Thanks to You

The music shop down the street....

    "Your wearing that?" My boyfriend, Max asked. I looked down at my old band T-shirt, "Yeah, why?" I asked confused. He made a strange face, "Its all old and it even has a whole in the top. Why don't you wear something nice for once?" He asked in a huff. This wasn't the first time Max hadn't approved of what I was wearing. Last time we were in the middle of a store and he made try on different outfits he picked out himself. I rolled my eyes and turned away from him and he grabbed my face. "Did you just roll your eyes at me?" He glared. The pressure from his fingers was sure to leave bruising on my cheeks. I squirmed, "Let go Max." He shoved my head to the side, "I'm not going out with you looking like that, go change." He spat. I grumbled to myself as I walked into his room and grabbed a sweat shirt off the bed. It was band merch too but newer and a different band. I pulled it over my head and walked out with Max.

     "I'm going to get us some lunch, I'll be right back." Max said leaving me on the sidewalk. We lived in an older town, nothing new or exciting. I kicked a rock as I walked on the brick sidewalk. I heard a familiar song coming from one of the shops and noticed a new sign as I lifted my gaze. It read 'Gaskarths' over the pale tan door. The building itself was brick and quiant, it looked as if it were maybe a cafe at one time. I smiled to myself and crossed the street to investigate the music. I peeked through the window and saw a room filled with instruments and records! Cupping my hands around my face to ignore the glare I saw a boy behind the wooden counter.

    I smiled shyly and he waved me to come in with an eager grin. I nodded and practically skipped up the two stone steps and into the shop. I went awe struck as I looked over the walls. Every inch of the place was covered in either guitars, new and old, or music CDs. I twirled as I tried to find a place to settle my eyes but couldn't keep my excitement to myself. Suddenly there was a tap on my shoulder, "Like what you see?" The boy from behind the counter asked with a big bright smile. I couldn't help but stare at him. He had big brown eyes and a perfectly straight smile to match. His hair was brown, slightly long and messy, but an attractive messy. By the looks of him I guessed he was only a year older than me, maybe nineteen? He had his hands shoved deep into his jeans pockets as he bit his lip and rocked on his heels.

    He laughed and I closed my jaw which I hadn't realized had dropped. "Is that a yes?" He joked. I snapped out of my embarrassing day dream and blushed. "Um, yeah, I- sorry." I stuttered out. He laughed and held out his hand, "I'm Alex." He said. I shook his hand lightly, "I'm Summer." I replied trying not to focus on our touching hands. I couldn't help but almost go weak in the knees. "Summer, I like that." He said giving me a flirty smirk. I shook my head trying to think of a conversation starter. "Um, I've never seen this place before, are you new?" I internally smacked myself for asking the obvious. He nodded, "Brand spankin' new! What do you think?" He asked setting a firm hand on one of the lower shelves. I smiled wide, "I've never seen a place like this... Its amazing! There is so much here..." I said still in awe. "Would you like a tour?" He asked motioning with his arm. I only nodded and followed his lead.

     "So this is our guitar collection. Its not much right now, but its pretty nice." He said proudly pointing towards the wall. "Do you play?" I asked trying not to sound overly 'cheerleader preppy'. He nodded and ran his fingers over the strings, "Yeah, since I was eleven. I mostly sing though.." He said giving me a side smile before moving on. "Cmon I wanna show you something I think you'll like." He said taking my hand in his and pulling me towards the back of the store. I laughed and ran to keep up with his excited pace. When he finally stopped my hands flew up to my mouth as I gasped. In the very back corner of the shop was a wall covered in alternative music. From FOB to My Chemical Romance. In records and CDs. "Oh my god, this is incredible!" I said hurrying to them. I ran my fingers over the titles reading them aloud.

    Alex leaned against the wall and smiled as he watched my excitement grow the more I found. I stopped and put my hands on my hips facing him. "How did you know I like this stuff?" I asked with a smirk. He shrugged, "I'm just that good I guess." He said winking.

     We were now leaning against opposite sides of the counter talking. "So you're in a band? That's awesome! Tell me about it." I begged leaning closer. He bit his lip, "Well we haven't been together long, only a couple years now. Our style is more like Green Day and FOB, but we try to put our own spin on things you could say." He said proudly. "What's your name?" I asked with interest. "All Time Low." He replied.

     We were just starting to get comfortable and chatting. "Summer! I've been looking all over for you." Max said sweetly as he walked in hugging me tightly. I fake smiled and hugged him back lightly. "Sorry, I got distracted." I laughed with Alex who looked confused at first, but introduced himself anyway. "Hey, I'm Alex." He said holding out his hand. "Max, her boyfriend." He said sternly shaking Alex's hand. I struggled to hold back from rolling my eyes at his bluntness. Max turned back to me and wrapped his arm tightly, maybe a little too tight, around my waist. "I got our lunch, ready to go?" He asked not waiting for an answer. "I'll see you around Alex?" I said apologetically as I was almost drug out. He could see I didn't want to go but was unsure if he should interfere. "Up, down, around sure." He said giving a secret wink and smile.