Sky is the limit / Billy Hargrove

Chapter Eight - The Record Store (3)

We arrive to the record store with no problems and we go our separate ways once we walk inside. I'm not sure what Billy is looking for and to be honest besides the Black Flag album, I don't really know what I want either.

As I rummage through all the piles, I realize I keep stealing glances at Billy. I try to reason that I am just curious to know what music he is searching through, but that would be a lie. I know it's because he is looks more attractive today than usual, if that's even possible. I think it's the leather jacket he has on.

He looks up at me, as if he knows I am thinking about him, but I quickly move my eyes back to the records not wanting to be caught staring at him.

I look up again thinking he has looked away by now, but I am met with his blue eyes staring back at me. I smile at him before I start to feel my cheeks warm up. I move my hair to block my face when I look back down so he can't see I'm blushing.

I'm not sure how much time has passed when Billy walks up to me.

"Thoughts on them?" Billy asks, holding up 'Out of Step' an album by Minor Threat.

"I really liked their song 'Seeing Red', I think that's what it was called anyway. I like listening to them when I just want to jump around my room or get ready for a party. However, I have not listened to this album." I admit, taking the vinyl from his hand and scanning the list of songs.

"I think they are going to really influence the way punk rock is going to sound in the years to come. I was reading about them in some magazine and they are pretty rad. They don't sing about drugs or sex like most bands, they are actually anti-punk rock scene. Pretty radical, don't you think?" I continue ranting to him.

He nods his head. "I have to admit, I don't know much about punk rock and now I feel dumb. I asked the store clerk where the punk rock was and I thought this vinyl cover was the coolest."

My eyes go wide at his confession. "Oh my god, Hargrove you have so much to learn. The Ramones, The Clash, The Sex Pistols, Bad Brains, I mean the list just goes on and on."

He rolls his eyes at me."Yeah, yeah I know. Did you find anything good?" He asks, seeing I have a few records in my hand.

"Uhh yeah, they had the album I wanted and a few others. Not really anything else though, I'll probably need to put in a request for a vinyl of Joy Division, another punk rock band I like." I tell him while I walk over and begin to pay for everything. "What about you?" I ask, noticing he is empty handed.

"Nah, I don't have a record player" he says shrugging his shoulders, before walking out the door.

I knit my brows in confusion and quickly walk after him once I get a bag with my new records. "So why did we come to the record store then? We could have done something else." I explain.

He looks at me, seeming like he was choosing his next words carefully, "I thought you would like to come here." He admits before getting into his car.

I smile at his words and can feel my cheeks growing warmer. I climb into the passenger side and look over at him.

"Yeah, I did like coming here," I tell him honestly. I then put my hand on his knee and give it a small squeeze, "Thank you."

I remove my hand realizing that not everyone is comfortable with touching like Steve. I probably have just made him extremely uncomfortable now.

Instead he surprises me by taking my hand and giving it a kiss. I almost let my mouth fall open at his action, not expecting him to do that but I somehow am able to remain calm.

"Alright Hargrove, take me home already."

I tell him how to get to my house in between our conversation about his thoughts on Hawkins. He pulls into the empty driveway, great another night my parents won't be home.

"You wanna come inside?" I decide to ask last minute, not sure what came over me. I run my hands through my hair, suddenly feeling nervous. "I was just gonna do some homework, listen to some records." I ramble, letting my nerves show through my speech.

God, I need to stop feeling like this around him, it's embarrassing.

He stares at me for a while before answering, "I normally would jump at the chance to come inside, especially when it's a beautiful girl asking me, but I have to watch Max tonight. My dad and Susan are going out to dinner or something." He admits, and I try not to appear as disappointed as I am feeling.

I shrug my shoulders "Alright, I'll see you tomorrow I'm sure." I tell him, opening the door.

"Well, how about I come over after school tomorrow? The only thing I need to do is drop Max off at the arcade later on." He asks, keeping his cool composure as usual.

Secretly I wonder if he gets nervous at all asking me to hang out with him. "I need to hear more about this band Joy Division, and all the other bands you listen to." He saying almost teasingly.

I smile and shake my head yes, "I think we could do that. You need to discover the world of punk rock ASAP." We say good bye and I finally get out of his car.

Before I reach my door I hear him yell something at me. I turn to look at him and yell what back.

He opens the driver door and stands from it yelling back at me "Give me your number!".

I grab a pen from my book bag and walk over to him. Writing my number on his arm.

"Expect a call tonight. Having to watch Max is like watching paint dry, I am going to need entertainment." He explains, as if he needs to justify me giving him my number.

"Don't know how entertaining I will be, but I will do my best." I respond, sending him a wink and turning around to walk back to my door.

Once I get inside I realize I have a big smile on my face. Control your emotions Sky, he's just a boy.