Chapter 37: Busker
Thomas took a deep breath, standing in front of the school building, holding one of the straps of his backpack, before walking in. He quickly went to his locker and opened it. "Hey," Sam said from behind Thomas, making him jump. "Oh sorry, did I scare you?" Sam asked. "Sorry Sam, I'm just a little jumpy from maybe seeing Zach, if I'm back, so is him and having in count what happened…" Thømas confessed. "Hey, don't worry about him," Sam said with a smile putting his hand on Thomas's shoulder. "I mean, after you broke his nose, I doubt he will try anything," he added. That caused Thomas to drop a chuckle. "Obviously you don't know him well… but I'll try not to worry," Thomas said with a smile. "Hey did you hear we got a guest speaker today?" Sam said as Thomas finished putting his stuff in his locker. "Really? Who?" Thomas asked, shutting his locker. "I think his name is Busker," Sam said as he and Thomas started walking to class. "Busker? Is he by chance a musician with glasses and orange fur?" Thomas asked. "As a matter of fact, yes," Sam replied. "And he's coming here?" Thomas asked, surprised. "Yeah, you know him?" Sam asked. Thomas chuckled, "kinda I went to his concert for my 14th birthday and I met him just before I got here," Thomas explained. "Thomas!" Alfie and Liam said walking up to their friends.
"Welcome back again, mate" Liam said with a smile. "Thanks," Thomas said, rubbing the back of his neck. "Coach was looking for you and Zach," Alfie said. Thomas sighed, "Probably I'm getting kicked off the team, I'll be back," Thomas said as he went to the coach's office. "Coach, did you want to see me?" Thomas said walking into his office. To Thomas's surprise, Zach was already in there, with his nose still recovering from being broken by him. "Heeler! Good timing now I can talk to both of you, have a seat," Coach said pointing to the chair. Thomas nodded as he sat down in the chair that was next to Zach. "Now, you two are my best players, I don't want to kick you both out of the team, if I want to win the league to the school, so I need you two to fix whatever problem you may have," Coach Wolf said looking at both dogs. "I've trained with both of your parents and I've seen their limits," Coach explained. "And now I want to see yours," Coach added as he sat back in his seat. "Thomas, you're still team captain and…" Coach started to say. "That's not fair! It's his first year doing this and I've played longer than him!" Zach protested.
Coach Wolf stared at Zach for a few moments. "Zach, do you want to know why I gave the role of captain to Thomas?" he asked. "Because you got too comfy in your position… you started to find yourself the star of the team and that has been happening for a while now, even before Thomas made it to the team, but I didn't say or do anything because you were able to put the team's needs in priority, but after Thomas made the team, I don't know, you started to get threatened by him and you started to try to prove yourself and the result is what happened at the first game, we could have lost the game miserably, if Thomas hadn't step up and did your job for you," Coach Wolf told. "I already told you that wouldn't happen again," Zach said. "I know, Zach, but I can't take any other risk, if I want to take the team to victory, so as I was saying…" Coach said, turning then to Thomas. "You're still team captain, Thomas, and Zach… you have to watch his back at all times, clear?" Coach explained. "Yes, coach," Thomas replied, while Zach just went to nod his head once while dodging his look.
"Good… now, on another matter, both of your parents agreed to have you two stay an extra two hours after practice to work out your problems while training some more," Coach added. "What?!" Both boys said confused. Coach nodded. "And I have a little surprise for you," Coach said with a smile. "Both of your fathers will be coaching you but you'll be switched, Thomas you'll be coached by Rex and Zach you'll be coached by Bandit," Coach said still with his smile. "But, coach, you can't…" Zach started. "I would mind your words, right now, Zach, after all, this idea didn't come from me, but from your dad, so, if you want to complain to anyone, complain to him," Coach Wolf replied. Thomas could notice Zach contorting his face with rage. Thomas also didn't like the idea of spending extra hours training and have his schedule thrown out, but Zach seemed even more disgusted with the idea than him… much more. "I can't believe this!" Zach shouted, as he grabbed his bag and left the coach's office. Thomas stayed behind and looked at his Coach. "He really didn't like this punishment," he commented. "Don't mind him, he's always been hot headed like his father was," Coach said with a chuckle.
"And what about my dad? Was he hot headed?" Thomas asked. "Your dad is perhaps one of the calmest dogs I've ever met, a joker, yes, but he always tried to deal with any problem with civility" Coach told. "Honestly, I remember seeing him lose his temper only once, but that was when Rex was the school bully and picked on your uncle Stripe," Coach explained. "Yeah, my uncle told me that story," Thomas said as he rubbed the back of his neck. "Your uncle Rad though he was really hot headed, just like Rex, especially when it involved a girl named Emily," Coach said with a laugh. "Um… Coach, Emily was my mother," Thomas corrected. "Oh… I'm sorry mate I didn't know, is Rad your…?" The Coach asked. Thomas shook his head. "No Bandit's my dad," Thomas said with smile. "My mom and my uncle Rad… they just used to date," he added. "On that I remember well, your uncle Rad was so happy back then because he was going to be a father, until… well, that's not a talk to have at this moment," Coach said, before taking a moment.
"Okay then I think we're finished here, you can go on to class now," Coach said looking down at his papers. Thomas nodded as he stood up with his bag. As he prepared to cross the door, he remembered one thing he has been thinking in asking Coach Wolf. "Oh and Coach?" Thomas said before leaving. "Yes Heeler?" Coach said, looking from his desk. "You coach the cricket team as well, don't you?" Thomas asked. "I do, are you interested?" Coach asked putting down his pen. "Yeah… is there an opening?" Thomas asked. The coach smiled with a chuckle. "In fact there is and you know your dad was the youngest cricket player I ever had and took us all the way to the Championship," Coach explained. "Yeah I know," Thomas said. "Do you have your father's talent for cricket as well?" coach asked. "Well, he did taught me as a kid and I was a fairly good batsman, I guess that's what allowed me to excel in baseball," Thomas told. "Baseball, hein? Impressive… well, we can try, who knows, maybe you can also earn captainship of the cricket team as well," Coach told, joking. "I for one I'm already satisfied in leading the touch football team, see you at the field, coach" Thomas told, before leaving the office.
Thomas was heading to class when he bumped into a special someone. "Tori…" Thomas said, surprised. "Thomas, hey how are you? I didn't know you were coming back today," Tori said with a smile. "Yeah, sorry I didn't tell you, but I just couldn't do it, but hey I'm not grounded anymore so if you want to hang out we can fo it," Thomas said with a smile. "Yeah, I'd like that," Tori said. "I better get to class," Thomas said as he started to walk away. "I'll see you at the Assembly," Tori said as she watched Thomas leave for his class. "See you then!" Thomas said before walking into his class. After getting in the classroom, he could feel his classmates stopping talking and then look at him, all while whispering between themselves, probably talking about what happened two weeks ago. However, Thomas just sighed and advanced towards the bottom of the room, where Liam was saving him a place.
"Yeah, I figured you would want a place back here," he said, as Thomas sat down. "Thanks, buddy, I can't wait for this whisperers to stop," Thomas said. "They will… after another epic drama comes to happen," he replied. "So, what did the coach wanted? Did he kicked you out of the team?" Liam asked. "Actually… no, but now I have to train with Zach's dad for two hours after practice," Thomas said. "Man, that sucks, now you have to deal with that jerks dad," Liam said. "Believe me, Zach is even madder than me, he will have to train with my dad, however I think this can work well, for what I know, Zach's dad seems to be a cool dog, I just hope he's not too upset with me for breaking his son's nose," Thomas said. "Or maybe he will just give you a tap on your back for giving an humility lesson to him," Liam joked, causing Thomas to drop a laugh, "Yeah, I don't think that lesson was able to stuck in him," Thomas replied. "No wonder, with that hardhead of his," Liam said. They both laughed, before stopping when the teacher came in to start the class.
When the bell rang, Thomas and Liam got out with the former telling the latter about his decision to join the cricket team. "Really, you want to play cricket too? I always thought you preferred baseball," Liam told. "Hey, I like cricket, the first sports I ever learned to play were cricket and touch football from my dad, but when he divorced my mom and came back to Australia, I just turned to the American sports instead, but now that I'm living here, I thought I should give some attention to my Australian heritage," Thomas said. "Well, at least the cricket team is more pleasant than the touch football team, I bet they will love to have Bandit Heeler's son playing with them," Liam said. "I hope so… the last thing I need is more conflict with another Zach Shepherd," Thomas told. "Excuse, but could you tell me the way to the auditorium?" a voice asked. Thomas and Liam turned and the former couldn't believe in what his eyes were seeing. It was really him: Busker, the one musician that Thomas had met at the flight to Brisbane when he came to live with his father.
Busker!" Thømas said with a smile. "Thomas? Mate, how are you doing?!" Busker said with a smile. "I'm good, but I can't believe you still remember me," Thomas replied. "Of course I remember you, after all, you just gave me the best airplane trip ever," Busker replied. "You two know each other?" Liam asked, confused. "Well, long story short I met Busker before I came to Brisbane," Thomas said as he looked at Liam. "Oh," Liam said, rubbing the back of his neck. "It's my free period, I'll show you where to go," Thomas said with a smile. "Great! I'm a little lost," Busker said, embarrassed about being lost. "Liam I'll catch up with you later okay?" Thomas said looking at his friend. "Yeah sounds good mate," Liam said with a smile before taking off to his next class. Thomas then turns to Busker and then takes him to the Auditorium. Now in the auditorium Busker and Thomas sit at that stage. "So how have you been mate?" Busker asked. "I've been good," Thomas said with a smile. "Staying out of trouble I hope?" Busker said with a wink.
"Yeah… well not really," Thomas confessed. "What's been going on mate?" Busker asked. Thomas sighed before explaining the whole story of when he got there. "That's rough mate I'm sorry all that happened," Busker said looking at the teenager. "It's alright, I'm figuring it out as I go," Thomas said looking at Busker. "And I think that everything is going okay now, I solved my problems with my dad, I'm holding on my other issues, I'm doing the best I can on school…" Thomas added. "And that girl Tori seems like a nice girl too," Busker said with a smile. "Yeah, she's a great friend," Thomas said blushing. "Sounds like there's more to it than that, mate," Busker said with a smile. "I don't think so," Thomas said looking away from Busker. "Sounds to me that you like her mate," Busker said pointing at some fun. "Yeah… but I can't be dating," Thomas said nervously. "Why not mate? It'd be good for you," Busker said with a smile. "Not only that, but, after what you've been through, you deserved to try some romance."
"I don't know… I mean, we had some moments, but… maybe she doesn't like me like that," Thomas said embarrassed. "How do you know if you don't ask her, mate?" Busker asked. "You think I should ask her out?" Thomas asked looking at Busker. "Sure mate! What harm could it do?" Busker said with a smile. "The greatest regret you could ever make is never try," he added. Thomas was still unsure about asking Tori out, but he knew he could trust Busker. However, he could use for some reassuring words as well. "Maybe I'll wait and ask my dad about it," Thomas said looking at Busker. "I mean, he may help me find a best way to ask Tori out," Thomas said. "No rush mate," Busker said, patting Thomas on the back. "But, if I were you, I wouldn't take too long, if this Tori girl is as you describe, I bet she will get the eye of another dog," Busker told. "Don't worry, I'll have that in mind," Thomas said.
"By the way, I am curious about one thing," Thomas said to Busker. "Well, shoot," he told. "Why are you here? I was told you would come here as a guest speaker, but what's the reason for that?" Thomas asked. "Well, the thing is… I'm here to speak to all those who may want to pursue a career in the musical field," Busker said. "Really? That's awesome!" Thomas exclaimed. "And you know what? I have you to thank for it," Busker said. "Me? Why?" Thomas asked. "Do you remember when we swapped tickets? Well, thanks to that, I was able to meet a manager that loved my music and, since then, my luck had changed, I was able to get serious gigs and I'm on my way to have my own CD," Busker replied. "That's so great! I knew you would go places, and I'm so happy that I was the one to give you that chance," Thomas said. "I bet you're going to be very famous," he added. "I hope not, that way I can't return to do what I love once I get tire of being a star," Busker commented, causing Thomas to chuckle.
"Would you really get tired of being a star?" Thomas asked. "Well, I've known musicians that started like me and when they got famous… let's just say they could have a little more humility, not only that but music for them started to become more of a business than a way of life, fortunately, my manager shares my perspective, so she's helping me take it easy and careful," Busker replied. "I kind of get it, my uncle, the one I told you about, is a star quarterback and I have to say he's not the humble type," Thomas told. "But it's not just that, I like to share music to everyone and the fact is I love playing at the streets, it makes me feel fulfil when I see the joy my music gives to everyone," Busker said. "It's even in your name, and that makes me wonder… is Busker your real name?" Thomas asked. "What do you think?" Busker asked. "Well… I think if that's the name you want to use, it can only be your real one," Thomas replied. "You're quite wise for a boy your age," Busker commented, while playfully punching Thomas' arm. "Hey, did you ever consider a career in music? I can give you some tips, if you want," Busker asked.
"Well, I did already consider that, but… I don't think it's the right career for me, I mean I love music, I love playing, but…" Thomas started. "I get it, not every music lover is fated to have a career in music, but I do hope we can still have a duet one day," Busker said. "That I can say for sure it's something I would love to do," Thomas replied. It was then that school bell rang. "Well, I guess it's time for my speech," Busker said. "Don't worry, it's going to be okay, and I'll be in the crowd, so there's really no need for worries," Thomas replied. "And I hope you take this chance to sit beside Tori," Busker told. "Yeah… I'll try to do just that," Thomas said, with a slightly nervous laugh. A few moments later, the auditorium started to have students getting inside and start sitting on the chairs. Thomas prepared to take one when he saw Tori sitting nearby. Taking a deep breath, Thomas decided to follow Busker's advice and approached her. "Hey, Tori, do you mind if I sit here?" he asked. "Of course not, Thomas," she replied, causing Thomas to happily sit beside her, as they went to observe Busker give his speech.