“So you guys were signing today,” I said lowly, surprised that I was somehow able to start a conversation. I have never been particularly good at starting conversations. “I didn’t even notice, I tend to ignore what my boss announces,” I muttered.

“I see,” he said, leading me to the back of the record shop where Pierce the Veil had their bus parked.

“After you,” he opened the door and beckoned me inside. I smiled nervously.

“Hey, guys, look who I rescued from her lousy day job,” Jaime announced happily. “Spencer,” he announced, smiling at me. I forced myself to smile to the three guys staring at me. For some reason, I didn't feel like being rude or stuck up to them.

“Hey, I’m Vic,” a rather small, brown-haired boy, wearing a vest and a backwards cap smiled genuinely up at me.

“I’m Tony,” a larger, built, and tattooed-covered boy said. I noticed he had plugs in his ears and an interesting braid underneath his dark-brown hair.

“Mike,” another tattooed-cover boy nodded up at me with a dazzling smile. His smile was extra flashy—literally—because of his lip piercings that glistened in the lighting. He also was very tall, his long legs extending way past everyone else’s.

“Hi,” I said after they finished introducing themselves.

“Wanna beer or something?” the tall one—Mike—asked. I shook my head. I didn’t like to drink. Everything was worse when I was even a little bit intoxicated.

“No, thanks,” I half-smiled, trying really hard to be decently behaved. I wondered if it was really obvious how hard I was trying.

“So,” Jaime plopped down onto a lounge chair, gesturing me to take a seat, too. “Tell us about yourself,” he said, propping his legs up.

“Uh, well, there’s not much about me,” I said awkwardly. I hated being asked questions about my personal life. And for good reason, too.

“Oh, so you’re one of those girls, then?” he grinned, but I didn’t know what he meant. “Making us unravel your mystery all by ourselves,” he added.

“You’re going to have to do a little more work to figure me out, Preciado,” I winked. Holyshit. I was slightly impressed with myself for my casual yet witty remark. Who knew that I could be a good talker when I actually tried?

“Hm, fair enough,” he squinted his eyes at me, smiling. His smile was so infective; I couldn’t help but smile back. What was going on with me? Maybe this was good. Maybe I should get out more often, and surround myself with nice people. Because I felt great, as opposed to being miserable.

But then I remembered that I couldn’t have friends… it just wasn’t safe…

I suddenly felt awkward. What was I doing here? This was too dangerous…

“So, um, how long are you guys in town?” I asked before I could stop myself. I hadn’t even thought about asking a question, the words just flowed from my mouth.

“A very long time,” Jaime chuckled. I didn’t get what was so funny about that.

“We live here. In San Diego,” Vic added, smiling. They all were smiling. They all looked sohappy. I didn’t get it.

“Oh, I didn’t know that,” I said quietly.

“That’s refreshing,” Tony mumbled.

“What do you mean?” I asked. I wasn’t getting anything.

“Well, normally when we meet people they know everything about us. Some dude knew that my mom’s favorite color was orange, I kid you not,” Tony added seriously.

“That’s a tad insane,” I noted.

There were a few moments of silence. I shivered when a loud, irrepressible clap of thunder shook the bus, filling that previous stillness.

“Ah, yes, San Diego storms,” Vic kicked back and sighed, listening to the now torrential rain that was attacking the bus.

“You don’t seem to like storms,” Jaime observed.

“There you go, you’ve already figured one thing out about me,” I forced a nervous smile.

“I need to go take a nap. Sleeping during thunder storms is my favorite,” Vic said, standing up. “It was really nice to meet you, Spence, I hope to see you soon,” he said, shaking my hand.

“You too,” I smiled, trying to hide my discomfort.

Tony and Mike yawned simultaneously. “Long day, I’m taking a nap, too,” they both said a variation of this, also both saying friendly ‘goodbyes’ to me.

We were alone, and Jaime spoke again. “Actually, I’ve learned a few things,” he added.

“Yeah?”

“Well, you don’t like storms, so loud things make you nervous for whatever reason. And when things are quiet, I see your eyes go unfocused, meaning you are very thoughtful. And you sort of bite your lip, which is very cute, I might add. And then I noticed when the guys shook your hand, you went sort of rigid. Meaning, you like your personal space,” now he bit his lip, concentrating. “And although you may come off as bitchy or stuck up, you actually are a people person. And funny,” he added. He looked pleased with himself.

“Well, Jaime Preciado, it seems like you have me all wrong,” I teased, because although I told him differently, he actually did get me. Probably more than I got myself. “I hate thunderstorms, true, but not for your reasoning. I actually do like loud things, like concerts and such. And I am not thoughtful or observant, I like to stay quiet because I have nothing important to say,” our faces were inches apart while I intently discussed how “wrong” he was about me. “And,” I added severely. “I bite my lip only when accompanied with a scrunched up nose due to smelling something foul… and I suspect that foul something to be your feet,” I winked, pushing him away playfully. I obviously was kidding, because I dobite my lip when thinking. I just didn’t want him to know that, for some reason. I felt vulnerable when I was lost in thought, so if he could detect my thinking, that would be an issue. Actually, I felt vulnerable when people got me at all…

“Damn it!” he looked frustrated, and I giggled. I giggled. I was surprisingly enjoying messing with him. I guess that actually made me a bitch, so he was wrong about at least one thing. He pursed his lips.
“Alright, you win this time, Spencer… but I won’t give up…” he furrowed his eyebrows. It was funny because he didn’t know that he was right about me.

“I’ll let you think this over for a little while, Preciado,” I stood up, patting his head. I patted his head.

“Leaving so soon?” he made a sad puppy face.

“Yes, I have to get home. Here’s a free fact: Storms make me want to sleep, too, but the reason being because I like to sleep through them. And my bed awaits,” I said.

“Well, alright then,” Jaime stood up, too.

I bit the inside of my cheek, thinking about what I should say next.

“I have work here again, tomorrow,” I said quietly. “So, when you are ready to report back to me with more things you’ve tried to figure out, feel free to stop by,” I said.

“Sounds like a plan, Miss Spencer. I look forward to meeting you in the future,” he smiled brightly. I had the sudden urge to poke his dimples, but I held back.

“Good luck,” I smiled, turning towards the door.

Although he was right about most of what he said, there were still things that he was missing. He still had much to learn. And him figuring out those missing pieces was going to be an interesting feat, considering I couldn't even figure them out, myself. Hell, I had much to learn, too.

~~

The storm raged on as I lay in my bed shivering. I couldn't help but let my mind drift to Jaime and his band mates from this afternoon. They were all so nice, it made me reevaluate me original thoughts that all people were naturally assholes. And maybe I would see them again, maybe I’d actually have friends for once in my life. I hadn’t realized how lonely I actually was until I was introduced to the prospect of having friends…

A bright flash of lightning blinded my room, followed almost immediately by thunder. I groaned, looking at the window that the lightning crept its way through, realizing I had forgotten to close the blinds. I hated the blinds being open at night.

I reluctantly dragged myself to the window to close them. I had not intended to look out the window, but my eye caught something.

Another flash of lightning, and I stood frozen by the window.

The flash of lightning made it more visible; it made him more visible. I only saw his silhouette in the distance, but I knew who it was. Standing completely parallel to my apartment, his ligaments perfectly symmetrical, his soulless eyes most likely staring into my window…

I should have known that this would happen. I had finally made an effort to be social in my life, and he was back. How did he know already?

Oh, God, he was back, and he never showed mercy on anyone I befriended.

Notes

sorry, updating may be slow for this story until i get into it! ugh, still in intro mode unfortunately. i really do dislike starting new things due to the slowness...

I hope you guys like it so far, and I thank you for reading, subscribing, and commenting :)