As Long As You Care: A Ruel Novel

Not Thinkin' Bout You Part 2

You

"Hi Brooklyn, how have you been?" "Great, how are you?" "Good, I heard you got a job at a recording studio that's so cool!" We stood on the sidewalk talking as leaves fell to the ground. I hadn't seen Ruel all summer, but that didn't mean that he never crossed my mind. In fact, he was basically the only thing that ever did. "Yeah, my parents kept telling me I needed to get a job and I heard there was one open as assistant technician, so I took it. It's more exciting than I thought it would be. I get to hear all these artists before they become famous or everyone else knows about them. Your friend Ruel went in there he's one of the best I've heard." "What! You're kidding." "No, I'm not he's amazing. Have you talked to him since your big fight?" I shook my head, "That's a shame. I'm sure he'd love to talk to you; he's was totally into you." I laughed, "Definitely not. Did you see how mad he was at the party?" She just raised her eyebrows and said, "Talk to him.

Ruel

Is that (your name)? No that's not her, of course it's not, why would she want to see me. I don't know why but I've been imagining her everywhere lately, I really need to get over it. It's been almost 3 months. I plug in my headset and lean into the microphone. The sign on the door flashes the neon letters "Recording" And I listen for the track to start. "I been telling my friends I'm cool I've finally got you out my head, but if I gotta walk by your house I'll take the long way home instead. Because I guess if I saw you outside and you act like you are mine, I won't let myself forget. Cause every time every time every time I see you, I know I'm not ready yet. No I don't want somebody else, so I just lie to myself just to prove I'm not thinkin bout you" I finish recording the section of the song and see someone in the window of the studio. It's not going to be her Ruel just let it go, but then someone walks in. I rub my eyes, but it's still her. She's here. What do I say to her? "Hey, that's a good song is it from your notebook?" "Yeah." Ugh I'm so stupid, Yeah? Really? "I'm really sorry, about umm, everything." "No, I'm sorry I shouldn't have kissed Xander. Honestly, I just did it to make you jealous." Wow. She really does like me. My heart is beating faster. "I understand. I really liked you, and that made me super angry, but I shouldn't have exploded like that." she's smiling, and her cheeks are red, "What's the song about?" Without thinking I say, "You." Now I'm the one blushing we both just laugh nervously. "Can we just be friends again Ruel." "No. Not just friends." I say, and I lean forward, and she does too. Finally, I'm right where I want to be.