22. Chapter 22
Chapter 22
Sloane
W hile I'm crushed to hear that I missed my opportunity with Tyler, I am happy that it was Sara who asked him to Snowball. If it couldn't be me, I'm glad it's her because she is a genuinely sweet person. Even after getting in with the popular crowd, she's remained friends with her friends from elementary school--girls who are more shy and nerdy than bubbly and popular. Of course, I've thought a million times about what would have happened if I hadn't felt so out of place at Jesse's party. What if I had stayed longer? What if I had joined in on the game? Would I have had a shot with Tyler? I may never know, but at least I have a cool person who I can talk music with in marine bio.
As the days turn into weeks, Tyler and Sara have become an official couple at Dunwoody High. I can't help but feel pangs of envy when I see Sara wearing Tyler's letterman's jacket as they hang out in front of our marine bio class daily or see them walking down the hallway with their arms wrapped around each other, but such is life when you're a shy, introverted, outsider at DHS. I can't help but wonder what things would be like if I weren't so scared, if I was bold like Kurt suggested.
While I may not have a tight group of friends at Dunwoody who share my interests, I am so grateful that my friend Tameka goes to college a short drive away and loves to come back to Atlanta for concerts. Tonight is the Dinosaur Jr. show at the Masquerade and I can't wait.
I pick up Tameka and Ray, her friend from college, at her house, and we head down to the Masquerade for the show.
"I'm so glad that 99X started playing Dinosaur Jr.," I say as we exit the highway and get closer to the venue, "otherwise, I don't think I would have found out about them."
"I know," Tameka says from the passenger seat next to me. "Their sound is so cool and different."
Ray chimes in from the back seat. "Have you seen them live before?"
I look in the rear-view mirror and can see his eyes, "No, have you?"
Ray nods. "Yeah, I saw them with Babes in Toyland and My Bloody Valentine. It was awesome!"
My eyes grow wide. "Wow, I bet that was a great show." I pull my car into the parking lot as anticipation for the show builds. "I'm so glad y'all wanted to go to this show. I wouldn't have had anyone to go with if you didn't, and there's no way my parents would have allowed me to go by myself."
"You don't have any friends that are into this music?" Ray asks.
Tameka turns toward him. "Dunwoody doesn't have the hippest kids," she jokes. "And, one person who might have been interested in going is spoken for." She rubs my shoulder. "Poor Sloane found the perfect guy but someone else snatched him up before she could."
I swat the air between us with my hand. "Ah, it's okay, he picked a good girl and at least I get to talk music with him in class."
"Girl, we've gotta get you from friends to lovers with these guys. You are way too cute and cool to be single," Tameka says as I pull into a parking space.
"Tameka!" I squeal as I feel myself blush. Tameka is way more experienced than I am and her use of the word, “lovers” freaks me out a bit. I am not ready for that. "Please tell me the options are better in college," I say as we unfasten our seatbelts and get out of the car. "There are like three guys in my grade who are taller than me and cute." We make our way to the front of the club, our sneakers crunching on the gravel parking lot. "And only one of them has good taste in music."
"You won't have a hard time finding someone in college," Ray says as he sweeps his long blond hair off his face. "High school is just weird. Once you get classified into a group, that's it, your fate is pretty much sealed."
I turn to him and grab his shoulder. "Exactly!" I fling my head back. "Someone who understands me."
Once inside the club, we head to the merch table where we each buy a T-shirt, and then grab a decent spot in the middle of the room, center stage. "I love seeing shows here," I say to Tameka and Ray who are on my left.
After the opening band, the club is packed and as I'm talking to Tameka and Ray, Tameka leans toward my ear and whispers, "Don't look now, but a total hottie is standing next to you."
I play it cool and chat with my friends for a moment and then casually turn to my right, pretending to look back toward the merch table to look for someone. "I don't see them," I say so the dreamy guy next to me can hear, then turn back to my friends.
I look at Tameka with wide eyes and my eyebrows crawl up my forehead. I mouth to her, "Oh, my gosh!"
Tameka winks at me and Ray chuckles shaking his head at us. Tameka leans over again and says, "You should totally talk to him."
I face the stage as we wait for Dinosaur Jr. to start, so my back isn't to the tall, dark-haired boy standing next to me and contemplate it. After what happened with Tyler, I figure now is as good a time as any to start being bold. I turn to my right and catch the cute boy looking at me. He smiles, and his brown eyes light up. I return his smile, and he leans down toward my ear. "Have you seen them before?"
A shiver runs through me as I feel his breath on my ear. I shake my head. "No, but I can't wait. I love their music." Wow, this guy has a sweet smile, and he's just awoken the butterflies that have been dormant in my belly for a while.
"Me, too," he says raising his voice over the house music. "I'm Ky, by the way." He turns to his right, "And this is my friend Joey."
"Nice to meet you," I say and nod to Joey. "Ky, that's an interesting name."
He laughs and looks at the ground, then back at me. "It's short for Kyle, so not that interesting. It's also my dad's name, so Ky is easier."
"Gotcha," I say and can't help but grin at this cute guy. He’s no Tyler Finlay, but he seems sweet, and I lost my chance with Tyler. I introduce Ky and Joey to my friends just as the house music cuts off and the lights dim.
The crowd starts to cheer as Dinosaur Jr. takes the stage. The jangly, fuzzy, distorted chords ring from J Mascis's guitar as the band plays a song I don't recognize, but I love it. It's hard, fast, and distorted. The crowd is energized, and we're all bouncing and nodding along to the fast beat. I'm lost in a haze of music, lights, and the energy of my fellow humans enjoying an amazing sonic experience together. I look at Tameka and Ray and smile as the multi-colored lights dance across their faces. Tameka sees me and returns my smile.
When the song ends, Ky leans down and says, "Pretty good, huh?" The way he leans into me is almost intimate, and I shiver again.
I clap and nod, smiling at him. "Amazing!" He's pretty sexy when his chin-length brown hair falls across his face.
Dinosaur Jr. continues with an awesome set list, including a cover of The Cure's, “Just Like Heaven ”. Seeing a band live is such a cool experience. It's like you forget everything that's on your mind and share an incredible experience with complete strangers. A little over halfway through the show, as I'm lost in a song, I feel Ky's hand take mine. As his fingers weave with mine, my body feels as electric as the guitars ringing out. I can't believe this cute stranger just took my hand at a concert! I look up at him and smile, and he flashes his sweet, wide smile with perfect teeth.
When the song is over, he releases my hand as we clap for the band. When they break into the next song, I grab his hand, letting him know I like him too.
Ky and I watch the rest of the show, hand-in-hand, and I can't believe a tall, handsome boy is interested in me! And, clearly, he likes good music. When the band finishes their encore and the house lights turn on, Tameka and Ray see that Ky and I have made a connection.
"Wanna go to the bar for a bit so we can talk?" Ky asks us.
I look to my friends for their input. "What do you think?"
"Absolutely," Tameka says, and her smile tells me she's happy for me. When Ky turns and leads me toward the room with a separate bar, I turn to Tameka and give her a huge smile. She wiggles her eyebrows at me, and her brown eyes sparkle.
Ky and I sit at the bar together and order sodas while Tameka, Ray, and Joey sit at a table behind us. I'm grateful that they have given us some time to get to know each other.
"We can't stay long because we have a bit of a drive," Ky says, "but I wanted to get a chance to talk to you without shouting over the music." His hair falls across his face as he smiles shyly.
I feel my cheeks heat up, and I smile. "Where are you from?"
"South Georgia, near Valdosta," he tells me. “Thomasville.”
"Oh, wow," I say, and disappointment dulls my happiness upon learning that he’s not local. "That is a bit of a haul. Are you in school down there?" I can't tell how old Ky is, so I figure this is a good way to figure it out.
"Yeah, I'm going to the community college until I figure out what I want to do."
"How old are you?" I hold my breath.
"Nineteen," he replies.
"Oh," I say as I search his face. "So, totally out of high school."
"Yeah," he says as he dips his head. "Is that a problem?" His eyes make him look like a puppy trying hopefully to get some table scraps.
"No," I tuck my hair behind my ear. "But I'm still in high school. Senior year. Is that a problem for you?"
He shakes his head and smiles. "Not at all."
I add, "I'm seventeen."
He grabs my hand. "Seriously, it's cool." He pauses, then looks all bashful again and says, "I really like you."
Oh my gosh, the butterflies have started moshing in my stomach. How is it that a tall, cute boy likes me ? I smile as my cheeks grow hot. "I like you, too."
We sit closely, drink our sodas, and learn about each other before exchanging phone numbers. I'm totally smitten with this boy, and I'm sure it shows all over my face. Ky takes my hand and his eyes search mine. "Can I kiss you?"
I bite my bottom lip as my body tingles and nod my head. "Yes," I practically whisper.
Ky leans forward, and when his lips touch mine, my stomach does a somersault as if it is celebrating. I place my hand on his chest as we share a brief but sweet kiss, and I don't want this night to end. He leans back and smiles then brushes a strand of hair off my face. "I'll call you tomorrow."
I clutch his hand and say, "Promise?"
"Promise," he says with a smile.
We hug when we stand up from the bar stools, and I feel so good in his arms. His tall frame makes me feel delicate and safe. Saying goodbye to Ky is hard, but I'm so happy. I don't have time to dwell on the fact that the boy who likes me lives almost four hours away.