Chapter 6

Chapter 6 (Erica’s POV)

Well today was Friday and I have to say I was very excited about it. Andrew had invited to his band’s gig and I wanted to go but I just needed to find someone who wanted to go with me. I was planning on asking this girl Lindsay, who I sat next to in my English class. We seemed to get along well and I hoped she wanted to go with me. Today was also the Geometry test and I was nervous for myself and for Andrew. I wanted him to do well and I could tell from yesterday that something else was distracting him. I would make an effort to try and talk to him after the test. The bell ringing distracted my thoughts and I headed to 1st period.
I walked into class and saw Andrew sitting in his seat. Butterflies began to develop in my stomach and all I can do was take a deep breath and walk to my seat.
“Hey.” Andrew said nervously. He was already breaking into a sweat and the class hadn’t even started yet.
“Deep breath Andrew, deep breath.”
“I’m trying to but I feel like there is too much information that I don’t know that’ll be on the test.”
“During our review yesterday you did wonderfully. You’ll be fine today. Have confidence in yourself. Think about this: Once your done with this test, your gig is the next big thing that you have!”
“Are you coming?” Andrew said a little bit too excited. I might have only known him for a few days but I could tell that he gets excited about everything.
“I have to ask a friend but then I’ll let you know. I am hoping I can come yes.”
“Sweet!” As Andrew responded the bell rang and Mr. Opaque started the class and passed out the test.
Throughout the test, I kept on watching Andy to see what he was doing. I could tell he was stressing but I had confidence that he would do well.
The bell rang showing the end of the period. Andy walks me to my English class.
“How do you think you did?”
“I can honestly say that I think this will be the first time I get above a C on a math test. Thanks so much Erica.” Andy gave me a huge hug and I didn’t want him to let go. I really enjoyed being in his arms.
“No problem. Well, I probably should go so I’m not late.” I said breathlessly. I knew it would take me awhile to catch my breath after that hug. We said goodbye and I walked into my English class. Lindsay was already there and I was excited to ask her if she wanted to go.
Lindsay seemed to be a nice girl. She had brown hair and was quiet when I first came into class. We started to talk more and I could tell if we continued to sit next to each other we were going to be good friends. I had asked her about Andrew right after he asked me to tutor and she seemed to think that he was okay. She had started here in the beginning of the year so she was also a newer student. We seemed to have a lot in common and I was excited to be able to get to know her outside of school.
“Hey Lindsay!”
“Hey Erica, how was your test this morning?” I knew she was really asking how I thought Andrew did.
“I did well and He seemed okay. I could tell he was nervous but afterwards he said he thinks this is will be the first time he will do better than a C.”
“That’s amazing!”
“Thanks. So I have a question. You doing anything tonight?”
“No and I hate it. I hate being bored on Friday nights.”
“Want to go to a concert with me tonight?”
“Are you serious? Absolutely YES! I love concerts. I will go to any of them! Who’s the band?”
“Honor Society. Andrew is in it. He invited me to go yesterday. I want to go just not by myself you know.”
“I totally understand. Yes I will go. I have heard some of my other friends talk about the concert I just never thought about going to it. Where is it?”
“Uh I forget the name of the restaurant, but some place around here I think.”
“Is it Pizza Amore?”
“I think that’s the name yeah.”
“Oh yeah that’s a little pizza place. A lot of high school bands play there. It’s cool. What time do you want to get there?”
“Well the gig starts at 7, so how about 6:30?”
“That sounds good. I’ll meet you there at 6:30!”
I was excited. I get to be out in New York for the first time, I get to see Andrew outside of school, and I get to hang out with Lindsay. I could tell this was going to be a good weekend.
The rest of the day sort of went by in a blur. I didn’t see Andrew for the rest of the day so it was going to be a surprise that I was going to be at the show. Before I knew it, it was 5:45 and I needed to leave so I wouldn’t be late meeting Lindsay. I arrived right around 6:30 and Lindsay was outside the restaurant waiting for me.
“Hey. I put our name down and requested a table near the stage. They said it should be about 15 minutes.”
“Okay cool. Is it crowded in there?”
“There are a lot of people from school but besides that not really. There are definitely a lot of girls in there”
“Oh wonderful! Andrew told me about how everyone calls them the Gentlemen and the reputation that they’ve gotten.”
“Yeah. Girls like to fawn over them that’s for sure. I sort of think Alex is cute but so does every other girl.
“I understand. I think this will be harder to be here than I thought. Oh well, Andrew and I are just friends right?”
“Of course you are.” Lindsay rolled her eyes as she said that. I saw it and was about to respond but the hostess called our name and we headed to our table. We were literally right next to the stage and near Andrew as well. He told me he’s always to the right of Mike and that’s where we were. I started to get excited again. Before I knew it, the gig had begun and was over. It was amazing. They did so well. I was not sitting at the table for long. I was up and dancing with Lindsay and the other girls right in front of the guys. I could tell that they were ready for this show. During their last song, I looked around and saw smiles on everyone’s faces. I saw a guy wearing a business suit and writing down some notes. He didn’t seem to quite fit but I just ignored it. After the set was over, the guys came out. All the girls ran over to them telling them how amazing they were. Mike, Alex, and Jason seemed to love the attention but Andrew looked a bit distracted. I caught his eye, a smile spread on his face and he practically ran over to me and enthralled me in one of those hugs again.
“You came! Did you like it? What did you think? Were we good?”
“Slow down cowboy. You guys were wonderful. I really enjoyed it. I’m glad I could come. By the way, this is my friend Lindsay. Lindsay, this is Andrew.”
“Nice to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you as well.”
“Did you enjoy the show?”
“I liked it a lot. I have to say Alex goes a little crazy sometimes. His leg up in the air and everything. I couldn’t help but laugh.” Lindsay said continuing the conversation
“That’s Alex for you. Let me get him and you can tell him yourself.” Andrew called Alex over and before I knew it, they were in deep conversation and Alex was showing Lindsay how to get your leg up like he did while playing the drums.
“Want to go for a walk?” Andrew asked. He was looking deep in my eyes. I couldn’t say anything but just nod my head.
“So you really did enjoy the show?”
“Yes Andrew I did. It was really good. I enjoyed that one song No Win Situation. It had a catchy beat.”
“Yeah that is a good one. My favorite is See U in the Dark. We have a dance that goes with it. Want to learn what it is?”
Before I knew it, I was learning what he calls the ‘Honor Roll’ and we were dancing and laughing in the middle of a New York sidewalk. We ended up talking for almost an hour and I didn’t even realize it. Lindsay came out and said she needed to leave and I gave her a hug and said I’ll see her on Monday. I didn’t want to leave quite yet so I spent some more time with Andrew. We talked for about another hour and I could tell that Andrew was getting antsy for something. All I wanted to do was give him a kiss. Andrew started to lean in. I began to close my eyes and lean in as well. Before I knew it, our lips had touched. It was just a quick peck but the feeling that ran through my body was something I never felt before. I should have been happy but all I could feel was guilt
“Wow, that was amazing.”
“Andrew, that shouldn’t have happened.”
“Don’t you like me Erica?”
“I do, but that just shouldn’t have happened.”
“Why? I don’t understand.”
“Andrew, there is something I need to tell you.”