// C H A P T E R T W O //

I'd only ever been to two boys houses in my entire life who weren't related to me. No...three. Each, I'd sneaked to. The first, some boy who was friends with one of my friends new boyfriends. It was sort of like the worst double date in the world.As a matter of fact, it wasn't a double date at all. We just sort of looked back and forth at each other down in his garage, on couches...in the heat of the summer's near.

The second, a boy I had a crush on for a while. I'd sneak to his house almost every other, if not every day of the week with another so called friend...she had a car.

And third, a friend's boyfriend's house. She'd invited me, together they were having a party...it was the most social scene I'd ever shown up to, besides school...which I hated. It was senior year, a weekend. I'd spent a lot of time away from my own family, adopting a new one...of my so called friend's. I guess you're wondering why I keep referring to her as a "so called" friend rather than just a friend. Well, she stabbed me in the back, when I had put all of my trust into her.

That guy who's house I'd sneak off to every other day with her, yeah, she dated him...after I told her I liked him. And blah blah blah, all that high school bullshit. But anyway---

There were bongs everywhere, smoke everywhere...the only thing you smelled in the air. But...everyone pretty much just sat in one room. Talking among one another, or not talking at all. Simply just...stoned.

No, I'm not your goody-two shoes if that's what you're thinking. I took my hits, quite a few. I didn't quit until I was stoned out of my mind and didn't know if I were coming or going, living or dying, breathing or holding my breath...and my lungs ached, and I craved water, and food...food above all else...and ate it slowly. Feeling each crunch against my teeth and each bit of flavor against the buds of my tongue...

I shut my notebook quickly as I could make out the sound of that Matty guy's voice in the hallway. His appointment had ended, he came walking into the waiting room, a smirk on his face. Oh great, he thinks Elaine is hot. I mean why not, I would too if I were him. She has boobs and shit, what I don't have.

"So...Katie...ready to get out of here?" He asked.

I felt like some sort of hooker he'd picked up on a street corner. I don't know why, I guess because he was attractive and I wasn't. I mean, my hair wasn't long and luscious. It was actually just hitting my shoulders...and a strange color that you couldn't tell if it were black or brown. I didn't have unique eyes. They weren't blue, green, or gray. Not even hazel, or light brown. Just dark brown, plain old dark brown. Last, I was short. Guys usually went for the tall girls...for their legs and all...

Finally I nodded after getting so caught up in my twisted mind, "mhm."

He walked out in front of me, leading the way.

"Where are you from?" He asked, "you sound...American." He laughed a little.

What was so funny about being American? I somehow found myself smiling.

"I'm from California, United States. Yes, American...you sound...British."

He looked back at me and smirked, "how did you get here?"

"Long story." I didn't feel like explaining, at all.

"I've got time.... "

"Ah, next question."

"Alright...did I ask you why you're here already? At this place, I mean." He said.

I shook my head, he turned around. I forgot he couldn't see me, it's not like he has eyes behind his head, goodness Katie. I cleared my throat quickly and spoke fast, "oh no."

He opened the door for me, I walked out and waited for him, looking up at the darkened sky that the grey clouds had taken over. I could smell rain in the air.

"Well...?" He looked at me, pulling sunglasses out of his pocket.

I couldn't help but to laugh as I followed him to a rather nice black car...I couldn't tell what kind of car it was...the only cars I familiarized myself with were old 1960s and 70s Volkswagen beetles and buses...and a few 1960s Porsche's. He took out his keys and unlocked both doors, smiling up at me before getting in.

"What?" He asked.

"It's just that..." I got in the car, shutting the door and grabbing my seat belt. He got in also, shutting the door and starting up the car, ignoring his seat belt and grabbing a cigarette from his pocket.

"Go on." He nodded, still slightly smiling as he stuck it in his mouth.

"There's no sun and you're wearing sunglasses."

He just looked at me. Blankly.

Oh no, you sounded like an idiot...he doesn't have the same humor as you...he thinks you're immature...way to go...wise-ass.

He laughed under his breath, "you don't mind if I smoke, do you?"

"No." I said quickly, striving to be cool...I wanted him to think I was cool...I already just screwed everything up. I really did mind if he smoked. In fact...I hated smoke, the smell of it, being around it...I hadn't smoked since the time I went to that party last year in high school.

"Do you want a cigarette? Or do you not smoke, either?" He asked.

I thought for a second, "uhh...I do...I smoke." I lied. He stared at me, he had such a serious face that it intimidated me. It made it hard to lie...did he know I was lying?

"Well..."he grabbed a second cig from the box.

"Oh but uh...I don't...need one...right now..." I said, holding up my hand quickly.

He laughed softly, "okay..."

I sighed, I want to take off my seat belt and just run out of the car and hope to never see him again...it actually doesn't sound like a bad idea...maybe---

"You never answered my question." He said, lighting his cig and backing out of the parking space.

I watched him, his dark hair was messy...very messy...

"Hello?" He asked, heading onto the road.

"Oh, uhh..what was your question?" I asked.

"Why are you here?" He asked, blowing his smoke out of the window.

"Why are you?" I asked back.

He took another puff of his cig, then made a slight turn, "I'll tell you later."

"Well I'll tell you later too."

We pulled up in front of a flat house. The garage door was open, and three guys were already jamming out, one on drums, bass, and guitar. From what I could already hear, it was pretty nice. Not what I expected at all...the way Matty was dressed, and his hair-do, made me think his band would be mega hardcore.

"Here we are." He said, turning off the car and looking at me.

I froze, I was shy to meet new people, and even those guys were good looking.Today could be the best and worst day of my life. I sighed slightly, then looked at him back.

"Why are you so tense all the time?" He asked.

"I'm not." I got out of the car to seem more free spirited I guess.

He laughed and got out too, shutting the door behind him as I shut mine. He walked into the garage, I followed behind him, they continued to play, barely noticing me at all...which was good. Made me feel less of a surprise, and not put on the spot.

"Hey." The one with the bass guitar looked up.

"Hey, this is Katie, she'll be watching us play." He introduced me.

I smiled quickly, waving at each of them.

"Hey," they all said, waving back.

"I'm George." The guy at the drums nodded.

"Ross," the guy on bass introduced himself also.

"Adam." The one on guitar smiled, he was perhaps the most lively in my opinion. His smile was happy and welcoming.

Matty went over to the fridge as we got to know each other, taking out a pop and opening it, taking a sip. "Would you like a drink?" He raised it, laughing clearly at earlier when I told him I didn't drink and felt embarrassed.

"Sure." I rolled my eyes, smiling.

He was so cute...is this...flirting? Or is he just really nice?

He handed me a Coke and set his down, grabbing a guitar from the corner and positioning the mike. I looked around and saw a crate upside down on the ground and took a seat.

"This song is called Sex." Matty spoke into the mike, a smirk on his face.

"This song must be sexual." I teased.

George laughed, I couldn't tell if it was a good laugh or a bad laugh.

Matty closed his eyes as they began to play. His accent was even stronger when he'd sing.

I paid a lot of attention to people's accents.