Disclaimer: This is my first story that's not horrifically written (I hope). I'm trying to stay away from cliché, but I can't give you any promises, and I don't want Melanie to be a Mary-Sue but again, not making promises. Most importantly, I do not own William Beckett, Mike Carden, Adam T. Siska (Sisky), Michael Guy Chislett, or Andy (The Butcher) Mrotek. I'm not sure anybody COULD own them. That'd be a feat. All I own is Melanie, Sarah (well, not really as she's kinda real) and anyone else you don't recognize. Wow, Long disclaimer. Sorry. Enjoy!
It was a bright and clear early spring/late winter's day in Chicago. The leaves were just starting to grow back onto the trees, he could see blades of grass fighting against the remainder of the snow and there was a slight breeze in the air. He could smell that familiar fresh, cool smell. The one that normally brightened his spirits, but today he was in much too bad of a mood for that to happen.
He sighed and looked down at his hands. There were just too many things to worry about; his band, his career…his girlfriend. He'd been feeling a distance from her lately. Everything seemed normal, but things just felt off. Every time they'd hug or kiss, it felt like she wasn't completely into it.
He sighed again and looked up. He didn't come to this park to dwell on these things, he knew that. He came to the park to get away from these thoughts; to clear his head. He looked around the familiar park and managed a smile. This park always reminded him of good times. It held a sense of nostalgia for him. He saw people walking dogs, kids playing, joggers, all of the types of things you expect to see at parks.
He then looked over at a bench a bit farther down to the right than his and noticed a girl sitting there expectantly. She looked as if she were waiting for someone or something. He was not normally one to stare creepily at others, but she just looked different somehow. As if she didn't quite belong there. Her jacket was a bit heavier looking than one normally worn during this time of year for one thing. She looked relaxed but just strangely foreign to the climate she was in.
She wasn't unattractive, she was blonde and had a nice hourglass figure in fact, but she looked unconventional and yet not at the same time. Indefinable really. It seems that she sensed someone looking and started to look in his direction. He realized too late, but looked down quickly, just to look back up again shortly and give her a sheepish grin. He'd been caught. She just smiled and waved politely. He did the same. Still smiling, she looked away and so did he.
Damn I really am a creeper. He thought to himself. Shortly, out of nowhere he heard someone say loudly, "Exterminate! Exterminate!" from the area where the girl was sitting. He looked over, confused as he heard a high-pitched squeal emit from the girl as she looked behind her and got up quickly to run away from the noise, which apparently cam from another girl behind her.
Laughing and screaming the girls ran. Every so often the following brunette girl yelling "Exterminate!" which would cause more screams coming from the dirty-blonde girl who was sitting down so shortly ago. Soon the blonde girl became tired and fell down to sit on the ground only to have the brunette girl tackle her, both of them laughing.
He chuckled to himself. It was kind of adorable to see these two girls behave like five year olds. A little loud, but adorable. Soon they got up off the ground and walked back over to the bench where they commenced in hugging and talking excitedly. They weren't too far away and he could make out bits of their conversation. Which included such things as: "…haven't seen you in forever…", "I almost miss college…" and "It's so fucking chilly here. It's not normal for this month. I'm used to 70 plus weather this time of year. Why did I want to move here again?..."
Ah, that explained why she looked out of place; technically she was. She was new to the city…and already having gathered that from a stranger he never talked to, he decided that his creep factor for the day had been more than slightly achieved and it was about time that he move on to another part of the park. So he got up and walked away humming to himself some Frank Sinatra.
As he walked past and away from her, the blonde girl inwardly sighed sadly. He was cute, and she didn't mind glancing over every once in a while to acknowledge that fact in her mind. Well, HE was leaving, but now at least she had Sarah to hold her attention. She hadn't seen Sarah in months; far too long for either of their likings. As he walked past she just heard him singing under his breath "Once I get you up there, where the air is rarified…" she murmured to herself "we'll just glide starry eyed…"
Sarah stared at her oddly. "What Melanie?" she asked.
"Huh? Oh nothing. Just got a song stuck in my head." The girl (apparently named Melanie) responded.
"Oh. I should be used to that by now…But you look kind of distracted." Sarah replied.
"Sorry. You know me; ADD. But, um, yeah did you see the guy who walked past?" Melanie asked quietly.
"Yeah he looked like the type of guy who'd distract you." Melanie glared. Sarah Laughed. "Sorry hun, I know you too well."
Melanie sighed, "Yeah…but am I really that transparent?" By now the boy was much too far away to hear their conversation so Melanie didn't whisper anymore.
"No. It wasn't obvious. You were actually quite sly for once. You've gotten better at that. Good for you!" Sarah told her happily.
"Thanks…I could've sworn he was staring at me earlier. I was probably just hallucinating…or maybe there was a leprechaun dancing on my head and only he can see such things. Who knows?" Melanie said.
Sarah laughed. "Leprechaun?! This is why I love you! Coffee?"
"Wow, you beat me to it for once. Insanity! Yes I say that coffee shall be had so that we can dance around like madwomen and just be generally crazy. Let's you and me paint the town neon purple!" said Melanie.
"What what?! Yeah!" Sarah responded, trying (and failing) at being Gangsta.
As they got up to walk towards the nearest Starbucks, Melanie thought of something. "How long are you going to be in town for?"
Sarah beamed. "You have me for a week! I know it doesn't seem like long but at least it's longer than just a few days."
"No that's great! We're gonna go crazy together! And actually that's perfect. I heard about this band that's playing a gig at a local venue and I was hoping you could come with me so I'm not alone? I'm new here you know. Don't have many friends yet. What do you say? Music…alcohol perhaps…dressing up and being girly…blah blah blah." Melanie said.
"Yeah, no problem. How much does it cost?" Sarah asked.
"Um…I think like 10, 15 dollars at most. A co-worker told me about them. She said that they sound like a kind of band I would like."
"What are they called? Maybe I know them."
"Um…fuck, I know this. It's kind of random…Oh! 'The Academy Is…' they have an ellipsis at the end. It makes me giggle." Responded Melanie.
"Huh. Ok. Sounds good. Now, off to get me chai!"
"You really should just buy stock in the company by now."
"Yes and you should own a coffee shop to fuel your addiction. We're even." Sarah retorted. Melanie stuck out her tongue playfully.
"Mmmm. That's right baby. Give me the tongue!" Sarah said, pretending to be manly.
"Gah! Sarah! You're crazy!" Melanie said walking a little farther away from her friend.
"Heeheehee." Sarah gave a high pitched giggle. "You know you like it!" she said, manly again. Melanie just rolled her eyes, hugged her friend and they continued to walk towards the promised land that was coffee and chai.