BOY DIVISION

Sorry, I Can't Hear You

I was walking down my street on a frigid winter day. I was pissed at my mother at the moment, and I really needed to get away from her. Being a hormonal teenager really takes a toll on the relationship between you and your parents, I guess.

I blew a cloud of steam out of my mouth as I sighed, plugging my earbuds into my phone. This cold air felt great, especially since my nerves make me overheat. All I'm wearing is a sweatshirt to keep me warm, and that's all I'll probably need for the next half an hour.

Just as I tried to cross the street, a loud car horn ripped me out of my own head. A large moving truck swerved slightly to avoid me, then continued barreling onwards towards the end of the street. The near-death experience made my heart leap into my throat. I should probably check and see if anyone is coming before I try and cross again.

I wondered why someone was going so fast on my quiet street, anyway. They must be moving in from out of town.

I threw my long hair up into a ponytail and kept on walking. Somehow, my mother crept back into my mind and I walked a bit brisker after that.

As I rounded the snowy corner, the playground was in sight. So was the previously empty house in my neighborhood. It had two large moving trucks in the driveway.

I walked to my favorite swing and sat down, not minding the giant pile of snow under my butt. I pulled my phone out of my coat pocket and texted my best friend, Haley. We always used to explore that house every summer.

I guess I got a little sidetracked on my phone, because when I looked up I saw two guys walking towards me. If they were trying to talk to me, I wouldn't have known, because I have had my music on quite loud.

One of the guys looked around my age. He was tall, probably six feet at least, and very lanky. He had dirty blonde hair that was greased back, and his glasses sat down far on his nose. He looked about my age.

The other had a greasy mop of black hair on his head. He looked a few years older than I am. He was shorter than the other, not as thin, either. He wore skin tight jeans which apparently made climbing through snow drifts extra difficult.

I took out my ear buds quickly and got up, watching the two as they were failing to get to the park.

"Jesus, Mikes! Could you lend me a hand, please?" the shorter one demanded. I tried not to giggle at the scene they were making.

"You guys know there's a plowed pathway if you come around here?" I said as an effort to help them a little.

They looked up, embarrassed. The tall one said a quiet "oh" as they walked around to get to the park.

"Hey, my brother and I just wanted to apologise for almost running you over today." The blonde one said.

"Oh, that's okay. It happens to me all the time, actually. Check before you cross, right?" I said, causing smiles on both of their faces.

The short one buried his hands into his jacket pockets and pulled out a carton of cigarettes. "Want one?" he asked, lighting up.

"No thanks." I replied graciously.

"We're new in town." The taller one said, keeping the conversation going.

"Yeah, I noticed the trucks. Where are you from?" I asked.

"Jersey. It's kind of... Rural around here." The shorter one said. "I'm Gerard, by the way." He said with a small wave of his hand.

"And I'm Mikey." He said, offering me a handshake. His hands were freezing because of the weather.

"I'm Jessie, it's nice to meet you."

Gerard scratched his neck. "I was wondering, maybe you could show us around sometime?"

"Yeah, sure. I live right down the street so you can just stop over whenever?"

"Sounds good." Mikey replied. "We have to go unpack now, but it was nice to meet you."

"Likewise! Bye Gerard, bye Mikey." They both waved as they walked away, talking quietly.

I had lots of questions for them. Which school were they going to? And did they have girlfriends? Because both of them were quite attractive.