🥀Dee🥀

"I'm sorry I asked."

(Name) leaves the room and I hung my head in my hands. Great, I made her upset. Now I have to apologize to her. I follow her to the kitchen and she's already sat next to Heavy. I thought she would carry that sad look to the table. Instead, it was completely gone. Just like in the cafeteria today.

As I took a seat across from Heavy, mom came in. She was surprised to see (name), another girl, in the house. She busts out laughing.

"Wait-- hold up, since when did Dee get a girlfriend?! Haha!"

(Name) was confused by what she said. She looked over at Heavy, who had his two index fingers pointing at me and her and brought them together at the tip, making a heart. Both (name) and I blushed with embarrassment. Me trying to cover my face and her frantically waving her hands.

"[[No-no-no-no-no! We're not together!]]"

Mom crossed her arms with a teasing smirk. "For real? Eh. You look too innocent to be dating this hot-topic guy, anyway," she said smacking the back of my head. "I just assumed because, you know, you're a little too old to be dating Heavy."

"[[Uuuhh....yeah?..]]" I guess her Russian skills have gone empty. She probably didn't know what mom was saying just now.

"Vicky, this is (name)," Dad introduced them. "She's from America. She and her family just moved here recently. I'm sure you remember."

"Oohh, yeah! Well, it's a pleasure to meet'cha, kid!"

"[[Likewise, ma'am.]]"

Mom laughed once again. "'Ma'am'? What's this formality bullshit? Just call me Vicky, or Victoria."

"[[Oh, okay.]]"

$~$~$~$

Dinner was alright, but uncomfortable for me. I knew I still had to apologize for snapping at (Name), even though it was none of her business, the feeling was just eating me up inside. I watched how (name) got along with my family. Her bright smile and laughs masking what happened moments earlier. She looked so happy. How is she able to flip her mood so easily? Either that, or she's just a really good actress.

For the rest of her visit, she stuck with Heavy. She and him played video games in his room, while I shut myself inside my own sleeping quarters. Eventually her mom came to pick her up and she left after saying goodbye. Laying on my bed, I began to think about what (name)'s mom said to me on the bus.

"Hello, ma'am. This is Dee."

*Oh, you're a boy! --Ahem. Hi, how are you?*

"I'm doing fine. How are you?"

*I'm alright. If I may ask, what did you have planned for my daughter?*

"I'll be helping her with homework, grades are due next week."

*Okay, that's totally fine. Thank you so much for helping. The move adjustment has been hard on all of us, her the most. I'm glad she was able to make a friend here.*

"...no, problem."

*Pass me back to (name), please?*--

We're not friends. Just business partners. Besides, moving from one country to another can be rough on anyone, especially since you all came here not knowing the fucking language. So, why did it affect her more? She looks just fine, to me. Her language barrier is breaking down faster, she's friends with Heavy, and she's gotten good grades- thanks to me- after being here for only a week. Could it be that she's missing her friends from America? Or was there a traumatic experience that brought the family here? I don't know and I don't even know why I care.

I sat up and shifted my gaze towards the old guitar she played with. My mind went back to when she sang that song. It wasn't metal, but it sounded nice and calming for a love song. I felt my heart skip a beat and clenching tightness over my chest.

"Argh!" I groaned to myself, "I don't understand what I'm feeling, but I don't like it. Probably just some guilt for yelling (name). I'll apologize to her tomorrow."

🌸You🌸

After my visit with the "metal family," I thanked my mom for the pick-up and went to my personal bathroom to take a shower. It gave me time to think.

I know I shouldn't be nosy in other people's lives but, I still wanted to know what Glam was talking about. "After what happened last time, I knew it couldn't possibly be Dee." Those words, they sounded so passive-aggressive. Was he trying to call Dee out on something? He was quickly defensive when I asked about the guitar, immediately telling me he doesn't play. And snapped so suddenly when I tried to get some context on what his father meant. Maybe there was an accident last time he played the guitar?

And speaking of that guitar, it was so badly taken care of! The wood was cracked with age and dust, the string were so rusted that for the first time in a while, it hurt my fingers to play. The thing felt like it was dragged out of an attic. Wherever Dee got it from, he should probably just throw it out.

As I turned of the shower, I dried myself off and got changed into my pajamas. It was getting colder by the week, so I chose a to put on my red plaid pants and an oversized band shirt. I sighed comfortably, hugging myself for warmth. Ah~ this...yup, this feels like me. I'm about tuck myself to bed when I heard a knock on my door. I tell whomever it was to come in and Joseph reveals himself.

"Hey, you're finally back." He joked with a stupid grin.

I sighed, "I'm pretty fucking tired, Joe, so this better be important."

"Right, right," he clears his throat as he followed up with an unexpected request. "I need you in my band..."

#~#~#~#

The following morning, I did the usual routine; got dressed in a soft outfit, ate breakfast, and left to catch the bus. I see Dee and Heavy coming up from the sidewalk and we both met at the bus sign.

"[[Good morning!]]" I greet the two boys.

"[[Good morning, (name).]]" They greeted back.

The bus pulls up and Heavy gets on first. I'm about to follow him, but I felt a hand holding me back a little. I turn to Dee, who was the one lightly gripping my wrist, and waited for a response.

"Sit next to me, I have to tell you something."

I felt my heart race, with my cheeks warning up to add to the feeling. I nod in response and we both got inside the vehicle. I sat down next to Dee, but I had made a quick check on Heavy. Worried that I might've offended him, by ditching to sit next to my crush, I was surprised when he gave me a thumbs up and a wink. Of course. As the bus drove, Dee and I were in awkward silence. I didn't know which one of us was going to start the conversation. That was until Dee pretended to clear his throat and start us off.

"I'm sorry for snapping at you yesterday."

That took me by surprise, but I smiled and waved it off. "That's okay. It was rude to stick my nose where it shouldn't be, but thank you."

Now he looked at me in surprise."But, I yelled at you."

"Yeah?"

"And you're not upset?

"I mean, your tone was uncalled for, but you were in the right. It's your privacy."

"So, no hard feelings??"

"There's no reason for it. So, nah."