GARY OAK

"Wait, Mr. Morreno. Please, we need this gig."

"I'm sorry, kid. I double booked and there's nothing I can do now. The Gear Heads are already set up." He handed me his business card. "Let's get back in touch in a couple of months. I'll make sure to have a spot blocked off for your band."

Glasses gleaming from the club lights, Mr. Morreno stalked back into his club without so much as a glance back.

I couldn't believe this.

A couple of months? How were we supposed to survive for a couple of months?

"Bastard," Paul muttered under his breath, heading to the van first. Deep wrinkles set between his brows before he threw his base case in the back of the van. Stands clattered to the ground before he slammed the door closed. "Piece of shit."

"This was supposed to cover our utility bill," Ash groaned, beating his head against the side of the vehicle. "Mom's barely keeping up with all the expenses."

I couldn't think of anything to say. I wished I had the balls to demand our spot on stage, but Mr. Morreno provided shows and paid better than any of the other places - even if he was inconsistent and lacked proper communication.

Silence fell over us while the city continued to party, like a cruel sick joke. Thoughts whirled wildly, weighing my shoulders down. This wasn't the first time I let them down.

Breaking the silence, Paul slipped into the driver's seat as he slammed the door closed. Ash and I followed his lead, piling in without a word.

The air inside the vehicle felt heavy, but as the van pulled out of the parking lot, a buzz from my pocket caught my attention. I fished out my phone and ran my eyes over the message.

This is Leaf from the other day. Thanks again for the shirt!

"Are you gonna get that?" Ash asked with a quick glance as I deleted the message I first typed up.

The ten digit number at the top of the screen brought me back to the museum and the petite brunette. Her long brunette hair, soft smile, independent personality - it all made up Leaf Green, the gymnast. I remembered our small game we played before parting ways.

Usually, I never gave out my number, but she caught my attention. She broke me - a creature of habit and within moments, Leaf walked away with a small piece of paper with my info scrawled across it.

The brunette was an anomaly. She oozed high society, but stayed down to earth. Money didn't seem like a toy or a joke to her. She seemed realistic, rather than a childish prep school girl trying to see how fast she can spend daddy's money. She was like a fresh breeze on a warm summer day.

But I made a mistake.

Tonight reminded me of the harsh reality I lived in. I couldn't afford dating pretty girls or hanging out on weekends. I could barely snag a meal for myself.

"There's nothing for me to say." I stated.

Ash rolled his eyes. "Dude, you gave her your number. You can't leave her on read."

"Yes I can. I shouldn't have given her my number anyways."

Paul groaned from the front seat, his usual angry face stared at us through the rearview mirror. "Gary, text her back. Ash, shut up. My head's killing me."

I groaned. "There's no point and out of everyone here, why do you care?"

If looks could kill, Paul would be guilty for murder.

"Because I'm the asshole, not you. Send her a text and call it good."

"Paul just doesn't want you to know he's got a heart." Ash snickered.

"I'll kill you, idiot."

As the two began arguing, I quickly typed up a text. Short, bland. Something to stop the conversation before it even began.

It was my drink that spilled on ya. Don't sweat it.

Right as I hit send another text popped up on my screen, piquing my interest. I feel bad that you had to pay for a shirt. Let me get you lunch this week to make it even.

"Lunch with that girl?" Ash mused, staring at the screen. "Score!"

I glanced at our drummer before shaking my head. "Not happening."

"Dude, take that stick out of your ass. I get it - I'm upset too, but Come on! It's a date with a girl and from what I remember you actually flirted with her," his smile grew with every sentence.

Anger welled up inside me. We couldn't think about dating, even if we wanted to. We didn't have that luxury.

"Didn't you say your mom was struggling with paying the bills? Weren't you going to use this gig to keep the lights on or the water going?" The smile slipped from his lips, but I continued without missing a beat. "Ash, we're barely getting by. The three of us are probably going to be scrapping for food these next few days, so going on a date isn't one of my top priorities."

His body became rigid as his eyes grew cold. Ash bounced his leg as the silence stretched on, no one looking at the other.

Outside the van, tall skyscrapers faded into battered brick buildings. Street lamps barely lit the street as they flickered, struggling to stay on. Potholes came more frequently and trash littered the streets in piles.

Finally, Paul pulled up to a small apartment complex. Bars sat secured over the windows like a jail. The light looming in front, flickered in an attempt to keep the dark alley lit, but failed as the bulb went out with a pop. A frail, sickly woman stood on the stoop with a cigarette between her lips, before releasing a billow of smoke to the sky. The three of us sat in the van with our eyes transfixed on the sight.

Home.

After what seemed like an eternity, Ash spoke. "I already texted my boss and picked up extra shifts at the diner. We should be able to make it and if you can get a free meal, I say go for it." A small smile returned to Ash's lips, but his eyes stared ahead, empty and cold.

"It looks like we'll be skipping a lot of school this month, too." Paul rested his head on the steering wheel in defeat. He scoffed. "Typical."

I glanced at my friends before staring down at the messages once again. The promise of a free meal tempted me to accept her invitation, but where was my pride?

I used the last of my money to help Leaf out, but my good deed left me hungry and pitiful. Now, I couldn't even get a decent meal without getting some sort of hand out. Anger bubbled within as my grip tightened around my phone. A low growl from my stomach filled the space between the three of us, persuading me to take the offer. Let's face it, I lost my pride a long time ago.

Sounds fair. Does tomorrow work for you?