A/N: This is my 3rd chapter and i kno i'm really late 4 this, but here you go!
Chapter 3
Bad Pair of Shoes
Ok, so, it's been about a few days since I've been living with Eli. And I haven't even started wearing my new clothes yet, if you're wondering. I've been to stressed lately. I swore that when I had got a call on Saturday that it was my mom, but no one answered. Plus, it didn't have any actual number, so I couldn't call back. I had been crying myself to sleep for a while. I tried calling her cellphone, but she wouldn't pick up. On Monday and Tuesday, I had watched the attraction of Eli and Clare start up. They're English partners (so they say). Plus, he gave her his headphones (he barely goes anywhere without them, so giving them to her was like 'you so like her' in my book). Me and Alli think otherwise, but it's not in my forte to find out. Alli, on the other hand, has been cuddling it up with Drew, the new QB1. Yeah, I'm wondering if they're an item, too. It's confusing to say right now, but I'll figure it out. Hmm, let's see what else I've been hearing in the walls of Degrassi (yes I said walls not halls). Riley and Owen hazed Drew, which downgraded Riley from being QB1, giving the spot to Drew (pretty conniving if you ask me). Alli tried to make it out in cheerleading, but then didn't make it so she tried to coordinate a dance crew. The crew called her stuck up and kicked her out and she slightly embarrassed herself at the game. Good thing she had her friends, or she would've been humiliated with a capital H. Something happened with KC, but I can't completely remember. Oh well. On with the present!
Me and Eli listened to the radio on a Sunday, totally hyped about the Dead Hand concert coming up. I already bought my ticket and backstage pass with some of the emergency money my mom gave me (she would've been proud). Eli was pissed that I didn't buy him a ticket, but I needed the money for important stuff. So, he was gonna have to figure out another way to win the tickets. And then we heard about a contest that has to do with keeping your hand on a van and if your hand is the last one on it, then you win Dead Hand tickets and backstage passes. It was being held at Degrassi, by the student council, so of course Eli was gonna enter. I was gonna go for support and to laugh at people who fall for the silliest tricks. I asked Sav if it was cool if I just sat there with him and Holly J and he said it was, so I watched as students were being eliminated like flies on those weird electric lamps. It was only Eli, Adam and Wesley left. I could tell that Wesley had to use the bathroom because he kept fidgeting. Sav started singing some song while playing his guitar. I looked in my bag and pulled out my water bottle. 'This is taking way too damn long.' I thought.
"Hey, Eli, want some water?" I asked in a fake cheery tone.
"Sure, Ghost! Thanks!" he said with the same amount of fake enthusiasm. I handed it to him with the top off and he began drinking it.
"Aaaah! That's some great water! Whoops!" he said spilling the water slowly on the ground in front of Wesley. I laughed as Wesley continued to squirm. He started spilling it more slower and Wesley started breathing in and out. Eli continued spilling the water, stopping every few seconds.
"You guys maybe just wanna, split the tickets?" I chuckled to myself.
"How exactly do you propose we split the four passes three ways?" Eli asked as he stopped pouring to look at him. When he didn't answer, he continued to pour slower.
"I don't know I just…really gotta go!" and with that, he took off, his hand with him. I laughed and murmured "Whimp."
"Guess it's just you and me Fish Boy." Adam said slightly closer to him.
"I've got the bladder of a camel." Eli said and I scrunched up my face in disgust.
"That's nasty." I said and he shrugged.
"Uh, guys. I'm no math genius, but I'm pretty sure you can split the tickets two ways." Sav said standing up. Adam and Eli looked at each other, speaking in some weird, silent guy language.
"Yeah alright."
"I've got places to be anyway." I rolled my eyes. 'Yeah, like where?' I thought as Sav handed them the tickets. "It's about time." I said.
"Can you guys help me unload the truck too, I gotta get it home before my dad starts freaking." SAv asked the guys.
"Sure, it's the least we can do." Adam said walking over to the side of the truck. I got off the truck and stepped to the side while I watched the guys as they started unloading the truck. Sav handed Adam an amplifier and he stumbled back with it.
"Uh, guys… a little help…" he said trying to hold it, but he was losing his balance. He tried to lean it against the car, but due to the weight of the amplifier being bigger than his, he sorta dropped it.
"Wait, no!" Sav said but it was too late. It hit against the car's tail lights, turning the car's alarm system on.
"Oh crap." I said, watching as Adam bent down to look at it. I walked over and looked at it closely, carefully not touching it. I looked up at Sav who looked like he was about to explode.
"Just, just don't…freak out." I heard Eli say to him. Sav got in his face and yelled "Don't freak out! My dad's gonna…" He couldn't even finish because he was too mad. So mad that he yelled out, making me jump.
"Dude, chill the fuck out, we'll fix it before your dad finds out." I said and he looked down at me. I felt a little small under his gaze.
"How are we gonna fix it!" he yelled at me and I stood up, my spiked bracelet hitting the shattered tail light, making more shards fall off. He gave me a look and I quickly grabbed Eli's arm.
"Maybe, we should go…" Eli said starting to walk away. Sav didn't notice, he just held his head in his hands, while Holly J rubbed his back. I saw Adam start to slowly walk off also. After we were far enough, me and Eli took off. 'No way was I gonna get into this.' I thought as we made it to Morty. I hopped in the backseat because I love the feeling of the carpet. After all of that, Eli thought that it would be fair if we gave the other tickets to Sav, after what had happened to the car. I agreed, because I felt sort of icky inside after walking away. We both walked into The Dot, seeing Sav talking to one of the workers, Peter.
"Hey man." We both said at the same time. Sav turned to us slightly and then completely. "Sorry about the tail lights. I'm pretty decent with cars, maybe I could help you replace it." Eli finished.
"Yeah, with what? Money from the Tail Lights for Tots charity drive? It's expensive." Sav said looking back at his computer, but not enough to lose our attention.
"Snarky much?" I said smirking. Eli gave me a look and I just shrugged. Not my fault his tail lights got busted.
"Here. Adam and I-" Eli started but I cut him off. "Adam, him, and me want you to have the tickets." I said giving Eli a look with my hands on my hips. He gave me a look and I raised my eyebrow. He turned back to Sav.
"Yeah. Maybe you can sell them." He finished handing them to Sav. He took them, disbelievingly.
"Thanks." Sav said and Eli smiled, both of us walking to a table. We both sat down and he said "So, how are we gonna repair that and with what money?" I thought for a second and saw Bianca walk in. She was in the contest too, but she lost.
"He's gonna get the money and probably ask you to fix it." I said turning back to him. Eli nodded and looked out the window. I patted his hand.
"Dude, your goth, not emo. There's a difference, trust me." I said with a smile and he laughed.
"Thanks for cheering me up. For whatever reason." He said smirking. After about 20 minutes, Sav had told us that he had the money to buy it, so we bought the new tail lights and made it back to the school, where Adam was there, watching it. Eli did his magic on the tail lights and he finished in at least 15 minutes. He whipped it off and I gave him a high five.
"Wow, it looks brand new. I can't believe you even fit it in there." Sav said staring at it.
"That's what my ex-girlfriend said." Adam said. We all looked at him and said "What?"
"Gross." Eli said.
"How do you think I would react to that?" I said holding up my spiked wrist to Adam. He took a step back and Eli gave me a look.
"Calm down, I wouldn't really hit him with the spiked wrist. I'd hit him with the other one." I said smiling at him. He still looked scared so I jokingly punched him in the shoulder. He slightly flinched.
"I'm messing with you, smile sometimes, kid." I said. He put on slight smile while rubbing his shoulder.
"Well, there's still one more test." Sav said before opening the driver's side and checking the tail lights. They came on perfectly.
"Boo Yah!" Adam yelled and we all looked at him strangely again.
"Boo Yah? Really, dude?" Sav said from the driver's seat.
"Who are you?" Eli stated and Adam said "Sorry."
"Ok, well we're good to go. Dude, Eli, where did you learn to do this?" Sav asked. We all walked over to him while Eli answered "I always have to keep Morty in check, like one of these days. I've learned a lot about cars." Sav nodded and said "Well, you totally saved me, we should hang out sometime."
"Yeah. So…how you getting to the concert?" Eli asked. I thought for a second and realized I didn't even have a ride.
"I still gotta tell my dad that I'm going. And after he figures out I busted a tail light-" "Just keep your mouth shut and he'll never know the difference." Eli said and Sav looked at him like he was crazy.
"Yeah, and then we can take this bad boy to Hamilton." Adam said patting the car, smiling. A smirk appeared on my face as I looked at all of them. Sav looked confused about it all, but I quickly tried to convince him.
"Come on, dude. There's no way possible that we'll get caught unless…unless the concert is a fake and we all get arrested or something stupid." I said reassuringly. They all looked at me and I said "What? I'm just saying that nothing can possibly go wrong."
"Ghost is kinda right. In a way." Eli said turning from me to Sav.
"…No way." Sav said. I sighed.
"Well, how else are we gonna get there?" Eli asked. "Yeah, we kinda need you, man." Adam added. Sav thought for a second before saying "Your screwed without me right?" We all nodded.
"Well then let's get this thing started!" he said and I grinned. The guys did some weird handshake and walked away. He was just going to give me a fist bump, but I just gave him a quick hug.
"Thanks a ton, dude." I said before walking away to catch up with the others. Us three went to The Dot just talking and chilling. Sav came in about half an hour later with a glum look on his face. 'Uh oh.' I thought looking up at him. He grabbed a seat and Adam spoke up first.
"So, what's the word?" he asked. Sav sat down and said "The truck's a no go." I let out a groan.
"You told him the truth, didn't you?" Eli asked. I rolled my eyes. 'This is what I get when I trust people I barely know.' I thought.
"Ok, um, how was I supposed to know that honesty had just stopped being the best policy?" Sav said sarcastically.
"So what are we gonna do?" Adam asked.
"It's simple. We're not going." I answered flatly, resting my head in my hands.
"Oh no, we're going. If my dad won't give me the truck, then I'll just have to take it." He said and I grinned.
"Looks like the goody-goody two shoes is starting to wear his big bad sneakers too long." I said smirking. He laughed and I bumped fists with him. The next day at school, we were looking at newspapers to find events that Sav's parents could go to during the time of the concert. We threw a few ideas out, but Sav had so far said that his parents weren't fun, didn't drink and wouldn't go to it in their life time. I sighed.
"Dude, do your 'rents do anything at all?" I said looking up at Sav from the floor. He shrugged. He looked back at his newspaper and murmured something before saying "This is perfect. It's for at least 4 or more hours." Adam looked over at the newspaper.
"Those tickets are 30 bucks." He stated.
"Well, we're each gonna have to chip in. So, I'll give my parents the tickets after school, snag my mom's extra set of keys, we'll meet at exactly 7:15, burrow the truck, see the show, drive back and park it exactly as we left it." Sav said and my mind was slightly boggling at the fact we have to be there at 7:15.
"We can do this." Eli said and I shook my head. "Wait, how are we going to get back home?" Sav looked at me and said "No one's gonna make it home if I don't get the car back to the parking spot. Be grateful." I sighed and said "Fine."
"Despite what my dad thinks, I deserve to have a little fun once in a while. We're doing it." Sav said and I looked up at the clock on the wall.
"Ok, cuties, off to class. I'm not gonna get in trouble for our scheming. I wanna get in trouble for being late." I said standing up. Adam laughed and said "So, you think I'm cute?" I smiled while walking over and ruffling his hair.
"You're adorable, kid." We all went our separate ways, heading off to class. The day ended fast and soon enough, there was new gossip going around. I heard Fiona has a pet pig and brought it to school. One of the weirdest things I've heard in a while, but whatever. Eli had left me home while I got ready (I was not about to go to a concert in what I was wearing now). I decided to wear my new clothes that I bought, since I didn't wear them yet. I looked on the couch and smiled at my outfit. 'Perfect. If I get lucky, I'll get pulled on stage.' I thought grabbing the clothes and running into the bathroom.
I walked over to where we were meeting and smiled at the expression on Sav's face. "Whoa." Was all he said to make Eli and Adam turn to me. I laughed as Adam dropped his phone in shock. Eli walked towards me and said "Um…Ghost…you look…" I stopped him and said "Save it. I know you've got the lopsided smirk for Saint Clare. But I also know that these heels weren't exactly made for walking, and I'm going nowhere with this." He laughed and Adam walked over to me, phone in his hand.
"You, look, hot." He said. I smiled at him and pinched his cheek, which was surprisingly soft. He slightly flinched, but I acted like I didn't notice.
"Adorable. Like a baby's ass." I said and I walked over to Sav in my ankle boots with a decorative lace on the front (Clare's words).
"Your sister's got me wearing these heels like they're comfortable." I said wincing at the pain. I dug through the bag I brought and took out my black converse with gold studs on the side.
"Thank the lord for sneakers." I said waving them in his face. He smiled and said "Well, if you're looking for a guy's attention, I think you just might get it." I grinned and yelled "Alright! Let's get this show on the road!" We all piled into the car after Adam had finished taking pictures of the car so we could remember to leave it the same way we found it. We drove off to the concert. I checked my outfit again and sighed. 'Stop being over dramatic, Ghost. It's a cute outfit. Alli picked it out especially for you.' I thought. I looked down at my off-white V-neck and dark skinny jeans. It had a tear in it when I fell trying to get them on. I stared out the window while I started to play with my drape-ish necklaces. I tugged on the sleeveless vest nervously and bit my lip.
"You look nervous. What's to be nervous about?" Adam asked from the seat next to me. I looked down and said "It's nothing. It's just…I have a bunch of guy friends and I don't even have a boyfriend. I sorta look down on myself for it." Adam patted my shoulder and said "I don't know a lot about you, but whatever guy that would turn down a date with you, would probably be an idiot." I smiled and gave him a quick side hug.
"Thanks Adam. You're like the third older brother I sorta always wanted." I said with a smile. I heard Eli groan from the passenger's seat.
"Ok, the love fest needs to stop." He stated and I laughed.
"Oh, Eli. Don't make me kick you where the sun don't shine with a high heeled boot. Not pretty. Maybe hot. But definitely not pretty." I said kicking the bag of his chair.
"Hey, hey. No kicking the chairs. You might leave a mark." Sav said from the driver's seat. "Besides, we're here." He parked in the parking lot (a duh) and we all entered from the backstage area. We showed the guards our passes and I gave the guy a wink before going in.
"Dude, this is totally insane! I totally owe you one!" Eli yelled over the music to Sav.
"Oh, you probably do stuff like this all the time!" Sav yelled back to him.
"You're kidding, right?" I yelled to him jumping up and down in my converse (I had to change because there was no way I was gonna be jamming in booties).
"Dude, my dad would never even let me think of even touching his car. Why do you think I have my own ride?" Eli said. Sav's face fell.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa. So you mean I risked my ass for something you guys couldn't even do?" Sav asked disbelievingly.
"And that's why you're the man." Adam said reasurringly. Before Sav could say anything else, Bianca stumbled over to us, gripping onto his jacket.
"Whoa, school prez?" she slurred. She did a drunk laugh and said "I can't believe you're here. At school you're all…" She did a motion that showed sterness. I laughed and walked away slightly from the group. I bumped into someone and turned around quickly to apologize.
"Oh, sorry!" me and the person said at the same time. He looked down at me and I smiled. Blonde shaggy hair, grey eyes, and a band t-shirt. He had a small nose ring piercing that was very small, but still noticeable.
"It's cool. You made it backstage too, huh?" he said and I nodded, a smile still plastered on my face. I felt a weird warm feeling in my stomach and I felt my cheeks get hot.
"I'm…I'm…I'm Gabe." He stuttered out. I laughed and said "Like Saporta? From Cobra Starship?" He nodded and said "Yeah, they're one of my favorite bands."
"Mine too! I love their new album, but I'm still into the old one." I said and he smiled wider. I felt someone clear their throat behind me and I slowly turned around to face Eli.
"Hey, Eli. This, is Gabe." I said with a smile that said 'if you dare say something stupid, I'll rip your heart out' and he quickly caught on. Gabe waved slightly and Eli said "Hey. Nice to meet you. Did you guys just meet?" I turned to Gabe and said "Excuse me." He nodded with a smile and I turned back to Eli, dragging him to a quiet spot.
"Don't ruin this for me. I'm begging." I said grabbing his arm tight.
"I can't promise that, but I'll try to be nice. But I won't be on your case all night. I've got me a concert to enjoy." He said while walking away to go back to the group. I walked back to Gabe with a smile.
"Hey, you're back." He said and I laughed.
"Yeah, I'm back. So, you wanna just lean on the wall all night or watch the concert?" I asked smirking. He smirked back and said "I've got a pretty good sight on my eyes right now." I smirked while slightly grabbing his hand to pull him to the crowd. We all jammed during the night and when it was over, I had got Gabe's number. A was only a little pissed that Sav had got the drummer's sticks, but I could barely think about it.
"Ok, guys we gotta go. We might just make it in time." Sav said as Bianca leaned on his shoulder.
"Hey, can I get a ride with you guys?" she asked.
"Uh, yeah sure you can ride with us, but we have got to go now." Sav repeated as I heard the crowd sheer "ENCORE!" over and over again.
"I think there's gonna be and encore." Adam said. I rolled my eyes.
"Thank you, Captain Obvious." I mumbled.
"Alright Hamilton, this Your Paisley Jacket!" the lead singer yelled. "This is my favorite song." Sav mumbled as the song started. We awaited our answer, but the look on Sav's face was answer enough. We all started singing the song's lyrics from the concert to on the road. It was totally crazy how off-key or on-key we were, but I found it a little boundish.
"Man, I can't believe we were backstage!" Sav yelled.
"Ok, guys, I hate to ruin the mood, but we've only got 20 minutes to get back and we're only half way." Eli stated and I groaned.
"Slight bit of a kill joy." I said and I gave me a look. I shrugged.
"Got it dude." Bianca said from next to me. She had her hands on Sav's shoulders and I could feel him tense up.
"Uh, no. I'm not about to speed." He said. I shook my head. 'It's a bad idea, but then again, if we don't make it back on time, we're all gonna have this on our butt's for life.' I thought.
"We're gonna make it." Adam said. Sav thought for a second before saying "Alright, alright. Everyone just be quiet. Got it?" He began to speed up and I went flying back. Bianca yelled out and Sav said "Just quit it." After a while, I started to see some of the things we passed before driving into Hamilton.
"How are we doing for time?" Sav asked, still keeping his eyes on the road.
"15 minutes." Eli said. I sighed and felt a shiver up my back.
"Uh oh." I said. Everyone except Sav turned to me.
"Uh oh what?" he asked before we started hearing police sirens.
"Cops!" Eli said. I groaned. 'I can't. No, I can't go back!' I thought, ducking down slightly.
"Once again, thanks Captain Obvious!" I said. I could tell Sav was starting to freak out.
"Ok…um…" he began saying but he couldn't finish because he was trying to stay focused but also trying to think of something to say to the cops.
"What do I do?"
"Floor it!" Bianca yelled from next to me. I covered my ears, but my heart kept thudding in my ears.
"Ok, I'm not gonna try to out run the cops!" Sav yelled.
"I can't get busted for drinking again!" she said. I kinda felt sorry for her. I was slightly happy that I wasn't crazy enough to say why I have to go back.
"Alright I'm gonna pull over. Everybody just shut up and act normal!" he yelled. I lifted my head up and tried to stay calm. After we pulled over, we waited. And waited. And waited. 'Slow ass cops.' I thought letting out a groan.
"God, what is taking them so long! Just give me the stupid speeding ticket already!" Sav yelled to the cops, who obviously couldn't hear him ranting.
"Who, cares. If he figures out I'm drunk, I'm gonna get a record, number three…" Bianca said. I felt like I wanted to kick her out of the truck right then and there, but that would cause attention, which I really didn't want right now. Plus, I don't kick out hung over people out of a truck that isn't mine.
"Ok, can you just shut you drunk ass up, for one second please?" he said. She immediately shut up. 'Please?' I thought raising an eyebrow.
"Ok, it's gonna be ok." Adam said.
"No, it's not ok-"
"You're gonna get outta this!" Eli yelled.
"No, I won't! I'm not some kind of cool guy that just gets away with stuff, ok? I'm a loser! I suck! I'm sitting here, I'm waiting for a speeding ticket, for which my parents are gonna kill me!" he yelled. My eyebrow raised more and I heard Bianca mumble "Five oh, five oh." I slowly slid in my seat as the cop came to Sav's window.
"Um, hey officer. Listen, I'm sorry and I'll never speed again."
"Would you step out the car please? This truck's been reported stolen." I could see the shocked look on Sav's face from the rearview mirror. 'Dammit.' I thought. I rather not replay the other scenes from that night. All I remember is that I made it back to Eli's house and passed out on the couch. I woke up the next day and noticed that Eli had left me to get up on my own. Again. I got dressed in some regular baggy jeans and a tank top with a hoodie and an old pair of Nikes. I quickly ran to school and found Eli and Adam talking. Adam was playing a bass guitar.
"What's her name? Or his name, I guess." I asked Adam. They both looked up strangely. "Your bass? You didn't name it?" He shook his head and I pushed Eli over so I could sit in between them. Just then my cell dinged. 'You wanna meet up later today?' I read in my head. It was from Gabe. I smiled. 'Sure.' I texted back. I closed my phone as Sav walked over to us. They had already started talking, but I was kinda zoned out that Gabe had even texted back.
"Dude, last night was epic. From the backstage passes to the cops to Bianca getting arrested." Eli said. I laughed. I zoned out again after that until I heard Adam say "Hey Sav. You're kinda our hero." Sav turned and said "Just shut up." I laughed and sighed to myself. 'Close call, Ghost. Keep up with this crowd and you'll be back to juvie before you know it.' My inner self said.
