Kids in the Dark

Chapter 30

Ryder's P.O.V

After stopping by at the small cluster of shops in the center of town Marc, Tank and I made our way back to Oliver's house. Marc held onto Tank's leash, riding slightly ahead of me. I had a large plastic bag clutched in my hands, its contents; a purple and pink unicorn pillow pet. The house was quiet as I entered, resting my skateboard up against the wall. I wandered round the ground floor but found no sign of My brother.

"Have you seen Theo?" I asked Marc who was firing up the Xbox.

"No, have you looked in the basement?" Marc suggested, getting to his feet and moving over to the sofa.

"There's a basement?" I said completely unaware of the house's third level.

"Yeah. Oliver keeps all his band's instruments down there. Second door on the right down that hall." He said. I nodded my thanks and followed his directions until I stood in front of a door. There was nothing particularly special about its white exterior, it was just like every other one. I cracked it open, and what I heard next truly surprised me.

Somewhere, sat just out of view, someone was strumming a guitar. I crept down the stairs until I saw Theo. He was sat on a stool, his back to the stairs. His fingers flew across the strings, and a few seconds later he began to sing.

"So take a breath now, you don't have to go

It was a fast night, we can take it slow

There were fist fights, red lights

Running 'til I crashed into you

I got my ass kicked, but you held the ice

I was a train wreck, but you took the ride

Can we stay here, right here?

Nothing else that I wanna do

Don't shut me down now

Just hear me out now

Don't you go and carry on with your life

It was a one night stand 'til I woke up next to you

Don't you go, saying all your goodbyes

I want a one night stand just one more time with you

So give me one more night with you

You say I've pushed my luck

But I can't get enough

If it was just a one-time thing

Why are you still here with me?

Don't want a single thing to change

We can mess around for two more days

If it was just a one-time thing

Why are you still here with me?

I don't want you to leave

Don't you go and carry on with your life

It was a one night stand 'til I woke up next to you

Don't you go, saying all your goodbyes

I want a one night stand just one more time with you

So give me one more night with you" Theo's voice wasn't perfect bet it suited the song, it was one I'd never heard before.

I cleared my throat as his song came to an end causing him to jump. I made my way over to him, slowly, as he rested the guitar on the floor. 

"Oh, hey Ryder. I didn't see you there." He said turning to face me.

"Was that your song?" I asked.

"Um, not really. It was Adam's, but he wrote it in my song book." Theo explained gesturing to the battered book that lay open at his feet. I nodded and began to wander around the room, admiring all the instruments. I hooked my fingers around the neck of a blue Stratocaster and swung the strap around my neck. I picked up one of the many leads that snaked across the floor and plugged it in. With the flick of the switch, I had the power to shake the room.

I positioned fingers on the fret board and began to pluck a few notes. I had my back to the door and only turned around when I heard a chuckle from behind me.

"I wondered how long it would take you two to make your way down here." It was Oliver, Marc, and Tank not far behind him. I looked up with a smile, making to put the guitar down. "You can keep playing it. I'm sure Chaz won't mind." He said referring to one of his band members.

"No way I'm missing out in this." Marc laughed, scrambling over to take up a place behind the microphone. Theo stood from the stool he was on and moved over to a bass, Oliver taking up residence behind the drum kit. "What song d' we want to play?" Marc asked eagerly looking around.

"How 'bout one of these?" Oliver asked holding up the book containing Theo's handwritten lyrics. I saw my brother's green eyes widened, and he furiously shook his head. "Why not? They're good." Theo shrugged. "Okay then, but you're playing me one later."

"Do you guys know 30 Seconds to Mars' song 'Beautiful lie'?" I asked, knowing that both Theo and I knew it.

"Vaguely," Oliver said adjusting his position on the stool, Marc nodding along. I cracked a smile and began to play. In no time Marc was singing, rivaling that of Jared Leto's, as he belted the powerful lyrics.

All 4 of us cheered as the song came to end, Oliver laughing as he said, "I think I need to replace my band." He got up from his creaking stool and made his way over to Theo. "You have to play one of these." He said pressing the songbook into Theo's arms. With a sigh, Theo swapped the bass for the acoustic, positioned his fingers on the strings and began to play.

Thank you for reading. Now, I know 'Don't You Go' is an All Time Low song, but for the purpose of this story it isn't. Hope you enjoyed it - Flo