Between Love and Music

8- Just as Important

After Chase and I had quit fighting, we decided to head up to the pier to grab lunch and listen to the band a little bit. We all sat down on a bench, me squeezing between Ryan and Alex while Chase tried his hardest not to fall off the edge. I chewed on my slice of pizza blissfully. Despite Chase being here, I was having a great time. My head still throbbed. Yep, Chase was defiantly running for that one. After everyone had finished eating, we decided to go down on the beach and swim a little bit. I stepped out of my shorts and tank top, kicking my flip-flops behind me. I ran out into the waves, loving the feeling of the warm ocean water on my legs. After about thirty minutes of swimming, I found Ryan and we lay out on our towels close to the moving tide. I slipped on my sunglasses and let out a content sigh. “Enjoying the day?” Ryan asked. I smiled. “Yeah, it’s been pretty good.” Ryan agreed and after a couple minutes of small chatter, we fell silent. I listened to the waves, closing my eyes and laying my head on my arms. After a couple of minutes, I fell into a peaceful sleep.

“Hope. Hope, wake up.” Someone was shaking me. I woke up, shocked by the sudden change in temperature, I shivered.  It was beginning to get dark too, the sun setting low over the horizon. The sound of waves was still there, the one thing that hadn’t changed in the short amount of time that I was asleep. “Hope, you should see your back.” Ryan said quietly. I sat up, cringing at the sudden pain on my back. I kicked myself when I realized I was sunburnt. The back of my legs stung as well. I stood up, wincing with every step. Finally Chase said “Okay I can’t hold it in anymore!” Then, he exploded into laughter. I blinked. After a few seconds Alex joined in, and then Ryan started giggling. I let myself chuckle a few times. It sucked but, it was really funny. Pretty soon, Chase had tears streaming down his face and Alex was doubled over in laughter. I slunk past them and slipped on my shorts and a sweatshirt, thankful I had brought it along. After everyone else had recovered from laughing at my misery, I asked if they wanted to go home. “Well, Ryan and I wanted to go check a shop on the boardwalk for a shirt we both wanted. It shouldn’t take long, and then we can go home.” Alex suggested. I nodded. “I’m gonna wait here. It’s hard to walk.” Chase chuckled and said, “Yeah, I’ll stay too. I’m not a shopper.” Alex and Ryan smiled and took off towards the boardwalk. I sat back down carefully on my towel, watching a bird fly over the water.

Chase sat down beside me. We didn’t talk for at least ten minutes. Not being able to stand any type of awkward silence, I asked him a question. “So who’s the chick you’re head over heels for?” Blunt, I know but how else could I have asked that? Chase didn’t answer. “Okay…just describe her.” I suggested. I didn’t think Chase was going to answer. To my surprise, he sighed and started talking. “Well, she’s in band. She’s really good too. She’s not very tall. She’s really pretty, though. Long, wavy hair. She’s sweet if you know her but, she’s got a major attitude if you tick her off. She’s different. She doesn’t try to fit in. I like that.” I sat there, shocked at the description. She sounded just like me. Except for the pretty part. “Sounds nice.” I said in a monotone. “You’ll meet her sometime.” He said cheerfully. There was a small flip in my stomach. Maybe it wasn’t me he was describing. I don’t know why, but I really wanted to be the one he was in love with. Not because I liked him, but it felt nice to be loved. It’s not a usual feeling I get, especially from family.

The rest of the time we spent together was spent in silence. I cheered inside when I heard Alex and Ryan running towards us. I turned around. They both had bags in their hands, signaling they had gotten whatever it is that they wanted. I smiled weakly, feeling worn out and confused. We all decided we should leave now if we didn’t want to fall asleep on the way home. Chase ended up trying to walk beside me. I didn’t let him, trying to drop hints that I wanted to be alone. He didn’t pick up on the signals. Soon, we reached our vehicles. I slid into the driver’s seat, wincing from the sharp pain in my back. I really hate sunburns. I drove out of the boardwalk’s parking lot, listening to the hum of my SUV. About ten minutes into the drive, Ryan had fallen asleep. She had her head propped up against the glass, headphones plugged in. I quietly grabbed her IPod from off her knee and glanced at what she was listening to. I clicked the home button, cringing as I saw Justin Bieber’s face pop up. I almost threw the IPod at her head as punishment for her bad taste in music. I decided against it since we were almost home and she would be cranky waking up to an IPod smacking her in the face.

I pulled into Ryan’s driveway, patting her on the head. “Ryan, we’re here. Get out.” She opened her eyes slowly, giving me a tired look. She nodded and followed my orders, throwing up a lazy peace sign. I returned it and pulled out of her driveway, headed towards mine.

When I finally got home, I ran into the house and jogged up the stairs, not bothering to tell my parents that I’m home. I pulled off my beach clothes and pulled on pajamas, not showering. I fell onto my bed and passed out.

~*~

The next morning I woke up and stumbled out of bed, making my way straight to the shower. I cringed at my reflection in the bathroom mirror. My back, shoulders, and legs were a bright shade of red and my face was my normal tan-ish shade. I stepped into the shower, not even trying to turn on hot water, knowing it would kill my back. The cool water felt nice and too soon I was done showering. I pulled on sweats and a tank top, not even putting make-up on. It was just a Sunday that I’d probably spend on Facebook.

 I walked into the living room, jumping at the sight of my brother on the couch. “What are you doing here?” I hissed. “Visiting my wonderful sister that doesn’t seem to be happy that I’m here.” He said looking hurt.

“I’m sorry Jey. I just haven’t seen you in forever.” He smiled, opening his arms for a hug. When he wrapped his arms around my back, I had to bite my lip to keep from crying out in pain.

After we hugged, I sat back down on the couch with him. “So how are sports going?” Jeydon asked. “Well, I’m just in marching band remember?” He rolled his eyes.

“You’re not playing any REAL sports? How are you gonna get into a college with playing a little flute?" Anger welled up inside of me, because one, he said I played the flute and two, I can very easily get somewhere with music.

“Excuse you, but I play snare drum,” He rolled his eyes again, “and I CAN get somewhere with this. If someone is good enough, big colleges would take them.” He smirked at me. “Well sister dear, “good” is the key.”

I shot up from the couch, stomping towards my room. I hate all of them. I have NO support from family whatsoever.  One day, I will prove that band kids are just as important, just as capable, as ANY athlete.

I really hope you guys are liking this. Mind liking it or commenting? I LOVE ANY TYPE OF HELP. Give me advice! :) Thanks for reading.