Chapter 15: Try, Try Again

Another afternoon found Leo sitting in the rest area at that now all-too familiar circular bench.

A small crowd of people were visiting to get some of that summer feeling now that the rain had really started to show its face around here.

Leo was checking his texts and had gotten a message from most of his family. His mom was wishing him a good day, his dad wanted to know if he should bring back a souvenir from this old music store, and Maria was thanking him for a music recommendation.

While whittling away at answering them he occasionally poked his head up and saw his sister and Damian running through the halls to get some exercise.

This kept a smile on his face as he also worked on his homework.

Eventually he heard a couple knocks on the bench and saw that Lyra had created them with her walking stick, but almost hit his leg trying.

"Afternoon to you, Lyra." He said, noticing the nice black and purple plastic coat she had on.

"Same to you, Leo." She said in a somewhat droll tone.

As she sat down beside him and scooted around, he commented, "Are you alright?"

"Feeling kind of…" She rocked her right hand over the middle of her body, "'Meh'."

"Meh?"

Lyra pointed up at the rain pounding against the roof.

"Ah. I don't feel anything about the harsh weather, personally." He said.

Lyra smiled and crossed her legs, "Rain blows, but it's worth waiting it out to get to the snow."

"Feeling the flakes tickle your skin is one thing improved by being blind."

Leo then commented, "I usually go out and make a snowman with my family."

"Lucky! I miss that. And snowball fights."

"Ooof," Leo shivered in pain, "You just awakened a traumatic memory."

Lyra turned quickly and blurted out, "Uh oh. Lemme guess, your sister?"

Leo nodded with a weak smile, "I was out cold that whole weekend."

"Your sister sounds like a real menace." Lyra spoke her voice.

"She has her good points. Her bad points." Leo said without any ill will.

"Honestly? Total jealousy alert here. I never had a sibling…well, unless you count my best friend. We used to do everything together and because our dads were so tight knit due to their jobs, it made it easier."

Leo then sprung at the chance to talk to her more, "This is the first time you've brought up your dad."

"He's a really great guy. Tough like a cougar, kind as a teddy bear. He's a retired firefighter, but currently runs his own coffee shop."

"That sounds like fun." Leo remarked.

"When he's off work we'll do karaoke together over rock songs. His pitch is AWFUL, but…He tries."

Lyra's smile was glowing. Then she asked him, "What about yours?"

"Race car driver." Leo said rather matter of factly.

"Get out!" Lyra spared all the excitement for them, "NASCAR or Indie?"

"NASCAR."

"Vroom vroom! Ha. But wait, wouldn't that mean he travels a lot?"

"It's complicated, but he makes it work out."

Lyra then calmed down a little to remark, "It doesn't sound like you dislike him."

"He's closer to my sister, but we talk. Occasionally…"

"And your mom?"

Leo paused for a moment and saw Lyra crack a cheeky grin of anticipation out the corner of his eye.

He responded with honesty, "She's tough, but reliable. Blunt but fair. She has a lot of positive qualities that outweigh the negatives. She works hard as a newscaster."

"I don't pay attention to the news so I probably haven't heard her."

Leo tossed up his hand in a carefree gesture, "That's fine."

"Crap, now I probably should tell you about my mom." She said, sounding down on herself.

"Are you sure?" Leo gave her an out, but she shook her head.

"It's not uncomfortable. It's just…my mom died in a building fire five years ago."

Leo felt tight in his chest, "Oh…"

"Same accident as what took my eyesight. She worked as a museum curator in Seattle. She could name the year a historical figure was born like," She snapped her fingers, "Though…she never really approved of my taste in music. Or my friend."

"Sometimes I think 'Thank GOD she's gone' and then feel like crap the next day," Lyra then took a deep breath and vented out an apology all at once, "SorryIsaidtoomuch."

Leo let her relax in silence, and then with a smile she said, "So! Music!"

She was very strong of heart, but it was moments like this that reminded him that she could cry if she wanted to.

At her prompting, Leo let her emotions rest and remarked, "Have you listened to anything new lately?"

"Nah," She said with her punkish bluntness, "It's a dry season for new albums."

"Then might I put in a recommendation?" Leo said, pulling out his phone.

"Shoot." Lyra said.

"'Heat Reverb' It's an EDM song released last week. Stimulates a feeling similar to your temperature rising. Or so they claim."

"EDM? Huh, I dipped into that a few times." Lyra remarked.

"Want to preview it?" Leo offered.

"Sure!" Lyra reached into her vest and pulled out her headphones to sync with his phone and take a listen.

After a few moments she closed her eyes and remarked, "Not bad."

Her feet were tapping on the ground, causing Leo to chuckle.

She took her headphones out and remarked, "I'll download it later. It'll counter the awful pitter patter."

"Now…! For you, mister obstinate," She poked his chest playfully and then reached for her music player, "I bet you I can turn you around on rock with ONE song-"

As she was talking, Leo felt that someone was approaching him with a clear focus on his presence.

He turned around and saw the quarterback, Bang, standing stationary by the door.

He was furrowing his brows and had a brief scowl, but Leo didn't get the vibe that he was going to throw a punch.

Lyra tugged on his sleeve a few times and remarked, "Hey. You listening?"

Leo whispered as Bang approached, "That quarterback is back."

Lyra flinched on then put on her battle face while going for her cane.

Leo stretched his hand out and let Bang stop in front of him, "Wait."

Bang crossed his arms and grumbled a little, then following a sigh he rubbed the back of his head and looked a little embarrassed, "Hey dude, I-I just wanted to say…sorry…I was a total asscrack back then."

There was a short pause, and then Lyra raised her cane with a fierce expression. Leo quickly told her, "It's fine."

Leo then gestured out and said, "Apology accepted."

Bang trembled, "R-Really? I mean…thanks dude. This has been nagging at me all week."

After which he continued to stand around with some awkward tension in the air. Bang then tried speaking up, "Uhhh…"

Lyra bluntly remarked, "You gave your apology. Now beat it."

"R-Right, ummm…" Bang then opened his eyes and bent down for the music player on the floor, "Oh, I think you dropped this."

He put it on Lyra's lap and then immediately backed off with his hands raised.

Gritting his teeth he mumbled, "That song you screamed at me…Uhhh…Terror of the Mind by the Cutthroat Angels yeah?"

He gave a thumbs up and tried to smile with enthusiasm, "They're pretty cool."

Lyra and Leo didn't respond, causing Bang to drop his expression and strain himself to say, "A-Alright look…! I was…gonna ask if it was…ok to hang out with you guys?"

Lyra and Leo looked at each other, with Lyra commenting in a flowery manner, "I guess he's got ok taste in music."

Leo shrugged, "He apologized, I see no issue."

Lyra then turned to Bang and remarked, "Alright, you can take a seat next to Leo."

Bang smiled and then jumped right at the chance, "Thanks dudes!"

After he settled into place that awkwardness still persisted, prompting Bang to comment, "Soooo…what do we talk about?"

"Mostly music and stuff." Lyra said, mildly dismissive.

"Stuff eh?" Bang snapped his fingers and seemed proud of himself, "Hey! How bout that start to the football season! Go Seahawks! Woo!"

Leo brushed his hand up and said, "Not really my thing."

Lyra pointed both fingers at her eyes and flared them at him.

"...oh," Bang said sheepishly, "So about that music! Y-You uhhh, guys into metal bands?"

Lyra pepped up with a smile, "Am I?!"

Leo raised his hand and remarked, "Sorry, not my thing either."

Bang looked puzzled, "Really bro? How come?"

Lyra pointed out, "He's a work in progress. I WAS trying to get him into rock music, but then you showed up."

"My b." Bang remarked.

Leo shrugged, "Honestly, I don't expect one song to suddenly change my mind though."

Lyra pulled up her music player and shoved it into Leo's chest, "This one TOTALLY will. 'The Killing Rose', by the Scarlet Succubus."

Leo grimaced.

"Pffft…" Bang suddenly spat out, causing Lyra to turn her head in a blunt manner.

"Oh excuuuuuse me! I didn't realize we were sitting with a critic."

Bang turned closer to Leo and grabbed the music player, "That song's got too much of a punch. You want to start bro off slow."

Leo wiggled his head and turned around, "I'm sorry, when did I become your bro?"

Bang smiled and patted him on the shoulder, "Don't worry, I got this."

After a little bit of flipping through the playlist, he landed on one and pointed it at Leo's face, "'The First Rule of Love' by Three Days to Cry."

"PFFFFT…!" Lyra spat up louder and then threw her head back with a smirk, "Ooookay, buster."

"What? What?!" Bang scoffed and swung his head around in disbelief, "It's a lovey-dovey song. I bet bro eats that shit up!"

Lyra rolled her eyes, "Yeah, it's got a nice rhythm, a good message. But it's a one-hit wonder. Doesn't really leave you craving more."

Leo raised his hand and couldn't help smiling fondly at this exchange, but deep down he had to say, "Can I say something?"

The two united in saying in a monotone voice, "No."

"I figured…" Leo sighed and let them bond, if this really qualified as such.

Lyra crossed her arms and pretended like she was looking Bang in the eyes, "Stick to your field, quarterback. I can handle Leo myself."

Bang retaliated, "Listen, I was banging my head to rock and roll since the womb. Name 10 female rock and roll artists. Your kind's a minori-"

"The Scarlet Succubi, Judy Ruby of the Cutthroat Angels, Lady Jays, Pauline Fine of the Youth Freedom Society-"

Before Lyra could finish him off, Bang grit his teeth and buckled down on his point, "Ok so you used Google, big whoop!"

Lyra again thrust her head closer, flared her eyes, and pointed at them.

Bang, however, lost his cool telling her, "Oh come on! I meant you used text to speech, you curly-haired wolf!"

Leo decided he DIDN'T want to be sandwiched by these two getting closer to coming to blows and stood up, gesturing his hands out to separate them a bit, "Ok, I think we've escalated the point enough."

Leo turned to Bang in particular and remarked, "Bang, is there really a point to bringing up her gender?"

"I-I wasn't saying it like…that…" Bang said, looking around nervously.

Lyra pressed her fingertips against her smug face and remarked, "You're right, you weren't saying anything at all."

Leo closed his eyes and sighed, "Lyra…"

Lyra remarked, "Come on Leo, the guy CLEARLY has ulterior motives for hanging out with us."

"Hrrrmmm…" As Leo hesitated to admit that was on his mind, Bang let out a heavy sigh.

"No…she's right…" Bang handed Lyra's music player over to Leo and then looked the other way, his shoulders as slumped as the rest of his posture.

"I'm always throwing hands at all my problems. But you bro, you wanted to 'talk it over'. And like…that sounded kinda nice? …Once I cooled my head off you know."

"So I thought we could be friends, and I'd learn how to do things your way. And you know, maybe…become a cooler guy?"

Bang gestured his fingers out and looked like he was expecting a reaction, but ultimately signed in dismay and shook his head.

"Nah…I can't be anybody but me. So I should just…stick to my field."

Bang then started walking for the door, but put his hand up to say one last thing, "I-I won't give your sister anymore grief either. Later…dudes."

Lyra was left standing there whispering out loud to Leo, "Shit, I think I went too far…"

Leo looked at her and asked, "Do you WANT him around? Because if you don't, I'll respect that."

Lyra's lips spread like a smear, showing that she was thinking it over, "Mmm…Ah heck. Give him a chance. He DID apologize."

Leo smiled contently and then reached out just as Bang grabbed the door, "Bang, wait."

Bang turned around and looked like he was on the verge of crying. Leo pointed at the bench behind him, and Bang's voice got high-pitched, "R-Really…?"

Leo nodded with his eyes closed and then had them sprung open when Bang rang up and clenched his hand for a quick shake, "Thanks bro!"

Leo pretended it hurt with a slight hiss, and then decided not to tackle the subject of him wanting to improve directly. If he was serious, then that would either be something that would happen naturally over time, or not.

For now, Leo gave Lyra her music player back and they returned to the bench only to realize…they still had an awkward atmosphere in the air because nobody knew what to talk about besides music.

So Bang offered a simple compromise to get things rolling again, "Any of you dudes got a favorite drink?"

Lyra remarked, "Root beer!"

Leo answered, "Diet colas, preferably."

Bang got back up with a smile and said, "Sick! I'll go grab those from the vending machine. Wait right here."

He ran off and came back just a couple minutes later with the two for them, and a Squirt for himself.

But unbeknownst to him, his trail had been picked up by Violet and Selina, who were currently standing outside the recreational room scheming to do something to him.

Violet was grinning like an imp as she whispered to Selina, "I got it. You should totally make his soda bottle fizz in his stupid face."

Selina expressed some doubt about this go around, "Hmmm, he just seems to be sitting merrily with some friends. Is that really a crime worth punishment?"

"Hell yeah! Anyone who'd tolerate his smelly, masculine ass must either be blind or stupid." And as Violet turned a little further around the corner with anticipation to see Selina's spell go off, she stared blankly at Lyra's presence.

Selina snuck her wand out of hiding and pointed it at Bang's soda bottle, only pausing when Violet murmured in a heartbroken sound of surprise, "L-Lyra…?"

Selina turned her head up and gasped, "Is something wrong?"

Violet squeezed her hands on the doorframe and with a quick, confused grunt tried to keep to her punk-ish tone of voice as she remarked, "N-Never mind, abandon the plan. We'll…get him later."

As Violet ran off, Selina gasped again and pursued her, "Violet! Wait!"

Leo then looked in the direction they were at, only because he could have sworn he felt a familiar aura leaving.

After enjoying the soda for a bit, Lyra let out a small belch and covered her mouth.

Bang chuckled, "Heh, nice."

Leo was checking his phone again, when he noticed a message from Alex asking him, "Hey, are you available?"

Leo looked around at his company seeming to be relaxed around each other a little and decided to reply, "Yes."

Alex responded immediately, "Meet me at the library."

Leo clicked off his phone and stood up, "I need to speak with a relative. And I imagine you two need to get to class?"

"It's that time already? Wow," Lyra picked up her cane and bag and stood in front of Leo with a smirk, "Btw, you're SO not getting out of learning the power of rock and roll, Leonardo Whiter."

After she walked right past him, Bang then stood up and remarked, "Sooo uhhh, this is where you guys meet up between classes?"

"Most of the time." Leo said.

"Cool! If I don't have practice, I'll stop by. Thanks again for trusting me, bro." Bang walked past and clocked him one on the shoulder in a friendly way and then headed out the door.

"Well, this got a lot more interesting…" Leo said, feeling just a little bit tired.

He then made his way to the library and found Alex standing outside the doors in a bit of a slump.

"Trouble sleeping?" Leo remarked to get him up.

"Kind of, haaa…" Alex patted his yawning mouth and then tucked his hands into his pockets, "You know the business."

He then paused to look around, and once he confirmed there was no one but them nearby he grabbed his coat and pulled it open slightly. He was wearing a shirt for a cartoon more aimed towards children, and just that brief peek left him feeling embarrassed even around family.

He then closed up and remarked with a bit of haste, "I still like Eurobeat, think religion is a sham, and enjoy the taste of hot peppers."

Leo raised his brows out of reflex, and with a sigh Alex rubbed the back of his head and remarked, "With how our last conversation went, I didn't want you worrying I had changed TOO much."

"It was on my mind, I'll admit. But I was more concerned about Erin's changes." Leo remarked softly.

Alex took on a slight hint of bluntness as he said, "My advice? Don't bother digging into it."

"I couldn't even if I wanted to. She's been very evasive around the rest of us sans Serra since the school year started," Leo caught the mood in the air and with a friendly gesture shifted topics, "Well, clearly you didn't call me out to talk about her anyways. So what's up?"

Alex looked off in another direction and blushed, "Do you…still remember how to play that song I liked?"

Leo flinched and then with a steady smile he reached into his pocket to pull out his harmonica, "I believe it went something like…this?"

Leo played the tune from memory, giving something only Alex was sure to enjoy without disrupting the passersby' focus.

Midway through, Alex took a deep relaxing breath and his posture improved, with him describing the melody with praise, "It's almost angelic…"

At melody's end, Alex laid a hand over his chest and smiled sincerely, "Thanks man. I was missing that."

Leo gestured his harmonica out and remarked, "Anytime."

Alex nodded, "You bet."

He couldn't help his habit of rubbing the back of his head though, "I got a few minutes until class. Anything you want to talk about?"

Leo suggested, "You're welcome to join me in the recreational center between classes. I have a couple friends with me, but-"

"Nah, I'll pass for now," Alex said, "Making friends is a low priority and plus, I want to keep an eye on Erin."

"But if I'm not too busy, and you want to talk, I'll try and pull away for a moment or two."

The bell ringing took them both by surprise, with Alex sighing and then walking past Leo while patting him on the shoulder, "Nice talking to you, cousin."

Leo saw him wander off and wondered to himself, "Maybe I'm overthinking this. He seems like the same old Alex underneath it all."

Still, the further into the school year he got, the longer the days seemed to get…

But he swore to keep his wits about him, and help out however he could.

Next Time: The Hapless Homunculus