overwhelming [m.h]

[ 6 ]

"What rumors, babe?" Asked Sam with a worried look, I began holding my breath for a second. "That he's a junkie, that sort of thing." I somehow felt relieved to hear that, although it wasn't good, it would be worse to know that maybe he was some convicted criminal ready to murder the closest girl around him. Sam also released a sigh of relief, and punched Josh in the arm. "Babe, everyone here is a little bit of a junkie, I thought it was worse." Sam let out a laugh and then looked at me. I knew we had to talk, so we stood up and walked outside.

"Do you think Josh would hate it if we still go to the band's gig?" I shook my head, hoping that he hopefully didn't, but I wasn't sure. Josh cared a lot about things like drug addiction and drinking. He was the type to wait until he was 18 to even take a sip of alcohol. And because we were his best friends, we usually would stick to that ourselves as well. We were a little lame but at least we had fun, sober. "Man, I don't know, maybe we won't go." He said, and I could feel my anxiety rising, I couldn't go on my own, maybe I could take Den, but it would take a lifetime to convince her to come to the pub with me. My thoughts were interrupted once again by Sam's voice. "Ok, I'm gonna take him, and if he recognizes him or dislikes the music we're leaving." I nodded and we made our way back to the lunchroom. We sat once again, and we kept talking about some nonsense.

Once again, the day flew by, without us even realizing, and soon enough I was walking back home, this time with Matty, but also with the rest of the gang. I heard about how they passionately talked about some newly released video game and how they had to go buy it cause it seemed so good. I felt like a grandma, not being able to catch up with their game talk. However I enjoyed their chat. "Oh, by the way, Mae, haha that rhymed.." Adam began to speak but interrupted himself with his own thought process, "uh, we're gonna be practicing at Matty's place Friday night, for the gig, want to tag along?" He asked, I scanned all of their faces, trying to figure out whether they wanted me there or not, however, most of their faces seemed either a bit neutral, leaning into wanting my presence. "Sure, why not?" I smiled and they all smiled again. I looked at my shoes and soon enough we were in front of my house.

I waved goodbye to the band, and stood as Matty stayed behind a bit. I bit my inner cheek as I stood quietly in front of him. "If you want you can get there a bit earlier than the guys, so we can practice Blackbird." I smiled at his words and nodded, as I opened the door to my house and waved him goodbye. He smiled back and ran to catch up with the rest of the band. I could feel my heart pounding against my chest.

Soon enough, Friday came around, and at this point, walking to school with George and Matty had turned into a habit. I would laugh the entire way, listening to their antics. They told stories of how the band came to be, how they all met and how things were going, looking for a record deal, amongst other less important things like whether or not crabs could walk forward but they just chose not to. As soon as we touched school grounds, I would usually join my other group of friends and say goodbye to them for the day, or until I saw them scattered amongst my classes.

I was walking out of school with my headphones in, when I suddenly felt a newly gained weight on my shoulders. I looked to my right, and there was Matty, half hugging me, with a proud smile. "You're still joining us in a while, right?" I nodded, I hadn't forgotten, how could I? I loved bands and I had been quietly counting down the days to see them practice. "I just quickly have to drop by my house, and then I'll be on my way." Matty nodded, and then we were joined by George, who seemed excited about practice. Apparently, even though they had a couple of gigs here and there, this was the very first time they were requested to play anywhere, so that also meant getting paid.

Anyways, we stopped in front of my house and I waved at the two of them as I headed inside my house. "Wait!" Matty suddenly called out to me and I stopped on my tracks. "Uh, could you give me your number? So I could send you the address." I nodded and he handed me his phone. I put it in and saved myself with my name and a smiley face. I gave it back and made my way inside with a smile. My mom was sitting in the living room, looking at her phone, with a small bag besides her. She looked up at me and smiled.
"You're home ! I was about to head out but I wanted to say bye." I smiled and hugged her as I helped her put her bag in her car. "Remember I'll be in the hospital, if you need anything you have my cell, and the hospital's number is in the fridge, alrighty? I love you." She said urgently, as she kissed my forehead. She stepped into the car and drove away as she waved me goodbye. I stood by the front door, smiling at her, as she drove away. I sighed and made my way inside.