Crash

Chapter 19

It was so much easier getting along with Kyle, now that we had started breaking down our walls and opening ourselves up to potentially being friends. I realised that all of this time I had spent hating Kyle had deprived me of an alright friendship. 

Also, Crash and Burn's music wasn't as bad as I had initially thought.

Their song Too Late had somehow managed to sneak into my playlist. I respected good music, and began to understand that boybands weren't all terrible and manufactured.

The interesting thing about Too Late though, was the fact that it was yet another song written entirely by Kyle. Every time I listened to it, it genuinely felt as though I was reading his diary, or like I had stepped inside his brain. Kyle wrote music with a sense of intimacy that translated really well into song. He was indeed, "a lyrical genius."

As soon as I saw James walking towards me, I changed songs. The whole world didn't need to know about my change of heart. 

The thing I liked the most about James, was his kind smile. Whenever he smiled at you, it was as though the rest of the world disappeared and he admired no one but you. He had the sweetest disposition.

I paused the new song I was listening to and pulled out my earphones.

"Hey Bells." He greeted me as he finally approached me. James opened his arms and without hesitation, I embraced him, mumbling a soft "hello". He even smelled kind and welcoming. 

Luckily, the sound of the bell snapped me and I realised, I had kept this hug going longer than necessary. I pulled back, awkwardly clearing my throat. 

"We should get to class." He said. I nodded my head and closed my locker. 

We walked in silence for a little bit, then he spoke up. 

"So, what were you listening to?" 

Instantly, my face started to heat up. I could not tell him what I was listening to.

"Baby, I'm Yours." I said. "By the Arctic Monkeys." I quickly added. Yet once again, I had told him a song title that made it sound as though I had confessed my undying love for him. 

How many times could that happen to a person?!

He chuckled slightly at my discomfort, but made me feel better by saying, "I love that song."

I let out a shaky breath. 

He suddenly stopped, right before we reached our homeroom and tapped my arm lightly, so I would stop with him.

"I know this is just coming out of nowhere, but I just wanted to ask if I could take you out sometime... Not like last time though. This time it would just be us, no band, no screaming hockey fans.." His voice faded out at the end and he rubbed the back of his neck.

For the second time, it seemed as though he was nervously asking little old me on a date. 

I smiled and nodded. "Yeah, I would love that." 

*******

I spent the rest of the morning wondering if James and I were technically "dating", seeing as this would be our second date. 

I barely even registered the fact that Jay was talking to me, until he punched me in the arm. It wasn't hard, but it was enough to snap me out of my daze.

"Are you even listening to me?" He asked. 

I wanted to lie, but I knew he would try get me to repeat what he had just said, and I couldn't be bothered racking my brain to try and guess what he had been saying. 

I decided to be honest and shook my head. 

"No, sorry Jay, repeat what you said."

Jay tilted his head to the side, squinted at me and then seemingly decided not to ask me whatever he wanted to ask. Instead, he resumed his story.

"Malia and I are going to a carnival on Saturday, but it's a bit of a drive away and my mom doesn't trust me or Malia to be alone-"

"Because of-"

"Yes." Jay cut me off, not wanting to relive the moment his mom caught him and Malia doing things you wouldn't want your mom walking in on.

I internally laughed, remembering Jay's face as he recounted what had happened to Tash and I.

To be honest, I really did like Malia and I was very pleasantly surprised to find out she had continued seeing Jay after that disaster date.

"Anyway, mom doesn't want us travelling to another city and staying the night alone, unless we go with someone else that she trusts..."

Again. A-fucking-gain. I knew what he was going to ask. Jay wanted me to come with him, and he was probably going to try and set me up with Kyle. Nope. Not again.

"You do realise, you still owe me food from the last time you roped me into going out with you and Malia." I deadpanned, not even giving him room to ask.

"And I will buy you that food when we go to the fair on Saturday." 

I was so very close to saying no, but right at that very moment, James sent me a text, and I got an idea.

"Sure, but on one condition."

~~~~~~

A/N: This is just a filler chapter. Sorry nothing more exciting happened, but OHHHHH BOOOYYYYY get ready for the upcoming chapters!!!!!

Comment, vote and all that jazz. Have a lovely week.