I arrived home after staying the night at Lana's house. It was Sunday. I had school tomorrow. I brushed off the thought and opened my front door. I then walked into my room and plopped my guitar— and myself— on my bed. I sat up and glanced at my guitar. My fingers inched towards it. I then snatched my guitar and started playing a soft gentle melody. I hummed lightly to the sweet tune. I then heard footsteps near my door and put my guitar down immediately and scrambled out of my bed to my book-bag on the floor and started unpacking it.

Knock, knock, knock...

I heard gentle knocking on my door. I opened it to find my mom looking at her phone and then glancing at me. I was still trying to determine whether or not I should forgive her about yesterday. I looked at her as a big grin spread on her face.

"What's up?" I asked.

"I have something for you," My mom said. I wasn't going to bother asking why she got me something—

My mom gave me a flier.

I froze and stared at the fine print that glinted up at me. 

Battle of the Bandz, the paper read.

"Wha..." I whispered as I took the flier out of her hand.

"I found it taped on a lamppost outside of my work place this morning. It looks like it's a fundraiser for your school..." My mom said as she smiled at me and pointed at my school name written in small letters on the paper.

"I... don't have a band," I told her.

"Well, you have a friend, right? You can have a two girl band!" My mom exclaimed.

"Mom! That's not a band! And if I don't like performing solo, why would I want a band—"

"Because you won't be performing alone," My mom said. I sighed and looked at the piece of paper in my hands. I thought of Lana and me singing on stage. Me singing with a guitar... we'd need a drummer.

Liam.

I shook my head and then looked at my mom who was staring at me with a little bit of hope. I sighed and said, "I'll think about it."

My mom then clapped her hands happily and walked back up the stairs to her room. I then closed my door and crumpled up the piece of paper and threw it into my small trash bin.

* * *

I sat alone on the bench at the bus stop with both my earbuds in and my volume on high. I looked around, waiting for the bus to show up.

After what seemed like hours, the bus stopped at the bus stop. I quickly got up and stepped onto the bus as the doors opened up for me. I took my seat in the very back of the bus. I sat alone with my black hoodie pulled over my face. I played with my ash brown hair as one of my favorite songs filled my ears.

I soon arrived at the school. I set my book-bag down beside me as I sat down at my chair. I then saw a familiar looking boy sit down next to me. His icy blue eyes glanced around the room, landed on me, then looked back at the teacher. I looked at the teacher also, who had a beautiful golden braid and a pencil behind her ear.

Pencil.

The word echoed through my head. I then quietly took out my notebook and pencil and started scribbling down words—

A piece of paper landed on my desk.

I blinked as I stared at the piece of paper. I then glanced at Liam, who was tapping his fingers to a rather catchy beat. I slowly unfolded the piece of paper and began to read what was written.

What song are you listening to?

I blinked as I stared at the paper. I then glanced back at Liam who was tapping his fingers still. I wrote down the answer to the question and tossed the paper onto his desk after making sure the teacher wasn't looking. Liam carefully unfolded the paper and read what I wrote. He then tossed the paper back. He wrote, that's a good song.

We have something in common, I thought. I then shook out the thought. Why does it matter... right? 

Yeah, I wrote back as I tossed the note back. I glanced at Liam who looked at me and nodded and then looked back at the teacher. 

And as I kept looking at him I saw a small white wire that led to the pocket of his hoodie. He was listening to music. He had earbuds.

Another thing we have in common. 

* * *

"Lana, I have to talk to you," I said the minute I saw Lana at lunch. We took our seats at the cafeteria table. 

"What's up?" She asked eagerly as she took a bite out of her fish stick that the school served that day for lunch. 

"Liam passed me a note during class," I said. 

"He what—"

"Quiet down Lana," I said glancing around the cafeteria.

"Sorry," She said, taking another bite out of her fish stick. "What did he write?"

"He asked what song I was listening to... I guess he noticed my earbuds..." I said.

"Well, its not like last week you got them taken away by the teacher—"

"Yeah, yeah, but why would he care?" I asked as me and Lana both glanced at the cafeteria table Liam was eating at. He sat eating his food while tapping his fingers.

"Cause he's curious... or because he likes you," Lana said as she shoved the rest of her food in her mouth. 

I scoffed. "I should've known you would say that," I said as I put my hoodie more over my face. Lana giggled as she twirled her pink tipped hair between her fingers. 

"Is that all he said?" She asked.

"Well, he said he liked that song also... and then that was it," I said.

"Aw, something you musical lovebirds have in common—"

I kicked her shin from under the table. 

"Ow," She said.

"Did you see the flier for the school about this band competition going on?" I asked changing the subject. 

"Oh yeah, are you interested?" Lana asked. 

"... no," I said as I looked at my hands.

"Yes you are," Lana said while smirking.

"Well—"

RING!

Time to get to my next class.

"Gotta go," Lana said as we got up. We gave each other a quick hug as we both went to are next classes.

* * *

I was on my way out of the school when I saw the music room. The door was closed this time. I looked around the hallway and saw no one, so I put my ear against the door and heard nothing. 

Leave... stay?

"Just a quick peak and I'm out," I whispered to myself as I opened the door to the music room. It was empty. I looked around the room and saw an acoustic guitar next to an electric guitar. I grabbed the acoustic guitar and sat down on a nearby stool. 

Strum...

The guitar was in perfect tune. 

I smiled and kept playing the guitar gently. I hummed a melody that I made up. I then zoned out all sound around me and let myself be one with the music. 

I then heard footsteps. 

I immediately stopped playing and got up and put the guitar back where it was and slowly walked to the door. I opened the door to find... no one. 

"Phew," I said as I blew out a breath. 

I then walked out of the school and slid my earbuds into my ears and as I walked, I couldn't help but think about Liam.