Heading south

4. Music and bands

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3 weeks later
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          Mikey walked by my side as we made our way to the tree we always ate at during lunch.  It comes into view and I'm still taken aback by its enormity. The branches fanned out with leaves that dangled down like water frozen on a web. The wind blew slightly and I could get the melody of leaves and branches moving back and forth, the movement similar to hair in the wind.
          
The cool breeze slightly chilling my body as it brushed past. I shivered slightly but also welcomed it gladly. Finally we reached the base of the tree, the boys were nowhere to be found. Shocked, they usually get here early. I suspected they usually skip class or leave before class finishes. I sit down and Mikey sits next to me.
         
After the falling boys incident we had gotten very close. Mainly over our shared taste in music, but also we were able to connect over empathy. He was able to open up to me quickly, while still keeping enough to not scare me away. Mainly the little things. Suddenly I felt a pair of arms grab me roughly. "AHhH!" I jumped as my heart rate quickened. The air was being sucked out of my lungs as anxiety took over my body.
         
I looked around to see Luke, Calum, and Ashton laughing while Mikey rolled his eyes and eyed me nervously. I calmed down enough to get some words out. "You assholes! I could've died!" At that the boys laughed even harder. They clutched their stomachs while gasping for air. Even feeling the nerve to wipe the tears that had started falling.

They finally calmed down enough to realise the death glare I was sending them. "Jo, lighten up," Luke spoke "We were just joking." I rolled my eyes and nibbled my sandwich nervously. Although I was friends with them, at least I hope we were, I was still majorly anxious around them. Nevertheless my mind was screaming at me to calm down, I wasn't able to just yet.

Ashton came over with his food and sat directly in front of me. "Sooo... since we still don't know you very well. I wanna play a game! Does that sound good to everyone?" His question was met with a few 'hell yeahs' and one nod from me. They gather in a circle sitting Indian style. "Well to make you more comfortable, I'll start with Cal and make my way to you." He explained looking at me.

He asked Calum what his middle name was and he answered Thomas. I started giggling and was met with confused looks from all the boys. I whipped my head in Cals direction and whisper quietly, " Choo, Choo." He boys laughed and like punched Cal in the arm and he let out a violent sigh and eye roll. "Oh come on, lighten up." I said sassily.

"What ever." He responded snidely.

I stick my tongue out and respond,"Fine, be that way you poopy butt."

Mikey intervened before anything could start, "Okay, okay tone down the sass you little shits" I glared at him and he smiled cheekily. Ashton cleared his throat loudly and we turned our attention back to him. "Okay, before I was rudely interrupted," he glances at me and I send him an innocent smile. "Luke it's your turn!"

"Okay," he looks around and smiles mischievously. "Michael. What's the worst dare you've ever done?"

"Ugh. I absolutely lothe you. Because you already know the answer." Luke puts his head on his knees and smirks. "Ugh. I..um..Iranuptoarandomoldladyanddroppedmypantsthenaskedforhernumber." He said softly and very fast.

"What was that Michael? I didn't quite hear you. Could you repeat it?"

Another sinister glare was sent Luke's way, as Mikey proceeded to speak again. "I ran up to a random old lady, dropped my pants then asked for her number." His cheeks flushed with colour as he hung his head low.

"OH MY GOD, MICHAEL! YOU'RE SO STUPID!" I laughed with tears streaming down my aching cheeks. His face flushed an even deeper red then I though possible.

The next question landed on Luke, it was a very uninteresting question and so was Ashton's. It finally landed one me. I wiggled nervously and awaited my question thinking of every situation that could possibly happen. Calum looked into space for a short moment and finally asked,"Why did you and your family decide to move to Sydney?" I froze.

My mind flashed back to the earthquake. To the shingles raining down on the pavement, the noises of falling buildings, glass shattering, and uprooting trees. But mostly to the finally look I ever got of him. They all look at me, the anticipation evident in their faces. I am anxious to see what I'll say as well.

I fake a smile and say, "Because we thought it was a very pretty country and we wanted a change of scenery." Technically it was true, I thought to myself. They seemed to be satisfied by that, the game continued until the bell rang signalling the starting back up of hell.
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After school we all decided to go to Ashton's house to hang out for a while. When we arrived Michael immediately ran to the kitchen and threw open the refrigerator door. He shuffled around the contents and finally found something he was pleased with. He pulled out a six pack of sodas.

I was still waiting by the door awkwardly waiting for an invitation further into the house. Calum jumped onto the soft looking couch, while Luke put in A game into the console. When the title showed up on the screen, it read FIFA. Ashton grabbed the controllers for the guys and sat back down. "Jo, you realise you can come in right?" Calum called to me.

"Yeah, t-totally." I stuttered as I walked towards the couch. I plopped down next to Ashton while the boys started their game. I watched silently, listening to them trash talk one another and cheer when they scored a point. After about an hour or so, Michael screamed,"Time for band rehearsal!"
         
I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion as they all headed down Ashton's stairs. "Wait a minute." I demanded. "You never told me you had a band!"
        
They all looked slightly shocked and Luke reached up to scratch his head. "I thought you already knew." He responded.
        
I just rolled my eyes and retorted,"Well you better be shit for not telling me." They laughed, I assume not knowing if they should take offence to my comment. We reached the bottom of the stairs and walked into an instrument filled room. I saw a small plush chair in the corner, assuming they boys would actually practice, I claimed it as my own. They went to work plugging in and tuning guitars, while Ash was setting the drum set to the correct position.
         
Luke walked up to a switch and flips it so it's on. He then walks slowly to the microphone in the centre. "Um..hey we're 5 seconds of summer and this is Don't stop." Ashton starts counting and plays a small lick before the other boys come in. Luke starts singing and holy hell I'd be lying if I didn't gasp. I was shocked! They had no right to not tell me they were this fucking amazing. Before too long mikey comes in singing and I almost die. You can see the passion in their playing. But to make matters worse. Ashton decides to open his damn mouth and sings as well. They can all sing. WTF?!
         
The song ends and they look at me expectantly. "I FRICK FRACKING HATE YOU GUYS! Why the hell didn't you tell me you were amazing!?" I pause for a short breath of air, and continued. "After all this time I've spent with you guys and I didn't know? That would make Alex fucking Gaskarth proud! UGH! Okay I'm done."
         
I saw all of them blushing at my words. "We didn't know." Calum finally said breaking the silence.
        
"What do you mean you didn't know?" I replied cautiously.
         
"Well," Luke started. "You're the first person we've played for besides our moms."
        
"It's not that big of a deal though" Ashton responded quickly.
         
"Whatever you say but that was amazing. Now that I know about the band, prepare to play for me a LOT." I smile
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Sorry it's been forever I've been really busy and what not. So I decided an extra long chapter would be good. Also I'm going to Panic! At the disco tomorrow and I'm freaking out. IM COMING BRENDON URIE! Agh I'm so happy. Anyway hope you enjoyed.
Xxx, Your sexy mofo Kaija