"Bryson!" I hear my name being shouted across the hall. "You will not believe what just happened!" Ryland gushes out after getting closer. I eye him warily, what was this about exactly?
"What?" I ask, shutting my locker.
"Someone recorded our performance last weekend and uploaded it online." He rushes out, but I still have no idea why he's so excited over that. "Well apparently the video blew up and then some producer saw it and came to my place this morning asking if we'd be willing to let him sign us!" I stare at him skeptically, how did he know this was real?
"I looked him up and everything checks out. He's setting everything up to meet management this following month." Reese says from my left as if reading my mind, it was then that I realized everyone was here. I must be the last one to hear the news.
They all stare at me expectingly but I just stare back. Did they expect me to start freaking out over this? Hell, it was great news, but I wasn't sure if I liked it yet. Of course I liked playing for the band and going to gigs. But being signed brings a lot more expectations to the table, and I'm not sure if I'm ready for that.
"That's great." I force a smile trying to sound excited, but it doesn't happen the way I'd liked it too. The boys all jump over my response going on about how famous we'll be and I just stand there uneasy.
"I'll keep everyone posted." Rylands says referring to the meeting before everyone parts their different ways.
We formed the band out of our love for music, but I had never actually seen it going anywhere. This was Ryland's dream, he loved all the attention, Ash had plans for football while Reese and I planned to attend the same college next year. With this new development, Ryland gains everything while the rest of us have to put everything on hold. I know Ash and Reese don't mind much, but I kind of do.
Word gets around school fast and I have many curious classmates ask me about it. As much as I like the attention switched off Summer and I, I hated being stopped in hallways and bothered in class. I can one hundred percent put the blame on Ryland and his big mouth for sure.
This will certainly be going around all week into next week. This is the next big thing to happen in a while after all. I just wish I wasn't a part of it again.
Our lunch table is crowded with random people when I arrive. I give Reese a look, but he just shrugs when I push past to sit down. Ryland was acting like a big shot saying how he always knew he'd be a star, blah blah blah. I roll my eyes as everyone eats it up.
"We should all go out after school to celebrate." Ash speaks up after all the commotion dies off. Everyone gets excited and agrees while I just nod my head.
They make plans to eat out at our favorite place in town and arrange how and when we'll get there. The plan I picked up was; meet up at Ash's after four because he had a practice then all ride together to the restaurant.
----
I pull up outsides Asher's house, alongside Reese's car. Ryland hasn't bothered to show up yet.
I lock my car before walking in. Reese is playing call of duty in the living room when I enter. I take a seat on the couch watching him fail miserably. Reese was usually a good gamer but not at this game, I don't even know why he keeps trying at it.
Ash walks in after a few minutes dressed in different clothing and wet hair.
"So we're just waiting on Ryland then?" He asks taking the seat next to me. I nod as I watch Reese die again. He pauses the game and turns to us.
We converse for a bit before Ryland graces us with his presence. We then all take Ash's car to the restaurant and carry on the conversation there.
"I can't believe that video blew up in less than a week." Reese says across from me. We had chosen our normal booth near the back. I usually sit next to Reese but today Ash decided to take the seat beside me. Reese pouted a bit but immediately got over it.
I look down at my water as I stir the ice around with the straw. They were going around talking about what they think is going to happen after we're officially signed and everything.
My zoning is shattered when I'm invited to toast to becoming an 'official' band. We all clink our glasses before drinking.
"Could you be any less enthusiastic?" Ryland says to me.
"Sorry, it's just a lot of change to take in." I say to my defense, lowering my glass to the table.
"What's so hard about it?" He says noticeably getting worked up. "After everything, you can't be happy we're finally making it somewhere?"
"Let it go." Reese puts his hand on Ryland's shoulder but he just shrugs it off. He glares at me as if I'm his prey, and I stare back with the same intensity.
"No. I need to say this-" He starts but I promptly stop him.
"Don't." I raise my voice. I knew exactly where he was going and he had no right to bring her up.
"You've been a moping mess ever since Summer died." My breathing goes rigid when her name comes out from his lips. It's taking everything in me to not lean across the table and attack him.
"Ryland stop!" Ash yells from beside me after noticing my trembling fists under the table.
"News flash! She's gone, as in Never. Coming. Back!" He shouts, undoubtedly gaining the attention from all around us if it already hasn't. His words break something in me and I dart across the table clutching the collar of his t-shirt.
"You fucking asshole!" I howl at him as Ash is desperately trying to hold me back. "You have no right to talk about her like that! I'm sorry that I'm not that happy about being signed because it means leaving her behind."
"You have an obligation to this band! Not her!" He spews in my face.
"Bull shit I do! This is your dream, not mine!" I begin to raise my fist and scream again but I'm shoved back harshly.
"Guys stop!" Reese yells out, now standing placing his arms between Ryland and me I. "Don't make any rash decisions right now." He directs mostly to me.
"We're friends first. Band second." Asher chimes in mostly at Ryland inflicting both of us to scoff. I sit back as we scowl at one another again.
I focus on my calming my breathing to stop myself from making any choices I'll regret later. I was all worked up about him talking down about Summer. He had no right to spring that against me. He wouldn't have like it if I shouted about Kylie and River.
"Let's all just go home and cool off for the night." Ash says calmly after we all settle. We all file out to his car after paying and apologizing for making a scene. Ryland and I put as much distance between the two of us, ignoring the others existence.
As soon as he parks, I get in my car. I didn't want to be in his presence any longer than needed.
♡