Confessions of a Band Camp Geek
I watched the world float to the
Dark side of the moon
After all I knew it had to be something
To do with you
I really don't mind what happens now and then
As long as you'll be my friend at the end
-3 Doors Down "Kryptonite"
Confession #4: I'm an Amateur Matchmaker
"Alright, take Art History with me then. You won't get yelled at for not being able to draw a straight line in that class."
"Yeah, but I'll get yelled at for falling asleep out of complete boredom." Bank swallowed the mouthful of food he was speaking through and downed it with some soda. "Besides, you hate history Kagome. I'm not going to make you sit through that torture just for me."
It's true I've never acquired the right taste for history since it's hard to acquire a taste for anything if your mind is always a million miles away. Except for the Greek god myths that are basically the basis for the over dramatic soap operas today, I hate history. Absolutely hate it. I have this nagging feeling though that Bank is using this shortcoming as a way to weasel out of taking an art class with me.
"I'll take history with you," Jakotsu volunteered and I just smiled at him. Jakotsu loved history for some crazy reason (And Lit). He took AP European Lit and European History last year—the hardest AP classes—and got an A. Not just a 92.5 where it rounds up to an A, but a legit A. For a guy who loves beer and partying, Jakotsu is really smart. If I ever had a class with him, he would have definitely been my cheating buddy. Don't worry I am highly aware of how sinful cheating is, now.
We were at lunch after half of trial day, making final decisions on the 'artsy' courses we were planning to take for the first week on the forms we were given when we entered the mess hall. I was trying to get Bank to 'broaden his horizons' and take an art class with me though I know Bank really sucks at art. I'm not doing it to prove that art is just another one of the many things I kick Bank's ass in but more so to ensure my own protection if Hojo popped up in another class I might take. I just couldn't tell Bank that because he might go hunt Hojo down and threaten him and I actually enjoyed the calm waters we're sailing through.
"Bank, camp is about new experiences. Experience something new."
"I'll learn to play the piano."
"Yeah, so Rei can teach you," Sango teased and Bank glared as his face turned cherry red.
"I don't like her."
"Yeah, just keep telling yourself that."
Said girl was sitting with her buddy Ichiro just laughing it up two tables ahead. Whatever bitch it was that was clinging to him earlier should really think about making a reappearance soon because I can practically hear Bank's poor, fragile heart breaking.
"Why don't we all just take the songwriting class," Bank suggested, effectively changing the subject. "That's something everyone can take."
"Almost everyone," Aimi intervened. "Just because most people here can sing or play an instrument doesn't mean we all can." She snapped her thick pretzel stick in half and shoved a piece in her mouth. "With every majority there is a minority. But whatever, I'm taking that class with Kiyoko anyways."
"Which is completely—"
"You're taking dance class with the evil chick?" Raiden cut me off, pausing his burger's journey to his mouth.
Aimi nodded.
"Me too!" He smiled cheekily at Aimi. "If we get the same session we're walking together."
"Sounds good." Aimi then gave me a look that said taking the class where the devil was breathing down your necked 24/7 is actually worth it.
"You actually signed up for that class?" Sho mumbled through a mouthful of food and he was still shoving more bread into it. "That lady's a bitch."
"Not to me," Raiden smirked.
"Yeah, because you nailed everything she threw at you."
"What can I say, I'm the best. And," Raiden swallowed his food. "Kiyoko is hot."
Aimi's entire face fell.
"And that makes the torture all worth the while," Sho responded and they both laughed.
"Well there goes your brilliant plan," I mumbled and somehow, from her spot across the table, Aimi heard me and kicked me in my shin, making me wince.
"Okay… so everyone else is fine with the songwriting then?"
"Yep."
"Uh-huh."
"Okay."
"No!"
Bank sighed as if he was expecting me to ruin the almost unanimous decision. "Why am I not surprised?"
"I just think it would benefit us all if we just tried something new to expand our expertise in the art field. It'll be fun."
"You know, when you get really passionate about trying to convince everybody to do something, it usually means something." I waited for Bank to continue. "There's something in it for you."
I feigned shock. "How could you even think that? What could I be getting out of Art History?"
"I don't know…" Bank turned to give me a suspicious look. "You tell me."
"Maybe…" I had to think fast. "Maybe I'm just passionate about experiencing something new with all my friends."
"It's not really experiencing something new though if you're already well established in the art field," Sango pointed out.
"Fine then, let's all take photography then."
"Uh… no."
"Nuh-uh."
"Nope."
"Sorry."
"You know what," I crossed my arms over my chest. "I can't stay around people who can't think outside the box. It's rather boring."
"Think of it this way," Bank offered. "You can just use some of the songs you have already written for the songwriting class so you don't have to do any work unless you really want to. That way you can just slack off or help plan out Nameless stuff."
Typical Bank, always thinking about the band. However, the slacking off part really did catch my attention.
"Nameless?"
"Band name," Sango explained to Aimi.
"Oh."
"Fine," I agreed. "Songwriting it is."
"Good. Now that that's settled," We all looked to Bank, waiting for him to continue. "I have news concerning the band. We have practice at 7:00."
"What!" I looked at Bank with wide eyes. "Come on, Bank. It's only the first day. Have you ever heard of a break?"
"Not in my vocabulary."
That workaholic! Imagine what his grades would be like if he used this kind of work ethic in his schoolwork.
"I actually have to go with Kagome on this one," Sho spoke up. Finally! Someone else with a brain! "I mean, that's like… right after dinner! I need time for my food to digest."
"Before you play the bass?" Aimi raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah, you can't just go jamming on a full stomach. It just doesn't work that way."
"Somehow I find that hard to believe."
"Full stomachs are an irrelevant factor," Bank declared, demanding attention. "The big picture here is that we have a performance coming up Sunday and Sho doesn't know any of the songs. On top of that we need to actually pick the song. And I already reserved the cabin so there's not really much of a discussion."
"Who died and made you king?"
"When did you even find the time to make a reservation?" Sango asked. "We were out with our cabins all day."
"I did it this morning, before breakfast."
"Well you know how to get a jumpstart on things."
"So anyways, we have practice after dinner in cabin 4."
Like hell we do. There is no way I'm going to sit around and watch on the first day of camp when I could be spending the night… I don't know, exploring or something. Better yet, I could be working my matchmaking magic and getting to know Rei better, or Ichiro and the deal with him. Either way, I don't have time to be sitting around.
"Yeah… I think I'm just going to hang with Aimi and Raiden actually. Get a nice big breath of fresh air."
"Actually we're going to work on some moves," Raiden spoke up and Aimi choked on her drink, pounding her chest when it went down the wrong pipe.
"You are?"
"We are?" Aimi wheezed, wiping the tears from her eyes.
"Of course! We have definitely got to be up to par for Kiyoko's class tomorrow. And if they're practicing, then we're going to practice to."
I couldn't help. I laughed out loud at Aimi's distress.
"Really…" Aimi trailed off as she started formulating a plan to get out of it. "Well, you see, I was actually thinking we'd catch the movie tonight. You know, practice by resting so we're not completely worn out tomorrow morning."
Every night, by the main lodge, they have a movie playing. Tonight I think it was "The Butterfly Effect" featuring Ashton Kutcher.
"No, that's not going to work." Raiden shook his head, not even considering the prospect. "That is just an excuse for lazy people and we're not lazy people." He looked at Aimi. "Right?"
"No…" Aimi mumbled, stabbing her salad. "We sure aren't."
I'm supposed to be sympathetic, understanding, kind, I know I am, but the whole situation is just so damn funny it's hard to keep a straight face. And for once I wasn't alone. Sango was cracking up with me.
"What's so funny?" Bank asked, giving us a knitted brow.
"Nothing! Nothing at all." Sango answered and it just made me laugh more.
"Oh… I get it," Jakotsu said, nudging Bank with his elbow. "It's one of those girly situations."
"Oh." Bank scrunched up his nose. "Never mind, I don't want to know."
"What do you think we're laughing about?" I asked, still grinning like an idiot.
"It doesn't matter," Bank shrugged, jamming his mouth full with chips. "I just don't want to know." He swallowed. "So you'll be at cabin 4 at 7:00? I mean now that you're finally a legit manager, you can't just slack off because it's the first day of camp."
Yes, I'm finally manager, but I had to go through a hell of a lot of work to get there. Like, for instance, finding gigs-which has to be the most frustrating task in the universe. I'm pretty sure I was about to rip my hair out and leave a couple of bald spots more than once just going hunting for places that needed entertainment. And then I had to help with the instruments, the music, and what songs to perform at certain gigs—apparently you can't go all out at a wedding. It was hell. But, I got my status moved up in the band, so, yeah, I'm pretty happy with all the blood, sweat, and tears I put in to getting there.
"Do I really have a choice now?"
"Not really."
"Maybe we can go see how Nameless is," Aimi suggested, still trying to get out of revealing to Raiden she really can't dance. "Sounds interesting."
"No can do," Bank shut her down, shaking his head. "No one is going to hear us sing until we perform on Sunday. Practices will be strictly private."
"Yeah, we want to blow you all away," I added, nodding my head. Everybody loves a good surprise.
"Or you guys really suck and don't want anyone to find out too soon," Raiden piped up, snickering.
"Take that back!"
"It would be awful if you guys get booed off the stage," Aimi joined in. "God, that would suck."
"We're not getting booed off the stage," I defended. "We're going to kick everyone else's sorry asses and we'll be the ones who get the last laugh!"
"I agree with Kagome," Sango threw in and Jak nodded his head in agreement. "We came in second at the Battle of the Bands."
"If you're not first you're last," Aimi snickered and she and Raiden both fell into a fit of laughter. I can't be the only one who is offended that they find our demise hilarious. Honestly, that's just rude.
"You two," Bank finally spoke after being silent for so long. He gave a pointed glare to Aimi and Raiden, "are about to be kicked off the island."
-x-
"Anybody for croquet?"
"Nope."
"Pass."
"No."
"Maybe," Jakotsu said, adjusting his guitar strap around his shoulder. "I've been thinking about becoming more sophisticated and mature and stuff. You know, since I'm going to college and all next year. British golf seems the way to go."
"Yeah, and now we have to find another guitarist. And it's not golf, it's…" Bank trailed off, scratching the back of his head. "It's not golf."
"One, Sango or Kagome could be the guitarist and two, it so definitely is golf."
"So is it a yes or no?" I asked again, trying to get us back on topic.
"I said maybe."
"They don't have a maybe box; it's either yes or no. Pick one."
For our outdoors activity we were given a long sheet with all the activities that were offered. Beside each there was a 'Yes, I'd take this' box or a 'No, I wouldn't take this' box and you're supposed to go through the entire list and decide on them all, this way if you don't get what you want you have about a hundred alternatives. Since I am now manger of the band I'm the person whose supposed to go through the list and mark everybody's while they set up for practice.
"Just draw a box in the middle, write maybe above it and check maybe." Jakotsu suggested as he began tuning. "It's just," he mimed hitting a STAPLES button, "that easy."
"I'm checking no," I decided, marking the 'No, I wouldn't take this' box on Jak's sheet and moved on. "Lacrosse?"
"Me!" Sango shouted and Bank flinched.
"We are in the same room, you know?"
"Anyone else?"
"Uh… yeah," Sho finally decided. "Put me down too."
"Okay," I marked no on everyone else's sheets. "Kickball?"
"YES!"
Finally! A unanimous decision.
"Alright, put a pause on the selection," Bank said, pulling his shirt over his head. "Take notes on songs we can do for Sunday. Ones we're good at."
No, I'm going to say we need to perform the songs we suck at. Do I really look like an idiot? I kept my mouth shut though. It turns out that it's a lot easier to just go along with Bank instead of fighting him on every decision. It saves a lot of time.
"Okey-dokey." I picked up the notepad and pen I brought with me. "Isn't it cover week this weekend?"
"Yeah," Bank finished adjusting the cymbals and picked his lucky sticks up off the ground. "So we'll work on covers we all know before teaching Sho some of the original songs."
"What song are you—"
"Can't Stop, Red Hot Chili Peppers," Sho immediately suggested. "You can't go wrong with that. The opening always get's everybody hyped."
"I second that!"
"Yeah but…"
"'But' what?" I asked, lifting a brow at Bank. "It's a kick ass song. You have to do it"
"But—"
"It's not really a good song for me to sing and he probably really wants to do the drumming." Sango turned to look at Bank. "Is that right?" Bank nodded his head pathetically and gave her those big, blue, puppy eyes. "I thought so." She turned back to me, shrugging her shoulder. "It's the usual."
I cocked my head to the side. "Bank."
"I'm a drummer Kagome. The debut of our band should have me as the drummer. Get it?"
Yes, I got it, and it made complete sense, but I really love that song.
"How 'bout Sango just sings the song to the best of her ability first, Bank can do drums to get it out of his system, and if we decide that there is no other song we can do, Bank will just have to sing."
"Done!" Bank automatically agreed, not giving much of a second thought, and ran to take his seat behind the drums. He is such a kid at times.
"Thanks Sho," I looked over to him and smiled. "Your peace settlement skills are truly appreciated."
Sho smiled and that was all I could see because his bangs were so long and thick. I think I'd faint if I ever actually saw his eyes.
"No problem."
"Are we going to just sit here all day or are we gonna play!?" Bank played an impatient beat. "Let's go!"
"Somebody's bossier than usual," Sango mumbled as she took her spot in front of the mike. "I'm waiting here."
"We all know this, right," Bank asked for confirmation.
"Yes!"
"Just checking," Bank shrugged and he did a once over to make sure everyone was ready before counting them off. "Alright then, one, two, three—"
He stopped counting and started playing not long before Sho came in with the bass. He was good. Then Jak came in on the guitar and I, personally just love the guitar for this song. Jakotsu dropped out again and only Bank and Sho played, building up slowly. Then Jak played again before Sho and Bank went super crazy and then just dropped out, letting Jakotsu do his solo.
Gah! I just love that one part. The opening is what made me fall in love with the song. And the words, shin dig, defunkt, and bebop, but hey, that's just me.
Bank joined back in and Sango started singing. She's not bad at singing it, she's perfectly fine actually, but when we used Bank once, there was no denying that he owned the song. Too bad Bank is set on being a hundred percent drummer.
Can't stop addicted to the shin dig
Chop top he says I'm gonna win big
Choose not a life of imitation
Distant cousin to the reservation
Sho joined back in and he was really good. Like a Flea jr. in the making. His handwork was good.
Defunkt the pistol that you pay for
This punk the felling that you stay for
In time I want to be your best friend
Eastside love is living on the West-end
Jak brought his mouth close to his own mike and began singing back up.
Knock out but boy you better come to
Don't die you know the truth is some do
Go write your message on the pavement
Burnin' so bright I wonder what the wave meant
White heat is screaming in the jungle
Complete the motion if you stumble
Go ask the dust for any answers
Come back strong with 50 belly dancers
The world I love
The tears I drop
To be part of
The wave can't stop
Ever wonder if it's all for you
The world I love
The trains I hop
To be part of
The wave can't stop
Come and tell me when it's time to
My phone started ringing before the second verse and I set my notepad down to check the caller ID: Inuyasha. Well, I'll just step outside to take this.
I stood up and headed for the door, ignoring Bank's confused look as he watched me from behind the drums. I opened the screen door and stepped outside, flipping my phone open in the process.
"Hey," I spoke into the phone. "What's up?"
"Where the hell are you?" Inuyasha asked.
"Um, camp." Honestly, he's the one who dropped me off at the bus lot. "I'm pretty sure we talked about this already."
"No, not that genius." I could hear his eye roll through the phone. "There's, like, music blasting in the background. I didn't think they'd let you throw raves there."
"They don't let you do anything here. My counselor was going to throw out my bag of candy if I didn't get Bank to hide it during to inspection." I sat down on the steps of the cabin. "I'm at band practice."
"On the first day?"
"You know Bank," I lied back on the porch and looked up at the sky. The sun was setting. "He has to get a head start on everything. No breaks allowed." I sighed. "Besides, he found our replacement bassist and he has to be ready for the performance on Sunday. The guy is really good though so we just need to get him used to our songs. Sunday is a cover event, so we're picking out which song to do." I looked around for a second. "Don't tell Suikotsu or anything, but he is way better than him."
"You shouldn't say stuff like that, Kags," Inuyasha laughed. "It really hurts a guy's ego."
"Yeah?" Like I don't already know how big guys' egos are. "I'll be sure to remember that for future reference." We were silent for a while. "So what's up with you?"
"Same old, same old. After work, Dad let me close up so Miroku, Sesshoumaru, and Kenji came by and we just raced the go-carts. Just your usual summer fun."
"I wish I were there," I mumbled, closing my eyes. "I'm getting my ass kicked out here. There's a lot of actual work I have to do, the showers are freezing and one of my counselors is a bitch while the other is so perky it's annoying."
"It'll get better."
"You have to say that; you're my boyfriend."
"I'm doing a good job at it too."
"Mediocre," I laughed into the phone. The music in the background stopped, meaning I would have to go back in there soon. "I'm going to have to get back to practice before Bank revokes my manager status."
"For talking to your boyfriend?"
"This is Bank we're talking about. He is very serious when it comes to the band."
"Very true." Inuyasha was quiet for a second. When he spoke up again his voice was a lot quieter. "I'll see you this weekend."
"Alright."
"I love you."
I have just left planet earth and am now floating above the clouds in that little spot of heaven reserved just for me, for all the times I feel like I'm going to burst with happiness every time Inuyasha says those three little words.
The screen door swung open and Bank stepped out. "What are you—"
"I love you too, Inuyasha," I whispered back, ignoring Bank. "I gotta go. Bye." I snapped my phone shut and turned to Bank. "Did you want something?"
"Nope," he was shaking his head and turning back around. "Nothing at all."
Bank always gets so squeamish when it comes to romance. He's not a cynic—I would know if he was— or a wimp, but he can't take it when I or anybody else starts getting all mushy. Maybe it's just that he's uncomfortable when couples are completely lost in each other, which would make a lot of sense. What doesn't make sense is why he can't embrace the fact that he has a big, fat, giant crush on Rei. It wasn't going to kill anyone.
"You know," I said, standing up and wiping the dust off my back, "if you don't get over this… uneasiness with being romantic, you're never going to end up with Rei. A lot of girls like romantic gestures."
"Shut up Kagome," Bank mumbled as he opened the door for me and we stepped inside. Conversation was over for now. Bank would kill me if I discussed his love life in front of everybody. Especially Sho and Jakotsu.
"Welcome back, Kagome," Sango teased when she saw me and I just rolled my eyes. "What song are we doing next?"
"The Shipped Gold Standard by Fall Out Boy." Bank turned to Sho. "Do you know that one?"
"Enough."
"Alright then." Bank took his seat behind the drums again and pointed one of his drumsticks at me. "Don't forget to take notes."
I rolled my eyes. I know the deal already.
"Gotcha'."
-x-
An hour and a half later, Bank decided it was finally okay for practice to be over and everyone was packing up. I was picking up the wires while everybody else was putting away their own instruments.
"Well this has been fun, but I must say, it's time to go," Jakotsu said, snapping his guitar case shut and stood up. "I'm heading back to the cabin. It's naptime."
"Right behind you," Sho declared, pulling the strap of his case over his shoulder. "Time to hit the hay."
"Really? It's only," Bank fished around in his pocket and pulled out his phone," 8:30. My grandparents don't even clock out until nine."
"Dude," Sho looked right at Bank, "it's been a long day."
"Amen to that," Sango agreed, stretching her arms above her head wincing a little bit. "My body hurts like hell. All those damn outdoors activities completely kicked my ass."
"It's only going to be worse in the morning."
"Great."
"So, I'm leaving," Jakotsu picked up his case and headed towards the door. "I'll catch you at the cabin, Bank."
"Hold up!" Sho called as he scrambled after Jak. "I'm not about to get lost in the woods."
"Wait for me!"
The screen door creaked shut behind Sango and only Bank and I remained. I sat on the ground and stretched out as Bank put away the last of his stuff. He walked up to me and sat down beside my stretched out form.
"What did you find out?"
I gasped over dramatically and shot up. "Are you really saying you want to know about Rei?"
Bank's face turned red, he refused to look at me. "That's why I'm letting you play matchmaker."
"Well, she mentioned taking the songwriting class, she really hates all the water sports"—I know, who hates water? "Ichiro's one of her best friends, she is kind of shy around some people, and she has mentioned nothing about being in a relationship."
"You didn't just go up to her and ask if she was dating anyone, did you?" He asked a look of fear on her face.
"Of course not," I assured him. I'm not going to get her all suspicious. "She just never mentioned it."
"Then how do you know?"
"I don't, it's just—"
"But I need to know."
I looked at Bank and he had this urgency in his eyes. "You're really into her."
"No," he said a bit too quickly. "I just met her. It's impossible."
"Alright," I crawled so I was sitting in front of Bank, "Step one to a girl's heart: admit you like her. And the more you like her, the faster the girl starts falling for you." I thought back to Hojo. "As long as you're not a creeper, that is."
"I'm not a creeper," Bank rolled his eyes. Then he froze, looking me in my eyes. "Am I?"
"Your insecurity is adorable," I laughed and he scowled. "No, you're not a creeper. You're a very handsome young man."
"I don't like it when you talk like my mom."
I laughed again before regaining my posture and concentrating on the topic at hand. "Okay, now repeat after me." Bank had an uneasy look on his face. I rolled my eyes, "I'm not going to make you say anything stupid."
"I wasn't thinking you were."
"Mmhmm… Alright," I looked him in the eyes. "I like Rei."
Bank's Adam's apple bobbed up and down. "I like Rei."
I smiled. "Good. That wasn't so hard, now was it?"
"I'm only talking to you."
"Then pretend I'm Rei."
"I can't. No matter how hard I try, you're still going to be my best friend making the situation very unrealistic."
"True." I thought for a second. "Well, I guess we're done for today."
"Wait!" Bank looked at me with pleading eyes. "That's all a class A matchmaker has?"
"Here's a secret," I leaned in and whispered, "The A really stands for amateur."
"Kagome!"
"Fine." He waited for me to continue. "Dress better for tomorrow. And brush your hair."
"Kagome."
"What?" I shrugged, standing up. "It's only been one day and in case you haven't realized, Rei is with Ichiro every second she can." Bank frowned and I cursed myself for my wording. It sounds like Rei is in love with Ichiro the way I put it. "Relax Bank. They're friends. That's something I'm sure of."
"Whatever," Bank mumbled standing up beside me, stretching his arms over his head. "Want me to walk you back to the cabin?"
"Hoping to catch a glimpse of Rei?"
"No." I raised my brow and Bank rolled his eyes. "I still am your best friend. I can walk you to your cabin without any ulterior motives."
"Aww…" I cooed, throwing my arms around Bank's torso in a hug. "When you say things like that, I'm reminded why you're such a great friend."
"There are moments when you forget?"
I pulled back. "When you're barking at me about the band? Yeah, you can get kind of mean."
"Oh. Well, I'm sorry."
"I know."
"But the band is a really serious thing."
"I know." I led the way to the door and Bank flicked the lights off, locking the door before we shut it behind us.
"So can I see the notes you took on practice?"
I froze. Did I take notes? Yes. Did I take notes about the band? No.
"Uh… don't you think it's kind of dark to be reading? All that strain on your eyes is going to lead to the need of glasses."
Bank stopped walking and tilted his head at me. "You didn't take notes."
"Not exactly."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Well," I took a few steps away from him, just in case, "you know how I get easily distracted and well, I kind of started taking notes on the possible covers I might perform."
To my surprise, Bank didn't flip out.
"You're going to perform?"
"Maybe," I corrected as we started walking again. "I'd like to shove it in Yuuki's face when I do an incredibly kick ass job."
"Do you know what you're doing?"
"Not really." Hint: the reason why I was writing down possible ideas opposed to doing my job, and taking down notes on what the band should perform. "I haven't even tried any of the songs out."
"If you get up early enough tomorrow, I'll help you decide," Bank offered. "We'll go somewhere and you can just perform them in front of me and I'll help narrow down you list."
I smiled up at Bank. "This is another one of your, I'm-a-great-friend moments," I said and Bank flashed one of his bright smiles my way.
"You see, even though you didn't do your job as a manager, I'm still not freaking out at you." He threw an arm over my shoulders. "I'm not that much of a freak when it comes to the band."
Considering the fact that he just said that with loads of sarcasm, I beg to differ.
"Hey," I pulled out the outdoors activity sheets that I picked up because everybody left them behind. "We never finished going through this."
"Don't we have to turn them in tonight?"
"Yep." We were coming up to my cabin and when we got there I stopped at the steps, sitting down. "You want to finish them up?"
"I don't—"
Bank suddenly stopped talking and I looked up at him to see him staring at something in the distance. I followed his gaze to see Rei and Ichiro by a tree not that far away. Ichiro was hugging Rei and whispering something in her hair. I don't think—I know that's not the kind of scene you want to be watching when you have a really big, fat, giant crush on the girl being hugged.
I looked back over to Bank; his head was hanging in defeat.
"Hey," I nudged him in the side and he looked at me. "Remember all those times I came to you, crying my eyes out because Inuyasha had done something stupid again?"
"Yeah…"
"What did you do for me?"
Bank's eyebrows furrowed together. "I comforted you?"
"Exactly and how did you comfort me?"
"I…" Realization finally struck him. "I hugged you and told you everything was going to be fine."
"Right," I confirmed, nodding my head. "And what are we?"
"Best friends."
"And this is a strictly platonic friendship, right?"
"Absolutely."
"Now," I pointed to Rei and Ichiro. "Take everything I just told you and apply it to that situation. What is the outcome you get?"
"They're just friends."
"Alright then, so don't go getting beat up if there's nothing romantic going on between them. Besides," I leaned back on my hands and Bank looked at me in question. "You're a hundred and sixty times more charismatic than that guy, anyways."
"Thanks Kagome."
"No need to thank me for telling the truth," I smiled up at him. "You're way better than that guy."
Bank just smiled and we sat there for a minute before I stood up. "I better head in."
"Don't you want to finish going through the sheets?"
"Nah," I shook my head. I handed them over to Bank so he could drop them off on his way to his own cabin. "Just don't mark me down for anything like dodge ball. And absolutely no flag football."
"Why not?"
I looked at him. Like he didn't already know why.
"Last time I played that game I ended up covered in mud and with a detention."
"Ah… But you met me," Bank said, giving me one of his cheesy grins.
I smiled as I headed to the door of Crazy Frogs' cabin.
"But I met you."
-0-0-0-0-0-
