Social Norms (Synacky)

Chapter Two

It was on the second day of summer vacation when Brian lost his mind out of boredom. “I’m going out.” He told Brent as he grabbed his keys from the counter.

“Kay.” His younger brother said, not moving from his position on the couch where he watched Beavis and Butthead reruns.

Brian drove to Jimmy’s house, frowning as he saw the group that congregated in Jimmy’s garage. They looked up from the notebook in Matt’s lap that they were all standing around, frowning back at Brian as he got out of the car.

“Hey, Brian.” Jimmy offered unsurely, “What’s up?”

“What’re you guys doing?” Brian asked, eyes wandering over Wendt’s bass and Zacky’s guitar, the way Matt tapped his pen feverishly. He didn’t need them to reply in order for him to know the answer.

“Nothin’ much. Writing music. Jamming a little.” Jimmy twirled his drumstick as he watched Brian. “What are you doing?”

“I, uh, I thought I’d just come around and um… I don’t know I just…” Brian wasn’t sure what to say. He couldn’t believe Jimmy of all people had decided to start a band and didn’t so much as ask him if he could play. If he was interested. Which of course he was.

“We’re starting a band. We’re the Lips of Deceit.” Wendt claimed, “Zacky came up with it, the brilliant little fucker.” He ruffled Zacky’s hair, and Zacky ducked his head a little, rolling his eyes.

“We’re still looking at name options, though. We’re all gonna go home and think of everything we can.” Zacky said, “Besides, Jimmy’s working on a song called ‘Lips of Deceit’ anyway.”

“It’ll be like a self-titled song!” Jimmy exclaimed. He ran back to his kit and played a fast riff, giddiness showing in his eyes.

Matt was still staring down at his notebook, every once in a while he would scribble something out and write new words in. “What’re you working on?” Brian asked Matt, trying to peek at his notebook, which Matt pulled away.

“Nothing. A song. A private song.”

Brian sighed, frowning at the group. “You know you’re all assholes, right?”

“You’re one to talk.” Wendt snapped, and Brian glared at him. “We’d rather have the gay kid as our guitarist than you. He’s hella lot nicer than you are.”

“What the fuck do you know, Wendt?” Brian snarled, stepping towards him, who held his hands up in defense.

“Bri, maybe you ought to go home.” Jimmy pressed, “We’re just working on some music. I didn’t invite you because I know you don’t get along with Zacky or Wendt all that much.”

Brian looked between the four guys and sighed. “Alright, I get it.” He turned to go, but not before looking at Jimmy a final time. “Fuck you, Sullivan.” He spat, before storming back to his car.

He drove aimlessly around Huntington, seething over what had just gone on. They couldn’t start a band without him, especially not Jimmy. It wasn’t fair; he had more talent in one finger than Zacky had in his entire body.

He wasn’t all that surprised when he found himself at Michelle’s house. His girlfriend always knew how to make him feel better, and he really could use some comforting right about now. Brian didn’t bother to knock, just stepped inside and called out. “Mrs. D?”

“I’m on the patio, Brian!” he walked through the house to find the back door ajar, following Michelle’s voice. “Mom and dad aren’t home.”

Brian smirked at his girlfriend, who was sprawled out in a bikini on a towel by their pool. He got lucky when he got her. Valary and Michelle were easily the sexiest girls at the school, and he was able to call one of them his own. The best one, he might add.

“Hey, ‘Chelle.” He greeted, sitting next to her on the ground. Michelle tipped down her sunglasses to look at him properly, watching the smirk that played on his lips.

“Hi.” She replied, laying back and closing her eyes. “Isn’t this a great way to kick off the summer or what?”

He grinned and leaned down to peck her lips. “I can think of a way to make it even more great…”

“Greater.” Was all she said in reply. “’More great’ isn’t right. It’s ‘greater.’”

“Oh, whatever, you know what I meant.” He poked her side and whispered, “Your parents are out.”

“Yeah, but Val’s here and I don’t want her hearing us.”

“We can be quiet…” Brian straddled her thighs and kissed her neck. “I know you can be quiet when you need to be.”

“Not now, though, okay? I’m sunbathing.” She pushed on his chest gently and he sighed, rolling off her.

“Who the fuck turns down sex for sunbathing?” he whined, and she chuckled.

“Normally I wouldn’t, but I am warm and cozy and I don’t wanna get up.”

“We could do it right here…” he waggled his eyebrows and she rolled her eyes.

“No, Brian.” She replied more firmly and he huffed, pouting down at the clear water of the pool. He lay down next to her and allowed himself to grow drowsy in the lazy summer warmth, basking in the sun’s golden rays. He settled his hand on Michelle’s stomach, rubbing small circles on her skin with his thumb.

“I like this, too, this is okay.” He sighed softly, and she turned to kiss him gently.

“Hey, Bri.” Valary called out, and Brian looked up to catch her walk by the open door.

“Hi, Val.” He replied, “Grab me a beer, will you?”

In the end, he had a good time at Michelle’s house. He explained to her his problem with Jimmy and the guys, and she brushed it off, claiming that they’d come around eventually and that they were just holding grudges. So they kissed and drank a little, fooled around some, and then he decided he ought to head home.

He was getting into his car, when Valary opened the door and ran to catch him before he left. “Brian, wait!” she hissed, and he paused, looking at her with a raised eyebrow.

She looked back at the door nervously before whispering, “Um, look, there’s something important you need to know. And it’s not my place to tell you, but someone’s gotta and I really think-“

“Bye Bribear!” Michelle called to him from the doorway, and he grinned, waving at her. Valary shook her head, mumbling, “Never mind, I’ll tell you later.”

“Uh, okay. See ya around.” He replied before ducking into his car and heading home.