The Vamp and the Geek

Chapter 10 - An Argument

James was much less angry by the time we reached the studio in which the Vamps rehearsed. The excitement I was feeling was practically overwhelming.

However once we entered the room, the other three boys were stood waiting and I couldn’t say the happy mood lasted for too long.

“James, where the hell have you been?!” Brad cried, his voice echoing around the studio. He paced his guitar down and paced towards us both with a menacingly. I was startled by Brad’s uptight attitude because it was so abrupt and seemingly came out of nowhere.

It was only one rehearsal, was it really that important? Brad had never acted this way before. He was usually the one to be laid back and care free. I didn’t like this side to him at all.

“I just got… a little bit distracted…” James replied defensively, quickly glancing over at me and smirking. I peered past Brad’s shoulder to see Connor and Tristan, standing with their instruments, looking just as confused as I was.

Evidently they didn’t understand Brad’s behaviour either. They were merely watching as the events unfolded. They did give me a small wave though, which I returned before I realised Brad was only getting more and more annoyed at James.

“It was just a rehearsal, calm down!”

“But it’s not the first time you’ve missed one, is it James?!” Brad snapped harshly. There was a weird feeling in my stomach at this point. It was extremely awkward this argument happening between best friends.

They were arguing over something that was basically my fault. I should have asked James if he had anywhere else to go before I agreed to hang out with him. I wanted the ground to swallow me whole.

 I gulped and gazed up at my tall boyfriend, who was now frowning deeply.

“Look… I’m sorry alright” James pleaded, “But you are sort of overreacting, aren’t you?”

Brad widened his eyes dubiously and shook his head. Obviously that hadn’t been the right answer,

  

“Overreacting?!” He yelled, “James… it’s like you don’t even care about this band anymore… you are constantly skipping meetings and missing rehearsals… all so you can hang out with that dull and boring geek!”

  

His words stung. I suddenly felt the tears prickle in the corner of my eyes, but I kept them at bay. I had thought Brad was my friend, so for him to say something so incredibly hurtful about me was a huge betrayal.

I begged myself not to cry because that would be terribly embarrassing and I hated being centre of attention.

Brad had obviously forgotten I was still in room because when his eyes scanned over to me and he clasped a hand over his mouth, realising what he had said.

“That was totally out of order!” James retorted to his shorter band member, flinging an arm around me protectively. I couldn’t say anything in return because I was so shocked by the situation.

Connor and Tristan were stood a few feet behind Brad, also in disbelief with their mouths gaping open slightly. They were just as surprised as James and I was about Brad’s sudden harshness towards me. Why was he acting this way? He always seemed like the most easy-going member of the band, clearly I was mistaken.

“Mia… I didn’t mean that… I’m sorry…” Brad muttered, looking down at his feet in shame. My eyes wandered over his face and I couldn’t help but feel I had seriously misjudged him.

And with that in mind, I swiftly grabbed James’ hand and began gently pulling out of the studio, willing for us to leave. James’ followed without another word, he didn’t even bother to say goodbye to the other two boys.

  

***

  

“I don’t know why he said that…” James explained as we slid into his car, “He’s never acted that way before”

  

I nodded and gave him a faint smile,

  

“It’s alright… I just want to go home…”

Inside, I was humiliated. Who was I kidding? I didn’t belong with someone like James. Maybe Brad was right. I was a boring geek. I wore glasses, loved reading and didn’t like partying. I was literally the dictionary definition of a geek. I hated that I was only just truly realising this.

I didn’t speak to James at all in the car journey home. I simply kept my head turned away and gazed aimlessly out of the window. However as hateful thoughts about myself swirled around in my mind, I couldn’t stop the large salty tears that began streaming down my face…