Illusions From The Heart

Something's Weird

Chapter by Shadow

Joel's Perspective-

Practice starts the same as usual... AKA me yelling at everyone to get better or I'm walking out. Pretty normal stuff.

As I hit some simple beats out to warm up I hear the door to the garage open. I smile as Lizzie walks in. Okay maayyyybe she's pretty and maybe she's the reason I wanted to be friends with Jimmy in the first place but never mind that.

"Sup Liz. Here to see how the coolest of the Bad Babes play?" I raise an eyebrow at her and I can literally hear Jimmy and Grian roll their eyes and I think Grian gag.

Lizzie laughed slightly. "Yep, I've come to see Jimmy and Grian play. Maybe one day you'll be as good as them." I stick my tongue out playfully. Why can't she flirt back!

Behind me a phone buzzes and I pick it up.

"Give it back Joel!!!!" Jimmy yells at me, trying to grab the phone. Of course I know the password so I unlock it and read the text.

"Scott's at the door! Why is his contact name 'Flower Boy'?!" Jimmy's face is bright red at this point. I honestly think he looks like a tomato but does he realllyyy need more teasing right now? "Jimmy, your face is so red!" In my defense I left out the tomato bit.

"Joel you little rat!" He snatched the phone from my hands as I started scrolling through the messages. Lizzie sighs from behind me. Like the classic 'mum' sigh.

"Oh don't look at me like that Liiiiz," I smile at her. I can flirt!... I think?

A moment later Jimmy walks in with another boy. I scan him up and down- what?! Gotta see if he's good enough for my friend! He's quite tall with longish blonde hair and sea blue eyes. A denim blue jacket covers his white shirt and he's also wearing classic jeans and runners. I feel an elbow shove me and I turn to my right.

"You were staring," Grian hissed. Ew. I was staring. Cod no. I look at Grian, saying thanks through a look and no words.

"Guys. This is Scott. Scott that's my sister Lizzie," Lizzie smiled and waved a tiny bit at him. "The kid with blonde hair is Grian and the idiot with a green streak through his hair is Joel." I shoot Jimmy a look and he just shrugs.

"Hey," Scott says simply. Eh he seems decent I guess. I gesture to a seat for him.

"Take a seat then." So far I really can't tell if I like this guy or not. Either way, if Jimmy likes him, I should tolerate him.

We take our positions, Jimmy on electric, Grian on main and me on drums. I've been doing drums for years so I'm pretty confident in it. Now to decide on the song. We exchanged looks. We could go super difficult or we could do one of our favourites. Plus we can always play another song. I raise my drum sticks above my head.

"ONE TWO THREE FOUR!" We've altered 'Punk Tactics' to be more intense and guitar/ drum heavy. Same song and all but just ramped up a scale or two. The song feels good so far. Drumming is smooth and loud so I like that. Grian is killing it with his guitar and so is Jimmy. Lizzie has seen us do this song multiple times and even she still looks as impressed as she did the first time. I glance at Scott, who's currently tapping his foot and bobbing his head up and down the beat. Jimmy looks really happy as he plays too, occasionally glancing to see what Scotts' reaction is.

As the song comes to an end we do the usual riffs and as I do I wink at Lizzie who looks away and at Jimmy. Hey a dude gotta try. Especially one as handsome and sexy and tall as me! Anyway, on the final beat we yell out, "BAD BOYS!" A small clap from the two people in the room makes us smile. As long as someone enjoys our music then we'll keep going.

I stand up and take an exaggerated bow. "Thank you! Thank you!" Scott stands up and walks over to Jimmy.

"Nice playing," He smiles and I see a light blush cover Jimmy's face. I would call it out but I feel like his sister might strangle me if I screw up anything between the two. Silence follows that and it feels weird just standing here.

"Uhhhh so..." I search my mind for an idea of what to do when I get a text. Ugh it's my dad.

<Joel come home. You've been out too long and you need to study>

Of course I need to study. Everything's about being perfect for my father. Grades this and grades that. I groan in annoyance. "Sorry guys, I gotta get home. Cya tomorrow." I threw my bag onto my back and blew a kiss at Lizzie on my way out. Worth a shot.

Honestly I'd rather not go home. It's awkward, uncomfortable and there's so many other places I'd rather be. But if I'm too slow home I'll get some form of lecture. Not sure what but it'll be something. I only live 2 blocks away from Jimmy and 4 or 5 from Grian so it's easy to sneak out to meet up with them. Never been caught!... Okay, that was a lie but usually I don't. I approach my door and sigh. Back into the house with people I don't even think I know at this point.