The New National Anthem

Falling Asleep On A Stranger

The drive to the Fuentes' household was the complete opposite of the drive to the airport. Instead of awkward silence, everyone was laughing and talking loudly. I smiled at the scene, zoning out. A hand was waved in front of my face a few times, and I was snapped out of my trance.

"Yeah?" I blushed, laughing. "Sorry, I was zoning out." Victor, or Vic as he liked being called smiled at me.

"That happen often?" He asked me, and I only shrugged in response. They all looked so happy, it was strange.

Was it something I could get used to? I wondered to myself. I didn't know anything about this family, other than their names and ages. My mother told me nothing, and my dad, as always, stayed out of my business. I thought my mom didn't talk to me enough? At least we fought. With my dad, there was nothing. Nothing to relate on, nothing to even fight about. I swear, maybe it was a good thing I was moving. Maybe this is what I really needed. At least it seemed like I could relate to these people. I laughed at the thought. 'These people.' They were my family, and I didn't even know them. Just as I was about to speak, we came to a complete stop.

"We're here!" My Aunt Vivian exclaimed, opening her car door and running to the back to get my bags.

"O-oh I can get those myself..." I said quietly, as Vic and Mike lugged out my suitcases. They both flashed me smiles and shook their heads.

"Nah, we're the guys. We have to prove our manliness somehow, right? Isn't that how the whole 'book of man' goes?" Vic joked. I laughed and shrugged again, following them inside the house and up the stairs. Mike opened the door for me, and I thanked him as I walked inside, looking at the bare walls. As they put my bags on the bed, I smiled at them.

"Thanks again, you guys."

"Anytime! Well... not really anytime.. we don't want you moving for a while." Vic smiled again, and hugged me.

Whoa, well that's new, I thought to myself.

"Well, we'll be in the garage for band practice for a few hours. Once you're done unpacking you should come and check us out!" He waved, walking out of the doorway. I nodded at first, and then my mind finally registered what he said. Band? What!? I opened the zippers as fast as possible, just throwing everything on the bed and the clothes into the dresser. I'd organize later, there's a band downstairs. I checked myself in the mirror before going downstairs and groaned at my reflection. Going back to the bed, I shuffled through my belongings, finding my brush and eyeliner. I had to touch up, just in case, right?

After making sure I was completely presentable, I trotted down the stairs and found the kitchen, opening the fridge. To my surprise, there was exactly what I wanted: an apple. I grinned, taking one and biting into it, and making my way into what seemed to be the garage, due to all the noise.

The first thing I saw when I walked in was Vic at the microphone. Hm, didn't exactly peg him for a singer, but okay. Looking at the rest of the band, I completely understood Mike being on the drums.. he wouldn't stop with the beats on the way home from the airport. There were two new guys, however. One on bass with spiky black hair and a blonde streak on the left most side of his hair, and the other on guitar with snakebites. Right as I made eye contact with the guitarist, my knees went weak and he stopped playing. As soon as the other guys realized the guitar was gone, they stopped and looked at him, and then looked towards where his gaze was; at me.

"Hi..." I choked out, waving at Vic and Mike, seeing there was a couch and went to sit on it. There was another girl there, who was staring at me as well.

What is with these stupid Americans. Just because they're free, doesn't mean they can stare. Oh, big deal. FREEDOM. BOOZE. MURRICA. I laughed at myself; snorting and earning more stares. The other girl on the couch laughed at me, and held out her hand.

"Hey, I'm Gabriela Perry, but you can call me Gabi." Her smile shined at me, and I shook her hand.

"I'm Daniela Rodriguez, their cousin from Mexico." I pointed at the guys, before laughing and shaking her hand back.

"I figured as much, you're all they've been talking about since their mom told them about you coming up. You see that one on the bass with the blonde streak? That's my boyfriend." She seemed so happy with the thought.

They must be a new relationship, I thought to myself.

"But the guitarist Tony, is my twin brother..." Gabi continued, "So, yknow. Go crazy or whatever."

I blushed at the thought and realized that the guys were still staring at me. I covered my face with my hands, quietly saying, "Take a picture, it'll last longer." Uncovering my face, I saw a camera phone flash at the last second, with Tony as the perpetrator. I took a pillow from the couch and threw it at him. "It's called sarcasm, you doof." He laughed at me, putting his phone back in his pocket.

Vic cleared his throat, staring at Tony. "That's my cousin, man..." He scratched the back of his neck.

"Good thing she's not my cousin... that'd be incest." Tony said quietly, laughing and covering his face with the neck of his guitar.