Dreaming In Stereo

Part 18 ~ Beanie Buddies

"So this is my house..." Chris introduced as he and Ethan arrived. They entered through the small gate and crossed through the small front yard, up the stairs and into the house. As they entered, Chris's parents came in and saw both Chris and Ethan entering.

"Hey Chris, Hi Ethan," They said. 

"Hi Mr and Mrs Lanzon," Ethan replied. 

"I see you've brought your beanie," Mrs Lanzon commented, gesturing at the grey beanie whom TVK-viewers were extremely familiarised with. Ethan wore this same beanie at two of his performances. 

"Never go anywhere without it," Ethan smiled.

"Do you mind if Ethan stays over for the night?" Chris asked his parents. "They just moved in and haven't exactly gotten a bed."

"Sure, of course!" Mr Lanzon grinned enthusiastically. "The more the merrier! Make yourself at home Ethan."

"We have so much to do," Chris said as Ethan plopped his stuff on the floor next to Chris's bed. "Do you want to go swimming first, or learn how to skateboard?"

"Skateboard," Ethan replied. "Definitely 100%. Skateboarding is sick."

"Yeah, good idea. Swimming with you would just end up in another kiss," Chris said, referencing their first time they truly hung out and became friends. 

"You only caught me because of Fletcher!" Ethan protested. "I outswam you, which means I am the best swimmer."

"No you're not," Chris said. "And even if you are, I'm the best skateboarder."

"And I'm the best singer," Ethan countered, a cheeky grin forming on his face. 

"Let's see what people think. Okay, how about this. We head down to the backyard and I'll teach you how to skateboard. Every third time you fall off, you have to sing a song in the street to a stranger," Chris said. "But if I teach you something new, and you land it on the first go, I have to sing a song to a stranger. And we'll compare reactions."

"Sounds like fun," Ethan admitted. "Okay, I'm in."

They walked downstairs. Chris grabbed his skateboards--one was for him, and his old one for Ethan to try out. Then they headed out to the backyard, where there was a small ramp for Chris to skate on. He set the board on the ground, and started teaching Ethan the very basics, how to step on it, push and move forward. They practised on a bit of flat ground for the beginning. 

"If you make it from where you're standing to me, in, six pushes and then you have to stand on the board, if you make it on your first go then I have to sing a song. If you fall three times you have to," Chris shouted from about ten metres away. 

"I think I can do it!" Ethan replied. He set his right foot on the board, pushed three times with his left foot, and brought it up to the board, wobbling slightly but moving at a decent speed. When he started slowing down, Ethan pushed two more times and crashed right into Chris.

"Well, I made it. Sort of," Ethan laughed as he pulled himself off Chris, who'd fallen to the floor. "You okay?"

"Yeah... you're pretty light," Chris said. "That was actually pretty good for your first go, Ethan."

"Now you have to a sing a song."

"Dammit!" Chris shouted, although he was smiling. They headed out to the street when Chris started to sing. 

"You have to sing Somewhere Over the Rainbow," Ethan told him. 

"No way!"

"Yes! New rule: I get to pick the song you're singing, and you get to pick the song I'm singing," Ethan said. "So, somewhere over the rainbow. Show us your magic Chris."