Chapter 7: Skinny Love
A/N: Watch this video when Aubrey sings /watch?v=kw2b3gk_EcA&feature=related (put Y o u T u b e in front of it)
...
The following Wednesday Reid and I were working diligently on identifying our bacteria. We had just completed the gram stain and had determined, from the pink color and rod-like shape, that we had a gram negative bacilli. We put away our microscope and cleaned up the lab bench. Reid went through our flow charts and began eliminating bacteria that did not fit our new criteria. We were among the first ones done and there was still a half an hour left in the lab. I was playing George in Scrabble on our phones. He was currently stuck in English class, the cheater, but was still losing as I had Reid looking over my shoulder and pointing out possibilities. It was then that a message came from the office.
Professor Dickinson read over it quickly, "Can I have your attention please?" When everyone had quieted down she continued, "I've just received a message from Provost Higgins. Classes will end for the day when this period is over due to inclement weather."
At this she paused for the inevitable shrieks of excitement.
"Settle down, settle down," she said with a smile, "For all of our commuters please drive safely as the roads are getting bad out there. For the rest of you, when you're done with your labs you can go and wreak havoc outside."
"Freedom!," Reid yelled as he quickly gathered his things together. Tyler said goodbye to his partner and joined us at the door.
"Don't you just love inclement weather," Reid said smiling. He had one arm draped across my shoulders and the other was across Tyler's.
"And all the accidents it induces," I responded. I couldn't help but smile though, Reid's enthusiasm was catching, as was my own excitement about the swirling white puffs outside.
"You're not going to ruin this for me Redden."
We headed outside and contented ourselves with throwing a few snowballs at unsuspecting passersby until we became too cold and wet to stay outside any longer.
Dripping wet we dashed into the dorms.
"Did you see Aaron's face?"
I laughed at his portrayal of anger and surprise.
We split up in the stairwell and I headed into my room. I quickly shed my wet uniform and threw on a pair of grey sweatpants, a black Spenser sweatshirt, and my worn brown UGG Boots. I was snuggled up in bed, in the middle of rereading The Hunger Games, when Caitlin bounced through the door.
"I brought you cocoa, tell me you love me."
I squealed and took the cup from her, "I want to take you to Canada and marry your fine ass right now."
She beamed at me, "Yeah, I'm all for that."
There was a knock at the door and George burst in.
"Aubrey, please, please tell me you don't have plans for Friday yet."
"I don't have plans for Friday yet."
He grinned, "Shana got sick and we had that gig at The Grind. You wouldn't be interested in filling in would you?"
"Hm, well what will I get out of this?"
"Oh, the usual. Love, people fawning all over you, my eternal enslavement."
"Well how could I refuse?"
He bounced onto my bed and kissed my cheek, "Life saver!"
George's head whipped back as a flying stuffed pig struck him.
"Excuse me! Did you not think of asking me for help," Caitlin grumbled.
He quickly dashed over to her bed and wrapped his arm over her shoulders, "I would have but you sound like a dying rooster when you sing."
"George!"
"It's true though. I still want you to come and support. I'd just like it if you didn't sing. Ever. For the rest of your life."
She punched him in the shoulder, "Asshole."
I smiled at their bantering and continued reading.
…
Friday came quickly. The school remained closed throughout the next day as the roads had turned into a deadly ice slick. Nick and I spent all of Thursday at the theater watching back to back movies. Friday's classes flew by as everyone was still hyped up about the free days.
At five o'clock I started getting ready. I grabbed a tight-ish blue flannel shirt, black leggings, and black boots. I was practicing some versus when there was a knock on the door. I opened it to reveal Tyler.
"Hey Bree. What're you doing tonight?"
"I'm actually on my way out in about half an hour. We're going over to The Grind."
"The Grind? Is that the coffee place fifteen minutes or so from here?"
I nodded whiled I put on some grey feathered earrings. "My friend George is playing there tonight."
"That's cool. I'll let you get ready then."
"Alright, come by if you find yourself bored."
He smiled, "Then I'll see you there."
…..
Reid and Tyler pulled into The Grind at half past eight. He spotted Aubrey and her friends at a table right in front of where some skinny, skater kid was setting up a keyboard, acoustic guitar, and a microphone. He and Tyler went up to the register and ordered coffees.
"Hey Tye, Reid," she said smiling at them. She introduced them around the table to her friends.
"That's George setting up," she motioned behind her.
Tyler smiled suddenly at Caitlin, "You're the one who was singing I'll make a man out of you at Altman's party."
Caitlin blushed, secretly pleased, "Yeah. Embarrassing I know."
"Don't be embarrassed it was hilarious."
"Oh great, Lug Nut's here."
Aubrey smacked Reid upside the head and walked to the door to greet her friend. They then went up to George. Aubrey sat on a stool in front of one of the mics, next to the guitar, which Lug Nuts picked up. Reid scoffed. Her friend George sat behind the keyboard and spoke into the mic.
"Thanks for having us out tonight. Unfortunately Shana has the flu and couldn't make it but my good friend Aubrey Redden has offered to fill in." At this she smiled at the mini crowd. The place had gotten pretty damn full.
"You didn't tell me she was singing," he said elbowing Tyler in the ribs.
"I didn't know Reid."
George started playing the piano, with Lug Nut's playing a few simple chords to accent it, and she began sining.
"Come on skinny love just last the year
Pour a little salt we were never here
My my my – my my my – my my my my – my my ...
Staring at the sink of blood and crushed veneer
I tell my love to wreck it all
Cut out all the ropes and let me fall
My my my – my my my – my my my my – my my ...
Right in the moment this order's tall
I told you to be patient I told you to be fine
I told you to be balanced I told you to be kind
In the morning I'll be with you
But it will be a different kind
I'll be holding all the tickets
And you'll be owning all the fines"
When she finished the song she got an impressive round of applause and wolf whistles but Reid was speechless. Tyler glanced at him and grinned. It had only been three weeks and the girl had him dangling off her little finger and she didn't even know it.
…
I was glad when we finished our final song. I love singing but singing in front of people still frightens me. My nerves were shot. I just hoped no one could tell. I helped George wrap things up and went back to the table. Caitlin handed me a warm cup of cocoa.
"Oh baby, you know just what I like."
"Now I see why you keep icing me," Reid said across the table. I rolled my eyes.
"Someone has to do it."
He pulled the seat out next to him and I sat down.
"That was beautiful."
"Watch out softie, if you're not careful you'll lose that bad boy rep."
He grinned, "That will never happen."
I glanced at the tattoos on his arms, pierced ear, and that stupid beanie and silently agreed.
I leaned over and snatched the beanie off his head, "You seriously need to get over this hat."
He frowned, "There is nothing wrong with that hat."
Tyler laughed, "He can't go a week without it Aubrey."
Reid glared at him, "I could if I wanted too."
"Prove it," I countered.
Reid bit his lip and scooted a little closer to me, lowering his voice, "You want to make a bet?"
I considered the possibility, "What're the stakes?"
"I won't wear it all week until next Friday, you can even hold onto the hat to make sure. If I win, which I will, you have to go to the Snow Ball with me." The grin on his face was gorgeous and I felt bad that it was about to disappear.
"I'm sorry Reid but I already have a date. Steven asked me to go with him."
He smirked, "Lug Nuts?"
"Stop calling him that," I hissed.
He thought a moment, "Keep it, I'll come up with something."
I narrowed my eyes at him, "Well that doesn't sound ominous or anything."
...
Skinny Love is one of my favorite songs right now. Hopefully everyone enjoys it as much as I did. R&R