The Best Is Yet to Come

I was right. There was a painful silence in Jack half packed living room the next day.

“Getting a head on the packing are we?” Josh commented and I elbowed him very, very hard in the side. Jack glanced around the room.

“Yeah, my dad’s job demands we move out there as soon as possible,” he told us and silence fell again.

“I’m sorry guys, I didn’t know about this and I had no say,” he said bitterly.

“You’re gonna be missed mate,” Max spoke up sincerely.

“Yeah,” Katie added miserably. I just nodded, unable to speak. Joe, who was closest, clapped Jack on the back and gripped his shoulder. Jack smiled very slightly

“Two weeks?” I finally asked and he looked at me. My voice was thick and croaky again. He nodded very slowly at me and I looked away.

“Josh mate, I’m sorry, you’ll find another a better and amazing bassist.” He looked to his grumpy looking best friend for acceptance. Josh’s gaze flicked up to meet his and he unfolded from his tight poster and leant forwards.

“Jack, we’re never going to find anyone as good as you.” I smiled proudly at Josh’s words and rubbed his shoulder gently as Joe had done to Jack. Jack smiled bashfully at his best friend, the moment was so sweet Katie squealed and I saw her eyes fill up. She got up and hugged Jack tightly. He looked at me over her shoulder and an encouraging smile crossed my lips.

The evening relaxed and the awkwardness faded – we were best friends. We all settled down to watch a film from the limited collection that Jack had unpacked. I stuck my feet up onto Josh’s lap ( a habit I’d gained whenever we watched TV) and crossed my arms settling back into the sofa for hours of mindless action I’d been forced to watch over and over again. I could feel Jack’s eyes on me ninety percent of the film but I refused to look at him, it would make things harder.

“Jasey, could you help me grab some drinks?” Jack asked and got to his feet. My heart stammered and sunk deep down into my stomach. I wanted to avoid personal time with Jack. He was moving away, I wasn’t going to let myself admit how much I liked the boy. I wasn’t about to get my heart broken at fifteen. I couldn’t turn him down so I lifted my feet from Josh and followed him into the kitchen. I internally groaned when he shut the door behind him. I avoided looking at him as I made my way over to the fridge for some bottles.

“Jase…” He spoke my name ever so softly. He was behind me, his hot breath radiated onto the back of my neck causing me to shiver – the front of me was exposed to the open fridge. I closed my eyes and let the gentle sound of his voice numb the aching of my heart. I grabbed some bottles and slipped away from him. He caught my arm but still, I refused to look at him. I set the bottles down onto the counter.

“Jasey,” he said a bit more firmly, a plea in his tone. His hand glided up my arm and around my neck. I finally looked up at him. He looked at me intently for a moment, his face inches from my own and I almost collapsed under my own weakness, my own selfishness. I pulled away.

“I can’t Jack, I’m sorry.”

He looked hurt.

“I’m sorry,” I repeated desperately as I backed up. “You’re leaving,” I tried to explain but failed miserably. “In two week.”

Jack looked away and nodded, his hands slipped into his pocket awkwardly. Max entered the room then and froze at the sight of us.

“Sorry.” He backed up.

“No, Max, no,” we said together and I grabbed the bottles. I shot an apologetic glance at Jack and together we left back for the living room. We rejoined the others and sat in silence.

I didn’t watch the movie, my mind was buzzing with confusion on the situation. I’d been so close to kissing Jack, and yet I’d moved away. It was official, there was something seriously wrong with me.

The next day, I went over Josh’s to finish a presentation due Monday. Of course, I was going to do all the work whilst Josh “contributed” every now and then - his mind on the games consol. Mrs Franceschi was the one who answered my knock.

“Jasey,” she smiled and welcomed me into the house. I was greeted to the sound of music as I crossed the threshold. “I haven’t seen you in a while. How are you? Josh told me about…”

“I’m great thank you Mrs Franceschi,” I pressed on quickly. I hated talking about it and being asked that question.

“They’re in the backroom,” she told me with a wink.

“They?”

I listened the music; it was Elissa, a guitar and a piano. I thanked their mother and took my shoes off, leaving them by the front door. I knew the Franceschi house as well as my own and took the shortest path to the backroom.

I gently opened the door to the source of the wonderful music. Elissa was sitting at the piano, her hands danced up and down the ivory keys, playing a complex and beautiful piece. Her back was too me and she was putting her heart and soul into her singing. She had to have the purest voice in the world. Her brother was next to her on a chair, his back to me as well, with a guitar in his hand and playing a melody that complimented Elissa’s piece. Neither of them noticed my entrance and they were so into the piece, I thought it best not to disturb. I leant against the door frame and crossed my arms as I listened. They’d reached the bridge of the song and the complexity of the piano deepened into a heart lifting melody that came deep from Elissa’s soul. It wasn’t hard to hear the passion on the combined piece. Finally the song ended, Elissa’s fingers dwindling harmoniously down they keys onto a finishing note which Josh complimented with a strum.

“Wehey.” He laughed and clapped on his guitar to show his appreciation to his sister. “Brilliant.”

“You’re getting better,” she complimented and ruffled through some papers on the piano.

“You’re supposed to say I was fantastic,” he humorously teased his sister.

“No I’m not, I’m your sister.”

She collected together the paper and made a few notes on each as she rifled through. Josh went back to strumming various pieces on his guitar. I cleared my throat, deciding I’d stood there too long in silence. Both their heads snapped around to look at me. Elissa’s expression was friendlier than Josh’s.

“It’s rude not to knock,” he told me sourly.

“Hello to you too.” I stuck my tongue out at him.

“Mature,” he muttered. That stung. I recoiled subconsciously and turned to Elissa.

“That was incredible, seriously, amazing.” I struggled to find words to express how brilliant they were.

“Maybe you two should form something together. You’d get places quicker,” I added, the snipe intended for Josh.

“We’re loosing a bassist,” he retorted deliberately aiming to harm after my swipe. I did my best to ignore him by turning to compliment Elissa.

“Elissa, you seriously have to be the most talented person in the entire world.”

She blushed and turned back to her piano, muttering her thanks.

“She is brilliant,” Josh agreed and praised his sister; she shot a sideward glance and smile at him. He winked at her and strummed his guitar absently. I watched his fingers move down the neck of the instrument to form a chord that matched the previous.

“Do you guys do this a lot?”

“Sometimes, it’s Elissa’s song mind. I know fantastic right? I just added in the guitar part to her melody.” Josh grinned at his bashful sister as she did the same as him; subconsciously she placed her fingers over the keys forming chords.

“Well you should get that recorded or something, get it up on the internet,” I suggested brightly. They exchanged a glance.

“No it’s not right yet,” Elissa answered for them.

“You got anything else?” I asked keenly but Elissa turned around on the stool and stood up.

“Sorry Jase, another time? I got to dash.” And so Elissa left the room. I raised my eyebrows at Josh with a wide grin as I sat down in Elissa’s empty seat.

“You really are good with guitar,” I complimented earnestly as my eyes ran over the instrument. It looked only slightly used.

“You sound shocked,” he scoffed and leant his arm on the body.

“You don’t play acoustic much though?” My eyes took in the lack of scratches.

“Yeah well, I only use it sometimes,” he admitted. “I use the ones in school for practice and lessons. I think I prefer electric, but this suits Elissa’s pieces and is easier to write with.”

I took everything in my best friend had just said and realised for the first time I didn’t know a lot about him, or at least I didn’t keep track on the music side of things. Although, I’d never been allowed into practice and the boys never talked about the band much around me.

“Wow, wait.” I used my hands to stop him talking before he could say anymore. He shot me a questioning stare that was reserved especially for me. “When you told me you were starting a band you told me you were going to sing.”

“I can do both can’t I? I prefer the guitar at the moment if I’m perfectly honest.” His fingers moved up and down the neck as he plucked the strings producing a sweet light hearted tune. I smiled and watching him amazed. I’d never been able to play an instrument and I found myself extremely jealous of his ability.

“I never knew you were having lessons.”

“Yeah after school a couple of times a week with this totally awesome teacher. I practice at home and with Elissa.” He shrugged as if it was nothing but his commitment completely amazed me. Realisation finally struck me on Josh’s desperate yearning for his band – why he took it so seriously. I ran my eyes over him a few times until his questioning stare returned.

“What?”

“You really want to make it, don’t you?”

I didn’t really have to explain my question, his faint smile and ever so faint blush confirmed his understanding. He pulled himself together and I could see he was putting on an act to stop himself showing anything.

“I just love music Jase,” he told me simply. There was more than he was letting on, even if he didn’t want to admit it. My doubtful look finally broke him.

“It’s not like I want to be famous. I don’t want to be one of those crappy bands the record companies hire and change and pamper to make a shit load of money. I hate bands like that, I want to be real. I want to be part of something that makes its own way, that influences people, that changes and helps people. Just like the music I listen to has done for me.” He didn’t look at me one during his little speech, he kept looking around the room and put heavy emphasis on certain words to express his passion. I couldn’t help but smile proudly in response. He finally looked at me and saw my expression, he looked away and regret pulled his features into a grimace as if he thought he’d admitted too much.

“You can do it Josh,” I said after a moment of silence. He looked up at me again, but he looked very doubtful.

“We’ve lost a bassist,” he retorted bitterly. I didn’t want to linger on this subject.

“Well get a new one, admittedly, you may not find one as good as Jack, but still. Get some time in with some other local bands, see what you like.”

“Other bands?” he asked with a very confused frown.

“Yeah, get a feel for it all, you’re bands gone to pieces at the moment because I reckon you do need a bassist. Go experiment, write some songs, jam with the other guys, play with Elissa, get out there and do it Josh!”

I could feel the excitement and control firing through my veins as ideas of the boys future sparked off in my mind. I was going to be Josh’s personal motivator.

***

Josh did exactly as I said. I walked into his house a number of times to find him writing or playing with Elissa after I’d been invited over. Max and Josh played together in his living room with acoustic guitars, experimenting with covers and new rifts they’d developed together. Joe just sat and watched, unbothered by his lack of involvement whilst Jack sat on the sofa next to me looking uncomfortable. Jack often avoided coming over Josh’s the last couple of weeks of his remaining time in Britain, watching his best mates carrying on without him must have killed him inside. I tried to arrange our time together away from Josh and Max’s house.

I couldn’t stop it though when Josh and Max were due to play with another band one night at our local bar where Elissa often played. In fact, she was due on stage the same night. They’d been rehearsing with them after school all week and were apparently ready for a show. I couldn’t avoid not going and neither could Jack because he didn’t want to seem like a shitty friend before he left.

It was three days before he was due to leave for America and I could tell he was getting more and more depressed about it. He looked miserable sat next to me at our favourite table in the centre of the lively bar. Katie exchanged a glance with me and then eyed Jack carefully as he wallowed in the bottom of his empty glass. None of us looked old enough to get served yet, so the brown dregs in the remains of his glass were overly sweet coke. A moment later Max joined us.

“What are you doing here?” Katie asked surprised.

“Elissa and Josh are up first,” he told her.

“They’re doing a set together?!” I asked and I broke into large smile. I squealed like a stupid girl and clapped my hands together as a shot of excitement pulsed through me. Max accepted my bizarre behaviour with a scared glance and turned to his mate.

“You alright Jack?” He even leant forward in the attempt to look at Jack’s face. He shot up suddenly with a forced smile, his eyes remaining on the bottom of his empty glass.

“Yep,” he said unconvincingly. Max looked and me and I subtly shrugged with a sigh.

“Come on mate, cheer up.” Max clapped him on the back. “Where’s Joe? Wasn’t he coming tonight?”

“I thought so,” Katie answered without looking up from her phone which she was texting on. “But I guess not.”

“Katie put it away, they’re coming on in a minute,” I scolded and surprisingly enough she obeyed after she’d finished keying in her message. The room fell to a hush as the lights on the mini stage came on and Josh and Elissa walked on. She announced herself and her brother and started into the set.

The entire room was in awe as her ideal and flawless voice carried around the room, causing goose bumps to rise up on my arms. Her music was beauty, Josh’s acoustic complimenting and adding depth to each one that caused my stomach to flutter. Elissa put everything into her performance the same as she did when she was at home rehearsing – she just put everything into it. Her soul was displayed to the audience. Josh didn’t look up once from his focus on the guitar he was playing. It was a small set, only a few songs but when it was over the bar erupted into applause. We all got to our feet to support the brother and sister, even Jack. Katie ‘wooped’ and Max wolf whistled as Elissa bowed and again and Josh walked off stage. He grinned at his best friend and walked over to us laughing. Elissa hurried over to her squealing best friends and they all hugged. We were still clapping when Josh finally joined the table.

“Well done Josh, that was incredible,” I praised and hugged him proudly. Katie and Max complimented him as I had, Max teasing his friend in the process. It finally fell upon Jack to say something. He actually cracked a smile at his friend.

“They’re right, that was amazing, you have a very talented sister Josh, you aren’t to bad yourself.” Josh laughed and punched his mates arm. I was never going to understand the arm punch thing. It was a weird gesture that tended to make things better. I shook my head in amazement and left them to it with Katie to congratulate Elissa.

Jack was a bit more cheery when we rejoined the table, the boys said goodbye to set up on stage. I couldn’t help but notice a small group of girls towards the front that eyed up Josh and Max as they passed. That was the first time jealously panged through me. As a reflex my eyes narrowed and my jaw locked. Jack seemed to notice and he raised his eyebrows at me.

“Jasey, jealous already are we?”

My eyes snapped away from the short skirted skanks in high heels to unintentionally glare at Jack. I caught myself two seconds later as I blinked and returned back to normality. His tight expression of mock implied a million more meanings that teasing. I wasn’t up for another awkward love moment with Jack.

“They’re my friends, I don’t want slags like that going after them!” I said defensively and turned to Katie for support.

“Yeah, they’re bitches,” she agreed with a disgusted glance at the girls in our year.

“Isn’t that Nia Davies? The one who got off with Josh at the party?” Jack stared at the group of girls, who in my opinion looked a bit tipsy. It looked like they’d had some fun in the park earlier with a couple of bottles of vodka. I made a revolted sound of disgust as I picked up on the girl. She was wearing a very short dress and a top that was way too low. There was an out of place streak of fake tan on her orange legs.

Jack’s eyes raked over her, his expression looked to approving for my liking. I smacked him on the arm.

“Ow!” he cried.

“You do not think she’s hot do you?!” I demanded, outraged.

“She’s…” he seemed very scared of answering. “I wouldn’t turn her down. I don’t think many guys would.”

“That’s the thing, millions haven’t,” Katie sneered. I actually crossed my arms and shook my head at Jack. Maybe it was covering how insulted I actually was at Jack’s words.

“So you prefer orange painted ho’s with a load of slap on in skimpy outfits?” I asked accusingly. Jack looked at me and shook his head. I was really angry about this.

“With the worst reputation in the world?” Katie added for me.

“I’d prefer a genuine girl, if I’m completely honest,” he snapped defensively. My posture and expression softened unintentionally as he gazed at me with soft sincerity.

“Hey they’re on.” Katie snapped both Jack and I back to reality and we both turned to the stage. Josh and Max were tuning two guitars as the singer stepped forwards to introduce them to the crowd. I didn’t recognise him, or the bassist or the drummer and so I turned to Jack.

“They’re a band from Max’s college,” he explained in a whisper. “Max’s been doing some work with them by the sounds and Josh volunteered last week remember?”

I looked back to the college band as they started to play. Their band t-shirts, skinny jeans, Converse and Vans gave away their style of music before a single note was played. The bassist flicked his long black fringe streaked with blonde out his eyes as the song began. It had a pop/rock feel to the sound as the ever so slightly heavy guitar rifts lead the singer to burst into the lyrics about a girl. It wasn’t terrible… the music was good but the singers voice wasn’t brilliant. A crowd gathered in front of the stage, boys and girls dressed in a similar style to the band. Heads bounced and nodded the beat of the music. The group of skanks from our year pushed their way through to the front and danced together, holding hands. I grunted at the sight of them and tried to focus on Max and Josh. Max was a brilliant guitarist, I knew it. He threw himself into the music as he moved around the stage, making the most out of it he could whilst being restrained by a plugged in guitar. Josh seemed more focused, but he was a learning guitarist.

I was yanked from my seat in a fluid movement; I fell into Jack who’d pulled me. He then dragged me towards the largish crowd at the front and we lost ourselves in it. I laughed and moved and bounced to the music, enjoying every second in the pit. It was only then I realised how much I loved music – it was official, we were going to more live gigs, I would personally make sure of it.

Jack grinned at me as the fourth song ended and we all applauded the band. I watched as the slags along the front ‘wooped’ and cried out at the band members. One closest to us was eyeing up Jack. I felt a fresh stronger wave of jealous pulse through my veins and I actually growled. Jack laughed at me and pulled me towards him.

“She’s got nothing on you,” he whispered into my ear as a new song started. This one was slower the melody flowing off the sound of an acoustic guitar. I lifted my head to look up at Jack as his soft, intimate words sent a shiver down my spine. His light green eyes were staring into mine and he seemed oblivious to those around him, to the music, to the room. He was a handsome young boy. His straight dyed-blond hair fell into his eyes messily giving him a slightly mysterious and rugged look that contrasted against his straight and perfect features. He had a sort of crooked smile that would melt any heart in the room. He could get any girl he wanted.

What the hell was I doing? Jack was leaving, he was leaving in three days and I would never ever see him again.

I wrapped hand around the back of his neck and pulled his lips to my own. I gave into the moment; I let us both taste the sweet ecstasy we were both dying for. I entwined my fingers in the back of his hair and pulled his face closer to mine. I felt his arm slip around my waist and pull my body closer to his.

It was the most private of settings, with a bunch of people around us swaying along to the acoustic song onstage. I finally pulled away, gasping and stared up at him anxiously. He was grinning broadly, he looked truly happy. I smiled back at him.

“I’m gonna miss you,” I admitted miserably and to soothe my mood, Jack pulled me into a tight embrace. The song soon ended and we broke apart. I glanced around at the stage, it had been Max who had been on the acoustic, so Josh had been left to do nothing on the side of the stage – he was staring at me. My cheeks burned as I realised he’d been there the entire time, he must have seen us, but he didn’t look upset or angry. He nodded very gently at me and smiled softly along with a wink. I smiled back and my replying nod was my thanks.

It seemed the band didn’t have any more songs, so they began to pack up. The group of people in front of the stage dispersed. Jack and I went back to join Katie, she was giving me a ‘we-need-to-talk’ stare that only girls could convey and pick up on. It seemed she had seen as well. I groaned and sat down next to her shaking my head. I wasn’t going to live any of this down. Oddly enough I didn’t care, I’d gotten my selfish reward before it was taken away from me.

Josh and Max finished packing up on the twenty minutes later and they tried to rejoin us but were sidetracked by the group of girls that had been at the front.

“Oh fucking great,” I snarled, the other two turned around to look where I was scowling. The boys seemed to be enjoying the attention and rejoined us another twenty minutes later.

“What?” Max asked, taken aback as Katie and I folded our arms and shook our heads in synchronisation.

“Boys,” I muttered with a roll of my eyes.

***

No one brought up what had happened the night of the gig with me, not even Katie despite her previous looks. Everyone knew the next three days were going to be hard. We tried to let the days be as normal as possible. In assembly on Friday, the day before he left, the head teacher announced his departure to the year. He handed him a certificate, he was a bright boy after all, and wished him luck in his new school. That day he was hassled by everyone, everyone came up to Jack to wish him good luck and to say good bye, we didn’t get two minutes alone with our best friend.

That evening, Mrs Franceschi threw a farewell party to his family – the Harvey’s. We were all there, I, Katie, Josh, Joe and Max. Along with Elissa and Josh’s parents, my parents and my sister, who’d come back a week ago. Max’s parents were there too; our four sets of parents were very friendly. My mother, Mrs Franceschi, Mrs Helyer and Mrs Harvey were very good friends. So the move was affecting them just as much as it was us. It was short and sweet where everyone passed on messages of luck of farewell.

Jack pulled me away just before it was time to go home and to his room. My heart was racing as he shut the door behind him. He looked at me long and hard, he seemed struggling either to find the words or to say anything at all. I alone, was doing my best to keep myself together.

His crossed the room and his lips found mine. Finally being alone in a private room, we were allowed to be a bit more intimate with our kiss. I could taste the desperation, the longing for more. His hands, one on the back of my neck and one on my lower back, pulled me as close to him as was physically possible. He broke away.

“Goodbye Jasey.” I’d cried a lot over the past month or so, but who could blame me? It was my final act of misery as I wrapped my arms around him and sobbed into his shirt.

We made our way back downstairs ten minutes later. I knew my eyes were puffy and red; I couldn’t hide that unlike the mascara which I’d cleaned up shoddily. Josh comforted me when Jack and his family said goodbye to the Helyers. My parents and Josh’s were next and together they exchanged their goodbyes. Elissa and Erin each gave Jack a hug. Jack ruffled Erin’s “rebel” pixie cut bright red hair as a sign of affection. Why couldn’t it be that easy?

“Farewell mate.” Josh held out a hand to his best friend. “We’re gonna miss you.”

“Good luck with the band Josh.” He shook his hand rigorously and then pulled his friend into a tight man hug. “Don’t forget the little people yeah?”

“I’ll put you in my grammy speech,” Josh laughed when they pulled apart.

We’d already said our goodbye so I just hugged him and then we were gone. We were driving away from the house we’d never visit again.