The Only Way I Know

The rain continued to pound against my window the following morning. I rolled over in bed, the events of the previous afternoon swimming vividly in my mind. I sighed peacefully.

"Jamie?" There was a soft tapping on the door.

I sat up. My mum entered the room, and by her side - was Julian.

Instinctively I pulled the covers up to my chin. Let's just say that the clothes I slept in weren't clothes I would show Julian by choice.

"Mum!" I yelped indignantly, trying to hide my embarrassment unsuccessfully from Julian. Mum gave me a cheeky smile, before leaving the room and closing the door behind her.

Julian moved forward and sat himself down on my bed. He gave a relaxed laugh, touching the hand that kept the covers firmly against my chin.

"Jamie, it's only me, you know." He gave another of those wild smiles while his sapphire eyes sparkled.

I smiled weakly, relenting and lowering the covers. "Why are you here?"

"I wanted to see if you were okay after being so drenched yesterday," he said with a warm smile. "So are you?"

"Of course!" I said brightly. "But you didn't have to come all this way to see me."

"Yes I did," he replied, his smile faltering a little.

I threw him a puzzled look.

Before I could reply to this unusual statement, Julian had begun to speak. "I haven't exactly been - supportive - of you friendship with Tom, and - "

"Yes you have!" I exclaimed. "Julian, I was amazed when you didn't kick his arse after how horribly he treated you. Remember the whole CD fiasco?"

"But that's what I mean," he said persistently. "If he's a friend of yours, he's a friend of mine. We have to sort this stupid - stupid..."

"Triangle?" I suggested gently.

His face softened. "Wouldn't you like us to hang out all together sometime?"

Never did I think Julian would be the one suggesting this idea. Us all hanging out together? Despite the glamourous side to the idea, there was an ominous feeling about it. Tom and Julian didn't seem like the likeliest pair to end up as chummy pals.

"I - well, I guess so," I said uncertainly, anxiously picking at the thread of my bespread.

Julian smiled. "Don't look so worried. I have an idea."

I tilted my head slightly, forcing myself to direct my gaze away from the thread I was picking and into his eyes.

"He plays drums, right?"

"Yeah...?"

"And you play, guitar, of course?"

"Yeah, but - "

"We can rent out that room you've been talking about at school, and, you know - "

"Jam? In the Rock Room?" I couldn't help but notice the cute mysterious twinkle in his eyes.

"That's the one," he said eagerly. "We can play in there this afternoon after school."

"What are you going to do?"

"Bass," he replied simply. "Didn't I ever tell you I played bass?" He grinned.

I couldn't help but catch onto his infectious smile. "That does sound like fun I guess..." I began reluctantly.

He leant forward and kissed me. "You talk to Tom, and I'll meet you by the gate this afternoon, alright?"

"Perfect," I said, returning the kiss. I glanced at my bedside clock. "Do you need a lift to school?"

"That's okay," he said, kissing me one final time on the forehead. "I've got time to spare. So that's all good, yeah? I'll see you this afternoon."

I nodded, watching him leave. I hopped out of bed and went into the bathroom. As I glanced at my reflection, I couldn't help but wonder if Julian was ight. Although he seemed ever optimistic over a possible friendship, maybe something like this was what we needed.

But Tom and Julian were an unlikely pairing. They were both sensitive, sure...but while Julian could understand people and talk about anything, Tom was the dark horse, likely to bottle up his feelings. They both made me laugh and whatever...but really, what did they have in common?

I tried to avoid acknowledging the answer. Although, deep down inside me, it was hard not to see it.

It was me; both pulling them together and pushing them apart.