"Where in the holy hell is that racket coming from?" Jayden asks, covering his sensitive ears while Rhea and I search for the thundering sound.
"Geez man, that's some solid skill right there." Guinevere appears out of nowhere, comments and then disappears like that ghost dude from Polar Express.
Following the rise in intensity as we weave through the undercover labyrinth structure of Enmore school trying to locate the area. "I think the music ensemble have rehearsal in building B." She informs, pocketing her phone and waving to colourful assortments of students who recognise her somehow.
"What building is Drama in?" The beat booms in my chest the same way a subwoofer bass shakes your skeleton during a concert. "C." Momentarily swarmed by a buzzing group of over enthusiastic athletes dressed in sports gear, Jayden and J shimmy through the tiny gaps they leave in their wake.
"And Music is building A?" She nods.
"Typical, they've put us in order of what they consider most and least desirable. Drama's always been considered a weaker career choice compared to dancing and music, unless you're gay, then it tends to be the reverse." He misses a fly zooming around us, clapping thin air.
It's true but I argue, "I don't hear anyone saying that once they get their Oscar." Jayden agrees but there is no use vocalising it when the instrument volume is at it's strongest where we stand in awe outside a large demountable.
I think he tries to say, "This guys got some talent." but the noise is so powerful for all I know he could've said, "Dis bygone stunt Allen."
Ok now I realise how ridiculous that is. Some guy or rather, drum God pounds on the instruments, flicking sweat from his hair every headbang whip. An impressive set of defined arms raps expertly on the bass, multitasking the snare, symbols and high hat synchronously.
"Holy shit, this guy is mad!" My habit for being naturally loud ends in another awkward mistake, accidentally yelling the sentence directly after the drummer finishes.
All present musicians turn to my red face taken aback. Jayden and Rhea shift offside, out of view wanting no association with me.
"It was meant as a compliment." I add desperately, offering a round of applause which no one continues, leaving me hanging in pure bewildered silence.
This lasts until an agape mouthed Mr Canon clears his throat. "Well, those aren't the exact words I'd use but it has the same effect... what she said." They clap in dribs and drabs. "Thank you for your input Jordan." Dang, a surefire sign that you're notorious among teachers is when they know you're name despite never being their student.
"Glad to provide feedback." I reply meekly holding a lousy thumbs up.
"Thank you, Noah, see you tomorrow and uh...just keep practicing." He says the last part yawning, snuggling up, knees to chest in his front row chair.
Hang on, Noah? The musician stalks down the numerous rows of seats where I can better see him. "Was that you? JJ, right?" He asks adjusting his cuffed shirt sleeves, baring more of his sweat drenched arms.
At least they have air conditioner. I almost respond which would've been embarrassing because he aims the question to a weight shifting Jayden. "Oh, uh, I guess."
I slide out of sight but still within earshot of the conversation, taking up residence beside Rhea leaning against the grey interior wall. "Yeah, you're friend told me about you." Noah says, ignoring my fake choking and head shaking 'no' behind Jay's shoulder.
"You alright?" Rhea asks arching a dubious eyebrow.
Sipping the lemon infused water from my backpack, I mumble a mmhmm to answer her. "She did huh? What exactly did she say?" Jayden folds him arms judgingly while Noah wipes his dripping face using his black shirt hem, supplying an eyeful of flat abs.
If Jay's eyes could speak they'd cry, "God deserves a medal for this one." If I was straight I'd be inclined to agree. "Nothing much really, just that you thought I was attractive or something."
Now is my turn to actually choke, coughing and spluttering mid sip while Rhea pats my back considerately. "You don't say." He drones threateningly but what I hear is say your prayers Jordan. Trust me, I am.
Last time he spoke in that manner karma bit me in the ass so hard and fast in the form of his mega gay cousin whom he dumped on me while he attended other engagements. FOR. SEVEN. HOURS.
Starting to regret my spur of the moment decision. "Sorry, I guess." Jayden gestures apologetically between them, "She likes to poke fun."
"So it wasn't true?" Noah asks, confusion etched in his olive features.
"Uh, well, it was, is, it is true. Yes, I said that." My turn to snicker at his unfortunate luck, Rhea picks up on the situation, communicating via text.
You evil sneak, I see what's going on here
I shoot back a winking emoji. She playfully shoves my shoulder with hers, I get lost in her easy smile not noticing Jayden has ended the conversation and is lurking toward me. "Tell my mom I love her." I say to Rhea before sprinting out of the demountable, a furious Jay hot on my heels.
"You over involved Lesbian!" He calls avoiding thin streams of puzzled pupils, tailing my exact path his long strides working against my favour.
"You're welcome." I shout back skidding on loose gravel, ploughing through wooden double doors, my sneakers screech on the hard pecan floor at the glorious sight. Jayden incidentally does the same, brushing my arm in the process to catch himself.
We freeze. Demi is on stage, moving her body in such fluid, consecutive movements, a combination of contemporary style meets hip hop.
She is flexible, raising a straight leg overhead and twirling on the spot it was mesmerising. I don't know how long we stood there, staring at her, a huge contrast to our reaction viewing Noah in his element but this.
Her face is so calm, everything she does is smooth and without fault. An instant of pure serenity, ending in a hair flip and body roll from head to toe.
It is total bliss.
Just then, Jayden ruins the calm atmoshpere while getting his revenge faster than I could've ever predicted, needlessly shouting like a deaf person.
"What did you say, Jordan? You think Demi looks like a goddess up there?"
YOU ARE READING
Chapstick Boi
Teen FictionMeet Spooky or more commonly known as, 'the over involved Lesbian', 'Spooky scary skeletons' and 'JJ'. Doesn't matter what you call her, she's still gay. You've heard all those stories surrounding closeted gays who suffer in silence, hiding their se...
