Author's Note: Sorry I've been ignoring this fic. I'm just writing a lot more like personal stories that aren't fanfiction and such and I kinda let this take a backseat. But I'm back now and I'll try to keep updating regularly : )

My foot was tapping at a mile a minute. I couldn't calm down. I was drumming my fingers on my desk, waiting for the final bell to ring.

"Calm down," Adam said, mocking my thoughts. "I'm sure you will get this. Don't give yourself a heart-attack,"

"Shut up," I muttered and watched the clock tick. Five more minutes and I would find out who got the drumming role. After the scene I made at Clare's last night, I needed this. I needed it more than ever. A distraction. Not focusing on Clare or Fitz or even Spinner. Just mind-numbing beats and melodies.

I swear, this clock was moving backwards.

Five minute felt like five hours, but the bell finally rang and I shot out of my seat and out the door before the other students could stand up. I ignored going to my locker. Clare was probably waiting there for me again, but I couldn't face her. I managed to not go to my locker at all today in case she was there, and although it made me unprepared for a lot of classes, I dealt with it.

Spinner and Sav were already in the small music room. I walked in, palms sweaty, and set my books down on the table. Spinner stood up and held his hand out. I shook my head nervously.

"Good luck, man," Spinner mumbled. This wasn't his relationship on the line. If he didn't get this, he would go back to his job, back to his friends and everything would be okay. If I didn't get this, my relationship with Clare would be scared, intense and eventually over.

I blinked faster than normal. Sav smiled at us. "You both are amazing drummers. And you both are my friends so that put me in a really awkward posistion, you know,"

Spinner laughed. I froze.

"Spinner, congratulations," Sav held his hand out and shook it, firmly.

My world started melting. No. No, no, no. I needed this. No.

"Eli, I'm really sorry-"

"No." I managed.

"Man, if you practice and get better, I'm sure-" Spinner started to say, but I cut him off.

"No, no it's whatever. I, thanks Sav," I muttered and grabbed my books.

"Wait, Eli, I'm not finished," Sav said. I looked up. "Well, I was talking to Adam and he said you play a little bass?" I nodded. "That would make an amazing song for me to submit,"

"You want me to be your bass player?"

Sav nodded. Spinner smiled from behind him. "We're gonna be a band?" I asked.

"Well, only for a little while. Just record some songs, submit them to my college and that's about it. Maybe a month or so?"

A month or so with Spinner. I grumbled. I didn't want that. But a month or so of being normal, of having friends and a girlfriend, of being less-intense, of being healthy...

"Okay, sure. Yeah, let's do it," I smiled.

"Great. Well, I have to get my sister from the library, so tomorrow after school, we'll have our first practice at Spinner's place. I can give you a ride," Sav told me.

Spinner's place. Spinner's home and glory. Oh joy. I faked a smile. "Sure, man, later,"

When Sav left, Spinner clapped a hand on my shoulder. "See? Everything worked out. Have you talked to Clare yet?"

I shrugged his hand off. "We're not friends,"

Spinner laughed. "Okay? I was just trying to help you out,"

"Well, don't. I don't need your help,"

"I think you need a lot of help, dude,"

"Maybe that's true," I admitted. "But certainly not from you,"

Spinner rolled his eyes. "Whatever, man, I'm not gonna spend this whole month arguing with you. Get over yourself," Spinner left the band room and I sighed.

Fuck.

I kicked the chair next to the door and it fell over. Clare lightly knocked on the door, and I opened it. "You okay?" she asked.

"I'm fine," I said, more bitter than I intended.

"So, did you get the part?"

"I'm his bass player. We're practicing at Spinner's tomorrow,"

"Eli, that's amazing! Congratulations!" She reached up and hugged me. I relaxed a little. We were good. "C'mon," She took my hand. "We need to celebrate. Coffee at The Dot, on me,"

I smirked. "How about Little Miss Steaks? I'm not trying to see my bandmate anymore than I already have to,"

"You and Spinner didn't really hit it off, did you?" She laughed. "Such a shame. I really did think you two were a lot alike, too,"

I shrugged. Guess not. Clare started to walk away, but I pulled her back. "I'm sorry for the stunt I pulled at dinner yesterday,"

She shook her head. "It's not a big deal. I shouldn't have told Darce that,"

"I shouldn't have snapped. I'm sorry,"

"I'm sorry, too," She smiled and leaned in for a small peck on the lips. I smiled back and stood up, following her out the door.

Author's note: i hate writing spinneli not getting along :C