"Things are going to change," the boy said, looking out over the yard from his position on the branch.
"What do you mean?" the girl asked from beside him, leaning against the trunk with her hand holding onto a smaller branch.
"When I turn thirteen, things will change," the boy answered, his eyes still on the yard below them. "I don't think we'll be able to be friends."
"Why?"
"Just… because."
"But we've been friends since we were six," the girl stated. Why was he saying this kind of stuff?
"And in a week, I'll be thirteen."
"So? I'll be thirteen in a month, too. What's the big deal?"
"Look, we just can't be friends anymore," the boy said angrily as he began to climb down the tree.
"Reid, wait. Why not?" the girl asked, following him. "What does turning thirteen have to do with anything?"
"It'll change everything!" He jumped to the ground and began running. "Fayth, we're not friends anymore!"
She stopped halfway down the tree and watched his retreating form. Tears pressed into her eyes and silently rolled down her cheeks. How could he be so mean? Didn't he realize that what they had was perfect? Didn't he realize how she felt about him? As the boy's form grew smaller, something in her chest broke and the tears ran faster. Inhaling shakily, she repeated what her mother had always told her. "Don't stop believing."
"Hey, Nicky, thanks for letting them do this," Fayth Henderson said, turning from the small stage to face the owner of the bar.
"Ah, no problem, Fayth. It's a real help to me, actually," the man answered, smiling.
"No, seriously Nick. This is great," Ryan Wolfe added, hopping off the stage, his short shaggy dark hair bouncing on his head. "I'm going to grab the last mic from the truck." He disappeared out the back door.
"Dudes, this is going to be awesome!" Kyle Andrews said happily, running a hand through his messy light brown hair.
The bar owner's somewhat large body trembled as he chuckled. "Really, it's no problem. With the juke box broken, I need some entertainment for my customers."
Christina Lawmen slung her arm over Fayth's shoulders. "Well we're happy to help."
"You said you know a ton of songs?" Nicky asked as Ryan reentered the bar carrying the microphone.
"Yeah," Christina answered. "We know a bunch that were on the juke box, so people can request if they want. If not, we'll just play whatever."
The man nodded. "Okay. Well, the doors open in half an hour. Think you can be ready by then?"
"Yeah, we're just about done anyways," Kyle said as he walked about the stage, doing one last equipment check.
Nicky nodded and left to finish preparing for the customers. Sighing, Fayth turned to her friends. "Hey, Ry, Ky, can you finish setting up so Chris and I can get ready?"
The two boys nodded. "Yeah. Go ahead."
Christina jumped from the stage and followed Fayth into the bathroom. Stopping in front of the mirror, she examined herself. Her dark red hair hung around her shoulders in wavy curls, and her dark blue eyes were framed with black eyeliner and mascara. Her thin lips were painted with clear gloss, and her silver hoops hung from her ears, glinting in the light. Her black tank top clung to her body, showing off her curves and contrasting to her somewhat pale skin. Her baggy dark green cargo pants hung loosely around her hips, the small gap between the shirt the pants revealing a sliver of her midriff, and the top of her blue and black crescent moon tattoo peeked out over her cargos.
"This is going to be great."
Fayth looked at her best friend and smiled. "Yeah, you guys rock. Everyone'll love you." Her mind wandered back to the question she'd been asking herself all day. Would he be here? He went to Spencer Academy, and it was a well known fact that most of Spencer hung out at the bar on weekends. Would she see him? Would he even remember her?
The brunette girl nodded. Her long dark hair was pulled back into a high ponytail, and her bright green eyes, like Fayth's, were framed with black eyeliner and mascara. Her red shirt cut off about two inches above her belly button, and her own dark cargo pants hung low, her belly ring fully visible. "It kinda sucks that we can't sing our stuff, though."
Fayth shrugged. "Yeah. But it's still good practice." Pulling out her cell phone, she glanced at the time and then stuffed it back into her pocket. "Alright. Let's help Ryan and Kyle finish."
The crowd stood around the stage, curious. The bar owner stood at the main mic, the band behind him. Fayth leaned against the stage and looked around the crowd. Christina and Ryan stood in front of Kyle's drum set with their guitars.
"I know this is different than normal," Nicky began. "But the juke box is busted, so I found an alternative." He waved his hand, indicating the band behind him. "They've agreed to step in so that you guys can still have some fun. So here's Hell's Angels!" The crowd clapped as he stepped down, but the sound sounded like it was more out of manners than excitement.
Plastering a smile on her face, Christina stepped forward. "Hey everyone! Like Nicky said, we're Hells' Angels, and we'll be your juke box for this evening. If you have any requests, let us know. Otherwise just enjoy the music and have fun!" Again the crowd clapped, and again it sounded forced. Looking back at the guys, she nodded. The first beat of the drums started, followed closely by the guitars. Taking a deep breath, Christina began the first song by Pat Benatar.
Fayth's eyes scanned the crowd and as the music pounded through her, she felt herself relaxing. People began bouncing their heads and moving their bodies slightly. Christina's voice rang from the speakers and into the crowd. Fayth's hips found the beat and she swayed next to the stage, letting her friend's music flow through her.
The last cord rang through the bar, and the crowd cheered as the first chord in the next song began. Taking a deep breath, Christina opened her mouth and let the words flow freely from it. Fayth found her eyes searching the crowd for what they shouldn't. It had been five years. She should be over it. But she couldn't stop scanning the crowd.
An hour later, people were dancing, eating, and doing whatever they normally did on Friday nights at Nicky's. Christina stepped back from the microphone and looked at the band, her lips pulled up in a huge smile and sweat dotting her face. Taking a five minute break, they each gulped down water as the bar owner leaned on the stage. Fayth jumped up with them.
"Great job, guys. The customer's love it," Nicky said.
Christina smiled. "Thanks, Nick."
He nodded once and then disappeared in the crowd.
"This is great!" Fayth squealed. "They love you!"
A few minutes later, Christina slipped the guitar strap over her shoulder as Ryan stepped up to the mic. He struck the first chord and started the slow intro. Breathing into the mic, he began the song by Whitesnake.
Christina's guitar joined as the tempo slowly increased. Kyle's drums echoed through the room and the girls let their fingers sail across the faces of the guitars, the music's beat picking up.
The last of the customers were trailing out of the bar as Ryan and Kyle broke down the equipment and lugged it out to the truck. Waitresses bustled around, cleaning up as quickly as possible so they could leave.
"Well girls, here you go," Nicky said, handing over a wad of cash. "Three hundred. Just like I promised."
Christina stuffed the money into her pocket and smiled. "Thanks Nicky. If the box breaks again, give us a call."
"Will do," Nicky chuckled, walking away.
Christina's arm curled around Fayth's shoulders. "We should celebrate."
"It's two o'clock in the morning," Fayth laughed. "I'm exhausted."
"Oh, come on! This was one of our best gigs!" Christina said.
Rolling her eyes, Fayth sighed. "Fine."
"Yes!" the dark haired girl rushed off to the other two band members.
"Hey baby, how you doing?"
Turning, Fayth came face to face with a somewhat tall boy with brown shaggy hair and nice eyes. The smile on his face said that he knew he looked good and that she should feel privileged that he was talking to her. A quick once over showed her that he was a jock, probably from Spencer.
He held out his hand. "Aaron Abbot."
Taking it, she smiled. "Fayth."
"Do you have a last name?"
"Yes, but it's a secret," she answered, unable to help the sly smile spreading across her face. Not flirting back was just too damn difficult.
"Hmm." His eyes traveled the length of her body before returning their attention to her face. "Have any plans for later?"
"Yes, actually," Fayth replied, smiling. "However, they don't include you."
"Ouch," Aaron said, faking hurt. "That's a bummer."
Pulling out her phone, she handed it to him. "But give me your number, and maybe I'll call."
Smirking, he punched in his number and returned the phone. "Can I have yours?"
"Only if I call you," Fayth said. "But I have to go. Talk to you later."
"So you'll call?"
Pausing, Fayth gave him a flirtatious smile. "We'll see." She watched him nod and walk away. Would she call him? Well, he was kind of cute. Sighing, she turned and bumped into someone. "Oh, sorry, wasn't watching were I was going." Looking up, her gaze met a beautiful pair of blue eyes. The same blue eyes she'd thought she'd never look into again. His slightly long blonde hair peeked out from under a beanie, and a quick glance down showed that he was wearing black fingerless gloves. Looking up again, her stomach flipped. Anger mixed with a feeling she thought had died long ago. Reid Garwin.