SKID OUT (#0.5 Heavy Influence)

Chapter 3 (ALYSSA)

I hadn’t been inside of Jake’s house in over two years.  We walked through the foyer and into the living room.  I was shocked by the change. I didn’t recognize one thing from years ago. The inside was totally remodeled. Gone was the 60’s-ish shag carpet, replaced with dark hard wood floors. The mute gray fabric sofas had been replaced with dark tan leather ones. They looked expensive and totally plush.  A huge TV, the size of a bay window, covered the far wall. And an electronic system, which rivaled something from Best Buy, stared back at me menacingly. Note to self: Never Touch That. The other wall, which was once solid, was now all windows, allowing a view of the pool and back yard. The back yard appeared to be the same. It had always been landscaped like an oasis with huge banana trees, ivy and those sweet smelling Gardenia flowers. I loved his back yard – it reminded me of being poolside in Hawaii.

“The computer’s in my room,” he said. “Oh, take the slaps off.  Kate doesn’t want us grimmin’ up or scuffin’ her shit. Like rubber will scuff, but whatever.” He shrugged and a flash of irritation ran across his face.

I stopped just short of the earth tone runner leading toward the hallway. “Oh, ok.” I said, kicking off my flip-flops. “Hey, just curious, why do you call your mom by her name?”

Jake looked at me with hooded eyes and a bent smile. “Because when we’re out doin’ band shit, the last thing I wanna shout out is – Hey Mom – so, naturally - .” He shrugged. “And at this point I prefer it.”

Walking over the yummy rugs in my bare feet, I could feel why Kate didn’t want them messed up. I sank in an inch they were so deluxe. We continued down the hallway until we reached a door at the end.  Jake had changed rooms. He used to be in the closest room to his mom’s, now he was the farthest.  The first thing I noticed was a French door opened at the other end of the room. It led out to the back yard. A hot tub was just to the right of it.  What a guy, I thought. Of course he’d want this room. I would. 

“Wow, this is cool, when did you switch rooms?” I said, marveling at how neat everything was. Matt’s room was a messy piece of shit compared to this. “I would die to have a hot tub right next to my room.  Dude, you have your own bathroom too!” I walked from one side to the other, scanning every inch of every surface. I landed on his bed, crossing my legs up underneath me, batting my eyes.  “I’ll trade you.”

“Ha, I’m sure you would,” he said, pensively. His eyes locked on mine and my hands went numb. He flashed his perfect smile at me and shook his head. “Is your dad still a hard ass?”

“Yep, the older I get, the more of a hard ass he is.  My poor guy friends don’t even come to the door anymore. They just hang on the corner until I come out.” I laughed at the thought.  But it wasn’t funny. He was way too strict and because of this my brother, sister and I always lied to him.  “But, he loves me, so what can I do?”

“You can’t do anything, and I see why he’s such a hard ass.” My hands tingled hearing his words.

 Was that a compliment?  Why would he say it like that? I felt the heat start to rise in my face.

“What?” he said perplexed.

“Nothing,” I laughed nervously, shaking my head. My spastic insides were getting the best of me, and I got up to look out into the back yard. Gah, I knew he totally caught me staring at him like an idiot. I scrambled to find anything to move me from my embarrassment, “When ya gonna pull up that music?”

“Hello, can’t you see I’m booting up my computer?”  He replied playfully.  “See, clearly this is why your dad is a hard ass.” He mocked me, chuckling. 

Finally, in a more neutral mood I walked over to Jake. I bent down, leaning over his shoulder as he pulled up his band website. I was impressed. It was done up professional, just like all the other hot bands out there. There was his picture, as big as life, staring back at me like someone I didn’t know.  He clicked on the music player and turned up the volume. Unfamiliar sounds streamed out of the speakers, a guitar riff and keyboard melody drifted out over the room.  Drumbeat followed and then a voice, a voice I didn’t recognize.  I really liked it, the alternative rock-punky vibe.  I closed my eyes.