Never Have I Ever

• Chapter Seventeen •

The door swung open before I even got a chance to knock. In an instant I was pulled into a hug and the smell of spice and like something sweet I couldn't really pinpoint, filled my nose.

My arms wrapped around Faiyaz's waists and I tighten them around his hips. His face fell into my neck and I felt his lips lightly kiss me there.

"I missed you." He mumbled. I chuckled.

I literally just saw him yesterday. But, instead of saying that I just said, "I missed you, too." I stepped back and got a look at his outfit and smirked, "You want to be like me so bad." Not in the way of him copying my style, he was literally wearing my clothes.

He grabbed the collar of his (my), black bomber jacket, "You're just mad it looks better on me." He winked.

"When did you even take it?"

"That's for me to know and you to never find out." He snickered.

His hands dropped and slipped into my own. This was another thing I had to get use to. The constant hand holding. The softness of his hand was nice. In my relationship with Jay, I was the affectionate one. I let him lead the way back outside.

"Are you nervous?" He asked and I shook my head

"I'm excited. I haven't done anything live since I been here." I missed being on the stage and just around live music in general.

"I wish I could sing."

"Everybody can sing."

"I meant well."

"I'm sure you're good at other things."

Faiyaz bumped my shoulder with his, "I've been told I'm really good with my hands." He waved his fingers of the hand I wasn't holding.

"Says the virgin," I scoffed.

"Hopefully not for long." He said under his breath. Welp. I don't think that was meant for me to hear so I didn't respond.

"Hey, did you know that they call freshmen buckets?"

"Yes, yes, I did." Faiyaz looked at me funny before smiling and nodding.

"No one ever called me that."

Faiyaz snickered and squeezed my hand a little tighter, "Maybe not to your face."

"Hmph."

Faiyaz carried most of the conversation for the rest of the walk. The Crill was smaller than I expected. I think I liked it better that way. It was still a good turnout, though.

There was a bar and about twelve tables and a few booths aligned the walls. Most of them were all filled. The place was dimmed and each table had a big fake candle on them, as well as some lights above. It was comfortable.

We tried to be silent because on the small stage, there were two girl already performing. I saw Andy off on the side of the stage on his phone. I'll say hi to him later.

I pulled Faiyaz towards a both we sat across from each other.

"We're gonna get carded." Faiyaz leaned in and whispered to me.

"You're a college student without a fake I.D?"

His eyes widened and he shrugged almost embarrassingly, "I'm a good kid." He said in the same hushed tone.

I laughed and fished out my wallet from my pocket, "Well, good thing I'm not," I passed him my fame I.D and he inspected it. According to that I was exactly twenty-one, "Do you want a drink?"

"Yeah," He handed in back to me, "I'll take a vodka cranberry."

"Ooh, fancy." I got up from the table and moved towards the bar. I tapped my I.D on the hard wood and got the bartender's attention. She was a larger , Back woman and from the shirt she was wearing I could see that she was covered in tattoos.

"What can I get ya?" She flipped her towel over her shoulder.

"A vodka cranberry and a double Honey Jack over ice, please."

"Honey Jack over ice, huh? That's almost a grown man drink are you sure you're one?" She raised an eyebrow at me.

I chuckled and handed her the piece of plastic. She studied until she was satisfied and handed it back to me.

I walked back to Faiyaz with the two drinks and he sat up straighter all excited. This must be his first drink ever in life.

"Thank you, thank you."

I settled back in my seat and brought the glass up to my lips. Honey was a whole lot smoother than regular Jack. The sweetness was dangerous, it sneaks up on you.

"Do you know when you go on?" Faiyaz asked after almost finishing his glass. I shook my head. I needed to find Andy to ask him.

I looked back to where I saw him last, but he was nowhere to be found and it was new band on the stage and it sounded like they were nearing the end of the song. When did that happen?

I shook my head and turned my focus back to him, "I'll just fine him later. It's probably hella people in front of me anyway." I shrugged.

I was right about the band almost being done because not even a minute later, Andy popped back up on the stage.

"Wow! Would you give it for...Drag Me Back To Hell!"

No way that's their fucking name. I saw the Faiyaz's had the same shocked expression as me. His eyebrows practically shot to his hairline.

That's White people for you because what. The crowd clapped as the five men walked over the stage holding their instruments.

"I hope everyone is still having a good time!" He yelled into the mic, causing a more applause, "That's what I like to hear! Well, next to the stage is someone I'm very excited for."

"I think Imma go get another drink." I eyed what was left. I should just finish it.

"Everybody welcome to the stage Just Gavin!"

Every single drop that I just swallowed just came back up into my hand in a fit of coughs. I literally just walked through the fucking door, how couldI be next?

Faiyaz snickered as he handed my a napkin and I snatched it out of his hand to wipe my mouth, "So much for a lot of people being in front of you, huh?"

I walked onto the stage with a wide smile.

"I'm going to fucking kill you." I said into Andy's ear as I dapped him up.

"Not if I run first." He said behind a smirk. He passed me the mic and the darted off the stage like a rat. Yeah, he'll be dead soon.

I did a once over on the crowd and even in the dimmed lights my eyes found Faiyaz's. He was smiling so wide. Suddenly that song just didn't feel right to right now.

I gripped the mic tighter in my hand, "What's up everybody. I'm Gavin and I think I wanna try something a little different, do a cappella. Y'all alright with that?"

The crowd clapped in encouragement so I continued when the room quieted.

I closed my eyes and let the lyrics of "You" by Llyod flow out of me.