Chasing The Dream

Chapter 2

The bell rang and everyone rushed to get out of the classroom. I stayed in my seat while I waited for Alex to get all of his stuff together. I was so nervous that my right leg kept bouncing up and down. I've tried to stop that habit but there's no cure. Mackenzie even sat on my leg once to get me to stop but my leg kept bouncing up and down. It usually only happens when I'm nervous, bored, or impatient.

"Are you okay?" I hear Alex ask.

"Yea why wouldn't I be?" I ask him.

"Um 'cause you keep bouncing your leg." he says slowly.

"Oh right. That's normal for me. Who do you have next?" I ask as a way to change the subject.

"I've got English with Mrs. Duncan." he says.

"Same here. Follow me." I tell him as I walk out of the classroom.

"So what genre of music does your band play?" I ask as a way to break the silence. "It's like an alternative, pop-punk kind of thing." he answers. "Really? I love that kind of music!" I say enthusiastically. "You know I would say you could come to a gig but without a lead singer that's kind of impossible right now."

We walk into English and I sit down beside Mackenzie who beat me to the room. Alex takes the seat next to me.

"Good morning class! I hope you all had a fun summer, but unfortunately it's back to work." Mrs. Duncan says. She's probably one of the most awesome teachers in the entire school. She doesn't take any crap, but she let's us have fun. She gives everyone a syllabus and we spend the rest of the class period going over it.

Finally it's lunch time! Everyone is in a mad dash to get food, and when I step into the cafeteria the aroma of pizza, fried chicken, and mystery meat overwhelms me. I head outside to the tree that my friends and I always sit at, and I'm immediately bombarded with questions about Alex.

"Where is he from?" asks Audrey. She has long curly blonde hair and really blue eyes. "Why did he move here?" asks Meredith. She's got long curly brown hair and brown eyes. "Does he have a girlfriend?" asked Elizabeth. Elizabeth has long straight brown hair and brown eyes also.

"Ladies, ladies," I say as a way to get their attention, "I don't know any of the answers to those questions, but I do know that he is in an alternative/pop-punk band." that definitely got their attention.

"Oh. My. God." Blake says with wide eyes. Then the five of them squeal really loud, catching the attention of the people around us. "Guys what did I say about squealing?" I ask exasperated. "Uh that we couldn't do it." Audrey says. "Exactly."

"Anyway, how come you and Alex walked into the room together after you went to the bathroom in Mr. White's class?" Blake asks me. "Well what happened was that I literally ran into him and he asked me where Mr. White's class was. Then we started talking and he mentioned the band and how they don't have a lead singer anymore and they are looking for a new one. Then we walked in the classroom." I explain.

"Wait they need a new lead singer? You should totally try out Kat!" Elizabeth exclaims. "Yea!" the rest of them call out. "What? You guys know how I am about performing in front of other people!" I argue. "But Kat this is your chance!" Meredith says. "I don't care! I can't do it you guys" I say frustrated.

"You know in ten years you will be a police officer, then you will get stuck in the middle of a shoot out, and your last thought before you die will be that you wish you tried out for that band in high school." Mackenzie says.

"And I don't care if you want to or not. I will drag you by the arm and you WILL try out." Blake says forcefully.

"Jeez guys! All right if I agree to try out will you stop bugging me about it?" I said defeated.

"Deal!" they all yell out.

The end of lunch comes along and I meet Alex outside of the cafeteria like we had arranged. Thankfully we didn't have this next class together because I don't know how much longer I could restrain myself from saying something stupid.

A few hours later school ends, and I am so happy that I nearly jump for joy. I run out to my car and meet Blake and Mackenzie there. Suddenly I hear the low growl of thunder in the distance and Blake squeaks out of fear. "Okay guys lets go before this storm comes." I say hurriedly.

About ten minutes later I had dropped Blake and Mackenzie off at their houses. As soon as Mackenzie is back in her house it starts pouring and I quickly head home to get out of the rain. Two minutes later I see a figure in the distance. Once I get closer I realize that it's Alex. I pull over beside him and roll the window down.

"You know you should really get out of the rain. I can drive you the rest of the way to your house." I offer.

"That sounds freaking fantastic!" he responds happily.

He jumps in the passenger seat and I pull away from the curb. I have no idea what I'm going to say so we fall into an awkward silence. Then one of my favorite songs, Ignorance by Paramore comes on and I can't help but sing along.

When the song is over I look over at Alex and see that his jaw has dropped and his mouth is wide open.

"Uh sorry about that. I can't help but sing along to that song." I apologize.

"Why the hell are you apologizing? That was amazing!"

"Oh um thanks." I say bashfully.

"Are you doing anything tomorrow? I really want you to meet the band!" he asks.

"No I'm free tomorrow. But why do you want me to meet the band?" I ask cautiously.

"Well 'cause I think you should be our new lead singer!"

"What?! Really?" I ask totally amazed.

"Yes really. So will you?" he begs. "Sure." I say a little uncertain. "Great! This is my house right here." he says.

After I drop him off I go home and just sit on my bed wondering why the hell I'm going to do it. I contemplate whether or not I should call the girls but I decide that it would be better for me to tell them in person.