Forever Changed

“What?” I asked, confused to see a girl whose name I couldn’t remember leaning against the wall next to me.

“I said, you’re nothing special. Maddon makes it a habit to hook up with girls at these jam sessions.”

“Oh?” I asked.

“Yeah, I just wanted to give you the heads-up that you’re not the first, and you won’t be the last.”

“What makes you so sure that’s not want I’m looking for,” I said, flashing a bright

smile before sauntering closer to the stage. I could hear her sputtering her outrage behind me, but paid it no mind as I neared my destination.

Maddon watched me with concern as he cut his eyes back to the girl who had been talking to me. I smiled, trying to reassure him. I had put up with snarky attitudes half my life and this girl had no game.

The session ended a few minutes later after a solo from Maddon that made me wonder why I had never realized how hot it was to watch someone play the drums, or maybe it just had to be the right someone.

“Hey,” Maddon said, pulling his t-shirt on over his head.

“Hey yourself,” I said, stealing his line from before as I tried to control my breathing from his sudden closeness.

“What did Miranda say to you?” he asked, sounding serious.

“It’s not important,” I said as we left the building.

“It is important,” he said, lightly grabbing my wrist to stop me.

“Why?” I asked.

“Because I don’t want you to be scared off.”

“What makes you think she could say anything that would scare me off?” I asked.

“What did she say?” he asked miserably.

“She said I’m just a part of a long list of your conquests, and there’s nothing special about me.”

“She’s wrong.”

“About which part?” I asked, intrigued he even cared that much.

“Both,” he said earnestly. “Okay, look, I’ve had my share of girls,” he said, running his hand through his hair in frustration. “But what I feel for you isn’t even in the same hemisphere,” he added, sinking down on one of the huge boulders that boarded the garage.

“You don’t even know me,” I said, confused over his intensity.

“You keep saying that, but I do know you. I know that at one time your friends were your whole world, but now your family is. I know that you used to hide your real beauty behind teased up hair and cosmetics you didn’t need. I know that you don’t put up with shit from anyone, including friends that are as shallow as a wading pool, or asshole teachers,” he finished, shooting me a small smile as he stood up to join me.

“We don’t belong together,” I said, trying to find a reason to believe my words.

“Says who?” he asked, bringing his hands up to cup the sides of my head.

“Me, everyone,” I said, grasping at straws as he lowered his mouth to mine.

“It’s just you and me, babe,” he said, pulling back slightly. “Everyone else can deal with it or take a flying leap off a cliff.

I couldn’t believe that I was holding her in my arms and that she was responding to my kisses. I thought the night was doomed before it could really begin when I saw Miranda approach her during the session, but even that had worked out.

“So, what did you wind up telling Miranda?” I asked as we sat atop one of the picnic tables Drake’s parents had scattered across the property. We were the only two who remained. Even Drake, after being officially introduced to the “hot blonde,” had feigned being tired and headed toward his house several acres away from where we sat.

I could see her flush slightly in the dim light. “I told her 'how did she know that I wasn’t using you,'" she answered, laughing self-consciously.