Catch Me

Chapter Forty-Six: Dude, Lay Off

Chapter Forty-Six: Dude, Lay Off 

The Christmas season had fallen over the city of Burlington. Christmas lights hung over the street lamps of the city, glowing brightly in the cloudy December afternoon. Snow had covered the ground, in promises of a white Christmas. The UVM campus was buzzing with excitement for the end of the semester, and the Christmas break. Haleigh had been spending most of her time with Zander and the rest of The Wailing Donkeyz as they rehearsed for the last gig at Kappa Sigma before students went home for the holidays.

Haleigh sat on the old worn out couch that was off to the side of the unfinished basement as she worked on some last minute geometry homework. Jackson was becoming more and more annoyed with his fellow band members.

"Dylan!" Jackson warned, his anger getting the better of him. "Who calls themselves a drummer when they can't even hold a beat?"

Haleigh looked up from her homework as she heard the unnecessary anger escape Jackson's mouth. She didn't think Dylan was off beat at all, at least from what she was hearing. Dylan looked down at the cement floor of the basement, ashamed.

"Dude, lay off." Alvin stepped in, letting his guitar fall to his side. Alvin and Dylan were always arguing. It was weird to see Alvin take Dylan's side. "Just because you got a pole shoved so far up your ass, doesn't mean you can talk to us like that." He had a point.

"What do you know about it Alvin? You've been off key for the last three songs!" Jackson threw his hands in the air.

"And you." Jackson spat as he turned to Zander who was standing off to the side, he had his hands on his hips, and a stern expression on his face as if he was silently telling Jackson to 'try me.' Zander had no intention of being yelled at for no reason. Rehearsal was going well, their songs were almost flawless. There was absolutely no reason for Jackson's outburst. "This is a no boyfriend or girlfriend area!" He gestured around the basement as he clearly talked about Haleigh as if she wasn't in ear range. "She's distracting you!"

"What are you talking about? Toby is here every other day!" Zander fired back. He wasn't about to let Jackson make up random rules that had never been enforced before.

"Yeah, well not anymore." Jackson's voice lowered, and he turned slowly before heading up the stairs and out of sight. It was clear by this statement what was bothering Jackson.

"What was that about?" Dylan wondered as he gently tapped his drum stick on his thigh. Silence filled the basement as no one bothered to reply to their drummer.

Haleigh stood from the worn out couch, packed her homework away, and walked toward Zander.

"I have to get to class. Can't be late on the last day of the semester." Haleigh told her boyfriend. He pulled her close and kissed her lips.

"Coming over afterward, or am I going to your dorm?" Zander smiled as he looked Haleigh in the eyes. He had been loving spending as much time as he could with Haleigh. When she wasn't spending the night in his bed, Zander would squeeze in tightly next to Haleigh in her twin sized dorm room bed. It wasn't the most comfortable sleeping arrangement, and he much preferred when they stayed at his apartment, but he was growing more and more used to having Haleigh by his side as he slept.

"I'll come over." She answered, then kissed Zander a second time. "Go talk to him." She suggested as she gestured toward the stairs in Jackson's direction.

Haleigh wasn't surprised when she was the first to walk into O'Malley's classroom. She was about a half hour early, but she was desperate to get away from the drama that was unfolding with The Wailing Donkeyz. She was worried about Toby after she had heard the comment from Jackson. What did he mean by "not anymore."? Did Toby and Jackson break up? They were always so happy. She couldn't think of anything that might break those two up.

Haleigh sighed as she pulled her textbook out of her bag and she continued to work on the last equation that was to be turned in today.

Haleigh's phone buzzed in her pocket. She fished it out and glanced at the screen.

Haleigh's brother's name shown back at her.

Jay: Can't wait to see you little sis!

Haleigh smiled. She was excited to see her brother over the Christmas break.

Haleigh: Can't wait to see you either! Are you already home?

Jay had had to travel over 6 hours from his current base in New York to be with his family for the holiday.

Jay: Yes ma'am!

Haleigh: How's dad doing?

Haleigh had neglected to talk to her dad in a few weeks, and though she felt guilty, it was nice not having to worry about the drunken words that might escape his lips if they had talked.

Jay: He's actually sober....

Jay: Since before Thanksgiving, I think.

Haleigh: huh.

She didn't believe that for a second. There wasn't a world where she could picture her dad sober. He had been an alcoholic for far too long to just quit cold turkey, and without anyone's support.

Jay: Are you leaving after your last class today?

Guilt flooded through Haleigh's veins yet again, as she read this text from Jay. That had been the plan. She was supposed to leave the campus for home as soon as American Lit let out. But she still hadn't told Zander that she was going home for a week. One more night. That's all she needed, so she could spend one last night snuggled up close to Zander before she was forced to sleep in her cold, Zanderless bed at home.

Haleigh: Probably will stay one more night here.

Jay: Why? It's supposed to snow tomorrow. It's clear tonight.

Haleigh: I just have some last minute things I need to do. But I will be there first thing in the morning!

She promised her brother.

Jay: Okay. Just be safe tomorrow. Roads are supposed to be really bad.

Haleigh: Yes dad.

She rolled her eyes before putting her phone away. Students had begun to fill up the empty classroom. O'Malley stood in the front of the class, as he wrote equations on the blackboard.

Haleigh's heart dropped as Toby walked into the classroom. He took his normal seat by Haleigh, but he was obviously upset about something. His eyes were red and puffy. His normally cheerful smile was replaced with a frown, and he had the hood of his sweatshirt pulled up over his blonde hair.

"Toby?" Haleigh whispered, worried about her friend.

"I'm fine." He insisted sternly, not wanting to talk about it. He then pulled out his homework, as he waited for the class to start.

This is such a bad chapter, but i needed another filler. Hope you all are doing well. Vote, comment, do all the things.
More exciting chapters will be here soon! <3 love to you all!