Everything Is Just Fine

Chapter 4

My heart is still thumping in time to the music. The band had finished their set twenty minutes ago, but I can still feel the drums in my chest. I can still hear Sebastian and Shelby singing.

There is nothing better than experiencing a great new band for the first time. 

I spot Shelby. Her face is sweaty, but her eyes are twinkling with the rush of playing a great show.

I don't know where Toby and Amy have disappeared to, so I make my way over to Shelby as she pours herself a Jack and coke.

"You've converted me!" I yell over the music thumping through the speakers again. "I'm officially a Poisonous Winter stan!"

She beams and slaps my chest. "Told you! We're irresistible. Come meet the others."

She takes my hand, dragging me through the mass of drunk, dancing coeds.

The rest of the band is sitting in the backyard, surrounded by adoring fans. Shelby pushes through them with me in tow.

"Heya," she greets. The band looks up at me quizzically. "This is Jesse. We've made a PW believer out of him."

I blush. I wish I had my headphones so I could crank up my playlist, mentally check out of whatever the hell is happening, and slowly disappear into the shadows.

But they just smile and tell me their names one by one, even though I already know them from all the posters around campus, and the Poisonous Winter display in the bookstore. 

"How did you like the set?" Sebastian asks, placing a hand on Mahara's knee.

"It was so good," I gush, again wishing I could melt into the pavement.

Shelby slings an arm over my shoulders. "He's the president of our fan club now."

"Hey, hey!" Abel cheers, raising his cup. His bright, carefree smile catches my eye. Up close he's even more appealing to look at with his wide brown eyes, and the most incredible cheekbones I had ever seen. Long black hair falls around his face and shoulders. His black-tipped fingers beat out a rhythm on his thigh. And I get it. I get why everyone was fawning over him before their set. He's fucking beautiful.

"That drumming was unreal!" I have a million questions I want to ask him. I can't look away from him, and as I look at him, every single one of my questions disappears.

And I can feel this sort of crush developing, but I have to remind myself that I am not going to date this year. I need to focus on school and myself.

I tear my eyes away from Abel and focus on the can of lemon-lime soda in my hand.

Something over my shoulder catches his eye just as I go to look away. "Thanks, man." He stands, clapping me on the shoulder. "See you around."

I turn, tracking his movements with my gaze. He wraps an arm around the shoulder of a woman, leading her inside.

Figures.

"You're drooling," Shelby whispers.

"I am not!"

She laughs. "Abel's hot, so I don't blame you."

I roll my eyes. "I wasn't even staring."

"Sure, buddy." She laughs again. "Well, don't pout, at least you still have me to look at."

Her ribbing and self-confidence make me smile. "You're beautiful, but I'm gay."

She snorts. "Cool. Me too."

Before I can say anything else, Amy and Toby reappear, drinks in hand. Toby's wobbling on his feet, and Amy's fighting to keep him vertical. Apparently, the frat bros had mildly bullied him into doing a keg stand and playing beer pong.

"I was bullied!" Toby slurs, repeating the words a fourth time in case no one heard the first few times.

"He participated willingly," Amy corrects, hitting his shoulder.

"I did not!" He downs the rest of his drink.

"Okay." I step in, taking his now empty cup and handing it to Shelby. "Time to go home, Toby."

"Yes, Dad." He gives me a sloppy salute.

I wrap his arm around my shoulder and steer him out to the grassy front yard as he hums a Queen song.

I can't help but laugh. At least he's a fun drunk.

"Did you have fun?" he slurs, stumbling as we walk.

The cool air feels awesome against my hot skin. Walking ahead of us is a group arguing about where they should eat.

"I think you had enough fun for the both of us."

He squeezes my shoulder in an awkward, messy side hug. "I should call Madison!" He yells, drawing the attention of the group. "I miss her!" He fumbles for his phone, but I snatch it before he can dial. "Hey! Give that back!"

"I don't think drunk dialing your girlfriend at two in the morning is smart, so I'm going to hold on to this." I slip the phone into my pocket.

"Fucking rude," he gripes, sticking his tongue out at me.

A laugh escapes me.

"Thanks for coming out. It was nice to have my buddy with me."

I don't remind him that we met less than twenty-four hours ago, and technically we're not buddies. At the most, we're merely acquaintances. But ever since I had lost Benji and Alan I have been so fucking lonely, and having a new buddy sounds kinda nice.