It was another average night at The Bronze: the same crowd that was always there, hanging out at the same table. I was bored. The sort of boredom that only really functions in small towns where every night is the same thing and you already know everyone's faces, and the things they're saying and the expressions they're likely make. I wandered over to the bar sidling past some kids I recognised from school, and called over for the barman. The back of my throat was nervous but I maintained a fixed look of confidence. As the lights rose on stage, I heard the opening chords of the night's band's first song.
"Man, I'm really looking forward to Oz's set tonight!"
Some of the guys I sort of knew from school were discussing someone they knew who must've been in one of the bands. It was Buffy, who I sat behind in maths, Willow, this total geek, and some guy whose name I sort of knew I knew but couldn't quite remember. Anyway, we're in the same gym class and I always feel bad for him getting hassled by the meathead jocks. I don't ever say anything, because well, I just don't. I sometimes feel like if I speak I'll blow my cover, even though I don't know what my cover is or what I'm covering up. I think they caught me listening as the guy, what's-his-name, sort of gave me one of those manly upwards nods and the girls looked round. I smiled and half mouthed 'Hi' in an embarrassed way. I paid for my drink, trying not to look surprised, thanking god my fake ID worked and being slightly embarrassed by the cliché of using one.
The band were steadily into their set. It was ok, same sort of stuff you usually got at the bronze – guys in bands wishing they sounded like Nirvana or some other American nineties rock staple. Same few chords and affected voice. I'm sure at some point most of the guys in this room would or would want to be in a band like it. I was kind of intrigued by the guitarist though, I think maybe he was dating one of the girls I knew from school as they all seemed to be transfixed by him, especially Willow. I felt sad that I was here alone, kind of getting a crush on someone else's boyfriend, someone else's boyfriend who was in a cheesy band. I was headily in my daydream when I noticed someone leaning down to the drink I was holding.
"dude, is that real alcohol?" and I snapped out of it,
"err yeah, shut up."
It was Xander. His name was Xander, his irritating puppy dog look reminding me who he was and he was close to giving away the fact I was still at high school like the rest of crowd here. For once it wasn't me speaking that was going to blow the cover. He blushed, my accidentally stern reprimand making him realise what he was doing. He grinned a knowing grin.
"Can you get me a drink?"
"I don't know…I'm surprised I got away with it, let alone buying a round for everyone in the bar…" I felt awkward, even though I knew I didn't owe him.
"Yeah I guess…anyway, did you like the band? They're friends."
"Oh yeah. Cool…not really my thing, but kind of cool anyway. I like the guitarist." I didn't know why he was talking to me or why I was talking back, or why either of us were at the same club again and not just at home talking to our parents politely or finishing our homework.
"Oh yeah, Oz, he's dating, you know my friend Willow?"
"Sure, I was surprised, but kind of felt like I knew anyway. Maybe someone had already told me? I don't know. I looked around for them.
"Where are Buffy and Willow?"
"Oh...ladies room, you know. Girl stuff. Mysterious girl stuff." I frowned. I hated it when teenage boys acted like girls bathrooms were a mysterious wonder land. Again, the puppy dog look.
"I'm sure they're just peeing. Nothing mysterious."