Author Note: Ok, heres chapter two. Well the new chapter two. I re-wrote it.
Also I realized that I have been writing in the present. I didn't even realize it for the 1st chapter, and the old second one I had to make it present, but Im not used to it so from now on its in the past like my other stories. I have no idea what possessed me to do the present.
Chapter Two
Same Day: September 22nd: Wednesday
I sat in English, trying my hardest to get interested in the discussion over the most recent chapter we read in Blood and Chocolate, but I couldn't, not for the life of me. My mind kept wandering to so many flash images its hard to stay concentrated on anything.
I saw Chad's eyes as they hollowed out any emotion that once resided there. As he appraised me with those eyes and told me flat out that we couldn't be friends.
I saw Ben dancing with me in the yard and then I saw myself, from a birds eye view, flinching at his words as I walked away, knowing they were right.
And then I saw the guy with the guitar. I saw his emerald eyes find mine, and I saw the catch in breath that I hadn't known I'd caught until now.
The bell rung and my thoughts snapped to attention towards the teacher. I wrote down the homework and packed my bag, heading towards the garden. When I walked down the winding path towards the picnic tables I glanced around, looking for Soraya and Matt. Soraya caught my eye and waved me over, I smiled slightly, giving her hope, and headed her way.
"Hey," she smiled brightly, no doubt trying to pry the same expression from me. No luck there,
"Hi," I grumbled while bending down to dig out my lunch from the depths of my book bag.
One of the things about Soraya that can be both annoying and endearing about her, at the same time, is persistency, "So, what's up? Anything new for me today?" her smile, if possible, became brighter. Sorry, best friend of mine, no smiling from me today.
"Nothing to speak of," I opened the brown bag in front of me and lifted out a can of Mountain Dew, a baggy full of Cooler Ranch Doritos, and a turkey sandwich. I unwrapped the sandwich and took a bite, cringing at the fact that I had forgotten lettuce, oh well.
I settled in to my usual routine of looking around the garden at everyone, seeing who's with who, and what's going on. To my right was Ashley Grant and all of her friends. To my left were the Goths, drama club people, and the jocks. Behind me were all of my friends that I don't sit with. And in front of me was a long wall that stretched across the whole side of that part of the school. It went past the garden by about 15 feet. I glanced along it from left to right. The wall was filled with about 3 feet of grass behind it, up to the level of the wall and a few trees and bushes along it. Mainly loners sit here, people who are mad at each other and want to get away, people who want quiet for homework, and then those who just prefer the seat. Sometimes a group will sit there, but not often. I saw the usual people sitting along the wall until I got almost to the end.
There sat guitar guy. His guitar appeared to be in the black case that was situated to the right of him. He had on earphones and an ipod was sticking out of his enclosed fist. His hands were behind him, resting in the grass, as he leaned back. His head bobbing slightly and his eyes were closed. He was dressed in a pair of slightly baggy jeans and a plain hunter green t-shirt, his hair resting along the crest of his brow.
I stared at him and then remembered myself and looked down, resuming eating. I couldn't help but glance at him every once in a while. At one point I let my eyes linger a second too long and Soraya, who sits across from me, saw my gaze. She followed it to the guy and turned to me with a frown,
"May I remind you of Chad?" her eyes held a slight pinprick of disgust, and I knew I was disappointing her. She had been with Matt for over a year and had never looked at another man in all that time. She despised the way I dated a lot, but only gave me a lecture every time I broke up with them.
"No you may not. He's been on my mind all day," she raised her eyebrows in question, "I broke up with him." I lowered my eyes to avoid her stare.
"You did? And did I not ask you what was new? And did you not tell me nothing? This is nothing Amy? If it is then that proves you date too much. I mean when you break up with someone you tell people, you don't just go on with your day like nothing happened." she was glaring at me, I could feel it.
"I just didn't want to talk about it. It's been on my mind and I just...don't," I repeated.
"Fine we won't," I stared at her as she started to eat, counting down 10 seconds. I was on 2 when she finally looked up, "Why did you break up with him?"
"I just don't see us going anywhere and I didn't want to prolong it. I mean I like him, I really do. But some things about him just don't go over well with me, and I know that's low but it's the truth," I paused, "And now that it's over I've decided to take a break,"
Soraya started to choke on her muffin and Matt patted her back, startled. After a few seconds she regained her composure, "Excuse me!"
"You heard me. I realized that your right, and wipe that smirk off your face right now, I need to straighten out my priorities, like patching up some loose ends. Such as friendships," she smiled shyly, knowing I meant her and Matt. Ever since my mom died I have pushed them away, preferring to wallow in self pity all by my lonesome. But that couldn't happen anymore, I needed to focus on what's really important, not on the present boyfriend.
"Thanks," she took to picking apart the half eat, choked on, muffin.
"No problem, see you later. Homework beckons" I patted her hand and stood up to dump my lunch and head to french class. I slung my book bag over my shoulder and headed up the stairs, I turned into the french class and sat in my normal seat, middle row, way back.
In my french class there aren't many students, only about 10, mainly all friends. So we have assigned seats. The only problem with that is all French classes consist of barely any students. The biggest class is 12 students, so there are only 13 desks. The room is small and cramped so no matter how far away from friends you are seated, it is quite easy to talk to them. I set my book bag on the floor next to me and took out my homework from the night before. I filled in a few questions that I didn't get. I'm was always early for French, so I knew I had about 10 minutes before the final bell. I never do my homework and can't concentrate in lunch so I always came early to finish it. My teacher had told me on many occasions that I can.
A few more minutes passed while I just sat there, doodling on my now finished homework sheet. I looked up at the clock and saw there was about 7 more minutes till the bell. I walked towards the teachers desk and looked at the pictures that sat there. One was of my teacher, Miss. Bernas, and two little boys. Another was of 3 puppies, the next of those puppies as full fledged dogs. I looked at the clock, 6 more minutes. I sighed and walked back to my desk, stepping over a discarded notebook. I sat back down and folded my arms, then laid my head in the middle.
I let my mind wander and felt myself dozing. I let my eyes droop down, down, down...
"Hello?" a voice startled me and I lifted my head to see the guy with the guitar framed in the doorway. His insistent hair hung down close to his brow, his eyes stared at me as I looked at him,
"Hi," I choked out, cursing my nerves. He smiled and walked towards the back of the room, towards me. He set down his guitar and book bag and sat in the chair next to me,
"I'm Ty Baldwin, nice to meet you," I nodded dumbly and took the hand he held out to me, his eyes seemed to laugh at me as I glanced at him and immediately remembered my part,
"Oh, sorry, I'm Amy Flemings. Nice to meet you too," mentally I slapped my self in a duh manner.
In response he looked pointedly down at our hands, and I realized I hadn't let go. I dropped his hand and turned towards the front of the room, forcing myself not to look at him.
A minute passed and the bell rung, our teacher arriving only moments later along with the crowd of students.
"Bonjour, classe," Our teacher crooned excitedly,
"Bonjour, Madame Bernas" a few people who actually cared crooned back. She smiled and turned to the board, starting to write notes. We all pulled out our notebooks and began to copy down what she was writing. Ty idled up to her and spoke to her in a hushed voice, she nodded and wrote something down in her grade book. Ty walked back to the seat next to me and sat down, also pulling out a notebook, following suit and writing down the notes.
Two days later: September 24th: Friday
At 9:30 I walked out of the barn and over towards the house. I climbed the steps two at a time and banged the screen door as I stepped into the kitchen. I saw grandpa in the office, packing up a few things for the trip, and Lou beside him talking in a low voice, her pregnant stomach protruding over her lap.
"I'm leaving in 40 minutes," I said to them as they glanced at me in the doorway,
"Ok, have fun honey, Ill see you next month ok?" Grandpa walked up to me and hugged me tightly. Every few years Grandpa went to visit his old friends for a month in Washington, leaving Lou and I to our own devices. This year I had the house to myself, seeing that Lou was heavily pregnant and had her own house 7 miles down the road.
"Ok Grandpa, I love you, have fun too," he nodded against my neck and then pulled back from me. Lou waddled over and past me out into the kitchen, she picked up a pickle from a plate and headed outside, Grandpa hot on her heels,
"My number in on the fridge, in case of emergency. Ill call when I get there ok?" I nodded,
"Ok, love you," I headed up to my room and walked over to my closet, pulling out some clothes. I jumped in the shower, washing away accumulated sweat. I got out and blow dried my hair, shiny curls falling down my back. I head to my clothes, pulling on a pair of faded jeans and a thin brown turtleneck, lifting my hair out of it. I applied a little bit of eyeshadow. I was slipping into a pair of Converses when I heard a beep outside.
Grandpa had taken my car for the long trip, seeing that his truck was in the shop. So Soraya was picking me up and we were going to go to Harry's Bar, an all ages bar on the other side of town that had a two live bands playing there that night. Anyone could get in as long as they were at least 16, they had to draw the line somewhere. So we were going out and then she was dropping me off later. That night was officially a girls night out. Part of the patching up of our friendship.
I ran down the stairs, grabbing my purse as I headed out the door. I climbed into the passenger seat of Sorayas car and smiled at her, "Hey,"
"Hey," she replied, looking over her shoulder as she backed out.
We drove along, singing very rambunctiously to James Mraz's 'Geek In The Pink," laughing the whole way. When we arrived Soraya locked the car and we headed in. The bouncer nodded as we passed him, stamping our hands so we could get in, but not the drinking stamp. We weren't allowed to drink yet. The bar was already crawling with people there to see the band, we squeezed our way to a table along the side wall that was only about 10 feet from the raised stage. We leaned the chairs against the table, to show we were coming back, and headed towards the ladies room.
"Wow, its hot out there," Soraya panted as she stepped up to the mirror, rubbing at a bit of mascara that had run,
"Yeah," I looked at my reflection and decided I was fine, and then waited for Soraya. She took out her bag, laying out all her makeup and accessories,
"Sorry, I had to run out of the house, give me a minute," A minute for Soraya was an hour to me.
"Im going to get some drinks and go back to the table, Ill meet you there ok?" she nodded, distracted, and I left.
I slipped between guys and girls, some dancing, some just standing there, waiting. I made my way to the bar, swatting at a very touchy guy as her slipped his hand around my arm. I finally made it and leaned over the bar, looking for the bartender. A burly man walked towards me, "What can I do you for?"
"Two root beers, please" he nodded and took out two large mugs, filling them to the brim with fizzing soda. I picked them up carefully and slowly nudged my way through the crowd. I made it to the small table and sat down the mugs, pulling down my chair and sliding into it. Right at that moment a guy from school, name either Ted or Fred, came up to me,
"We go to school together right?" Ted/Fred said to me.
"Yeah, I think," trying to hint that I didn't want to talk with the sound of my voice,
"Hey," he sat in the chair across from me, settling into it quite quickly,
"Hey," I half smiled.
"Here to see The Truth Squad?" he asked, smiling at me (Stole the band name from This Lullaby also, couldn't think of anything at the moment)
"The Truth Squad?" I was truly mystified.
"The band playing tonight..." he looked at me as though I was mentally challenged.
"Oh, yeah I am. I didn't know their name, sorry," he nodded an Ok.
"So, here with your boyfriend?" I shook my head warily, he smiled, "Cool," he reached over, and before I had time to react he had my hand tight within his, I tried to pull back but he held on tight,
"Let go, please," I smiled in a hopefully hinting manner. He just smiled more and kept on talking,
"Your really pretty you know that?" I cringed, trying to get my hand back. He glanced around the room and then stood up, pulling me to my feet, "Lets go somewhere a little more...private," his voice was deep and husky, apparently lustful.
"No, let go!" I tried to pull away as he practically dragged me towards the door, slipping an arm around my waist, and securing my hand with his other hand. It looked as though we were a couple as we walked towards the door, me trying to fight against him as the hand around my waist started to push against the waist band of my jeans, a finger slipping through and caressing the skin there.
"Let GO!" I almost screamed, but no one heard me because everyone else also screamed as the opening band for The Truth Squad came on. I struggled against him as the crown pushed us forward, no one noticing my yelling or struggle.
"Shhh," he whispered into my ear, his lips skimming my lobe, "No need to get frisky now, wait till later," he licked my ear and I cringed as he did so, jerking my head away from him. He held me still against him as we passed through the door, the bouncer, talking to someone, didn't notice as I tried to reach out to him. Ted/Fred held my arms down and led me to a car parked close by. He wretched open the drivers door and pushed me through to the back seat, following me as I fell.
"Now, you can get frisky," his arms pinned mine down against the seat and his mouth crashed against mine. I tried to pull my head back but he had me flush against the seat, his body weighing me down. I tried to turn my head, kick him, hit him, anything to get away, but he only kissed me harder, his hands now holding me head steady. My arms were pinned under his knees, his tongue roughly parted my tight lips.
He tasted like beer and smoke, and I gagged against his mouth, trying vainly to push him off, my now tired arms barely even touching him in their weakened flail. His tongue pushed against mine, and I lifted mine and pushed his out of my mouth, but he took this as me getting into the kiss, so he roughened it, sliding his tongue in and out. I tried again to push him off, slipping my hands to the sides of his face to push him away, and that's when I heard the tapping.
Ted/Fred finally pulled away and looked at the window, allowing me to look to the side and wipe my mouth. Ted/Fred was straddling me so I couldn't move much, but I saw what had caused the tapping.
Soraya stood there, glaring at me through the window, angry and hurt tears welling in her eyes. What she saw was me breaking my promise and ditching her, and that's not how it had happened. Ted/Fred leaned over and rolled down the window, and I finally was able to push him off as he did so.
"Were busy here. What do we want,"
"Oh, just wondering if you bringing her home, Im leaving," she walked away and I hit Ted/Fred in the arm, and climbed over him,
"Soraya! Wait up, its not what you think," I stumbled my way towards her as she climbed in her car,
"Amy, just go away. Why I even try to be friends with you anymore is beyond me. You apparently didn't mean what you said. Just leave me alone," tears were coursing down her face freely now, and she closed the door, me still 10 feet away and closing. She started the engine and quickly pulled out of her spot, revving the engine until she was gone, flying down the street.
Hot tears were now welling in my eyes and I walked slowly back towards the bar, noticing that Ted/Fred had apparently already gone back inside.
I felt sick to my stomach as I passed the bar, seeing Ted/Fred already talking to another unknowing victim. I head down the hall towards the bathroom and the phone, wondering how in the hell I was supposed to get home, when I heard it. The same melody I had heard at school. It was Ty.
I headed back to the stage and saw him, strumming away, singing in a clear voice, a song that somewhat reminded me of a song sung by 'The All-American Rejects' came through the speakers. The lyrics were different, the beat different, but his voice reminded me of the lead singers, Tyson (that's his name right, sorry blonde moment)
I leaned against the wall, settling my stomach, and let his clear voice carry me along.
A while later, how long Im not sure, Ty announced an intermission of 30 minutes, and the dj started to play a cd. Ty walked off stage and headed my way, he was right infront of me when I realized I was leaning against a door, I looked at him, then the sign on the door 'Back Stage: Employee's and Performers Only". I blushed and stepped back, Ty also stepped to the side and let his friends pass him on the way into the room beyond the door.
When the door shut Ty smiled at me, "Hey. Amy, right?"
"Yeah," I paused, "Your really good you know," I nodded towards the stage and he smiled more,
"Thanks," he glanced around, "You here alone?"
I blushed crimson, remembering why my stomach was so unsettled, "Well I wasn't, but my friend left, we sort of had a...misunderstanding."
His face fell, "Oh...are you ok?"
I dropped my eyes at his concern, "Not really, it was pretty bad,"
"Do you want to talk about it?"
"No, Im ok...Well I need to go find a way home. So, um, your really good, thanks for the concern, and Ill see you later," I babbled, starting to walk away,
"Amy!" he called after me, grabbing my arm, "I can give you a ride...if you want?"
I turned to look at him, and felt myself answering, "Yeah, that would be great. Thanks,"
"No problem. I get off in 40 minutes, wait for me?" I nodded and he smiled, "Come on," he led me into the room his band members had disappeared into my arm. On a couch against the far wall was the drummer, blonde hair falling sweetly around his angular face. Next to him was the copper-haired guy, who was drinking a bottle of water, and then getting something out of the fridge was the black haired guy, his but sticking out of the fridge as he leaned over.
"Guys, this is Amy," they all looked at me and smiled, "Amy this is Kyle," he pointed to the blonde, "That's Mark," copper-head, "and John," black hair.
"Hi," I smile at them as they chorus a Hello.
"She's a friend from school, she's gonna hang out with us tonight,"
"Cool, come sit down babe," Kyle pats the seat between him and Mark. His 'babe' remark was clearly a warm welcome, and his smile was friendly, not at all like Ted/Fred. I walked over to him and sat down, my thighs bumping theirs.
"So, you been watching the show?" Mark asked from beside me, his hand a polite distance from mine on the couch,
"Yeah, you guys are really great!" They all smile at me, I have been accepted.
"I like her," John chimes in, talking to Ty now. Ty blushes a little but smiles,
"Me too," he answers, glancing at me, I smile at him.
"Definitely time-worthy," Kyle nods, I raise my eyes brows at him in question, "It means I wouldn't mind hanging out with you, wasting away time. Some people aren't worth time at all," the rest of the guys nod at this, and I find myself smiling,
"Well you guys aren't too bad yourself,"
Kyle laughs and pats my knee, "Amy, feel free to hang out with us anytime. You're a cool chica," he laid on a little Spanish accent on the last word.
I just smile.
"Well, time to go guys. Amy you can stay in here or come out and watch, whichever you want. We have another half-hour before we can go," Ty holds out his hand to me, offering to help me up. I place my hand in his, his smooth fingers curling around mine, lifting me up.
"I choose to watch,"
A half hour later
I am leaned against a white van as the guys pack their equipment into the back. Finally they climb out and Kyle, Mark, and John climb in the front seats,
"Bye Amy," they all yell out, "Nice meeting you,"
"You too," I yell back. Ty walks towards me as they pull out, squealing into the road.
"Ready?" he asked me, walking towards a waiting, midnight blue, Jeep Liberty.
"Ready!" I say cheerily, Ted/Fred and Soraya momentarily forgotten.
We climb into his car and he starts the engine, backing out into the road, "Left or right?" he looks at me, waiting.
"Right," he turns and picks up speed as he cruises down the deserted road.
"How far?" he reaches forward and turns on the radio, only loud enough to hear the words. Panic! At The Disco is clearly heard.
"Um, about 4 miles, and then its on the left. There is a gate and above it a sign, it says Heartland," he looks at me,
"Heartland as in the farm?"
"Yeah, you know it?"
"I pass it on my way to school everyday, I know where it is. So, its your farm?" he glances at me,
"My Grandpa's. My mom moved us here when I was three and started a horse farm. She died a few years ago, so I work it,"
"I'm sorry about your mom," I nod solemnly, "So... you work it alone?"
"No, my sister does the paper work, and my Grandpa fixes things. And then there's Ben, the stable hand, he's a big help,"
"Cool, I'd like to check it out some time," he lowers the volume a little as we pull into my driveway. He stops when we get to the top and lets the engine idle.
"So, thanks for the ride."
"Anytime," he catches my eye and we sit there for a minute, not blinking,
"Well, uh, thanks again," I stumble out of the door in a daze, "Oh," I turn back, "Your really great...your band I mean," I correct myself, horrified at how it sounded.
"Thanks, see you later," I wave as he backs out of the driveway and then I head into the house, humming the melody I now associated with Ty.
Author note: Sorry about the confusion with my changing the second chapter. But I like this much better. More believable. Enjoy and Review!