The rest of my weekend was hectic, filled with practices. I barely had time to breathe when school started Monday.
The school had a permanently buzzed atmosphere with everyone anticipating how All Time Low was going to kick off the first week. You couldn't go anywhere without hearing about how hot Alex was or how amazing he was, and it was pissing me off.
"You seem angry," Taylor pointed out at lunch. All Time Low still hadn't made any attempt at advertising themselves. Come to think of it, I hadn't seen anyone from the band at all today. Alex wasn't in Chemistry.
I shook my head, "Just annoyed. It's Monday," I half smiled.
She smiled back and nodded, "Worst day of the week."
"Has anyone seen All Time Low yet?" Haylee asked.
I repressed the urge to roll my eyes when all the lights in the cafeteria went out. A few girly screams rang through the room before a single spotlight shone at the back. We all turned our attention to the wall. Suddenly, Alex appeared with a microphone in his hand standing on a table.
"St. Luke's are you ready?" He yelled. The cafeteria half cheered. "I said ARE YOU READY?"
This time, almost everyone cheered. Alex smiled, causing all the girls to scream again. "Alright, I am Alex Gaskarth, and I will be performing with my band All Time Low this Friday. Be there and be ready to party! Want a sneak preview?"
They all cheered again and Alex sung the first verse and chorus of a New Found Glory song I didn't recognize. He drew the last note out longer than he was supposed to, and it made me weak in the knees even though I was sitting.
As quickly as he appeared, he disappeared and the lights came back on. The cafeteria was alive with conversation.
"That definitely wasn't as great as I expected," Kim said.
I nodded, agreeing with her, "I expected more extravagance."
"I guess they're starting off slow and building up until Friday?" Haylee threw out.
"Hopefully but they'll probably get by purely on looks anyways," I said.
All three of them nodded and thoughts of what was coming next consumed us.
Friday
Apparently, I am easily annoyed by hearing the same thing over and over again.
All week all I've heard is, "Oh em gee, Alex Gaskarth is soooooo hot!"
And I know you read that in one of those annoying high pitched voices. Half the girls are only voting for them because of Alex. They don't even recognize the amazing talent Zack, Jack and Rian have. They're all too busy fantasizing about Alex. I want ready to hit someone.
I don't know when I became such an angry person, but I don't even care.
All the attention is going to Alex's head too. He's got from prick to 100% conceded asshole in four days.
And I know what you're thinking; that I'm just jealous all of his attention isn't on me anymore. I'm not jealous. I don't get jealous. Jealously is a waste of time. I have more important things to do than spend another Alex-less Chemistry period thinking about Alex.
Too bad that's exactly what I'm doing, and have done all week. This week has been brutal with practices, lessons, school, and coming up with ideas for our week, I've become increasingly bitchy. Not only do I get to see Alex perform tonight, I also get a double dose of him this weekend.
I let out a long sigh and turned the volume on my iPod up, drowning out my teacher with Theory of a Deadman.
The bell rang and I almost ran to the library to avoid hearing about Alex.
Third period I wasn't as lucky. I was making a pit stop at my locker for my text book, and not-so-lucky for me Alex and Jack had a booth set up right by my locker, giving out free shirts to the sluts—I mean fans. Alex stood there with a mega phone, trying to attract attention when he spotted me walking by.
"Kayleigh!" He yelled into the mega phone. Everyone in the hallway stopped at looked at me.
"Can I help you?" I asked.
"Come here," He motioned.
I rolled my eyes and started walking towards him, feeling the glares his groupies were giving me for being his person of interest for 30 seconds. Great way to get us publicity.
"What?" I asked, finally reaching the front of the booth.
"Are you coming tonight?" He asked, looking at me with wide, brown eyes that sparkled with excitement. He looked so cute.
I half-heartedly shrugged, "I might."
"Aw, c'mon Cupcake, you should come."
I felt the daggered glares dig into my back even more after he called me Cupcake. If looks could kill, I would definitely be dead.
"What's one less person there?" I asked.
"But I want you there," He said, emphasising I.
I grinned internally. He wanted me there. On the outside, I smirked at him, "We'll see."
Giving him a slightly seductive smile, I turned on my heel and walked away without looking back at him.
I can play games just as good as he could.
"Are we going to the show tonight?" Taylor asked at lunch.
"What's the point?" Haylee said, "We already know what they sound like. What time is it?"
"Check out the crowd?" Kim shrugged, "And it starts a four." I knew that wasn't her reason.
"I can't go anyways," Haylee said, "I have a soccer game tonight."
Taylor's phone rang from her bag. She scrambled to answer it.
"Hello? Yeah. No. What? But—why? That's bullshit! Fine. I'll be there," She hung up and looked at us, "Apparently I have to go to an extra dance practice tonight."
"That blows man," I said, "Looks like it's just you and me, Kim."
"Do you know how the place is going to be setup?" She asked.
I shrugged, "No idea. Guess we'll find out when we go."
After school, I met Kim at her locker.
"We've still got a good half hour until they start," I started.
"But I want a good spot, and it'll fill up quickly," Kim pointed out.
I followed her to the auxiliary gym. Our school had two gyms, the main gym and the aux gym. The main gym was larger and made for gym class and the aux gym was used for special events. We stepped in and I was in awe. The gym was decorated with posters of All Time Low and promotion posters. Half the bleachers on the right wall were pulled out slightly for people to sit on and in the left corner, and taking up 2/3 of the wall, was a giant stage. There were lights shining everywhere and a shiny drum set setup at the back of the stage. Loud music was blasted from the sound system.
"Wow," I said, "All this for one band to play one song?"
Kim was still looking around, "I guess so. Go big or go home. The finals are going to be amazing."
We made our way to the stage, where a small group was already gathered, and stood off to the left side.
We watched as the gym slowly filled up with students. By 3:55 the gym was almost entirely filled with people.
"Shit man, they sure do know how to bring a crowd in," Kim said.
I nodded as the lights went out and everyone started cheering.
Seconds later, Jack ran out onto stage and broke into a guitar solo, which slowly turned into the intro of Feelin' This by Blink 182. By that time, Alex, Zack and Rian had come onto stage.
The crowd got into it right away, singing the backup 'I'm feeling this' during the verses.
"I WANT TO SEE YOU ALL JUMP," Alex yelled, and then dove into the chorus.
I danced and jumped around with everyone else. The atmosphere was too excited not to. Alex made eye contact with me a couple times and smirked.
Right before the hook, he came over to my side of the stage, lead over and sang directly to me,
"This place was never the same again, after you came and went.
How can you say you meant anything different to anyone standing alone,
on the street with a cigarette, on the first night we met?
Look to the past and remember and smile,
And maybe tonight I can breathe for a while.
I'm not in the scene I think I'm fallin' asleep
but then all that it means is I'll always be dreaming of you."
They finished the song with a huge ending of flashing lights and solos. The crowd went nuts when they were done.
"Thank you so much!" Alex said, throwing his pick into the crowd, and strutting off stage.
"Wow," Was all I could say to Kim.
She laughed, "What was the whole singing directly to you thing?"
"I don't even know," I said, still shocked he did that. I didn't know what to think about it.
"Wanna go backstage and congratulate the guys?" She suggested, pushing me towards the far side of the stage.
A bunch of girls were crowded around the guys already. Jack spotted Kim and pushed his way through them and she gave him a huge hug.
"That was great!" She said, "Actually, great doesn't even begin to describe that, but I have limited vocabulary."
They both laughed and I glanced at the girls who were gathered around Jack. They seemed to have found a new person of interest. At least if Jack and Kim became an item, the groupies would leave them alone. Too bad their new person on interest was Alex.
I waited near the back of the group until the girls slowly started to leave, thanks to Sara kicking them out.
"Hey, Cupcake," He greeted me.
"What did I say about calling me Cupcake?" I said, slightly annoyed.
"Why do you hate it so much?" He asked, throwing an arm around my shoulder.
I felt butterflies erupt in my stomach at his touch. I didn't know why the name bothered me, it just did.
"So did you like the set?" He asked, changing the subject.
"Yeah, it was alright," I nodded. I felt him let out a subtle sigh and he dropped his arm. "Are you going to come to our show?"
He shrugged, obviously not happy with my answer. "Depends on what else is happening that day."
I felt bad. He obviously really wanted to impress me and my approval, but why? It's not like he's into me like that. He has almost all of the school to choose from, what makes me so special?
"You really went all out for it though," I added. I wanted to ask him about the whole singing to me thing, but I just couldn't bring myself to.
"Well yeah, we only have one song to get their attention, so why not?"
We walked over to where Kim and Jack were standing.
"So what's the plan for tonight?" Jack asked.
Alex shrugged again, "N64 at my house?"
"Sounds great," Jack grinned.
"We should probably head out then," Alex said, "We'll take down Monday during first period?"
"You won't be in chemistry again?" I blurted, feeling slightly disappointed.
"Aw, Cupcake, did you miss me this week?" He shot me a cocky grin.
"No, uh, I was just, uh, thinking about how much homework you're going to have," I tried to save myself.
They all gave me skeptical looks, and Kim chuckled, "Sleep over tonight, Kay?"
"Why not? Daddy's not going to be home," I smiled, "But we have to stop and pick up more junk food since you and Jack ate it all at practice."
"What can I say?" Jack grinned, "I was hungry. Hey Alex, where'd Zack and Rian go?"
"I don't actually know. I think they left to go get food."
"Alright, let's go," Kim said, giving Jack a hug. I saw Alex smile at them from behind Jack. He looked at me, and opened his arms, smiling like a little kid. He was so adorable. I slowly stepped into him and wrapped my arms around him.
It was really, really awkward. I let go of him and backed away.
I said bye to Jack and followed Kim out of the school and to her car.
"So I'm thinking we go to 7-11 and pick up junk food and then go back to your place any watch scary movies and just chill?" Kim said, pulling out of the parking lot.
"Sounds like a plan man," I agreed. "A stress free, quiet, lazy night sounds awesome right now."
"Three weeks into school and we're already stressed to the max. It's insane."
"Tell me about it," I sighed.
She pulled into the parking lot of 7-11 and I got out of the car and went into the store. I grabbed two bags of Doritos, four chocolate bars, a bag of skittles and two Slurpees.
I took all the junk food up to the counter.
"Kayleigh?" The cashier asked.
I looked at him confused until something clicked, "Brad?"
"How've you been lately?" He asked excitedly, "I haven't seen you in forever. Are you still with that Gaskarth kid?"
"It's been decent," I nodded, "But no, we broke up last summer."
"Oh, really, why?" He asked. I saw something in his eyes, but I couldn't quite figure out what.
"He cheated on me," I stated as he rang up my food.
"Oh, wow. That sucks." He said, with little sympathy.
I nodded and pulled out my credit card and paid. I grabbed the bags off the counter, "Well it was great seeing you."
"You too," He smiled. He had a nice smile, but it didn't compare to Alex's. "Hey, do you think I could get your number so we can stay in touch?"
I contemplated it for a minute, the shrugged, "Why not?"
He handed me his phone and I added my number and then went back out to Kim's car.
"Who was that you were talking to?" She asked.
"Just an old friend," I said handing her her Slurpee.
We drove back to my place and went down to my room. We exchanged our uniforms for baggy sweats and tank tops.
"I wish I could wear this to school," Kim said, plopping down in front of the flat screen T.V in the living room.
"Oh my God, me too. School would be so much better," I said, "Final Destination three?"
"I love that movie," Kim said, bouncing up and down on the couch.
"I know," I laughed and started the movie.
Alex's P.O.V
"I'm bored of video games man," I said, dropping the controller onto the bed.
"Me too man," Jack agreed, "What do you wanna do now?"
I racked my mind for something to do when an idea popped into my head.
"Hey, I've got an idea," I declared.
"What is it?"
"So, y'know how Kim and Kayleigh are having a sleepover tonight?"
"Yeah?" Jack looked at me weird.
"So, I was thinking, why not have a little fun with them?" I grinned.
"What kinda fun?" He asked, still not catching on.
"Well, I know where Kayleigh lives and I think it would be amusing to scare the shit out of them."
"Oh! I get it now. Let's do it!"
I stood up, and grabbed a dark blue hoodie and threw a black one at Jack. We got into my car and headed towards Kayleigh's house.