Many Mistakes, No Regrets

Chapter 6: Meeting the Band

Chapter 6: Meeting the Band

            A few weeks have passed since Jake first showed up in my room. he has been coming up a lot. Usually Friday and Saturday nights. He stopped asking about my family. I guess he realized I didn’t want to talk about them. I did tell him I wouldn’t talk much about my past. He seemed okay with that.

            He didn’t talk about his family, either. I don’t know why but I didn’t ask. Someday, maybe we will talk about our families but not now.

            Either way, Jake will be here any minute. He said he had a surprise for me. I don’t know if I should be excited for this or not. Before I could decide, a pebble was hitting one of my windows. I guess that would be Jake.

            The other window was open. The one, he usually came in through. I don’t know why he wasn’t just coming in. he never has thrown pebbles before. Most of the time he just sent me a text saying he was here. And I would either go let him in the door or make him climb up. So, why wasn’t he just coming up?

            “Rikki!”

            “What are you doing? Are you coming up or not?”

            “No, I’m not coming up. You are coming down.”

            “Neither question could have a yes or no answer. Wait. You want me to come down? Why?” He knew about Ms. Baker’s warning to me. He knew I wasn’t allowed to leave.

            “Yeah. I have a surprise for you.” How bad could it be?

            “Okay. I’ll be right down.” I grabbed a sweatshirt and went out into the chilly fall night.

            “So, what is this surprise?”

            “You are going to meet my band.”

            “Uh-uh. No way! You know that even you knowing about me could get me into trouble and you want me to meet other people. No way. I’m going back inside.” I was turning to go back in when a hand reached out and grabbed my arm. I’m not weak but Jake was able to hold me there like it was nothing.

            “Let me explain. Please, Rikki?” He was giving me the puppy dog face. Awww, now I can’t say no.

            “Alright, explain.”

            “I have a plan. I don’t think any of them will recognize you as Izzy’s sister. No one really knows that she has one so we don’t really have to worry. Plus, she died her hair and now you don’t look alike. And we can just make up a story about who you are. Do you really want to spend your time here stuck in this house and at the barn? Or do you want to meet some people and make friends?”

            He had a point. High school was supposed to be fun. I was supposed to be making friends for life. I had to try. I had to fly.

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            Jake and I were getting closer to the room his band was practicing in. I was beyond nervous. What if they didn’t like me? What if they recognized me?  What would I do? What would Ms. Baker do? I couldn’t do this. Forget flying, I want to hide.

            “Jake, I can’t-”

            “Wait to meet the band!” Did he really just interrupt me? He pushed me through the door before I could stop him.