Let It Raine

Chapter 2

CHAPTER 2 - Griffin

I rolled from my bed, the sheets tangled around me in a vice-like grip as I landed on my feet in a crouch. I stood slowly and unwrapped the sheets from around my body, tossing them haphazardly onto the bed.

I rubbed my hand over my hair, letting my hand come to rest on the back of my neck, groaning. I wished it was Saturday evening again, playing and singing on the club stage. I missed the thrill of performing so acutely right then.

But it was Monday morning and I still had to take a shower. I grabbed my towel and made my way to the bathroom across the hall from my bedroom.

Ten minutes later, I was wrapping my towel around my waist and marching back into my room. I threw on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. Curmudgeonly, I stuffed my feet into my Vans. I plucked my keys from my bedside table, and moved up the stairs to the kitchen.

Mom stood in front of the stove, frying up a few eggs for my breakfast. She turned at the sound of my shoes slapping against the tile. "Good morning, sweetie. Hungry?" I nodded, grinning as I accepted the plate she offered.

"Thanks mom," I said, planting a kiss on her head. I practically inhaled my breakfast before I raced back to the bathroom to brush my teeth. I threw a goodbye over my shoulder as I strolled to the van.

Though it was impractical for driving to school, the van was useful for transporting both the instruments and band members of Cremation. So I kept it. A part of me would have loved to have something other than the van, like a Nissan truck or a muscle car, but I couldn't have imagined driving anything other than the van.

I arrived at school ten minutes later, and stepped inside my first period class a minute after the bell rang. I grinned cockily at my teacher, Mrs. Bell, and took my seat, ignoring her glower.

I turned my head to look at the girl sharing my table, smile cheeky. "Hey Sarah," I greeted in a low voice.

Sarah turned her head to face me, eyebrows raised in skepticism. "Griffin," she replied. I grinned at her and faced forward, listening to Mrs. Bell lecture about the division of cells.

_____

I met Dante in the lunchroom after fifth period, Dallin, Wes and Raine already seated at the table. I felt my pulse beat faster at the sight of Raine laughing at something they'd said. I managed to push the flutter aside, and raked my fingers through my thick hair. I dropped into one of two empty chairs, plastering a grin on my face. "What're we talking about?" I asked as I unwrapped the foil around my hamburger.

Wes spoke around a mouthful of fries, "Raine had a few ideas for covers we could do." I turned my attention to Raine, a question on my face.

Her lips parted then closed quickly. She pressed them together, then smiled lightly. "I was thinking Fuel to the Fire by The Maine? It's kinda one of my favorites right now. And I think your voice would do fantastic things with it," she said, leaning back to pull her phone from her pocket.

"Really? Let's hear it," I replied, lifting my hamburger to my mouth. Raine flashed a smile and tucked a strand of her dark brown hair behind her ear. I waited almost impatiently for Raine to navigate to where her music library was on her phone. I could tell when she found it because she smiled both excitedly and nervously.

A guitar riff played, and my eyebrows pulled together. I listened, tapping my finger against my thighs. A small smile played on the corners of my lips, though it was nothing like the grin Raine's sporting.

I enjoyed the song. The catchy lyrics, pulsing rhythm, and the whole fun sounding aspect of it. But not nearly as much as Raine did, because her eyes were closed when I looked up at her, her grin even broader if that were possible, and I suddenly felt almost stupid.