Music to My Ears

Chapter 16•Shitty Bae

Soon after my suspension, things finally went back to normal. Jean didn't speak to me for days, but eventually approached me with a deserved apology. I forgave him, and also said sorry about his broken nose.

"I ain't even mad." He laughed. "You throw a damn good punch."

I smiled up at him, realizing that this was meant to be a friendship more than anything romantic at all. Everything was getting better. Except one thing was bothering me. Since that day, Levi had grown awfully quiet. Even when I teased him or joked around with him, he didn't crack a smile. Not even an eyeroll, or an arched eyebrow to express his great annoyance. Something was definitely off.

Levi and I finished pratice, him silently putting his dark wood cello away as we stood in the living room.

"Hey Levi?"

"What now, brat?" He grunted as he closed the case.

"Wanna stay for dinner?" I asked. His eyes met with mine, a puzzled look across from them.

"Why would I want to stay and eat Hamburger Helper?"

"Alright, I may not be as rich as you but I'm not that poor." I rolled my eyes. "Just cause, you know, you made me dinner once and I thought I could pay you back."

"You can pay me back by actually practicing cello on your own." He scoffed.

"Come on." I smiled. I began to wonder if anything was going on with his uncle and that was the explanation for his odd behavior. Half of the reason why I wanted him to stay was to pay him back, and another was so he didn't have to leave so soon.

In fact, lately I never want him to leave. I couldn't explain it, but lately whenever I look at him I just...I don't know. This tightness wells up in my throat and my lips just relax into a smile. It was the same happy feeling I got when I drank the warm booze and inhaled the calming weed. Only somehow this was better. For one, I could actually walk in a straight line.

Every day I lie to myself when I say I don't like Levi more than a friend.

But I could never admit that to Levi, let alone myself.

"Fine," Levi clicked his tounge. "But whatever you're making, it better not be garbage."

"It won't be!" I sang and stood up from the couch and marched over to the small kitchen. Levi followed, watching me as I took out a pot and pan.

"What are you making exactly?" Questioned Levi.

"Pasta!" I exclaimed, holding a box of noodles.

"You are just one big ball of carbs."

"Thanks. You're just one big ball of dick."

"That was the stupidest comeback I have ever heard."

"You called me a carb!"

"Just make dinner, shitty-curls."

"Aye aye, caption." I saluted him. He shook his head, when I heard the sound of the door unlocking.

"Hey, Rebel!" I heard mom call out. She turned the corner, and gasped when she saw Levi.

"Mom, this is Levi, my cello partner." I introduced, filling the pot with water.

"Oh, it's nice to finally meet you!" My mom brightly smiled. Levi extended his hand for a professional handshake, but my mom scooped him up into a hug. His cheeks tinted pink with embarrassment and I giggled.

"Nice to meet you too?" Muttered Levi, ducking out of the hug.

"Are you staying for dinner?" Mom asked, setting her purse on the dinning room table.