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Chapter 14: Varied Sentiments
Katie has been searching for the video tape in Dewey's apartment in a sneaky kind of way all morning. She doesn't want to draw much attention from her band mates by looking all worried and freaked out. Katie reached out her hand under the sofa, hoping that she would be able to feel a solid, rectangular object.
"Katie, what are you doing?" Dewey said, with a look of contemplation on his face. Katie hurriedly pulled her arm from under the sofa with great difficulty.
"Um, nothing. Nothing. I was just. . .feeling the. . .um. . .ah." Katie stammered.
"Okay. . .whatever. Go to your position, we'll start rehearsing in 5 minutes." Dewey ordered. Katie quickly stood up and went to her usual band position.
"Did you find it?" Summer approached Katie, speaking secretively.
"No." Katie said. "How about you?"
"It wasn't in the bathroom." Summer answered.
"You looked for it in the bathroom? Summer, of all the places why did you assume that it was there?" Katie raised her voice slightly.
"Well, it's better to make sure."
"I can't believe you wasted your time looking for it in the bath-------" Katie suddenly caught Freddy's eye, who quickly turned away. She paused for a while, her eyes still on Freddy.
"Summer, let's just talk later." Katie whispered.
"Fine." Summer walked away from Katie and sat on the couch by the window.
"Alright, all instruments tuned up? Good. Let's kick it from the top. 1,2,3,4. . ."
The band played their song really good this time. In two days time, they have managed to learn and memorize the dynamics of the song. However, in some part of the song, Dewey noticed that the drums were a little too sloppy. Freddy has looked very aloof all morning.
"Very good, you guys. Bravo." Dewey said as they finished the song. "Freddy, dude, are you alright? What happened to the gut bustin', powerhouse drumming?"
"Sorry. . .I was just. . ." Freddy answered faintly, without even finishing his sentence.
"That's alright, dude. Let's do it again. 1,2,3 and---"
The band started with the song again. It went well...except for a certain part in the second stanza where all of a sudden, Freddy's mind went blank making him forget his part. Zack had a what-the-hell-are-you-doing look on his face as he stared at his unfocused friend. Unexpectedly, Freddy threw his drumsticks irritably on the floor in the middle of the song.
"Freddy, what's up with you man?" Dewey said worriedly. Katie looked uneasy as well.
"Nothing. I'm sorry. It's just. . .can I go to the bathroom?" Freddy said quickly and without waiting for Dewey's response, he stood up and hurriedly went to the bathroom.
"What the hell is wrong with him?" Dewey asked once more.
"I don't know, dude." Zack said.
------------------------------
"Billy, answer the door for me will you? That must be the pizza guy." Dewey reached into his pocket and gave Billy a couple of bills. Billy ran to the door and came back with three boxes of pepperoni pizza.
"Finally! I'm starving. . ." Alicia opened the box and got herself a slice before anyone else could. Everyone else followed except for Freddy.
"Here, Zack." Eleni gave him a slice, holding it with a napkin.
"Thanks." Zack blushed as he took a bite off it.
"So are you two like, dating or something?" Dewey said with his mouth full.
"No." Zack and Eleni said quickly at the same time.
"Oh come on! How do you explain the dreamy stares and the sweet talks?" Summer teased.
"Shut up." Zack muttered.
"Freddy, take this last piece. . ." Katie handed the very last slice to Freddy but he made no response whatsoever. "Aren't you hungry?" Katie added skeptically.
"No." Freddy said coldly.
"Yeah right. Since when did you not feel starved?" Katie said jokingly. "C'mon just---"
"I'm not hungry, Katie!" Freddy snapped. He left Katie's side and went to his drum set. Quite surprised, everyone fell silent as they watched Freddy sulk by the stool behind the drums.
"He's been acting really weird." Marta said in almost a whisper.
"Did you two fight again?" Dewey told Katie.
"No. We haven't fought ever since that day at the park." Katie said casually.
"What day at the park?" Summer said, staring at her friend with full interest.
"Oh. . .um. . ." Katie has never told anyone about it and wasn't even planning to do so. But unfortunately, her tongue slipped.
"Ah. . .nothing." Katie lied.
"There's nothing to hide, Katie!" Eleni said. "C'mon, you can tell us."
"I'm not hiding anything!" Katie argued.
"You guys went out?" Dewey said. "Now that's interesting . . ."
"Whatever!" Katie stood up, walking over to her bass. In a spilt second, she caught Freddy's eye but he quickly turned away again. Katie tuned up her bass quietly, looking at Freddy at the corner of her eye.
----------------------------
It was 5:00 pm when band practice ended. Katie was still worried about Freddy's actions and was thinking of talking to him in private. She knew there was something wrong with him and she was quite desperate to know what it was. Ever since the conversation they had at the park, Katie wanted to be a "real" friend to Freddy. It's not that she wasn't "real" before; she just wanted to take the opportunity, now that the both of them no longer argue and have vowed to stay nice to each other, to do what a real friend would do in times like this and that was to comfort and console.
Katie walked awkwardly towards Freddy who was busily disassembling his drum set. When she was about to speak, she suddenly felt a light tap on her shoulder. She turned around and saw Michelle smiling faintly at her.
"Hey. . .Katie." Michelle said.
"Hey." Katie said, giving a small smile.
"I saw this in my closet last night." Michelle handed Katie a denim skirt folded up neatly. "I actually didn't know that I haven't returned it to you until last night when I saw it. Sorry for not returning it earlier. I mean, you might have needed it."
"No. It's okay." Katie said. "I don't wear skirts often."
"Oh. . .okay." Michelle said.
"Yeah. So. . .I'll see you then." Katie said, attempting to leave but was held back by Michelle.
"Wait. I'm supposed to tell you something."
"What?"
"I'm so sorry for acting like a major bitch." Michelle sighed. "I accused you so harshly. I didn't even think about your feelings. I'm really sorry."
"It's okay, Michelle. I mean, I admit that you were really being such a bitch but, what the heck. I can't stay angry at you forever now can I?"
"So are we friends?" Michelle said, offering Katie a handshake.
"Friends." Katie said, accepting Michelle's hand. Both girls smiled gladly at each other.
"Well. . .I'll see you tomorrow." Michelle gave Katie a friendly hug and left the room.
Katie felt so much lighter now that Michelle and she are back in good terms. Suddenly, she remembered about Freddy but to her surprise, Freddy was no longer there disassembling. He probably left while she was talking to Michelle. She didn't notice him leave.
"Great." Katie mumbled sarcastically as she left Dewey's apartment.
-----------------------
Katie walked her way to the grocery store thinking about Freddy. She didn't know whether she should look for him, go to his house or just wait until the next day. Freddy's actions really bugged her and she was desperate to know what was going on with him.
Katie reached the store and to her surprise, she saw a guy sitting on the bench in front whom she recognized pretty well. Her heart began to pace up faster as she walked awkwardly towards him.
"Katie." Michael smiled.
"Hey." Katie said awkwardly. She sat down next to him.
"I haven't seen you for a while."
"Yeah. Me too."
Both fell silent. Katie felt as if there was something blocking her throat making her unable to speak.
"So. . .how was band practice?"
"Um, good."
"Oh."
Again, both fell silent. Michael stared at Katie dreamily. He seemed like he could not take his eyes off her.
"Hey. . .are you okay?" Katie said, feeling Michael's gaze.
"What? Oh yeah. I'm. . .I'm okay." Michael said feeling a bit embarrassed.
"So. . .you quit the band." Katie said.
"Yeah. I had to. I didn't want to at first but. . .there's nothing I could do."
"So they're replacing you?"
"I guess."
The awkward feeling they both felt was always reflected through the silence. For the third time, both seemed tongue twisted.
"That's too bad." Katie finally broke the silence. "I mean, you're really a good drummer."
"You think so?"
"Yeah. Not to mention, a good singer too." Katie smiled faintly.
"Oh. So you heard me on the radio."
"Yeah. The entire band and crew did too."
"Oh shoot." Michael said, embarrassed.
"Don't worry. They all thought you were great." Katie grinned. "I never knew you liked Elton John."
"Well. . .I'm not really a fan of his. I just chose that song 'cause it was my mom's favorite. My dad used to sing it to her. Not until he. . .died. And I was thinking maybe I should sing it to someone special too. . ."
Katie was speechless. She never knew Michael could be so sweet.
"Anyway, you didn't have to hear that."
"That was really sweet of you, Michael. Not all guys have the courage to do that."
"Not even Freddy?"
Katie froze. For the second time, she forgot about Freddy.
"Freddy's a different story." Katie said.
"You like him don't you?" Michael asked.
"What does he have to do with all this?"
"Nothing. I just wanted to know." Michael said softly.
"Well I do like him but only as a friend." Katie said positively. "There! I said it. There's nothing else for you to know about."
Michael smiled.
"So um. . .can I ask you something?" Michael said.
"Yeah."
"Since I'll be leaving this Saturday, I was wondering if we could, you know, spend time together. Watch a movie or. . .play video games. . ."
"Oh. . .um" Katie paused for a while trying to think of what to say, then continued "I don't know. You see, Dewey became really strict regarding band rehearsals and I think I can't just skip any practice especially now that we only have 2 days before Finals. I'm sorry."
"Oh okay. We can still meet here anyway. We can still talk and hang out. . ."
"Yeah." Katie said as she checked her watch. "Um, Michael, I really have to go home now. Mom's probably waiting for me."
"Oh. I can walk you home if you like."
"No need. I'll be fine by myself. I'll just see you tomorrow." Katie swung her backpack over her shoulder, carried her guitar case, waved a hand at Michael and crossed the street towards the bus stop.
Michael watched as Katie climbed up the bus. He has never been so awkward around a girl before. Heck, he has never been so crazy for a girl all his life. Michael stared at the tangerine sky, smiling to himself. 'I am so going to miss you, Katie.' he told himself, his mind still filled with endless thoughts of the one and only girl of his dreams.
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Katie walked silently as she turned right at the corner of the street where she lived on. She has been thinking about Michael again the whole time. But this time she realized that she only does like him as a friend and nothing more.
'I didn't feel anything when we talked.' She told herself. 'Well. . .it was awkward, yes, but it was only because I remember the tape. What he told me through the tape made me feel awkward around him. Damn it, I don't understand!' she walked more hastily now. 'And we just had a friendly conversation. Nothing romantic. Well, maybe with the exception of his obvious attempt to ask me out. . .' she climbed three steps to the porch of her house and to her surprise someone was sitting on the chair by the veranda.
"What are you doing here?" Katie said jumpily, she felt her heart beat so fast. Freddy was seated on the chair, still with a stiff face.
"Just wanted to return something." Freddy handed Katie the video tape. Katie's heart stopped as she stared alarmingly at the tape she held in her hand. "Great movie." Freddy added as left silently.
Katie stood still, trying to think about what just happened. Freddy had the tape. And by the looks of it, he probably watched it. So that explains his behavior all morning. Katie didn't know what to do. She held the tape with a tight grip, motionless. She tried to see if Freddy hasn't gone far, hoping that maybe she could still ran after him, but sadly he was nowhere to be seen.
"Damn it." She whispered as she entered the house, feeling utterly miserable.
End of Chapter 14
Please review! Thank you so much.
Chapter 14: Varied Sentiments
Katie has been searching for the video tape in Dewey's apartment in a sneaky kind of way all morning. She doesn't want to draw much attention from her band mates by looking all worried and freaked out. Katie reached out her hand under the sofa, hoping that she would be able to feel a solid, rectangular object.
"Katie, what are you doing?" Dewey said, with a look of contemplation on his face. Katie hurriedly pulled her arm from under the sofa with great difficulty.
"Um, nothing. Nothing. I was just. . .feeling the. . .um. . .ah." Katie stammered.
"Okay. . .whatever. Go to your position, we'll start rehearsing in 5 minutes." Dewey ordered. Katie quickly stood up and went to her usual band position.
"Did you find it?" Summer approached Katie, speaking secretively.
"No." Katie said. "How about you?"
"It wasn't in the bathroom." Summer answered.
"You looked for it in the bathroom? Summer, of all the places why did you assume that it was there?" Katie raised her voice slightly.
"Well, it's better to make sure."
"I can't believe you wasted your time looking for it in the bath-------" Katie suddenly caught Freddy's eye, who quickly turned away. She paused for a while, her eyes still on Freddy.
"Summer, let's just talk later." Katie whispered.
"Fine." Summer walked away from Katie and sat on the couch by the window.
"Alright, all instruments tuned up? Good. Let's kick it from the top. 1,2,3,4. . ."
The band played their song really good this time. In two days time, they have managed to learn and memorize the dynamics of the song. However, in some part of the song, Dewey noticed that the drums were a little too sloppy. Freddy has looked very aloof all morning.
"Very good, you guys. Bravo." Dewey said as they finished the song. "Freddy, dude, are you alright? What happened to the gut bustin', powerhouse drumming?"
"Sorry. . .I was just. . ." Freddy answered faintly, without even finishing his sentence.
"That's alright, dude. Let's do it again. 1,2,3 and---"
The band started with the song again. It went well...except for a certain part in the second stanza where all of a sudden, Freddy's mind went blank making him forget his part. Zack had a what-the-hell-are-you-doing look on his face as he stared at his unfocused friend. Unexpectedly, Freddy threw his drumsticks irritably on the floor in the middle of the song.
"Freddy, what's up with you man?" Dewey said worriedly. Katie looked uneasy as well.
"Nothing. I'm sorry. It's just. . .can I go to the bathroom?" Freddy said quickly and without waiting for Dewey's response, he stood up and hurriedly went to the bathroom.
"What the hell is wrong with him?" Dewey asked once more.
"I don't know, dude." Zack said.
------------------------------
"Billy, answer the door for me will you? That must be the pizza guy." Dewey reached into his pocket and gave Billy a couple of bills. Billy ran to the door and came back with three boxes of pepperoni pizza.
"Finally! I'm starving. . ." Alicia opened the box and got herself a slice before anyone else could. Everyone else followed except for Freddy.
"Here, Zack." Eleni gave him a slice, holding it with a napkin.
"Thanks." Zack blushed as he took a bite off it.
"So are you two like, dating or something?" Dewey said with his mouth full.
"No." Zack and Eleni said quickly at the same time.
"Oh come on! How do you explain the dreamy stares and the sweet talks?" Summer teased.
"Shut up." Zack muttered.
"Freddy, take this last piece. . ." Katie handed the very last slice to Freddy but he made no response whatsoever. "Aren't you hungry?" Katie added skeptically.
"No." Freddy said coldly.
"Yeah right. Since when did you not feel starved?" Katie said jokingly. "C'mon just---"
"I'm not hungry, Katie!" Freddy snapped. He left Katie's side and went to his drum set. Quite surprised, everyone fell silent as they watched Freddy sulk by the stool behind the drums.
"He's been acting really weird." Marta said in almost a whisper.
"Did you two fight again?" Dewey told Katie.
"No. We haven't fought ever since that day at the park." Katie said casually.
"What day at the park?" Summer said, staring at her friend with full interest.
"Oh. . .um. . ." Katie has never told anyone about it and wasn't even planning to do so. But unfortunately, her tongue slipped.
"Ah. . .nothing." Katie lied.
"There's nothing to hide, Katie!" Eleni said. "C'mon, you can tell us."
"I'm not hiding anything!" Katie argued.
"You guys went out?" Dewey said. "Now that's interesting . . ."
"Whatever!" Katie stood up, walking over to her bass. In a spilt second, she caught Freddy's eye but he quickly turned away again. Katie tuned up her bass quietly, looking at Freddy at the corner of her eye.
----------------------------
It was 5:00 pm when band practice ended. Katie was still worried about Freddy's actions and was thinking of talking to him in private. She knew there was something wrong with him and she was quite desperate to know what it was. Ever since the conversation they had at the park, Katie wanted to be a "real" friend to Freddy. It's not that she wasn't "real" before; she just wanted to take the opportunity, now that the both of them no longer argue and have vowed to stay nice to each other, to do what a real friend would do in times like this and that was to comfort and console.
Katie walked awkwardly towards Freddy who was busily disassembling his drum set. When she was about to speak, she suddenly felt a light tap on her shoulder. She turned around and saw Michelle smiling faintly at her.
"Hey. . .Katie." Michelle said.
"Hey." Katie said, giving a small smile.
"I saw this in my closet last night." Michelle handed Katie a denim skirt folded up neatly. "I actually didn't know that I haven't returned it to you until last night when I saw it. Sorry for not returning it earlier. I mean, you might have needed it."
"No. It's okay." Katie said. "I don't wear skirts often."
"Oh. . .okay." Michelle said.
"Yeah. So. . .I'll see you then." Katie said, attempting to leave but was held back by Michelle.
"Wait. I'm supposed to tell you something."
"What?"
"I'm so sorry for acting like a major bitch." Michelle sighed. "I accused you so harshly. I didn't even think about your feelings. I'm really sorry."
"It's okay, Michelle. I mean, I admit that you were really being such a bitch but, what the heck. I can't stay angry at you forever now can I?"
"So are we friends?" Michelle said, offering Katie a handshake.
"Friends." Katie said, accepting Michelle's hand. Both girls smiled gladly at each other.
"Well. . .I'll see you tomorrow." Michelle gave Katie a friendly hug and left the room.
Katie felt so much lighter now that Michelle and she are back in good terms. Suddenly, she remembered about Freddy but to her surprise, Freddy was no longer there disassembling. He probably left while she was talking to Michelle. She didn't notice him leave.
"Great." Katie mumbled sarcastically as she left Dewey's apartment.
-----------------------
Katie walked her way to the grocery store thinking about Freddy. She didn't know whether she should look for him, go to his house or just wait until the next day. Freddy's actions really bugged her and she was desperate to know what was going on with him.
Katie reached the store and to her surprise, she saw a guy sitting on the bench in front whom she recognized pretty well. Her heart began to pace up faster as she walked awkwardly towards him.
"Katie." Michael smiled.
"Hey." Katie said awkwardly. She sat down next to him.
"I haven't seen you for a while."
"Yeah. Me too."
Both fell silent. Katie felt as if there was something blocking her throat making her unable to speak.
"So. . .how was band practice?"
"Um, good."
"Oh."
Again, both fell silent. Michael stared at Katie dreamily. He seemed like he could not take his eyes off her.
"Hey. . .are you okay?" Katie said, feeling Michael's gaze.
"What? Oh yeah. I'm. . .I'm okay." Michael said feeling a bit embarrassed.
"So. . .you quit the band." Katie said.
"Yeah. I had to. I didn't want to at first but. . .there's nothing I could do."
"So they're replacing you?"
"I guess."
The awkward feeling they both felt was always reflected through the silence. For the third time, both seemed tongue twisted.
"That's too bad." Katie finally broke the silence. "I mean, you're really a good drummer."
"You think so?"
"Yeah. Not to mention, a good singer too." Katie smiled faintly.
"Oh. So you heard me on the radio."
"Yeah. The entire band and crew did too."
"Oh shoot." Michael said, embarrassed.
"Don't worry. They all thought you were great." Katie grinned. "I never knew you liked Elton John."
"Well. . .I'm not really a fan of his. I just chose that song 'cause it was my mom's favorite. My dad used to sing it to her. Not until he. . .died. And I was thinking maybe I should sing it to someone special too. . ."
Katie was speechless. She never knew Michael could be so sweet.
"Anyway, you didn't have to hear that."
"That was really sweet of you, Michael. Not all guys have the courage to do that."
"Not even Freddy?"
Katie froze. For the second time, she forgot about Freddy.
"Freddy's a different story." Katie said.
"You like him don't you?" Michael asked.
"What does he have to do with all this?"
"Nothing. I just wanted to know." Michael said softly.
"Well I do like him but only as a friend." Katie said positively. "There! I said it. There's nothing else for you to know about."
Michael smiled.
"So um. . .can I ask you something?" Michael said.
"Yeah."
"Since I'll be leaving this Saturday, I was wondering if we could, you know, spend time together. Watch a movie or. . .play video games. . ."
"Oh. . .um" Katie paused for a while trying to think of what to say, then continued "I don't know. You see, Dewey became really strict regarding band rehearsals and I think I can't just skip any practice especially now that we only have 2 days before Finals. I'm sorry."
"Oh okay. We can still meet here anyway. We can still talk and hang out. . ."
"Yeah." Katie said as she checked her watch. "Um, Michael, I really have to go home now. Mom's probably waiting for me."
"Oh. I can walk you home if you like."
"No need. I'll be fine by myself. I'll just see you tomorrow." Katie swung her backpack over her shoulder, carried her guitar case, waved a hand at Michael and crossed the street towards the bus stop.
Michael watched as Katie climbed up the bus. He has never been so awkward around a girl before. Heck, he has never been so crazy for a girl all his life. Michael stared at the tangerine sky, smiling to himself. 'I am so going to miss you, Katie.' he told himself, his mind still filled with endless thoughts of the one and only girl of his dreams.
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Katie walked silently as she turned right at the corner of the street where she lived on. She has been thinking about Michael again the whole time. But this time she realized that she only does like him as a friend and nothing more.
'I didn't feel anything when we talked.' She told herself. 'Well. . .it was awkward, yes, but it was only because I remember the tape. What he told me through the tape made me feel awkward around him. Damn it, I don't understand!' she walked more hastily now. 'And we just had a friendly conversation. Nothing romantic. Well, maybe with the exception of his obvious attempt to ask me out. . .' she climbed three steps to the porch of her house and to her surprise someone was sitting on the chair by the veranda.
"What are you doing here?" Katie said jumpily, she felt her heart beat so fast. Freddy was seated on the chair, still with a stiff face.
"Just wanted to return something." Freddy handed Katie the video tape. Katie's heart stopped as she stared alarmingly at the tape she held in her hand. "Great movie." Freddy added as left silently.
Katie stood still, trying to think about what just happened. Freddy had the tape. And by the looks of it, he probably watched it. So that explains his behavior all morning. Katie didn't know what to do. She held the tape with a tight grip, motionless. She tried to see if Freddy hasn't gone far, hoping that maybe she could still ran after him, but sadly he was nowhere to be seen.
"Damn it." She whispered as she entered the house, feeling utterly miserable.
End of Chapter 14
Please review! Thank you so much.