Social Norms (Synacky)

Chapter Eight

So, practice was no longer a chore.

Brian wouldn’t go as far as to call them friends, but they were at least getting closer. Their practices began to contain a little more talking, not necessarily about riffs and shredding. Just the occasional “Oh, I like that band,” or “Can you surf?” and small conversations here and there.

As much as Brian hated to admit it, he was warming up to Zacky. Even enjoying being in his company. He was a fast learner, and after another week of practice, he was showing some revised riffs to the band.

“I worked on Darkness Surrounding, changed things up a bit, and I think you guys will like this version better.” He said, fingers positioning on the fret board to bring forth the first chord.

Brian sat on his amp, staying out of the way. His fingers were itching to write his own solo, but they hadn’t even composed the song they wanted him to play on yet. He had to remind himself that this wasn’t his band, he couldn’t just interfere with his ideas, and that all made him angry.

Wendt wasn’t at practice again that day, and he could hear the guys complaining about him. “I think we need to get rid of Wendt.” Matt said, “He’s never here, and when he is he’s stoned.”

“Yeah, I agree. He hasn’t been working on his parts whatsoever, and we’ve already got four songs down. We’re just waiting for him to put down some fucking bass parts, but he’s never actually contributed anything.” Jimmy added. “I know another guy. He’s older than us by a couple years, but Kelly knows him pretty well, and he plays bass. His name’s Justin Meacham.”

“Oh yeah, he graduated a couple years back.” Matt recalled, “Yeah, he was cool, why don’t we invite him?”

The guys all agreed, and Zacky slipped back to sit next to Brian. “Can you show me how to smear right?” he asked, and they began another lesson.

That evening, Brian’s parents were both in the house at the same time for once, and they had dinner as a family.

“So what have you boys been up to?” Suzy asked as she tried to get McKenna to eat some applesauce.

Brent just shrugged, fork toying with the leaves of lettuce in his salad. “Nothing much. Brian’s been gone all the time.”

“Where’ve you been, Bri?” his dad asked. “Not getting into trouble, I hope.”

“I’ve been teaching this kid to play guitar.” Brian replied shortly. “And hanging out at Jimmy’s.”

“What about Michelle?” Suzy pressed, “You should take her out sometime.”

Brian glowered down at his steak and grunted, “We’re not together anymore.”

Suzy and Brian’s dad both looked shocked. “But why?” Suzy asked, “Things were going so great with you guys.”

“She was cheating on me.” He stabbed ferociously at his meat, “So I got rid of her.”

“Oh, Brian, I’m so sorry…” Suzy started, but Brian cut her off.

“No, don’t be. She never loved me anyway.” He looked up from his food to his parents, but only asked, “Can you hand me the salt?”

Dinner went on in silence, until Brian’s dad spoke up, “So teaching a kid guitar, huh? Is he any good?”

“He’s getting there.” Brian replied, smiling softly to himself. “He’s pretty cool.”

“Who is he? Do I know him?”

“No. His name is Zack. He’s starting a band and doesn’t know a thing about playing, so I’m helping him out.” Brian didn’t really wanna talk about Zacky to his parents. He didn’t want them asking about Jimmy’s band that he wasn’t a part of, or questioning why he was associating himself with a gay boy. So he shut up and cut his steak and was silent until his dad spoke again.

“Grandma and Grandpa are coming over tomorrow.”

Brent grinned and whispered, “Yes!” and Brian groaned. “For how long?” he asked.

“They’ll come over at two, and stay until the evening I suppose.” Suzy replied, “I spoke with them this morning.”

Brian frowned. “I’m not going to be here.”

“Oh, yes you will.” Brian’s dad responded firmly.

“I have practice. I don’t wanna skip out on a day. Besides, they don’t even like me; I’m the one who doesn’t belong here to them.”

“Your grandparents love you very much.” Suzy frowned at him. “Just because they aren’t related to you doesn’t mean they don’t care for you.”

“They don’t.” Brian glared at his food and replied more firmly, “I will not be here when they show up. I am going to practice.”

“You’ll have to walk.” Brian’s dad said, “I’m taking your keys.”

“And you’ll have to borrow a guitar.” Suzy added.

“You don’t understand, I need to show up for this!” Brian stated. He didn’t really have to, he supposed, but he hated his grandparents and would much rather spend that time with Zacky. He was growing to like the guy, and didn’t want to spend time with his grandparents when he could be with him.

“It’s just one day, I’m sure he won’t mind.” Suzy consoled him. “You can give him a call and explain if you’re so worried about it.”

“I don’t have his phone number.” Brian grumbled, but he was already accepting defeat. “Fine. But I’m spending the night at Jimmy’s tomorrow then.”

“Fine, fine.” Brian’s dad said. And the rest of the evening carried on in silence.

~*~

“Oh, Brent, look how much you’ve grown!”

“It’s only been a couple months, Grandma.”

“But you’re a growing teenager! You’ll be taller than your father in no time!”

Brian sat on the stairs and sulked while his grandparents fawned over Brent and McKenna. They weren’t even his grandparents. They were Suzy’s mom and dad, and Suzy wasn’t even related to him.

“Where’s Brian?” Brian’s grandpa asked.

He was about to make himself known, when his dad replied, “Right here, I’ll be there in a sec.” and Brian sighed, resting his head in his hands.

He’d been sitting there for half an hour when his dad poked his head around the corner. “You need to come down.” He said, “They’ve been asking about you.”

Brian knew better but he skulked downstairs anyway, looking glum and depressed.

“Oh, hi Brian!” he was greeted by his grandparents before they turned their attention back to McKenna. Brian sighed, going into the kitchen to get a glass of water. Looks like it was going to be a long evening…