Little Drummer Boy

Touchdown

"So when the quarterback yells hike, the center gives him the ball and he has to pass it to someone," explained Vince as he leaned forward to toss a piece of popcorn into his mouth. He then fell back on the couch with a thud and slung his arm around me, the TV casting a blue light on his face in the dim lit room.

"Uh-huh, and what about that guy?" I asked, pointing to the guy on TV who caught the football. "What's he?"

"Uh, that's the running back. He either catches the ball, or blocks the other team," he answered. "And right now he's about to score a touch down!" Vince leaned forward in anticipation as the player ran past the end zone. He shot out of his seat and yelled touchdown, me following suit.

I laughed at his enthusiasm, adjusting the knot I had tied in the oversized football jersey I had borrowed from my brother, before sitting back down and crossing my legs, Vince following soon after.

"I didn't know you liked football so much," I admitted. "I always pegged you for more of the musical type, since you play drums and all."

"Well, I don't really like football that much. I usually just watch it with my dad and my brothers. I actually don't understand it that much either," he chuckled. "I looked up a bunch of stuff before you came over. I'm just hoping I got it all right."

"What?" I laughed and hit him on the shoulder. "Why'd you do that?"

"Well you said you wanted someone to teach you about football," he said with a sweet smile. "And I wanted to spend some time with you..."

I blushed as I brushed my curly hair out of my face. "Well that was waste," I said playfully. "Guess I'll have to find someone else to teach me now."

"Oh yeah?" Vince scoffed as he raised his eyebrows.

"Let's see..." I continued to mess with him as he moved in closer. "Maybe Aiden, or Luca, or ooh! Maybe Jace, he is the school linebacker-"

I stopped talking when Vince put his hand on top of mine. I looked at our hands then into his eyes. He was looking at me, too. I didn't think about it, but before I knew it we were both leaning in.

We were interrupted by the opening of the front door and the lights being flicked on. I snapped my head toward the direction of obnoxious laughing.

As my eyes adjusted to the light I saw two older boys, one with long hair tied up in a man bun and one with shorter hair full of gel, entering the room, each holding a four pack of Bud Light.

"Woah, woah, woah," the boy with the longer hair said as he noticed me and Vince. "What do we have here?" I pursed my lips as Vince rolled his eyes.

Hair gel boy chuckled. "I'm sorry, were we interrupting something?"

"No, Tris, we were just watching the Eagles game," Vince replied with a sigh. I picked at my nails, feeling out of place in this situation.

"Well you're wasting your time," Man bun said with a laugh. "They got lucky with the super bowl. They suck, dumb ass. Patriots is where it's at." He gestured to the New England team logo on his hoodie.

"You're a band wagon and you know it," Vince retorted.

"Well?" Tris said, breaking the awkward silence. "Aren't you going to introduce us?"

"Right. Uh, guys, this is my friend Raelynn. Raelynn, these are my brothers, Tristin and Caden."

"Hi," I said with an awkward wave. I wish I hadn't waved. Tris gave me a head nod and Caden winked at me.

"Hey, why don't you guys go to the basement so you can drink your booze in your Douche cave," Vince suggested.

"That was cold, little bro," Tris said as he sat in the armchair diagonal from the TV.

"Besides, we always watch the games together," Caden reminded Vince as he plopped down on the recliner across from the armchair. "Who else would explain everything to you, little drummer boy!" He exclaimed as he opened a beer and took a swig.

"Pa rup pum pum pum!" Tris sang and Caden snorted, Beer dripping from his mouth. I scrunched my nose in disgust. These boys were baboons. "Hey toss me one!" Caden tossed a beer to Tris. He caught it and opened it, liquid fizzing out of the top and dripping down the can. Tris slurped it off the sides before tilting it to his mouth.

Vince's nostrils flared as he glared daggers at his brothers. I had to get to get out of there.

"Well, this has been fun but I actually have to go," I announced as I stood up from the couch and made my way to the door. Tris booed and Caden shouted "party pooper" as Vince quickly followed me.

"Hey, hey," Vince said as he caught up to me in front of the door while I slipped on my UGGs. "You really have to go?"

"You really expect me to stay?" I scoffed and turned to grab my coat.

"Rae," he said. I turned back to him and he placed his hands on my shoulders. "I'm sorry. I really am. I didn't know they'd be home this early."

"It's okay," I sighed. "It's not your fault. I feel bad you have to live with such imbeciles."

He laughed as his arms returned to his sides. "Not gonna lie, you never really get used to it." I chuckled in return.

"Well, I really should get going," I reminded him as I put on my coat. "I'll see you at school tomorrow."

"Yeah, totally," he said as I opened the door. "Oh, wait! Are you still coming to the show this weekend?"

"Of course! Luna and I have been dying to see you play."

"Luna and I?"

"Yeah, I told her about it and she wanted to come...is that a problem?"

"No, no! There's no problem. The more the merrier I guess..." he trailed off.

"...Okay. Well, I'll see ya," I said goodbye for the third time that night as I walked out the door. Vince shut it behind me, and as soon as it closed I heard voices from inside.

"Atta boy Vince!" shouted Tris.

"Little drummer boy gettin' some!" teased Caden.

Then I heard Vince. "Ah, shut up. It's not like that."

"Yeah? Then what's it like?" I heard Tris ask.

And then silence.