Love is a Verb

Love is a Verb Part 2

I awake to my phone buzzing at 6:00 am, an hour earlier than I set my alarm for. I see a text from my brother. Eli, can you bring me to school early today? There's a student council meeting I forgot about and Dad already left for work. I sigh and get up to get ready. I call down the hall, "James, I'll bring you but my car's pulling out at 6:55. Be there or take the bus!" He shouts a thank you and I hear drawers slamming as he scrambles to get dressed.

I meander down the stairs and make myself and James some breakfast. He stomps into the kitchen, backpack in hand, a full five minutes early. I smile, "Wow, I'm impressed. This student council thing must be pretty awesome." He rolls his eyes and grabs the toast I hand him. We eat our breakfast, and as we're about to head out the door I hear my sister walking downstairs. She sees James all ready to leave, and crosses her arms. "And why does he get a ride to school when I have to take the bus?" I sigh, "Danny, he has a student council meeting. Listen if you're ready to go I'll bring you too. But we're leaving now." She smiles and bolts up the stairs to grab her bag. In an instant she's back in the kitchen. I yell up to my Mother, "Mom, I'm taking the twins to school. Love you!" She tells us to have a good day, and off we go.

By the time I get the twins all set and get myself to school, I'm running a little late. I shove my bag into my locker and head off to piano class with Mrs. A. I sit down as the bell rings, which earns me the Mrs. A eye. She starts class, and before I know it we're off playing our pieces. Since it's only our second class, we're mostly learning scales and such, so my mind wanders and I think about band class later.

At the end of class I head out to my locker and grab my English binder. I start walking down the hall when Sam runs into me. I smile, "Woah, two days in a row. I guess this is a new year, new you!" She laughs and shrugs, "Well, I figure for at least the first week I should keep up good attendance. I have Shafer though, so I better get going. Catch you later E." I plop down at my desk, and prepare for another boring English class. Our teacher, Mrs. King walks into the classroom, and pulls some books down off the shelf. She scans the room and her eyes land on me. She smiles, "Mr. Forester, could you please help me pass these out?" I sigh, but get up and help. I clutch a stack, and notice that we're reading Romeo and Juliet. Great, this will be the third time I've read it. I roll my eyes. Oh well, at least this paper will be an easy a.

The rest of class is spent divvying up the parts, and starting the play. By the time the fog horn calls, I'm half asleep. I make my way to the library for study, and am pleasantly surprised to see some of my friends are actually here with me. I make my way towards the group, and they all smile when they see me. Jenny gives me a hug, "Eli, it's been forever! How are you?" I laugh, "Jenny, I saw you last week at Megan's party. I'm good though." We laugh together and decide that study is overrated. Kyle pulls a board game off the shelf and an intense game of Scrabble unfolds. As the bell rings we are all reluctant to gather our things. Kyle sighs, "Eh, I guess we better get to class. Hey, at least it's almost lunch time!" As I head back to the band room for choir I remember that it's almost time for band.

Choir seems to take an eternity, and my heart is not really into singing right now. I sit in the back of the guys section, and am happy that Jack has developed a booming bass voice over the summer. I let him lead our section and zone out for most of the class. Finally the bell tolls, and I excitedly put my choir folder away. Mrs. A stands at the front of the room, and I walk over to see how I can help get the class ready to go. A gigantic grin fills her face as I approach.

She pats my shoulder, "Alright, he should be here soon. The game plan is that we're going to get everyone down to the auditorium. It's much nicer there, and the acoustics are better than in here. I think he's going to play us a little something." I smile even harder, I'm going to get to hear John Mayer play live, at my high school. She continues,, "So I'm going to take the class down, and I want you to go to the office to wait for him to get here, alright?" I nod and she smiles again. "Okay, thank you Eli. Just take him over to the auditorium and then we can get started!" I put my stuff back in the cubby, and walk to the office.

My heart feels like a jackhammer in my chest as I sit on the bench waiting. I picture a grand entrance, with security and all. A few minutes go by, and then I spot a black Jeep pull into the parking lot. No limo, no other cars following, just a black Jeep. I watch as John steps out and shuts the door. He starts towards the entrance. I hear him ring the bell, and before I know it he's right there in the office with me. I admire his outfit as he signs in. Typical John Mayer, with a simple v neck tee shirt, accompanied by a brown leather jacket. His pants are dark blue jeans, and he has a nice pair of Timberlands on. After he signs in, the receptionist points at me, and he turns my way.