A/N: Not much to say but please enjoy and leave feedback. I really do want to know what improvements I can make. See you in the next one.
Chapter 30: Perish the thought.
Humphrey's POV:
Flashback continued.
I slid myself into my shirt, grateful for Adam's help since the painkillers took the edge of the pain, reducing it to a dull ache but excessive movement would still cause spikes of fresh pain. I stood up now that I was dressed and we headed out of the room, Adam walking beside me as I walked slowly to avoid sudden movement.
"So Humphrey, are you sure there's no one you want me to call? Or I can drop you home?" Adam asked me, concern in his voice as I shook my head at his first question and chuckled a little at the second.
"Unless you feel like driving to Canada I don't think that's really an option. I'm travelling that way slowly, probably via the North East coast." I replied, explaining what my current plan was, although it was just as likely to change as not.
"By yourself? What are you, fourteen?" Adam said, looking shocked as was the usual reaction I got when I told people about my travels. I knew it wasn't exactly the normal thing for someone my age to do but I didn't think it was such a big deal. By the time we were walking out the front entrance of the hospital he seemed to have overcome his shock.
"I admit I'd feel bad about you being alone after what happened, even if the doctor said that you were fine. Why not come with me to the studio? You can see music in the making." He continued after a moment and I had to admit, the idea seemed like fun so I nodded since I was in no real rush to move on from Nevada just yet. We walked over to his car and got in, listening to the radio as we headed for the studio and talking about his band, which intrigued me.
Adam's POV:
"So are you guys famous?" Humphrey asked bluntly with a smile, no doubt wondering how'd he'd answer. Adam had to admit he wasn't sure what to say, this was perhaps the first person he'd even met in many years who genuinely had no idea who he was. He'd mentioned that he was the lead singer for his band back at the hospital but after hearing the name of the band Humphrey had given no real reaction. 'He really is an odd one.' Adam thought to himself.
"Well I don't know about that, we've been fortunate enough to do well recently." He said aloud after a moment, trying to be vague about the issue since it seemed way to crass to say that they were famous or that he was possibly the only person in America who'd never heard of Maroon 5. Humphrey just laughed at that, nodding to himself contently as he looked out the window.
After a moment the radio caught his attention and Adam watched as he turned it up, smiling as he confirmed the song that was playing, which happened to be 'Cooler than Me' by Mike Posner that had been hitting hot lists all over the country recently. Humphrey began to sing along as they drove and he had to admit, the boy had an excellent voice and talent. 'He could be a great singer if he wanted.' Adam thought to himself, wondering if Humphrey had any interest in becoming a musician as he joined in and they sang along with the song. They had just arrived at the studio as the song ended and they both laughed as Adam put his window down so that the security guard could see who he was, driving on once more as they were waved through.
"You've got a talent for singing there Humphrey. Have you had any training?" He asked him as he pulled into a park and they got out of the car.
"At singing? No. I'm not all that much though." Humphrey replied modestly, looking a little happy at the compliment despite his words as they entered the building and went upstairs.
"You're too modest, you're already good enough to make songs. A little training and practice could have you at the top level." Adam insisted, nodding a greeting to the receptionist as they passed her and leading Humphrey down the hallways to where their room was.
"I'm not being modest." Humphrey said as they walked, pouting a little in a immature way that made Adam laugh. He had to admit that talking with Humphrey, who acted so mature, was a little disconcerting and it was refreshing to see him act his age a bit more.
End flashback.
Kate's POV:
"So anyway after that I hung around in the studio with them for a while, they ordered takeaway and not long after we finished eating I left. I'm glad to see they're still making music, must still be doing well enough." Humphrey said as he finished recounting the event. Kate had sat through the whole thing in a state of disbelief and if she didn't know what she did about Humphrey's unusual past she would've been convinced he was lying. She had to admit it was just like Humphrey to meet with one of the most famous bands in the world and not even know who they were even after this much time.
"Doing well enough? Humphrey, even when you met them... I don't want to say anything bad but what Adam said wasn't even modesty any more, more like a complete lie. Indigo 6 is one of the most famous bands in the world." Kate explained to him a little cautiously as they got out of the car and walked around to the trunk, which Humphrey opened with a chuckle.
"You know I kind of had a feeling? Adam seems like a good guy and I don't know if I wouldn't have said something similar in that situation." He replied, and Kate smiled as well, realising that he was right in that it wasn't an easy question to answer. 'At least not without sounding like a total asshole.' Kate thought to herself with a small giggle as she pulled her bags from the car.
"Thanks for the lift Humphrey, you saved me. We'll swing by yours at about 10 to 7 tomorrow night?" Kate said, turning to Humphrey as he closed the trunk.
"No worries Kate, sounds good. See you then yeah?" He said with a smile, sounding really tired all of a sudden. Kate was exhausted as well and now that she saw how Humphrey looked it hit her all at once and she let out a yawn.
Humphrey's POV:
Kate let out a yawn and I couldn't help it, I had to yawn as well, causing us both to laugh as I suddenly realising how tired I was, saying goodbye to Kate and getting back into the car. It was already running so I put it into gear and pulled out, heading back down the drive and heading towards home. As I drove I thought about doing some homework tonight to get it done but I decided against it since all I wanted was dinner, a shower and then sleep. 'It'll take me twice as long to finish my work if I'm this hungry and tired anyway...' I thought to myself.
I woke slowly on Saturday morning, the music from my alarm taking longer than usual to penetrate my conscious and drag me from my slumber. Eventually I awoke fully, shutting off the alarm and lying in bed for a moment longer, considering the day ahead. I knew I had a lot I wanted to get done today and was grateful for my habit of getting up at the same time, regardless of what day it was, since if I slept in I'd never finish it all. Once I'd gone through a mental checklist of my tasks I dragged myself from the bed, pulling on some clothes and shoes before slipping out of the house for a morning run.
I took my usual course around the paddocks adjacent to Charlie's house, able to go a little faster now than when I first started. My breath fogged up in the fresh morning air as I ran and thought more about the previous day, going over the day's school and the game which made me smile.
"Better take it easy after yesterday..." I muttered to myself, slowing down a little. I knew Charlie would all but murder me if I injured myself by training too hard the day after a game so I took it easy, arriving back at the house a little later than I would've normally. As I entered the kitchen I saw Charlie sitting at the table with a coffee. She smiled at me as I entered, gesturing to the kitchen where a pot of coffee was waiting for me. I was grateful and poured myself a mug, joining her at the table where she frowned at me, no doubt figuring where I'd been.
"You should be resting. There's no need to exercise every day you know." She scolded me, an expression of disapproval on her face. I took a sip of coffee, letting out a contented sigh as I shrugged a little, grinning somewhat guiltily.
"Come on Charlie, it was just a little run to get me going. I'm not even sore, honestly." I replied, taking another sip before standing to begin preparing breakfast, both because I was very hungry and to avoid any further lecturing.
Later that afternoon.
I let out a sigh of relief, stretching my arms above my head as I leaned back in my chair. Everything had taken longer than expected today but thankfully I'd been able to complete my homework assignments with time to spare before Kate was due to arrive. After breakfast I'd driven into town to a mechanic's who'd been advertising a position. The place was named 'ECT Automotive' and the owner, who'd introduced himself as Shawn, and I had chatted for most of the morning about various things as well as an interview about the job opening. He hadn't given me an answer but he'd seemed pretty impressed and I was hopeful.
After that I'd come back and set myself to the task of the multiple homework assignments we had that were due the following week. I'd thought about leaving them until Sunday but Charlie, unable to shake the teacher mentality had started pressuring me and I'd given in fairly quickly, realizing that she was right. I looked over at my clock as I packed away my school things, a little surprised to see that it was already 5:30.
"Better have some food then start getting ready..." I said aloud to myself, heading down to the kitchen to find something to cook for Charlie and myself.
Kate's POV:
6:54 pm.
They were a little behind schedule but Kate wasn't too concerned as she knocked on the door at the address Humphrey had given her, hearing the sounds of movement inside as she waited. A moment later the door opened and Humphrey appeared before her, a grin on his face as he looked at her. As she returned his smile she noticed that they were dressed very similarly, she in tight jeans, black boots, a tight white shirt and a leather jacket. He, on the other hand, had some old-school, high top sneakers, slightly looser jeans that were fashionably ripped and a light blue collared shirt under a white hoodie. Kate raised an eyebrow at him as she looked at the hoodie, which had a Indigo 6 logo on the front and several signatures.
"Hey Kate. You look good." Kate's smile broadened at the compliment and she blushed a little. She knew why but there was something about hearing things like that from him that made her happier than hearing it from others. 'I definitely have a crush on him.' She thought to herself as she laughed.
"Thanks Humphrey, you're looking great yourself. But be careful, people might start thinking that we're friends." She replied. A shocked expression came onto his face and he looked around for who might be listening in mock fear.
"Us? Perish the thought." Kate giggled a bit before remembering what she'd wanted to say earlier.
"By the way Humphrey, that jumper... Are you sure you want to wear it?" She asked him, suspecting that the signatures on it were from the actual band members and not just a reproduction. "Isn't it worth a lot?"
Humphrey looked down at the jumper with a smile, chuckling a little. "Talking with you yesterday reminded me of it. I guess it has a lot of sentimental value to me, but if I never wear it, what's the point?" He said after a moment and Kate nodded, seeing sense in what he was saying and noting that Humphrey didn't really have the same mentality about things with value as others. If he had a use for something, he would use it, regardless of its value. Sure he'd look after it but all the same, most people would've framed a jumper like that be she supposed that might've been the reason why he had all these amazing experiences.
"Alright, you ready to go?"
Humphrey's POV:
"Sure am." I replied, calling out to Charlie to tell her I was leaving and that I'd probably be home late. She called back something about being safe and I chuckled as I closed the door and followed Kate over to the car, getting into the back with her. Like the last time I'd seen the car I had a strangely familiar sense about the sleek, luxurious black sedan and after a moment it hit me.
"Good evening Humphrey." Silas said from the driver's seat as he pulled the car out of the driveway and headed off down the road.
"Hello Silas, thanks for the lift." I replied, to which he shook his head with a small smile.
"Please, if you're to thank anyone then it should be Miss Kate or her parents." He said, attempting to redirect my thanks.
"Of course I will thank them as well, but you're the one here driving me aren't you?" I returned with a triumphant smile, causing him to smile wider, shrugging a little as he returned his attention to the road. "Speaking of, this car... It wouldn't be a Chrysler SRT 8 would it?" I added after a moment.
"Yes it is actually, you clearly know your cars." He replied and I nodded thoughtfully, my suspicion confirmed. Kate was looking at me with a confused expression, no doubt wondering why I'd brought it up. 'I'll have to ask Winston about it when I see him next time.' I thought to myself as I gave Kate a 'never mind' gesture.