It had been a few days, and Eva hadn't seen much of Randy. Every time she saw him at school, the usual happiness she felt was replaced with a sickening feeling in her stomach, and she'd run the other way.
This might have continued for the rest of the year, possibly for the rest of her life, if after school Randy hadn't sneakily been waiting at her car.
Her eyes widened in fear, but he looked happy to see her.
"Eva!" he called, waving a bag, "I picked up subs!"
Relieved that he was oblivious to her discomfort, she joined him in the car.
He passed her a sandwich, then dug into his own.
She smirked to herself; he had picked out her favorite.
Swallowing a mouthful of sub, Randy looked up at her and grinned, knowing there was a soggy piece of lettuce in his teeth.
"That's disgusting!" she laughed.
He chuckled along, "Sorry Eves. It's been so long since I've seen you smile, I had to bring out the big guns."
She knew that he was being partially serious.
"Yeah, sorry I ditched the other day..." she apologized awkwardly.
He held up a hand, "It's cool."
Eva's body flooded with relief. He's not mad!
She considered telling him about the audition tape, but thought otherwise. Not knowing what he would say terrified her. If he were happy, she'd be crushed. If he were sad, she'd be confused, and most likely run away. No. She would keep it a secret, for now.
Randy switched topics. "You have to hear this song I found! It's amazing."
He pulled out his own mp3 and plugged it into the car stereo.
Eva looked lustfully after the iPod, and Randy noticed.
"You okay?" Randy asked suspiciously.
"Ah! I just, um, lost mine is all," Eva grinned meekly.
Randy smiled and shook his head.
A surprisingly chill song lulled from the speakers, very different from their usual hardcore taste.
Eva raised an eyebrow at him, but he just swayed along to the beat.
"This is... Tame." she noted. He broke his serene state to laugh.
"Yeah! I heard it, and..." Randy fidgeted, "Well I know you've been fighting with your parents lately, and... it just reminded me of you?"
He cringed, waiting for her to punch him in the head for being so sappy, but Eva was dumbfounded.
He thought of me when he listened to a song.
She sat, shell-shocked, as he started to sing along.
Oh my god.
"This one's for the torn down,
The experts at the fall
Come on friends get up now,
You're not alone at all."
This isn't fair!
"...and this part was for her,
Does she remember?"
He smiled his extra special smile at her.
She finally spoke, "Dear god Morowski, you're such a pussy!"
The calming music mixed with their bursting laughter flooded the empty parking lot.
...
After dropping Randy off, Eva read a text from Gavin,
"Audition ready, so excite! Come NOW!"
Eva raced over to Terrance's house and burst through the door.
"Let me see it!" she demanded. Gavin pushed her into a chair, and Terrance handed her a plate of popcorn.
She raised a wondering eyebrow at the whole plate thing, but they were obviously too distracted for culinary etiquette.
In a manner of seconds, a screen was displayed in front of her. The two sat on opposite armrests, and they each grabbed a handful of popcorn as their masterpiece began.
...
She gestured to herself.
"So, if you want a really strong competitor who gets along with everyone, pick me!"
Eva posed confidently, like a queenly bear, or a muscle-y commando.
Eva leaned in, "You can edit this, right?"
The camera squeaked.
"Awesome. Thanks."
The screen went black.
Gavin and Terrance applauded themselves, while Eva looked unconvinced.
"You couldn't have taken out the part where I chase that heavy-handed brat?"
Terrance shook his head, "No, Eva! It displays your real emotions, and your... unwillingness to admit defeat!"
Gavin added triumphantly, "You look strong, act tough, have a clear message, and it's even a little funny!"
Eva frowned, "Funny?!"
Terrance backpedaled, "Funny, in a 'don't mess with Eva' sort of way, right Gavin?"
Gavin ignored his friend's question, and just looked at the screen dreamily, "Just look at those graphics. Are you sure we can't add those CGI Chihuahuas, Terrance?"
Terrance snapped, "No, you moron! Enough with the fucking Chihuahuas!"
Gavin giggled, "They wouldn't have to be fu-"
"Guys!" Eva exploded.
She ejected the disc and dropped it into an envelope.
As she turned to leave, Terrance cleared his throat.
"Eva? Want to um... Say something?"
Gavin tapped his foot on the ground.
She sighed; of course they couldn't make this easy.
"Thanks." she grunted.
Breaking out into smiles, Gavin pushed, "...Annndd?"
Eva growled, "Guys! I'm going to be late!"
"For what?" he inquired, still waiting for a more sincere thankful sediment.
Eva hesitated, "Um... I'm going to spar with Randy?"
Terrance looked at her suspiciously, "Randy... the 'asshole'?"
She sighed. Of COURSE they couldn't make this easy.
"Yes."
Gavin approached her gingerly, "Are you going to tell him about... that?"
He pointed to the envelope, which she grasped tighter.
"Maybe."
He squinted, "Why haven't you already?"
"I don't know! Because!"
Terrance grinned, poking Gavin in the ribs, "She likes him."
Gavin gasped in mock horror, while a big smile beamed off of his face.
"No I don't!" Eva cried; a small hint of hysteria was buried in the statement.
"Then why are you getting your panties in a twist?" Terrance asked smugly.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Eva said, more level headed, but she could feel heat rising to her cheeks as they kept taunting.
"You liiiike Randy!" Gavin sing-songed.
"I WILL RIP YOUR FUCKING THROATS OUT!" She screamed, stomping up to the two.
They just danced around her.
"Eva likes Randy! Eva likes Randy!"
Her rage faded. Defeated, her shoulders slumped and she, embarrassed, said, "Just... don't go spread it around."
"Ah-HA!" Terrance and Gavin jumped and high fived each other, laughing and cheering.
Gavin patted Eva on the back, "Your secret's safe with us!"
Terrance made a kissy face, "Better hurry, you'll be late to your boyfriend's hou- HEY!"
Eva had lobbed a near-by lamp at Terrance, narrowly missing him, and stomped out the door.
"Hey! That was my mom's you-"
"Quiet, Terrance, our little Eva's in LOVE!"
Eva was annoyed, but she chuckled anyways. Tucking the envelope safely in her pocket, she climbed into her vehicle.
Next stop: post office.
...
Things are looking up, right?
I promised myself that I would never make a song reference, but I couldn't help myself! If anyone was wondering, the song is Comes and Goes (In Waves) by Greg Laswell. It's so gorgeous, and very chill. And I'm usually a metal head, so it's rare that I like something soft :3
One chapter to go! I wonder if she'll get accepted...
Thanks for reading, reviewing, favoriting, and following :3 See yah.