Chapter Twenty-Five
Today I begin my quest to find local bands to play the Blossom FM festival, and seeing as though I’m supposed to be sourcing cool musicians, I thought it might be a good idea to look the part.
After going heavy on the black eyeliner and the red lipstick, I step back to try and take in my outfit in the small bathroom mirror – you can tell only men live in this house. With my black lace top, my black skinny jeans and my leather jacket (in case the temperature drops later) I look every inch the rock chick I had in mind, and of course, I’m wearing a pair of bright red killer heels to go with it. It’s nice, to have something to dress up for – other than the pub – and to feel like there is something riding on that first impression.
As I stroll downstairs for breakfast I see that Si and Adam are already tucking in at the table.
‘Is it Halloween?’ Si asks in astonishment. ‘What are you wearing?’
‘This is my rock chick look,’ I inform him, holding my arms out in a ta-da kind of way. ‘What do you think?’
‘You look awesome,’ Adam says. For this compliment, Si shoots him a dirty look.
‘It’s very… raunchy,’ Si says, attempting to be tactful. ‘For a morning, I mean. Obviously I think you look amazing.’
I shrug my shoulders and sit down at the table.
‘Ooh, can I have some of that?’ I ask Adam, picking up the box of Coco Pops from next to him.
‘Sure,’ he replies, flicking a soggy piece of cereal from the edge of his bowl at me playfully.
‘You did not just do that,’ I reply with a laugh.
‘That’s enough, Adam,’ Si snaps as he reads his paper.
Adam and I look at each other like a couple of naughty kids. I don’t know what it is about Adam but he brings out this different side of me. He makes me want to have a laugh, to not take myself too seriously.
‘I had a word with Kerry this morning,’ Adam tells me. ‘She thinks it’s a great idea that I go check out the bands with you, give you my opinion.’
‘That’s awesome,’ I reply, vaguely aware of Si staring at us as we chat.
‘So, the two of you are going out together?’ Si checks.
‘Yeah, well, for work,’ I reply.
‘Do you know what else Kerry told me?’ Adam continues, and I can already tell from his tone that it’s going to be good.
‘What? What?’ I reply, excited already.
‘She told me that The Burnouts are doing a secret set,’ he replies. ‘They’re not announcing it, they’re just going to turn up. It’s all a part of their comeback tour that seems to be going on and on.’
‘Oh my God, no way! Do you think I’ll get to meet them?’ I ask.
‘I’m sure you will,’ he replies. ‘I tell you what – I’ll make sure you do.’
‘Who are The Burnouts?’ Si interrupts.
‘You haven’t heard of The Burnouts?’ I reply, absolutely astonished.
Si shakes his head.
‘The Burnouts were not only huge, like, ten years ago, but they’re doing this huge comeback thing, and they’re bigger and better now,’ I tell him. ‘Are you sure you haven’t heard of them? They’re never off the radio or the TV.’
‘Nope,’ he says simply.
I do feel a little bad, that I’m gravitating towards Adam, and having conversations with him that Si can’t be a part of. They’re both my housemates, I need to make more of an effort.
‘Do either of you guys fancy the cinema one night this week?’ I ask.
‘Yes. Actually, there’s a World War II film that I really want to see,’ Si replies, suddenly enthusiastic, and clearly delighted to be included.
I don’t intend to, but I must pull a funny face because Si reacts to it.
‘What, you don’t like war films?’ he replies in disbelief. ‘What would you rather see?’
‘Well, there’s this comedy flick out, about a man who swaps bodies with his dog,’ I reply, suddenly realising how ridiculous that sounds.
‘“Bone Again”,’ Adam says, clapping his hands together with enthusiasm. ‘I saw the trailer, it looks hilarious.’
‘I know, right?’ I say excitedly, but as I look over at Si I can tell he’s not impressed.
‘You kids go see your dog film,’ he says coolly. ‘That’s not really my cup of tea.’
Calling us kids, for wanting to see a movie about a talking dog, does nothing to quash the age gap stuff, but it’s not really that, is it? It’s just taste. Si is more serious while Adam and I are more goofy. The world would be a boring place if we were all the same.
‘Maybe we could go tonight?’ Adam suggests, but as he speaks Si must catch his eye because he stares at him. ‘You okay, bro?’
‘Yeah, could I have a quick word with you, before you go,’ Si replies. ‘It’s just house stuff.’
‘I’ll give you some space,’ I say, sensing an awkwardness. ‘I forgot my bag anyway.’
I leave the room and, as tempted as I am to listen in, and I know that the creaking of stairs (or lack thereof) will give away the fact that I haven’t actually gone.
Hmm, perhaps it really is house stuff, or maybe Adam will tell me later.
We’ll just have to see.