Blackmailed Into The Band

Punk Rock Double-Dates

Everyday after school, we visited Josh and made sure he was doing okay. He was recovering quickly but was still in no shape to attend school. We brought him his schoolwork every afternoon and Phillip showed him how to do it.

It was Thursday and we were in his kitchen, eating an apple and encouraging him to eat one too.

It turns out that he stopped eating over the past few days, hoping it'd numb him a bit. Unfortunately for all of us, it doesn't work that way. Vultures don't eat bones.

" Come on, it's really sweet," Carter said, biting into a dark red apple.

I ate mine in silence, giving up on helping Josh. I'd even sliced his apple, hoping it'd be more appealing since everyone knows sliced apples are better than regular ones.

" I'm not hungry," Josh said again, pushing his fruit away.

" Eat at least half of it," I bargained, watching his jaw tense.

After a few seconds, he picked up a slice and started eating as I smiled. " Thank you," I said.

He barely nodded.

We started talking about random things. Carter planned to make his cat internet famous and then Aidan joined in, telling us that he hated cats.

Phillip stayed quiet, like always, unless he had something to say or was spoken to. His electric green eyes would dart from Josh's plate to Josh, over-analyzing and worrying like me.

" I have to go," Carter said, checking his phone. Aidan walked him to the door and then came back.

" I have to use the bathroom," Josh said and got up. He left before anyone said anything.

After a few minutes of silence, we heard him gag. I was the first to jump out of my chair and run to him. I begged him to stop which made him cry but he didn't force himself to throw up anymore.

Aidan walked in, looking pissed off. " I'm going home," He said, glaring at Josh.

Phillip joined us after a door slammed.

" Aidan was upset," He said.

" Why?" I asked, hugging Josh and being careful to not hurt his cast.

" He doesn't like seeing Josh like this. If he comes off as rude, don't take it to heart. Yesterday he threatened to splatter my head against the wall but it's just his way of coping," He shrugged.

" Oh. Aidan's... Weird," I frowned as Josh hugged me back.

Phillip looked uncomfortable.

" Are you two... Something?" He asked, running a hand through his hair.

" No," I said, letting go of Josh. As I caught him looking at the sink, I held onto him again.

Phillip smiled," I can see you two as something. Maybe... Maybe give it a shot," He suggested. There was nothing behind his voice other than encouragement. I glanced at Josh who had some color in his face for the first time.

" I should go," Phillip said. " Josh, you should start um... Guitar lessons. The sooner she learns, the faster we can write, help others through music..." He trailed off and smiled before leaving.

It was just me and Josh. I hugged him again, feeling his good arm press me against him. I've never hugged a guy so tightly before. Honestly, big bad Alexia has never hugged any guy before.

" Guitar lessons," Josh said after a while. " How much do you know?"

" I've been practicing with Jimi Hendrix."