I walked from school with Zac and Josh. When we reached their house, he offered to walk me home.

"No thanks," I laughed. "This is my stop too."

"You live next-door? Awesome! Come with me, I've got something to show you."

He took my hand and pulled me towards his house. If he felt me shiver as he touched me, he didn't show it. His house was to put it simply, massive. It was like something out of a high-priced homemaking magazine. Modern furniture, priceless paintings, huge floor to ceiling windows.

"Holy Crap!" I murmured. "Are your parents' lawyers or something?"

He rolled his eyes. "If someone asks that one more time, I'm going scream like you wouldn't believe."

"Sorry..."

"No, it's Ok. Mum works in ED in a hospital in the city and Dads a lecturer at the state university. I don't like being 'rich'. There are way better things we could do with the money they earn..." He trailed off as in older boy ambled in.

"Hey Josh, what's up?"

"Hi Nate" Josh replied. "Hayley, this is my older brother Nate. Nate this is Hayley. She's going to join our band. "

"Ooo little Joshie has a girlfriend!" Nate teased.

"Shut up dude!" Josh snapped. "She's just a friend."

"Sure sure, that's what they all say."

Josh shot a parting glare at his sibling and led me upstairs into the biggest music room I had ever seen.

"Welcome to my haven!" he declared proudly.

I looked around in awe. Guitars and basses of every description were leaned against the walls or sitting in stands, keyboards were set randomly around the room, amps were scattered everywhere, leads and cords covered the floor, a mic and stand stood to one side, a drum kit sat in one corner. Expensive recording equipment was set up near the back of the room and stacks of sheet music stood like half finished towers.

"Ohmygod Josh, this is ah-mazing!"

"If you join us you'll be spending a lot more time here..." he hinted.

"And with you" I thought, biting my lip to hide the smile that threatened to form on my lips.

"Sounds like a plan" I replied, my voice even despite the hurricane of emotions that swirled in me.

"Calm down Hayley," I mentally shouted. "You just met the guy for God's sakes!"

I wasn't normally that girl, the one who fell for guys or the one who they liked in return. But this new sudden feeling was pulling me towards him and threatening to drive me mad.

"Are you ok?" he asked, the sound of his voice bringing my thoughts to a chaotic halt. "You're staring at me..."

"Way to go Hayley..."

I cringed inwardly and nodded.

"Good. For a moment there I thought Zac had written 'dumb-shit' on my head in permanent again. I must get him back for that..."

I could help but laugh at the mental image.

"Yeah yeah laugh it up, but someone might do it to you one day!"

"Oh I doubt it," I replied. "I'd find out who did it and kick their arse."

"Ha I don't think so." he scoffed. "Look at you, you're tiny!"

I lunged at him angrily. I grabbed a fistful of his shirt, pushed him, roughly backwards and pinned him against the wall.

"What did you say?" I snarled.

When he didn't answer, I dug my knee into his stomach.

"Holy shit you're tall" he finally chocked out. "Taller than me even..."

"Much better!"

I let him go and he stumbled forward.

"A simple 'don't call me short' would have worked well" he muttered. "Do I get an apology?"

"For what?"

"Oh I don't know attacking me maybe!"

"Oh yeah" I snickered. "..Sorry"

"You call that an apology?" he mocked. "It's: 'I'm so sorry deeply Josh! I promise never to hurt you again. I'm humbled that you accept me even though I'm obviously not worthy.' Get it right!"

"Guys like you don't survive long in the real world" I shot back. "They piss people off and get punched out. Then they have to go home and cry because there's not only a hole in their head, but their ego is pretty messed up as well."

He gave me a teasing look and picked up an acoustic.