The bell rang, startling Travis out of the trance he was in. He never in a million years would've expected Sal to say something like that to him. Had he really pushed him that far? "Shit." Travis barely whispered. Of course, where did he think acting like that was going to get him? He meant to push Sal away as to ignore his own feelings, but not make him hate him. Even more so, Sal's the type of person to try the peaceful route first, and if that doesn't work be afraid. Travis could only imagine what Sal would plan to do if he continued to act the way he was. He didn't only just have Sal to be afraid of either if Larry caught wind of it he'd probably pummel Travis into the ground. The only reason he hadn't yet is because of Sal himself.
He really truly did want to be friends with Sal…
But what if his father caught wind of it? It's not normal to feel how he felt and it wouldn't be easy hiding it if they got closer. Especially because they're so open and normal about being like that. Sal was right. He was a coward and took his own insecurities out on him. There's no real excuse he could give. He knew that taunting and hurting Sal wasn't somehow going to give him brownie points or 'prove to God' that he wasn't feeling the way he was. Why was he even debating it anymore?
Leaving the stall and beginning the walk to his classroom, Travis was lost in thought. He didn't really have any other choice besides going to Sal's apartment tonight, did he? It's fine. It'll be fine. Just don't be a dick. Simple right? He'd have to go home and ask his father for permission first but it was for studying purposes which wouldn't upset him. He probably won't be allowed to leave until after dinner though.
The last classes of the day go by fast. Too fast. Travis wanted as much time as he could to avoid going to Sal's. Now he only had a few hours. His father was in the parking lot waiting to drive him home. Travis climbed in the passenger seat and clasped his hands together. He looked to his father to try and diagnose what kind of mood he was in before asking. Now seemed like an ok time. "So, father. A classmate of mine invited me over to his house to study tonight, would that be alright?" Kenneth glanced over to his son, cocking his eyebrow "Which classmate?" he interrogated. Travis sighed, 'He's going to say no and it's going to be all over for me.' his thoughts intruded. "Sal Fisher." quickly shooting his eyes to the left, hoping he wasn't met with an upset face. Surprisingly enough to Travis, his father didn't seem to give much of a reaction. "That's the kid with the weird face right? Well, your grades could be better, so yes, you can go. Only after dinner though, and you need to be home by nine pm and then straight to bed." he replied in a stern voice.
Relief washed over Travis. He as actually really happy. Excited even. "Thank you father." he uttered simply. Kenneth justed hummed in response. The rest of the ride home was silent. Kenneth and Travis rarely had anything to speak about to one another in normal conversation. They didn't get along on most days. Silence at least meant they weren't fighting. They pulled into the driveway of their home. A quaint, two-story home. Blindingly white with a perfectly cut lawn. As expected from a pastor.
Walking in the door, Travis immediately jogged up the staircase to his bedroom to set his bag down and wait until dinner was finished. He tossed his heavy backpack onto the wood floor causing a soft thud and walked to his bed beside the window. The sun was beginning to set, the view was beautiful. Travis didn't have anything else to do to entertain himself but stare at the sky, which was peaceful enough anyway. He sat there for an hour just watching the sun lower and the sky darken. Until a knock came to his door. "Travis sweetie? Dinner's done. Better come to eat so you can get to your friend's house!" his mother sang. She's always been a really sweet woman, Travis felt lucky that at the very least, she was here to brighten up his otherwise bleak life.
He stood from his bed and strode to the door. Opening it he came face to face with his mother with a cheery grin. Her smiles were contagious. "Alright, mother." he said, returning her smile. He followed behind her to the dining room where the table was set neatly and Kenneth was already seated. Travis immediately dropped his smile, as to not upset his father and sat down on the side between his mother and father. They said grace and proceeded to eat dinner once again in silence.
"So! Tell us about this Sal boy! He sounds very interesting!" Travis's mother broke the stillness in the air. Kenneth continued to eat but turned his gaze to his son, expecting an answer. "Well uh. He has blue hair and he's very smart. He's also polite and nice to everyone." Travis decided to leave out that Sal wasn't so polite all the time and had the mouth of a sailor. He wasn't so innocent of that either. "Interesting!" his mother once again chimed. She was just happy that Travis was finally getting along with other kids at school. He never has had many friends, if any at all. "Well son, it's a good thing you're making friends. It's taken you 17 years but at least you're finally doing it." Kenneth grumbled. Even in times of achievement, he finds something to bitch about.
Once dinnertime was over, Travis brought his dish to his mother who was currently washing them. She looked down at him and smiled softly. "Have fun tonight. I know you're going to study but don't overwork yourself ok?" she whispered "And if you don't study at all that's ok too. We won't know." smirking wider. She really was the best mom ever. Travis wondered how he wound up with the best mother and worst father at the same time.
He left to get his backpack upstairs and ran back down to the front door. The apartments were only a few blocks away so he was expected to walk. Which he didn't have a problem with, he would enjoy the fresh air before doing something that is already freaking him out before he's even done it. He walked outside and shut the door quietly behind him. Stepping along the cracked sidewalk on dead leaves. The crunch of them beneath his shoes is the only thing he can hear besides the heartbeat in his ears.
Sal didn't even know he was coming which panicked him even more. What if Sal thinks he flaked out on them meeting and is pissed at him now? What if the invitation only extended directly after school and he wasn't welcome over after a certain time? What if he wasn't even home? Panicked thoughts swirled around his head until he walked inside the apartment building. He stood in the lobby and looked around at the slightly run-down apartment building. The floor looked freshly mopped, making it look nicer, even if only a bit. Then another thought hit him, Sal didn't tell him what apartment he lived in.
"Oh no." Travis mumbled, defeated. Slamming the palm of his hand to his forehead. 'Great. Sal was an idiot and now I look like an idiot!' here he is standing in the doorway of an apartment building he doesn't live in, looking really out of place, having absolutely no clue where to go. Someone overheard Travis and his muttering in the quiet lobby and walked up to him. "Hey sweetheart, you lost?" a woman's voice called. Lowering his hand and lifting his head to peer at who was standing in front of him, he saw a slightly taller woman in front of him.
She was wearing a janitor's jumpsuit and had long brown hair. She looked familiar but he couldn't quite place how. "Uh- I- um…" Travis stuttered. He wasn't expecting a stranger to just up and talk to him out of nowhere. "Do you know which apartment Sal Fisher lives in?" barely whispering he broke eye contact with the woman. Suddenly feeling embarrassed.
She seemed to brighten up a bit at the mention of his name, she chuckled. "Ah I thought you'd be here to see one of the boys. You looked around their age. Well, Sal isn't currently in his apartment, he's in mine with Larbear. I'll take you down there, come on." she smiled warmly at Travis, hoping to comfort him a bit. Waving him to follow her, they stepped into the elevator together. 'That's why she looked familiar, she's Larry's mom.' he concluded in his head. 'I'm surprised she doesn't know who I am. You'd think with how much Larry hates me that he would've at least told his mom about me once.' tilting his head in confusion.
Finally, the elevator dinged, they had reached the basement floor. The moment he stepped off the elevator, he could hear a slight humming of some sort of noise. It sounded like a bunch of screaming. Anxiety filled Travis 'I was fine with going to Sal's apartment but I'm afraid of what entering Larry's domain will entail.' immediately regretting going along with whatever this woman had signed him up for.
She unlocked the apartment door and lead Travis to one of the bedrooms, the 'music' coming from the room was extremely loud. How could they hear themselves think over all that nonsense? Regardless, the woman still banged her fist on the door "BOYS! BOYS SHUT THAT OFF FOR A SECOND!" she practically screamed. The only way they could hear her, probably. The music stopped abruptly and Travis could hear two voices shout from inside the room "Yeah, mom?" "Yes, Lisa?" the two voices said simultaneously. He could immediately recognize them as Larry and Sal speaking.
Lisa released a breath of release, she didn't want to be screaming the whole time in a conversation between them. "You have a guest, can he come in?" Lisa said, peeking down at Travis and giving him another grin. From behind the door, Sal and Larry looked at each other in confusion. They weren't having band practice tonight, so it shouldn't be Ash and they weren't planning on ghost hunting either, so there would be no need for Todd to come all the way down here. Also, Ash and Todd never needed to be escorted down here by Lisa, they just came down and busted in Larry's room with no warning.
Sal had already given up the notion of Travis coming over, that was nearly three hours overdue, and Travis would have to have a lot of balls to come to Larry's apartment of all places. Larry shrugged and responded with a simple "Whatever." and leaned back in the beanbag.
Larry glanced over at the door as he heard the knob rattle and turn as it creaked open. Behind it stood his mom and none other than Travis Phelps. "Oh, what the fuck?" Larry expressed in surprise. "Larry!" Lisa scolded "Language mister!" pointing her finger in his direction. "Oh come on why did you have to bring him down here? I'm breaking out in a rash just from being in the vicinity of him." he practically spat. "Now is that any way to talk to someone, Larry? Honestly, I thought I raised you better than that." clicking her tongue, she rested her hand on Travis's shoulder. "Don't mind him, he didn't get a nap today." she giggled. Larry exclaimed in disbelief.
"I have to go back to work now, if I hear of either of you so much as look at this boy wrong, no practice this week!" Lisa declared, turning around and strutting back out the apartment door. Sal and Larry turned to look at each other, then back at Travis. He slightly raised his hand and weakly waved "H-hey." he stammered.
Sal sat up on the couch, turning towards Travis. "Hey, dude. Nice of you to show up." he said in a cool tone. He didn't seem angry, which was relieving to Travis. Now instead of replying to him, Travis stood in the doorway, staring at Sal. Like a creep. Sal had his hair up in a messy bun and was wearing a hoodie that was too big for him, he looked cute. And Travis mentally kicked himself for even admitting it in thought.
No one could see, but Sal cocked his eyebrow in confusion from underneath his mask. 'Why's Travis looking at me like I just said something offensive?' he puzzled. Travis had the most horrified look on his face that he'd ever seen. Sal started to laugh a bit. It was kind of funny. "Pffft ok dude, did you come all the way here to gawk at me? I know I look fucked up but that shouldn't be new to you." Sal questioned, jokingly. Travis went red immediately, he hadn't realized he was staring. "Um- no!" he retorted, a little louder than necessary. "Well, whatever the fuck you're here for could you actually come in and sit down instead of standing in the doorway?" Larry rolled his eyes and looked back to Sal.
Travis quickly shuffled in and closed the door behind him. He chose to sit on the couch with Sal, but as far on the other side as he could possibly get from him. He sat and twiddled his thumbs, staring at the green carpet beneath him. Too afraid to look at either Larry or Sal, for different reasons. Not many moments of silence passed until someone spoke up again, breaking the awkward air that had filled the room.
"Anyways, I hope you weren't planning on studying still because to be quite honest, I'm tired as shit from school and don't want to torment myself further in the comfort of my own home." Sal said, yawning. He shifted his eyes to Travis, Travis briefly making eye contact and then quickly looking away again. "Yeah, that's fine. We can do whatever, I just have to be home by nine." he said, shifting uncomfortably. "Dude it's Friday, why the hell do you need to be home so early?" Larry interjected. He sighed and stood up, gliding to the door. "I'm doing you a favor, so you better thank me later. What's your phone number?" he turned his head back from the door to Travis.
Travis, very confused, gave him his home phone number and squinted to Larry. "Just what are you about to do, Johnson?" he tried to sound threatening in an attempt to actually get an answer out of him. Larry just limply waved his hand, essentially brushing off the question he had just been asked, and leaving his bedroom, latching the door behind him. Travis and Sal both listened as they heard the elevator activate.
Sal leaped up and walked and walked across the room to grab his guitar. He just kept it down here at this point. His dad always complained about Sal playing too loud and this is the only place the band ever practiced anyway. He pulled the strap around himself and waltzed back to the couch. Claiming a seat once again, except he had moved closer to Travis, much to Travis's dismay. Sal had started to play a song Travis had never heard before. The guitar was fairly quiet, not being plugged into an amp, still, Travis was mesmerized with Sal being able to play the instrument so easily and listened to every note closely.
He never listened to any music other than church hymns. Anything else was the 'devil's music' in his father's eyes, and thus he wasn't allowed to hear it. However, the sound of this intrigued him, he liked it. "So… are you guys like. In a band?" Travis investigated. He made the choice to come here and become friends with Sally Face, he might as well attempt to get to know him better. Sal nodded, bun bobbing along with his head. "Yep, we sure are. Probably nothing you'd listen to though." he invisibly smirked. Travis could see it in his eyes.
"Who's the singer?" he beamed. He was truly curious. None of them seemed like the singing type. Sal stopped strumming to raise his hands in the air "You're lookin' at him. Bask in my glory!" he gloated. Travis shook his head in bewilderment. "How on Earth do you sing? Isn't it hard to understand or even hear you through your mask?" Travis gestured to Sal's face. Sal removed the strap from his shoulder and stood up once again from the couch, walking over to Larry's dresser and opening the top drawer.
"We haven't performed in front of an audience yet so I haven't had the need to use it, I'm also still too nervous to use it regardless but-" stopping mid-sentence to rummage through the drawer and grabbing something. "I have this cool Phantom of the Opera looking mask that only covers the majorly fucked up part of my face so you'll be able to hear me better." he turns to show Travis the item in his hand. It was a mask much like the prosthetic Sal was currently wearing but black and cut perfectly in half. "I'm still not comfortable wearing it though, the whole purpose of my prosthetic I have now is because my entire face is all sorts of janky. This one just covers the worst of it." Sal sighed placing the mask back in the drawer "I don't know, maybe someday I'll grow big enough balls to use it. After all, we're a rock band, and the type of people who listen to our music would probably think my face looks badass anyway."
He decided while he was on that side of the room, he'd turn the music back on, turning it down a bit, however. He didn't want to make poor Travis's perfect Christian soul leave his body in shock. Sal skipped like a little kid back to his previous seat, plopped back down. Just then the doorknob turned again, Larry jaunting back in. "My mom called your mom, she said it was cool for you to stay the night here. Just try not to vex me at any point tonight or you can go sleep on the fifth floor by yourself." Sal chuckled "He wouldn't be totally alone." the concern on Travis's face growing more evident after the last comment. "W-what does that mean." his voice trembled, causing Sal to laugh even harder.