A List of Best Intentions

I tell ya, I really freakin’ owed I Am You Are. They may have kinda gotten me into a huge mess it was really tough to get out of, but at least I had one friend back because of their Christmas party.

I couldn’t shake the feeling that it was rigged, though. I mean, everyone and their mommas knew Cody and me were fighting. I just didn’t think anyone cared that much about us. That’s what was cool about the band – they were nice people and good musicians.

I kinda had to wonder why they’d help me out so much if I didn’t do anything for them. Well…there was that time where I filled in for Alyssa, but that couldn’t have justified them helping me get Cody back.

Christmas had passed, and I got loads of stuff I’d never use – underwear, socks, you name it. Because of the crap I’d gotten into, I guess my parents laid off on the good stuff: no video games, no music, no videos. Just clothes.

It was okay, though – I got my best friend back and that’s all I needed.

The day was December 30th. I was bored with the few video games I had prior to Christmas. And when the phone rang and Cody was on the other line, I rejoiced.

“Yo,” I spoke into the receiver.

“Hey Kev, get over here,” he said.

“What? Why?”

“I Am You Are’s got a plan for ya.”

“What…?”

“Nothin’…just come over to my house.”

“Okay…”

So we hung up, confusion itching at my brain.

I almost thought it was a scam or joke at first, but sure enough, when I got to Cody’s house on my bike, I Am You Are was chillin’ with him in his garage.

They must’ve read my face, ‘cause Cody smirked.

“Took ya long enough, Kev,” he chuckled.

Robert burped. In turn, Alyssa shoved his shoulder and Bruce laughed.

“So we heard you’ve had problems with Stephanie lately,” Jon spoke up.

I cocked my brow, puzzled. “Yeah…how’d you guys know…?”

Bruce cocked his head at me, making me feel like a blithering idiot. “She’s my cousin, dude.”

“And…I kinda told them everything,” Cody explained, blushing. “Everything they didn’t already know…”

I sat down on the old couch in defeat, sighing. I didn’t care if they knew about my pathetic love life. “Yeah, I dunno. I really like her, I mean, she’s cute, and sweet, and…and I’m stupid,” I said, cracking a crooked smile.

Robert snorted. “Yeah, you are. Hell, you’re a bigger dipshit than I am. But we can help you get her back.”

I raised an eyebrow. “How…why? Why me?”

Alyssa coughed. “You remember when you filled in for me? Well, our bud Harley got his uncle to come. And he’s the owner of a record company. He freakin’ offered us a contract. ‘Course, they had to see me play, but you got us some wicked coverage.”

I couldn’t hold in a smile. “You got a record deal ‘cause of me?”

Robert smirked. “We’re not taking it. But the guy blabbed about us to all the other bands on the label,” he shrugged.

“What? Why not?”

“We wanna stay here for a couple more years. And when we get signed, we don’t want a real big label,” Bruce explained.

Jon gave him a hi-5. So did Robert and Alyssa. I guess it was a band thing.

“So we’re throwing a New Year’s party. Rock out before we black out, I guess. And Stephanie’s coming.”

I tilted my head. “So…how would it help me?”

Jon clapped his hands together. “We’ve got a setlist. At about 11:50-ish we’re gonna do that No Doubt song, ‘Don’t Speak.’ If you wanna, you can play with us…and you know, dedicate,” he said, wiggling his eyebrows.

I darted my eyes to the floor, thinking. This could’ve been my chance…my chance to have a shot at my first girlfriend before we lose it all.

And maybe do number two: kiss a girl and mean it.

“So? You gonna do it?” Alyssa urged.

I smiled. “Yeah.”