Favorite Record

Part 2

It would be quite a while until i seen that girl again.
As for now, life went on how it usually does. My classes, the occasional teasing, my rushing home to play my guitar.
Pete, Andy, Joe and i had even started to practice together in Andy's garage. It was just little stuff, but Joe totally thought it was going somewhere.
A new coffee shop had also opened across the street from my house. It was very cozy, and sometimes after school instead of playing my guitar, i would buy a coffee and curl up onto a couch in the corner while i watched cars pass outside.
My life actually seemed pretty decent.

It was almost September now, and i was in the same classroom with my friends like every other day, but i could tell Pete was uneasy, like he wanted to say something. He looked like he might explode if he didn't get it out soon.
"Whats wrong?" I finally asked, and he let out a breath he had been holding.
"Okay so, i have a surprise."
We all stopped and looked at him.
He grinned from ear to ear, and i raised an eyebrow.
"Were playing at prom!!"
He yelled, and his smile got even bigger, if that was even possible.
Andy, Joe and i all smiled, and Joe whooped.
"No way man! How did you convince them to do that?"
"They didn't mind at all, i just asked Mr. Bean, the choir teacher, because he's handling the music, and he said yes!"
"Thas awesome Pete!" I finally added, and he looked at me.
"And heres the best part."
He stood up and pointed at me, and with his other hand, pretended to hold up a microphone, using a cheese stick.
"And our vocalist of the night will be.. Patrick Stump!"
I laughed, then stared at him in disbelief.
"Wait, you actually want me to sing?"
"Who else would?"
Any asked, and i shrugged, then rubbed my neck.
"I don't know guys, i..."
"Don't even do that! You are gonna kill it and you know it." Pete stopped me, and i smiled.
"This calls for celebration." Joe said, standing with Pete.
"We should go out for dinner tonight or something."
"Sounds good to me." Andy replied, and everyone agreed.

Later that night, we all sat in a booth at a popular diner in town that many people loved.
It was shaped kind of like a circle - think Footloose - and was about halfway filled with people.
Not to much, not to little. Just good enough.
We were all eating and sharing stories and jokes and plans for prom, and i laughed as Pete told his elaborate plan to get Gen to go with him.
"You're gonna set her yard on fire? Joe asked, and Andy and i just continued laughing. Pete seemed to not mind at all, continuing with a smile on his face.
"Chicks dig creativity, man."
"But i don't think they dig fire hazards." Andy added, and we all laughed.
Then i heard the bell, and looked towards the door.
Stacy Wild and her group strolled in, and she had yet another guy on her hip, a cigarette hanging out of his mouth.
It was like something in a movie. I rolled my eyes and looked down at our table.
"Speaking of dream prom dates," Pete said, spotting Stacy.
I scoffed.
"Yea, that definitely looks like its gonna happen, right?" I replied, still not looking back at them.
Andy frowned, then turned around to watch.
"Who are they talking to?"
"Hey! Its the girl from the record store." Pete said, and so i looked.
Sure enough, she was huddled into a booth by herself, and Stacy and her boyfriend were sneering at her and most likely making rude remarks. I seen the girl glare at them, trying to not see them there.
I felt heat rise in me, and for some reason, i stood up.
"Patrick, what the hell are you doing man?" Joe called after me, but i made my way over to the group.
I was so tired of people being singled out because they were different, and even though i would probably get my ass kicked, at least i could prove a point. Or try to.
I heard them making snide remarks about her clothes as i finally got close enough, and then before i knew it, i was in between the girl and them.
"Leave her alone." I said, hearing my voice shake a bit.
They all chucked, as if i was joking. I cleared my throat.
"I mean it. Fuck off."
They stopped laughing then, as this time i made sure they knew i wasn't playing around.
"Or what?" Stacey stepped up to me, and i stepped right back.
"Or i'll kick you and your boyfriends ass into the middle of next week."
I stared straight into her eyes, and she flinched. I couldn't help but to grin a bit.
Was it true? Could i kick their ass? No way. They would beat me like an egg.
But it sounded convincing enough.
She looked at me once again, before motioning at her boyfriend, who rolled his eyes, but followed her out. Their lackeys followed soon after until they were all gone, and i let out a deep, shaky breath.
Then i felt a tap on my shoulder.
I turned to look at the girl, who still sat in her seat at the booth.
She patted the seat next to her, and i hesitated, but sat down.
"Whats your name?" She asked.
"Patrick. Patrick Stump." I replied, and she nodded, then help out her hand.
"I'm Liz Coil. I remember you, you were the stalker guy from detention, right?"
She smiled, and i smiled back, shaking her hand.
"Yea, uh, thats me. Minus the stalker part."
"Yea, so, thanks for that little stunt you pulled. That was pretty cool."
I shrugged.
"I mean, y'know, its no big deal. Don't mention it."
She smiled again.
"Well, i won't keep you over here, because your friends look like they're gonna fall out of their seats if you don't get back over there."
I looked at them, and sure enough, they  were all staring.
I got up and waved at Liz, who waved back, then made my way back to my table.
They all stared at me in awe.
"I cannot believe you did that."
Andy said immediately.
"Me either," i said, smiling.
"You stood up to the biggest assholes in the school. Like, dude. Thats awesome." Pete gushed, and Joe high fived me. I laughed at how amazed they were, although i was too.
We eventually started talking about something else, but my thoughts stayed on Liz, who had left the diner hours ago. In fact, i thought about her a lot from them on.