Starting Tonight

Chapter 5

"Yo! Chris!" Brandon yelled as knocked on every surface within arm's length of him, "It's time to do sound check!"

"Dude, be nicer when you wake someone up," I said groggily as I carefully rolled out of the bed so I didn't disturb Andy.

"How does she sleep through all of that?" Brandon asked me as we started down the hall.

"I have no clue, but if I can figure it out it will be one of my greatest accomplishments," I admitted.

Brandon just laughed. I'm sure he thought I was joking, but it was the honest to God truth. We walked down the hallways to the stage with silence, almost an awkward silence actually. Cory, Dustin, and Sid were waiting on me when we walked in. We went straight into sound check without anything said between us, but something seemed off with Cory. I'm not sure what it was though. Thinking about it something had been off with him for a few days now. It all really started when Andy came out. Did her being out with us bother him? I don't know, but I'm going to have to talk to him soon. Speaking of Andy, she had been kind of off the past few days too. Did I do something to make them act the way that they are?

My thoughts were interrupted when Andy walked into the room and started singing along with me. I watched her as she danced around where she was standing and was watching me. Or was she watching me? Her gaze seemed distant.

"Stop!" Brandon yelled causing everything to suddenly stop.

"What's wrong?" I asked him as he walked up to the stage.

"It's not you, but Cory," Brandon said as he looked from me to Cory, "What's up with you? You've been lacking all day. Like you've been at least two beats behind the entire time. What's up with that? It's not like you."

"I don't know," Cory answered, "I've got some stuff on my mind."

"You can't be letting it affect you like that. Whatever it is," Brandon said, "Let's go again. Start with 'For Her' this time though. That's where you've been lacking the most."

"Alright," Cory said as Brandon went and stood beside Andy as the first beats of the song began.

I watched as Brandon and Andy talked. Every time she glanced up I would smile, but something hit me in those moments. I didn't feel about Andy the way I should. I loved her to death, but I didn't see myself ever falling in love with her. I didn't see a future with us and at this point in my life I knew that was something I needed to be looking for. I needed a partner for life. Andy was just a little too wild for my taste to be completely honest. She drank a little more than I really liked and she could stay out until all hours of the night dancing. The more I thought about it the more she seemed like the type of girl Cory would go after.

In that moment I turned quickly and looked to Cory. He was staring at her. I know they had become really good friends over the past few weeks, but the way he looked at her said more than any words would. If there was anyone who knew Cory inside and out it was me and the way he looked at Andy made his feelings for her evident. Without hesitation I knew I had to end things with her and give Cory the chance for complete happiness. Even if it was with Andy.

"Andy, can I talk to you?" I asked as we walked back to the bus after the show.

"Yeah," she smiled as we entered the bus and sat down on the couch, "What's up?"

"So, I've been thinking a lot today," I said, but stopped before I continued.

"I've been thinking a lot today too," Andy said, "I think I know where this conversation is going."