Life Is Challenging (RE-MASTERED)

Chapter 17: The Blood Promise.

"James Carswell?"  The sub in Marshalls class yells out.

     "Here."  I slam my head back into my bag.  I'm exhausted last night I had the worst nightmare ever. 

      "Grant Forla?"  The sub yells as Grant is fast asleep.  I kick his chair from under him and he tumbles to the floor.

      "Here! I'm here, I'm up, good stuff yup."  Every laughs even the sub does a bit. 

      "It looks like everybody is here, let's get down to business.  Today your teacher has instructed me to put you into pairs and work on a song that brings out the best in you both.  Mr. Forla and Mr. Carswell, he had left a note saying he wishes you two to be paired up.  Everybody else, I will be pairing you."  I look at Grant and smile, even with one good eye still, he can tell when I have something to tell him. 

     "Dude, we've been friends for only a few days, yet I feel like we have to be best friends for life.  Plus, you fought Nathan Prescott and came back with a cool battle scar. But what do you have to tell me?"  Grant asks inquisitively. 

     "It's Max, dude.  She can seriously rewind time."  I whisper so nobody hears me.  I look behind me and Kate is smiling.  I grab my guitar and Grant pulls his drum pad out and we just start jamming.  I play an upbeat almost Bluesy tone and Grant plays a matching beat.  Together they oddly sound like perfection.  I sigh and put my guitar down.  "Grant, we need to practice for Battle of the Bands.  I found a basist."  He looked intrigued. 

     "Fuck yes dude, who is it?"  He has that crooked grin on his face he always gets when he's excited.

     "That dude that runs the game shop up in Portland.  Name is Reg, he's really cool.  A stoner bro by the looks of it."  When I mention the word 'stoner' Grants face lights up with elation. 

     "Fuck. Yes. Dude.  So when do we start practice?" 

    "The Battle isn't for another week or so, so tomorrow.  Tonight we need to hang with Max and Chloe and get wind of what's going on."  He nods in agreement and we ride the rest of the day out.  When the final bell rings Grant and I get up and high five.

    "This is gonna be epic."

    "Yeah, tonight is gonna be Legen- wait for it...... dary!"  I said smiling.

    "Is that a 'How I Met Your Mother' reference?" Max asks.  She was standing outside of our classroom waiting for us.

     "Yes it was Max, glad you caught that.  Now, is Chloe here yet?"  I ask.

    "Not yet, she's busy arguing with Joyce.  I guess Chloe did something really bad."  I sigh and hang my head.  She hasn't texted me all day.  I was wondering what was going on.

    "Goddammit."  I walk ahead of them and walk down the stairs.  I head out of the entrance as I hear Max calling after me.  I walk down the front steps and sit on the fountain.  I ready my guitar and start playing.  After the first few notes I bring out my notepad and start writing the lyrics.  I smile and play more as I start singing what I wrote down.  My smile widens and everyone within earshot has turned to watch and listen.  Even Trevor and Justin, along with the other skaters, stop and watch.  Max and Grant are walking up to me as a crowd starts gathering.

    Grant brings out his drum pad and joins in as everyone starts clapping along.  I scream the last lyric hard, and start the solo.  Everyone cheers and watches closely while I shred the solo away.  I start singing again as Grant keeps his beat.  When it's finished everyone cheers loudly and start clapping.  I didn't even notice Chloe standing next to Max.