that same smirk from earlier plastered on his face. "Still."

Before I could say anything else, Spider wandered over, giving Malakai one of those quick, clumsy bro-hugs. Ant, in his usual hyperactive manner, immediately jumped onto Malakai's back. The two of them started bouncing around like toddlers who'd had too much sugar. I shook my head, watching the two of them roughhouse as if they were in a playground, not a high school. Boys were so strange sometimes.