The Musical Boy

1

        "Who's that you're looking at, Quinn?" Leah teased, as I stared at a boy with his earbuds in. I hadn't met him before, but he seemed interesting. Like he had a story to tell. I couldn't really answer Leah's question, so I'm very glad Adam answered for me.

       "Oh, that's my little brother, Ryan," he said, pointing him out. Adam was a bit older than us, but he was cool. Didn't talk too much, but just enough to get stuff across. "I can bring him over here, if you want."

        I felt my face go red, as Leah giggled. "A crush already, Quinn?" she teased and told Adam to bring Ryan over. I started to panic. Not like that wasn't normal, I tended towards panicking. I saw Ryan take out one of his earbuds, and walk over. 

        "Ryan, this is Quinn, and Leah," Adam stated, "Quinn, Leah, this is Ryan." 

        "Hey," I said, trying to keep my cool. Not that I was very good at it. Ryan's eyes drifted towards my backpack, specifically to the side pocket. In there was my iPod. 

        "What kind of music do you listen to?" Ryan asked. He was so much better at conversation. 

        "I-l,l'm into alternative stuff. Panic! At The Disco, Fall Out Boy, Foster the People, that kind of stuff," I replied. 

        "Cool," He answered, "I prefer hip hop, like, Kanye West. I'm looking forward to his next album, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. But I do enjoy the chamber pop in Panic! At The Disco." 

        "Chamber pop?" I questioned. 

        "Sorry, I'm a music nerd," Ryan muttered, and I saw him blush.

        "I want you to explain it to me," I said, "that's how you learn about people, right? You learn from them?"

        "That might just be you," Ryan laughs, "but I'd be glad to explain it to you." Both of us were blushing again, and I noticed Leah holding in her laughter. I gave her a harsh nudge, and she returned the favour. The bell then rang, and he said, "Maybe we can continue this another time." 

        "Yeah," I replied, and Ryan walked back to his desk. 

        "I ship it," Leah whispered, and I blushed. 

...

        "So chamber pop is just pop with an orchestra?" I ask Ryan.

        "As opposed to synths," he corrects, and I nod.

        "I listened to some Kanye," I mention, to casually continue the conversation.

        "You did?" 

        "Yeah," I replied, "I liked it. Especially the way he uses vocals, and voice-like synths."

        "So I'm not crazy!" Ryan exclaims, "I've been noticing that in almost every song. I think it's really creative. I want to use that in my own music."

        "You're making your own music?" I clarify.

        "Yeah, I'm in a band with my brothers, Adam and Jack," He says. 

        "Jack?"

        "He's my little brother. He's in seventh grade," Ryan says, "Adam didn't tell you about him?" 

        "Adam doesn't talk about you all that much," I say.

        "That doesn't surprise me," Ryan laughs, "there are better things to talk about then me and Jack." 

        "I don't know about Jack," I reply, "but I really wish he told me about you beforehand." 

        Ryan laughs, "Really?"

        "Yeah," I answer, "You're pretty cool." 

        "Hope we can hang out again soon," he says.

        "See you soon," I reply, and after Ryan has left, I give Leah a call.

        "Girl, I'm stressed," I tell my best friend.

        "Meet me at Marble Slab, Q." 

        "Thanks, Leah." God, I love that girl. Leah's motto is "When in doubt, Ice cream." She's planning on having that as her grad quote. 

        I talked through my stress with my best friend and some ice cream. 

...