Chapter 6

After digging through a couple of boxes the next morning Strong Sad had found his old CD Walkman. He'd just gotten so used to using his iPod he forgot all about it. He held it in his hands, looking at it thoughtfully. Just think, the next generation won't even know that record players were ever invented. Technology moves so fast that it completely erases your memory of whatever previously existed.

Strong Sad had been feeling increasingly uneasy about what he'd done, and had no idea how he was supposed to fix it. It's not like he can give the CD back to Homeschool, or sneak it back into his house without him knowing it was gone. There was only one person he knew who was so impulsive. The idea of becoming like his brother sent shivers down his spine. No way. Never. He had to stop this immediately, before it got out of hand.

Strong Sad glanced at the offending CD, frowning slightly. Since he had it, he might as well listen to it. He was only a little curious. Keeping an open mind also applies to music. Exploration of different genres just helps to set boundaries and understand what you really like to listen to. It's completely justified. Completely.

The first thing he remembered hearing was a mash of different sounds. Probably computer-generated. They started spacing themselves out and transforming into a beat. It faded into a melody, and it was incredibly catchy. He usually hated music that seemed catchy because that meant it would turn 'mainstream' very quickly. He didn't like to admit it because he felt like he was being prejudiced, but Strong Sad was always put off by things that everyone as a whole liked. He believed in individuality and being true to yourself; not following the crowd. However it turned into almost being afraid of liking something everyone else did. Afraid that he'd lose himself and turn into one of them. Those stupid kids always obsessed with themselves and 'being cool'; the complete opposite of what actually matters in life. The jocks, the cheerleaders, the nerds. All labels that separate people from each other just because of superficial idiocy.

Strong Sad had come to realise that this uneasiness with mainstream and convention was completely irrational. But that didn't make it go away. He would probably be this way forever. Always trying to be open-minded when in reality the only reason his world is so narrow is because of a silly fear.

Unwilling to admit to anything, he decided not to hold an opinion until he'd listened to the whole CD. He wouldn't say he enjoyed it or hated it. Though it was certainly not as bad as he thought it would be. There were parts of the song that flowed at the kind of slow pace he preferred, and then it would speed up into a hypnotic rhythm which almost shut out all of his thoughts. It was…addictive. Slipping into a world where colours can be found in the sound, where patterns are almost felt. No, this was not being unbiased. He turned the volume down to half capacity in order to prevent spacing out again.

Trying to keep a level head in order to judge the music to its full extent, the slightly stubborn Strong Sad carried on with life as normal. He didn't have much time until he had to leave, so he needed to find something to eat quickly. There should still be a fraction of cereal left since Strong Bad wouldn't be up for another couple hours. Wandering into the kitchen he was greeted by a slightly awkward sight. Homestar was wearing a pair of red-and-white star patterned boxer shorts. Only.

"Good morning Strong Sad!" He was incredibly cheerful as he hummed a very unmusical tune to himself. This made it a troubling sight. There was only one possible explanation for Homestar acting so incredibly happy (in his underwear), and Strong Sad was far from willing to explore that thought. Feeling embarrassed by the situation and directing his gaze elsewhere, Strong Sad tried to find milk in the fridge that hadn't been there since dinosaurs walked the earth. Homestar's high-tuned hearing picked up the faint music pouring into Strong Sad's ears, and he recognised it almost immediately. "Hey that sounds like Homeschool's favourite CD!"

Clatter.

Strong Sad had dropped his spoon on the floor while halfway through walking towards the table. His cheeks turned pink in embarrassment as he quickly picked it up and wiped it off. "I don't know what you're talking about." He certainly didn't look suspicious. No, not at all.

"I can hear it playing. I never expected you to listen to that kind of music." Homestar didn't realise it, but right now that was possibly the worst way to put it. Strong Sad was feeling increasingly awkward knowing why his brother's half-naked boyfriend was still in their house the morning after their date. But considering how jittery he was about not wanting to give anyone any reason to think he liked something mainstream, and the fact he'd taken Homeschool's favourite CD without asking…what he did next seemed completely justified. Strong Sad still couldn't figure out why exactly he'd become more expressive recently, and it was obviously getting worse. He'd never snapped at Homestar before, but they say there's a first for everything.

"I don't! This is purely a study I'm conducting and it doesn't mean I like it!" After a few seconds Strong Sad felt guilty about his outburst. However to be fair, Homestar pushed his buttons. If he and his brother have been…in the basement all night then he should at least consider the rest of the household and not make it so obvious! And he refused to let Homestar think he was anything like other people, liking the popular music. He was his own, individual person.

Unable to stand the situation any longer, he decided breakfast just wasn't worth it and grabbed his backpack on the way out the door. He could figure out what was going on in his head when he was by himself, without people in his space or breathing down his neck. Going to his classes would keep him busy, so he wouldn't have to worry about this for a while. The music started to have a sort of calming effect on Strong Sad as he allowed his steps to follow the rhythm. He turned the volume back up and decided that zoning out wouldn't be too bad right now.

He didn't change the CD once in the entire day, listening to it whenever he had a break. He wasn't going to admit to anything. He wasn't going to say he liked it or hated it. It was just addictive.