Becoming Starkid

A House Becomes a Home

CHAPTER THIRTYNINE:

            I land in L.A. and palm trees and sunshine greet me. I lean my head back and soak up the sun. I could get used to this. It is quite a nice change from the biting wind of Chicago. Darren rolls up in an old, wrecked, dirty car. He somehow shoves all my stuff in the trunk and we head off.

“Wanna listen to some music?” He asks.

“Sure,” I reply.

“Ok, we can listen to Passion Pit, or, well that’s it. The radio’s broken and that cd is literally stuck in there.”
“I guess Passion Pit is it then. Darren, why do you have such a shitty car?”

“What are you talking about? I love this car! And you liked it before.”

“So this is the same car you had when we first met? It was old then! You can definitely afford a new car Dare.”
“I’m attached to it, and it works perfectly, so why fix it if its not broke!”

“Well this car is going to cause us to be broken!” I joke

“Never. It’s wild and resilient. Kind of like you! It won’t fail me.”

“Did you just compare me to your shitty car?”

“It’s a compliment!”

“It’s not.”

“Okay, well anyway how did leaving Chicago go?”

“Um. It was alright.”

“Was it sad?”

“Saying goodbye to Lauren and Joey was kind of sad. I tried to find Joe to tell him I left but he is avoiding me. But people we’re busy you know? I guess they just didn’t care that I was leaving. Actually they were probably relieved; I cause more trouble then I’m worth.” I am being completely honest. People just didn’t care that much that I ran.

“Don’t say that Andy! Those are your friends, they are going to miss you!”

I shrug, “Sure. But they were Joe’s friends first so of course they are going to side with him.” Darren grips the steering wheel and looks legitimately angry, which rarely happens.

“Damnit you don’t get it Andy. We aren’t exactly a regular group of friends. And you are doing your stupid analyzing thing and you’re seeing it differently. Starkid is a family. Yeah, you and Joe have had complications, but no matter what happened, you’re family is going to love you and be there for you. Look at me! You guys could’ve been angry at me and acted like I abandoned you when I took this job with FOX but you supported me.”

“I guess you are right.”
“Of course I’m right! Remember, I’m smarter than you,” Darren says, all the jokiness that I love so much back,

“And it looks like we’re here!” I peered out the window at the small home we have stopped in front of. It’s an adorable house with warm brown walls and red window boxes.

“Uh, Dare, are you sure this is it?” I ask.

He laughs, “Of course I’m sure! You think I don’t know where I live?”

“Well, its just you told me you moved into an apartment close to glee.”

“Yeah, I did, but then I moved here. Yeah it’s a little longer of a drive but it’s a real house, with a yard and everything! And most importantly, it has room for you, and a bathroom,” he hands me a key and says dramatically, “So, roomie, unlock all the treasures!” I hear the door click and I step into the living room. It’s quaint, with various instruments intermixed with furniture and posters for old bands on the walls.