Rebel Love Song

Andy stood outside the classroom door, staring at the ugly wood frame and his hand gripping the door handle. Was he gonna do it? After all this time, was he seriously going to to do it? He was going to tell his best friend that he had been slowly falling deeper in love with him every day... Deeper and deeper... Okay, maybe not those exact words, because that'd be just a tad bit creepy, wouldn't it? Yeah.. it would. "Everything alright, Mr. Biersack?" The principal cleared his throat behind him, standing in the office doorway. Andy jumped, releasing his hold on the cold handle. "Uh- Y-yeah. Just zoned out, that's all." He laughed awkwardly and rubbed his sweaty palm on his jeans. He looked back to the door and took a deep breath, opening the door and entering the classroom. Upon entering, he noticed the usual. The football team tossing a football back and forth over by the windows, the infamous gossips chatting away and smacking their gum between their over-glossed lips, the few kids sitting in the front of the classroom with books open and hands fiddling with something as they anxiously scribbled out notes from the text, and then there were his friends. CC, Jake, Jinxx... and Ashley... The four sat in the usual back corner, slouching over the desks or sitting backwards to talk to each other. Andy caught himself staring too long and rubbed his eyes, careful not to smudge his makeup. He finally brought his feet to move, each step becoming harder, his feet growing heavier and legs weaker. Why was he doing this again? "Shh." CC snickered, putting his finger to his lips. "Shh, stop. Andy's coming. We can't tell him." Andy stopped at his desk, setting his back beside the chair as he sat down. None of them seemed to notice- except Ashley. Ashley always seemed to notice him no matter how sneaky he was. Ashley smiled and rolled his eyes, shaking his head and looking at the others again. "Why not? It's his band, after all!" Jake furrowed his brow. "We just can't! Don't tell Andy, okay?" CC laughed. "Don't tell Andy what?" Andy tilted his head, pulling his chair up to join the group. CC nearly fell off his chair, glaring at him. "Don't do that! I nearly died!" "Oh well. Good thing you didn't. Otherwise we wouldn't have a drummer." Andy shrugged nonchalantly. "So what's the big secret that I can't know, huh? It's obviously about our band." The guys all shared glances, and nodded at one another. They whispered among themselves, leaving Andy out of it once again. He sighed and looked out the window. So how would he say it... Hey, Ash, I like you more than a friend? Nah... Maybe something more romantic like- You're the light of my world, Ashley. I love you more than life itself! Okay, ew, no too mushy... May as well just quote Shakespeare if that was how he was gonna do it. "Just tell him!" He heard. Now, he wasn't sure if that was real or if it was just that irritating tiny voice in his head. Andy opened his mouth, about to spit it out when Jake turned to face him. "We got a gig." And just like that, the original plan Andy had vanished into thin air. "We got a gig?! Like- a real gig?!" He stood up, eyes lighting up like the Fourth of July. They all nodded and high five-d. "Hell yeah!" Andy cheered, throwing his fist in the air. "Language, Andrew." Their grumpy old history teacher narrowed her eyes. Andy sat down slowly. "Sorry, miss." he mumbled and sank in his seat. Jinxx laughed quietly. Ashley laughed as well. "Calm down there, dude." Andy blushed and looked at his hands, remembering what he was trying to do earlier. "It's at a bar downtown. Jinxx's uncle owns it and said it would be cool if we could play Friday night." Andy smiled happily and nodded. "Sounds great. Well, band practice at the usual time this weekend? Then we can pick our set list." They all agreed. Andy moved his chair back to his desk and sat doodling all throughout the class hour. Damn it... He chickened out again... He looked up to see what time it was and caught a glimpse of the annoying bimbo in the front, making googly eyes at Ashley again. He frowned and looked away. That didn't matter right now... They had a gig. That's what he should be focusing on. At the end of the day, they all walked out of school together, throwing ideas back and forth for the gig. "Save it for band practice, guys." Ashley rolled his eyes, playfully shoving Jake. Jake scowled and shoved him into Andy. "Woah-" Ashley lost his balance and nearly toppled over, catching himself on Andy. Andy blushed furiously and helped him up. "Sorry, Andy." "It's fine." He smiled a bit. "See ya guys tomorrow." He said to the other three, splitting ways. Ashley walked beside him. They lived in the same neighborhood, so they always walked home together. He could tell him now... As he opened his mouth, his phone began to ring. He sighed and stopped to answer. "Hello? Oh- hey mom. Yeah, I'm just walking home with Ash- No, why?" There was a pause, causing Andy to grow increasingly worried. "Mom... what is it..." Ashley frowned. "Everything okay?" He mouthed. Andy held up a finger and walked a few steps, standing with his back to Ashley for a bit of privacy. Then the words were uttered. They were faint, quiet. His grandpa had passed away that morning. He hung up without another word and suddenly curled up in a tight ball, crouching on the ground. "Andy? Dude, what's going on?" Ashley rushed over, kneeling beside him. Andy trembled and looked up "My gr-grandpa died." He whimpered. Ashleys face fell. "Oh, Andy..." He stood him up "cmon. Let's get you home, ok?" Andy nodded, walking home with him. "The.. the funeral is Saturday." He whispered "Saturday?! But we- will you be okay to go on Friday? It's totally fine if not. Actually, I'll just tell-" "Ash! I'll be.. I'll be okay. That'll be just what I need to cheer me up anyways." He smiled weakly. "Thanks." Ashley nodded and walked him home.

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