The high that Beth had gotten from being onstage with Daryl had clung to her all weekend almost as strongly as it had hit her. There had been something between them when he changed up the end of the last song, she had seen it in his eyes and his voice was practically screaming it to her. She hadn't ever had a connection like that with anyone, it felt like they were the only two people on earth. She could still feel the charged air between them while the next act was setting up and it was still there when he chewed his lip and mumbled to her that she had done a good job. He hadn't stayed longer than ten minutes after they finished. She barely got to say goodbye as he hurriedly paid their small tab and took off in his truck. She didn't stay much longer after that. She texted him Sunday, inviting him to Maggie's for dinner. He didn't answer until after she was already in bed. It was nothing more than a short apology. She wondered if the way he looked at her had all been in her head.
Beth pulled out the map that the guidance counselor had given her and tried, for the third time, to figure out where her class was. It still wasn't making any sense. She was so engrossed with trying to figure out where she was supposed to be that she slammed into the body coming out of the elevator she had been trying to get in.
"Sorry, I wasn't looking."
"It's alright no big deal," She felt a hand on her arm, "Hey… I think I saw you the other night. You played at Hook's?"
She looked up to find a slightly familiar face. It took her a minute to place it. "Oh! You played right before us!"
He laughed a little, "Yeah, I didn't think anyone was paying attention. I'm surprised you remember me. You were great." He shoved his hand out in front of her, "I'm Zach."
"Beth."
"Where are you heading, maybe I can point you in the right direction?" He took the map from her hand.
Zach was going to the same class as she was. He told her this was the only community college with both a music and teaching program, she already knew that. They sat next to each other through the boring lecture about not plagiarizing and stared at a pie chart showing what made up their final grades. She was completely underwhelmed by the whole experience. As she was packing up her things Zach turned to her and held out a phone. It was hers.
"I programmed my number in. We should play together sometime. There's some newer stuff out that would really showcase your voice better." He let his fingers brush against hers when she took her cell back. "Maybe we could hang out sometime, practice a few?"
"Maybe."
He walked her to the parking lot and invited her for coffee. He talked about songs her wanted to play and how his father bought the new stereo she had heard in his car. Zach told her she needed to be more current if she wanted people to notice her. The place they had gone to offered overstuffed armchairs and purposely weathered tables. He said he loved it there. Her coffee cost four eighty five. He didn't offer to pay.
She hadn't expected Daryl to be sitting on her front steps when she got home. She also hadn't expected the butterflies that popped up in her stomach when he gave her one of those half-smiles. He looked tired, even more so than usual. "Hey stranger." She sat down beside him and dropped her bag between her feet. He shifted a little but didn't move away. "How are you?"
He shrugged and played with the frayed knee of his jeans. "Just got off work. Thought you might be here."
"I just had my first class."
He nodded. It seemed like he couldn't sit still. Beth desperately wanted to lay her hand on his bouncing knee.
"We should do that sometime though."
She knit her brow in confusion. "Do what?"
Daryl looked up at her for a second before he dropped his eyes again. She knew she hadn't made it up, there was something there.
"Have dinner."