Falling: A Teenage Love Story

Chapter 8: The Question

Mads' POV:

"Willyouhelpmeout?" His words rush together in a blur of suddenness and confusion, but I make out what he's saying.

"Help you out with what?" I ask. He takes a deep breath before answering, as if this response will take up all of his energy. "You know how I'm usually lead vocals in our band right?" I nod. "And I know helping me when I have song writers' block is tiring, but I really want you to sing a duet with me at our next gig." I'm flabbergasted by the request and can't stop my mouth from hanging open.

'The Rock Rebels' is a very tight band. James is often lead guitar (depends on the song) and always lead vocals, Dan is the bass player, Robbie is the keyboard or guitar and Leo is the drummer. No one else gets close to the band but me, I help James write songs and once I had stepped in for Leo when he broke his hand and couldn't play but even then no one was supposed to know who I was. AND A DUET? Wow, they must really want a bigger turnout, a female member (even if it was only for the night) would totally take the fans by surprise...

'GET BACK TO REALITY MADS' I snap myself out of it fast knowing that James is expecting an answer, but he's still talking.

"It will only be for tomorrow night at the abandoned train tracks." Figures, they always play in a creepy place like that to get the equal 'rebel' effect. "We preform at 10..." his voice trailed off and he looked away, as if there was something interesting happening to the couch.

I griped his shoulder firmly, my hand tensed as I spoke. "Why Ja? Why? Why wait to ask? Why pretend it was some big secret?" James shook his head and shrugged looking back he at me he spoke, "I don't know why Mads. I guess I was worried you would say 'no'."He said the last word so quietly I could barley make out what it was.

I set my jaw and stared hard into his eyes. "Never."

"What?" He asked.

"I will never not help you, I will never not be there for you. Never Ja. Never." I tear escaped my eye and he wiped it away with his thumb, his hand holding my cheek softly. "I know." He whispered.

---

At the end of the game James drove me home. I could feel something in the air that had never been there until tonight for me and James; tension. Which made the drive silent.

We finally arrived at my house and I leaped from the seat in the car. Surprisingly, James followed me.

As I walked up the pathway to my house and I made note that the lights were out; so I knew my mom was asleep. She knew I had been at James' and she usually stays up until I get home...

I turned around to stare back down the path and met James' eyes. He approached me quietly, but still walked in his fantastic way that made girls go crazy insane. I tried my best to ignore it.

When he was close I whispered the words "Thank you."

"For what?" He asked unaware.

"Everything." I answered simply and turned away and walked inside.

~~~

"Judge a man by his questions rather than his answers."
-Voltaire