Out of Tune: The Original 2015 Draft

Chapter 2

Music is just something that helps me escape and be totally free from everything

-David Schmitt

The rest of the week passed rather quickly. Mainly, I went to class, did my homework, avoided going home and learning my way around L.A. It wasn't easy, but I managed, and now I felt like I knew my way around, at least, I knew how to get to the major sights, fairly well.

It was Friday now. I had finally met my other locker partner; he happened to be a friend of Kyle's and was on the football team with the jerk himself. Though, from what I could tell, Michael wasn't as big of a jerk as Kyle, but he did keep pestering me to go out with him. I was worried that the only way he would ever shut up is if I finally did agree to go out with him.

I just wished that he would take the damn hint and leave me alone. That was all I wanted and it seemed that he wasn't going to give it to me.

Taylor had become a fixture in my life in just the week that I had been there. We got along better than I thought we would, although I had yet to speak to her of anything having to do with music, although I listened when she told me about the newest song she had bought, a generic song that was likely on ITunes's hit song chart. I pretended like I knew the song and that I liked the ground, when in all truth, I hated the group and the song. I just couldn't bring myself to tell her that.

Spencer had been MIA all week and I was starting to worry that I had scared him off. Which was why I was startled when the locker door to my right slammed open, catching me off guard.

Spencer was standing there, headphones in, eyes blank behind his glasses as he stored his belongings inside the metal contraption.

"Hey, Spencer," I greeted him. He didn't look over, just kept bobbing his head along to the music he was listening to. I shut my locker and leaned against it. I waved my hand in front of his eyes to get his attention. He turned towards me, a startled look in his eyes which quickly turned to guilt.

"Sorry," he muttered, apologetic as he took his headphones out. "What's up?"

"What are you listening to?" I asked.

He shrugged. "Nothing much, it's just the new Dead or Alive album. It came out yesterday and has already been on constant replay on my iPod."

"I thought it came out next week," I said, downcast. "If I had known I'm sure it would have been on my replay list as well."

Spencer smiled softly. "So how's your first week going?"

"Not too bad considering the fact that my tour guide ditched me on Monday and I've been struggling to find my way around." I nudged his shoulder playfully.

"Sorry about that. I went on an unexpected trip to Boston. My grandfather died." He didn't sound sad, just factual.

"Oh my god, I'm sorry. Are you okay?"

"Oh, yeah, I'm fine. It was really just a matter of time. He had a stroke last year and then a heart attack in May. It's basically just been a waiting game for him to die."

I shook my head at the way he was so easily able to play this off. Still, there was hurt in his eyes and I knew that it was bugging him more than he was letting on. I didn't want to push him though; I knew how it felt to lose someone close to you and sometimes, it's easier to tell a lie than admit the truth about how you really felt. At least, that had been my experience.

"Still, if you ever want to talk, my ears are always available," I said to him.

Spencer smiled gratefully. "Thanks, Aileen."