All I've Ever Wanted and More

11. Protective Over What's Yours

"Okay class, learn a song or pick a song you know how to play pretty well and perform it in class in a few days." Mr. Gerard told us before the class ended.
"Tyler, I need to tell you something!" I said pretty happy just by thinking about Ariana and I as a couple. "Okay, what is it?" He asked putting away his guitar. "Tyler, can I borrow you for a second?" Mr. Gerard said interrupting our conversation.
Tyler looked at me, "Just tell me second period." He said before getting up to see the teacher.
We were dismissed by the bell and I was on my way to music theory. I walked in and Ariana walked in right after I did. She turned me around and kissed me so gently I felt like I was up with the clouds. It was so unexpected and random but you won't hear me complain.
As we were pulling apart, Tyler walked in with the weirdest face ever. It was un describable. I mouthed, "Later" and he went to go sit down in the back where our seats were.
Taking a seat next to him, Ariana was in front of me like usual. "You didn't tell me about...this?" He asked me pointing to me and then Ariana a bunch of times.
I smirked and class started. "That's the news I was going to tell you in guitar class!" Then I took out my notebook and started jotting down the notes up on the board.
"You lucky bastard." Tyler said quietly staring at Ariana's back. As much as he gets around, I think he was a little jealous that I was new and got Ariana, and he didn't.
"Sorry pal." I don't know why, but I still can't get over the fact that I was actually dating her, Ariana Lovalo.
Class was over in a short amount of time, but I was glad it was. "Would you like to hangout today?" I managed to ask Tyler before he slipped out of the door. He shook his head, "I can't my band is practicing today. Maybe some other time." I nodded my head in understanding and he was gone.
"I'm going out with the girls today, I will meet you back at your house later. Bye!" Ariana said and kissed me on the cheek before she was gone also. Great, now I was alone.
***
When I got home, Bella wasn't there surprisingly, so I made my way right to the homemade recording studio. I clicked open the YouTube tab and logged onto mine and Ariana's account.
I read the comments and my goodness there were a lot. Mostly great, but everyone has those few "haters". I smiled at the thought that people liked our music.
I felt my phone vibrate in my front pocket and I took it out to see who was calling.
"Hello?"
"Hey, can you do me a favor?" Bella asked on the other side.
I rolled my eyes but she couldn't see. "I guess. What do you want?"
It was silent for a moment until she spoke up, "Okay, well I need you to go and take the night off. Like, get out of the house for a night. Bring Ariana too."
I was confused at this, but I didn't argue. "Alright, sure."
I hung up after our short conversation. It was extremely random but I learned to not ask questions. I wondered what she was up to, but I didn't put much thought into it. Instead, I made a video of me just singing with music already playing in the background.
I was in the music making mood. After that, I thought it wouldn't hurt to make a guitar tutorial also, so I did.
***
"Hey, it's time for your night off!" I heard Bella yell as she walked through the door carrying paper brown bags. I walked out of the studio and went to go confront her at the door. "What's in the bags?" I asked strangely looking at them.
I noticed as she eyed me, and then the bags a few times. "Oh, nothing. Where's Ariana? Shouldn't you guys be leaving?" I ignored her response and decided to answer her question instead.
"She went somewhere with a few girls. She should be back shortly from the text she sent me." After putting the bags down on the counter, Bella stood by me. "What did her text say?"
I opened my phone, and read the message. "Should be back shortly." Bella rolled her eyes and sat down on the island table stools.
We heard the front door open and we turned our heads to see. Ariana was just walking in the door as Bella was telling me it's time to leave. "Hey Ari, Bella wants us to have a night to ourselves, so we have to leave." Ariana looked at Bella and then me, "Well okay then." she said and we left the house.
We got in the car and I started it up. We buckled up our seatbelts and we were on our way to who knows where. "Sorry for the short notice." I said just driving. She took her eyes off of the night sky and fixed them on me while I was driving. "That's okay." She didn't say a word and then she spoke, "Someone texted me today, but I ignored them, don't worry." She said looking down at the phone in her hands.
I quickly looked at her but then continued to look at the road. "Who was it?" I asked curiously not knowing who it could have been. "Mikey." she said softly. "He wanted to hangout again but I never answered. But he keeps calling me and texting me." I shook my head trying to understand. So he cheats on this girl and then wants to keep talking to her like nothing happened? I thought I might have liked him at first, but after that night, I certainly do not.
"I'm sure if you just ignore him, he'll go away." I said reassuring her things were going to be fine. I think she forced a fake smile but then it went away. "How about we go to..." I started to say but ended up trailing off. "A comedy show! I saw an ad for one today while I was out. This guy named Dale or something is going to be at the theater tonight for a live show. Want to go?" She asked hoping I would say yes. And in reality, I would do whatever she would like to do.
"Yeah wherever you want to go I'll take you." I said driving in that direction. She looked at me and smiled.
"Here, I think?" I said examining the place I was pulling into. "Yeah this is it." Ariana said looking up at the building. We parked and walked inside hand in hand. Fortunately for us, we could still buy tickets at the door so we did and we headed inside to take our seats in the back middle.
There were a lot of people here tonight. They were mostly all over there 20's with an exception of a few older teenagers like Ariana and myself. His opening act was funny. He had me laughing and Ariana so that's a good sign. And then minutes later, the man Dale showed up and started with a few jokes.
***
I have to say, that wonderful comedian had me in tears. He was hilarious. No wonder it was packed, he was a genius!
"Did you like it?" I asked clutching my stomach because it still hurt from laughing. "Like it? I loved it! It was honestly amazing, thank you for taking me." She said genuinely and we walked back to the car.
Out of all the dates I had in mind, I didn't picture a comedy act being one of them. By the way, her laugh is the cutest thing I have ever heard so maybe I should take her to those kinds of things more often don't you say?
The drive to my house was faster than I thought it would be. Normally I would be upset that we were home and Ariana has to leave, but now she's staying at my house so that's good for me.

For some odd reason there were a few cars parked outside my house. With confusion written all over my face, I walked inside. I swore my mouth dropped a few inches, and Ariana's did as well.

Ignoring the music on my way in, I didn't think it would be as crazy and out of control as it was right now. My sister threw a party and wanted me out of the house for it.

Without a word to anyone I might have known, I quickly sprinted my way to the studio, leaving Ariana behind, where there were a few boys drinking in there but just sitting on the stools. I encouraged that they leave that room immediately and they did thankfully without an argument.

I locked it from the inside and brought the key with me in my pant pocket.
The amount of people that were here were ridiculous.

I squeezed through people as they danced and drank, trying to make my way back to the front door where I had left Ariana. But she wasn't there anymore. Oh goodness just what I needed. I wasn't the party type. I mean I could enjoy myself if I wanted to, but I thought I shouldn't. Like the last party I went to, I could leave. But this, this was my own home and I couldn't leave if I wanted to without flipping out about what was going on while I was away.

I was going to kill Bella if I could find her. I had no clue how long this party was going on for, but long enough to the point where not many people were sober. From every person that said hi to me, I could smell the alcohol coming from their mouth. The main thing I was looking for was Ariana. Where could she have run off to?

The music was not helping either. It was so loud, I could barely hear myself think. I rummaged through groups of people until I made it to the living room couches. A sigh of relief was let out as soon as I spotted Ariana on the couch with Tyler.

Wait Tyler? He was here and didn't even bother telling me about a party at my own house? Great, what a wonderful friend.

I walked up to the two of them. "Why didn't you tell me you were here?" I asked raising my voice because of the music. He looked around and moved his head like he couldn't control it. "I came late and thought you were already here, I don't know man." He said taking another sip of his beverage.

Ariana had her legs crossed and her hands on her lap unsure of what to do. She couldn't leave even if she wanted to, and I'm sure she wanted to, but she had nowhere else to go. I felt bad.

Tyler put his arm on the back of the sofa behind Ariana. I didn't get jealous because we were all friends, but I didn't take my eyes off of his arm making sure he wasn't going to make any kind of moves.

"Come on Ariana lets go in my room, it has to be quieter in there than out here." I extended my hand so she could take it and follow me there when Tyler grabbed her arm and forced her to sit down.

"Nah let her stay. What is a beautiful girl like her doing anything with you anyway." He proclaimed and Ariana and I were both star struck. Did he really just say that?

"Tyler, she's my girlfriend I told you this. Come on." I tried once more and the same thing happened.

"Your girlfriend? Ha! I'm interested in her also, and I think she likes me back." He said winking and taking gulps of what I think now is his alcohol. He was drunk and he didn't even know it.

"You are drunk, Tyler. Maybe you should leave." I said actually getting Ariana up this time. Then in a flash Tyler stood up like I was stealing his girl. Could you believe that?

"Leave? I just got here!" He said looking around like people were listening. "Seriously, leave before anything happens. Go." I demanded leaning in closer to him to tell him. I didn't want to start anything because he probably had no idea what he was even doing.

Before I knew it Tyler nudged me but I caught my balance. I wanted to shove him back, but he left my house before I could do anything which was probably best.

I grabbed her hand and we were on our way to my room when a familiar face walked into my house with a few friends. I was angry as soon as I made eye contact. When they saw Ariana and I, they walked forward never taking their eyes off of us. It did scare me a little to be honest.