I See Sparks Fly Whenever You Smile

Brook

"So, I want to hear more about being a guidance counselor," Alex said once we were settled in our seats at the restaurant and the waitress had taken our drink order. "I mean, don't take this the wrong way but don't you remember being in high school? It was miserable."

"I've heard this all before. Believe me. But it's really not that bad."

"Oh no," Alex gasped. "Let me guess. You loved high school? Cheerleading captain? Class president? Senior poll voted most popular?"

I laughed, sincerely hoping he was kidding. "You couldn't be more wrong, my friend."

"Really?" he frowned. "I thought I was finally getting the chance to date a cheerleader."

I laughed again. "I'm sorry, buddy. No cheerleader here. But I was captain of the swim team, class treasurer since seventh grade and senior poll voted coolest car."

"Coolest car? Really?"

"Yeah. It was by default really. It was my older brother's car. When I was a senior in high school he decided to transfer to a college in Chicago and left me his car."

"What kind of car was it?"

"This piece of crap Mustang. My brother "pimped" it out with a cool stereo and tires and stuff, so I guess that's what made it cool," I shrugged.

"Awesome," he smiled. "But you didn't answer my question."

"What question?" I asked, playing with the straw in my drink that the waitress had just brought and then quickly took our order.

"Why high school?"

"Well, when I started college I really had no clue what I wanted to do. I always hoped after I got my liberal arts classes done, I would figure it out."

"And you did?"

I nodded. "One day I heard this news report about teens and bullying and the high suicide rate among kids and it dawned on me that I wanted to help these kids and figured where better to start than kids in high school?"

"Wow," he said, looking a little surprised. "That's really cool."

"Thanks," I smiled. "I just remember back when I was in school all our guidance counselors were about 106 years old and no one went to them with problems because how could they possibly understand or relate to teenagers?"

"And you figured since you're still one, kids would flock to your office?" he cracked the joke with a smirk on his face.

I rolled my eyes, laughing. "Exactly. When I first started some parents would complain about me because they thought I was too young to be "guiding" their kids. But after my first real year in the school as a counselor everyone sort of realized I had a knack for what I did."

"Your first real year?"

"While I was still finishing up school, I had gotten a job in the high school as a receptionist in the guidance office. Somehow even with just that job I ended up helping some kids."

"That's awesome. I'm just really glad to hear you're not a model or a clothing designer or something lame."

"Thanks. It's nice to feel like you're making a difference in this messed up world and I kind of feel like I am."

He nodded. "Hey, if you can help just one kid out of a shitty place, I think you're good."

"Me too," I nodded. "And now it's your turn."

"Uh oh. My turn?"

"Yep. Last night you told me you were a musician. And I know my brother has this friend who calls himself a musician and has been living on my brother's couch for about six months."

"Well, I think your brother's friend needs to work a little harder," he laughed. "My band's had a little more success, I'd say, than that guy."

"Yeah? Anything I may have heard?" I asked, interested.

"Well, my band's name is All Time Low. I guess they kind of make a big deal about us around here since not many bands really make it from this area."

I nodded slowly. "All Time Low? I have definitely heard of you guys. My kids love you."

He raised an eyebrow at me. "You have kids?"

"No," I laughed. "From school. A couple of months ago we had spirit week at the school and I had to supervise the juniors while they decorated their half of the cafeteria. One of the girls brought in her iPod thing and your band was the only band everyone could agree on to listen to."

"Really?" he smiled. "So, are you a fan?"

I laughed a little. "You're definitely talented and I didn't want to pluck my eye lashes out having to listen to it like I have with some of the other stuff these kids listen to today. It reminded me of the stuff I grew up listening to because of my brother."

He smiled again. "Well thanks. I'll take that as a compliment."

"You should," I insisted. "How long have you been doing this band thing?"

"I started playing music when I was fourteen. I don't think we really took it seriously until we were sixteen and realized we were sort of good."

"So, who is we?" I asked.

"My band mates. Jack, Rian and Zack," he explained. "I met Jack when I was thirteen. I never really felt like I fit in at school before that. I moved from the UK when I was younger. I spoke with an accent until high school, I wore those ridiculous parachute pants and Bob Marley T-shirts. I didn't even really like Bob Marley," he said with a laugh.

"Why wear it then?"

He shrugged. "I thought it was cool at the time. Jack quickly informed me that I looked ridiculous and if we were gonna be friends I had to wear normal pants."

"And that's when you were introduced to girl jeans?"

He laughed. "Exactly. Jack was the first guy at our school to wear them."

"So, Jack gave you a wardrobe make-over. And then what?"

"He showed me a Blink-182 DVD and I was hooked. I knew that was exactly what I wanted to do," he explained, a goofy smile flashing his face as he thought back. "We started to play Blink-182 and Greenday covers and eventually I realized I actually had a knack for writing songs."

I smiled. He seemed really proud of what he's done. "And the rest is history?"

"Pretty much," he nodded. "We did a lot of touring on the weekends and breaks off from school. We got signed to an independent label when we were seniors in high school and just signed with a major label last year."

I nodded. "So you're feeling pretty successful right?"

"Yeah. It's hard to believe that we've got to play shows with bands we grew up idolizing. Like, Mark Hoppus was one of the first people to text me on my birthday a few weeks ago."

"That's amazing. I met Mark Hoppus once."

"Really?"

"Well, my brother met him and I just stood there like an idiot too embarrassed to say anything. He was really cool though."

Alex smiled. "He's awesome. Maybe one day I can re-introduce you guys."

"I'd like that," I laughed. "What other famous friends do you have?"

"Oh no," he shook his head. "I don't want to be that guy."

"You can be that guy. I'm curious. Do you know Justin Timberlake?"

Alex laughed. "No. Unfortunately I don't know Justin Timberlake, but we have played a few shows with Justin Bieber."

"Oh," I scowled. "The Bieb doesn't compare."

"Of course not," Alex laughed.

Conversation continued to flow easily between Alex and I as our food arrived. I was pleasantly surprised about this because first dates can be really awkward if you run out of things to say early. And from the looks of it, Alex wasn't shutting up any time soon.

"We're not a total party band," Alex said, referring to life on the road, "I mean, we party and drink too much and get stupid but we're definitely no Mötley Crüe."

"Well thank goodness for that," I giggled. "I can't imagine Tommy Lee would show much interest in dinner with a high school guidance counselor."

"Yeah, well, Alex Gaskarth does."

"He does?"

"Of course he does," Alex nodded. "And he also just realized he's been talking an awful lot about himself. I'm sorry."

I shook my head. "Are you kidding? Don't apologize. I like hearing your stories. Believe me, my life has been incredibly dull by comparison."

"Oh, come on. Everyone's had a bit of a wild streak once in their life."

I shrugged. "I let my best friend's cousin pierce my bellybutton at a sleep over when I was sixteen."

"Oh, look out, badass!"

"That's what I thought. Until it refused to heal properly and I eventually needed to tell my parents. Naturally it was infected and I was grounded for a month."

Alex bit his lip, no doubt to stop from laughing at me. "That's it?"

"Pretty much. My dad was the police chief and my older brother Mikey had essentially done everything as a kid. Between the two of them, I couldn't get away with anything."

"Were you and your brother close?" he asked and a strange look I couldn't read passed over his eyes.

"Yeah," I nodded. "People always thought it was kind of strange since he was a few years older than me that we could be so close. But we were each other's best friends growing up."

He smiled, almost sadly it seemed. "You said my band reminds you of the music you'd listen to with him. Like what?"

"Blink-182 obviously. New Found Glory, Yellowcard, Fall Out Boy, The Early November. Just to name a few."

He smiled with a nod. "All very influential bands to us. Any other them your favorite?"

"No," I said with a blush creeping up my cheeks. "Can you keep a secret?"

He nodded. "Of course."

"Bon Jovi is my favorite band and has been since about birth."

He laughed. "Really? That's awesome."

"My mom and my aunt were obsessed and I'd heard them playing all the time when I was a kid. It was like I was destined to be a fan. I heard a story once that my mom went to a Bon Jovi show when she was pregnant with me and tried to convince the security guards that she was pregnant with Jon Bon Jovi's kid."

Alex laughed again. "That's amazing. Did it work?"

I shook my head. "I don't think so."

"So, would you say Bon Jovi is your musical guilty pleasure?"

I laughed. "Oh no. Believe me, it gets worse than that."

"Okay. Details."

"Well, I kind of have a Disney Channel obsession," I admitted.

"Disney Channel? Like Mickey Mouse? Because then I think you might be better suited for my friend Matt," he said quickly.

"No," I laughed. "I mean, yeah, who doesn't love Mickey? But I'm referring to Disney Channel like Hannah Montana."

"Really?" he laughed.

"Oh totally. I can say with complete confidence that I've seen every episode of that show multiple times and can probably recite it word for word."

"Well, there are worse things you can be into."

"I'm not done," I said slowly.

"You don't dress up in a blonde wig and pretend to be her, do you?"

"No," I laughed. "I just mean it's not just Hannah Montana - well Miley Cyrus really. I also love Selena Gomez, Taylor Swift, Demi Lovato. And don't get me started on the Jonas Brothers."

"Well, I do have a pretty big love for Taylor Swift myself. And if I can be that guy again, Demi is a good friend. She's a real sweet heart."

My eyes widen a little bit. "You know Demi Lovato?"

He nodded. "Yeah. Do I need to introduce you guys too?"

"That would be incredible."

As we finished eating out dinner and denied dessert when the waitress asked, Alex told me about the older sisters he had that live back in the UK. They were from his father's first marriage long before Alex was born. He doesn't see them much, only when he's on tour in the UK, but they do keep in touch when they can.

Alex

"Really, Alex. I don't mind. You don't have to pay for me," Brook argued with me the entire walk from the restaurant to where I parked the car in the lot.

"Brook," I whined, opening the passenger side door for her. "Shut up and get in."

She laughed and I was glad she had a sense of humor. "Can I please give you something towards it at least?"

"Nope," I simply said, closing her door when she climbed in and went around to the other side and got in myself.

"But-"

"Brook, if you ask me again I will be insulted."

"Okay. Okay. Fine," she huffed putting on her seat belt as I pulled out of the parking lot. "Where are we going now?"

"It's a surprise," I said, glancing over at her with a smile.

"A surprise? No. Alex, I don't like surprises."

"Well, you have about twenty minutes to start liking them."

She frowned. "Can you at least tell me where we're going for this surpise?"

"Nope. Not without giving the whole thing away."

"Great. This guy I just met is taking me somewhere in his car and won't tell me where. This is payback for the whole dog thing isn't it? You're gonna take me to the woods and whack me, huh?"

"No, you freak. I am not going to whack you," I laughed.

"Okay, good," she said leaning back in her seat and glancing out the window. "Hey, thanks for dinner, by the way."

I smiled. "You're welcome."

The rest of the car ride was filled with more simple conversation between Brook and myself. I really liked that we had been able to talk all through dinner and not run out of things to say.

"We're here," I said when I had finally pulled into the parking lot of the park I was taking her to.

"The park?" she asked looking around as we climbed out of the car.

"You'll see," I said, grabbing her arm and pulling her in the right direction.

"Ice skating?" she asked as we stood before the frozen lake that was all lit up with Christmas decorations around it.

"Surprised?"

She smiled. "Yes."

"Come on," I said excitedly and grabbed her arm and headed towards the hut to rent some skates.

"Dammit," she hissed when we were next in line. "I left my bag in the car."

"So? What did you need out of it?"

"My wallet?"

I rolled my eyes and ignored that comment. "What size are you?" I asked her when the kid behind the desk called us next.

She sighed "7, please."

I asked for our sizes the boy handed me our skates. "No charge," he said.

"What? Why?"

"I'm a huge fan of your band. It's on me," the kid said.

"Oh, I'm flattered but please," I said opening my wallet.

"Really. I insist. Your music has helped me through some rough times. It's really okay."

"Well, thanks a lot man. That means a lot."

He smiled. "You're welcome."

"Have a happy holiday," I said, stuffing a 20 dollar bill in the tip cup before walking over to the benches with Brook.

"I saw what you did," she said, nudging me with her shoulder.

"What did I do?" I asked, sitting down on the bench and removing my shoes and slipping my feet into the skates and she did the same.

"You slipped a pretty sweet tip in that kid's tip jar."

I nodded. "I'm not about to take freebies from some seventeen year old kid who's probably saving for college or something."

She smiled. "That's really sweet."

I shrugged, standing up slowly to gain my balance on the skates. "I know. I can be a pretty sweet guy sometimes."

She smiled again and tucked our stuff away in one of the lockers that were set up on the side of the lake. "I'm beginning to notice."

"Come on. Let's skate," I said and we both carefully walked on the concrete towards the lake.

"Now I just want to warn you. I'm kind of an expert," she said as we stepped on to the ice.

"Really?"

"My brother was really into hockey growing up. I was around skating rinks a lot," she explained as she did a little spin to show-off.

"Very nice," I nodded.

"You're not intimidate or anything right?"

"Not yet," I laughed.

"Come. I'll show you some tricks. They're not so hard."

Over the course of the next hour or so Brook attempted to show me the very few tricks she knew. I got the hang of one of the spins she taught me but when it came to combining the spin with this sort of leap, I couldn't do it without almost falling on my ass.

I did fall once and Brook almost joined me as she doubled over laughing at me.

Once I righted myself, standing up, there was an announcement that the rink was closing up shortly for the night.

Brook glanced around and we both realized save for a few teens on the other side of the rink, everyone had already cleared out.

"Ready head out?" I asked her.

She nodded. "Definitely. I'm freezing."

"Let's go," I smiled and skated towards the exit of the ice.

"Oh, by the way," Brook started from behind me, "I totally won."

"What did you win?" I asked, waiting for her to catch up.

"I win. You fell and I didn't," she said with a smirk.

"I wasn't aware it was a competition," I replied and in that second, I'm not really sure how it happened but Brook lost her balance and hit the ice hard.

I stared at her for a second. Part of me wanted to laugh and the other part wanted to make sure she didn't get hurt.

"Oh my God," I gasped, crouching down. "Are you alright?"

"No," she squeaked out. I couldn't tell if she was crying or not.

"Jesus, Brook. It wasn't a competition of who call fall harder," I said.

She finally looked up at me and thankfully I realized she was laughing. "I know. But if it was, I totally won," she said between giggles.

"Really, are you okay?"

"I'll be fine," she said. "I slammed my knee into the ice and it will probably be bruised tomorrow. And my butt is numb."

I smiled at her sadly and helped her shift her position so I could look at her knee.

Her dress ended right before her knee, so I lifted the bottom of her dress just a tiny bit more so I could get a good look.

"Your knee looks fine from here," I said, and gently poked at it and squeezed it to make sure it wasn't broken or anything. "You think you'll be able to walk?"

She nodded. "Yeah. I think so."

"Okay," I smiled and bend down and lightly kissed her knee cap. "Good as new."

"Thank you," she smiled and I stood up first and carefully helped her up.

I stayed close behind her as we skated off the ice and slowly made our way across the cement to where the lockers were with our stuff.

"You stay here," I said, taking Brook's skates. "I'll return them for you."

"Thanks," she smiled and I could tell she was really cold so I was sure to move quick.

"I hope you had fun tonight," I said once we were back in the car and I had the heat blasting. "Despite the falling and busting your knee part."

She looked over and smiled at me. "I had a great time. It was definitely a pleasant surprise."

"I'm glad. But you should probably ice that knee when you get home."

The rest of the drive home was relatively quiet. Occasionally Brook would say something, or I would say something. But the quiet this time around was comforting.

I was a little disappointed when I pulled up in front of Brook's house. We had a really good night and I wasn't sure I was ready to end it just yet.

"I had a really great time tonight," Brook said as we still sat in my car.

"I'm glad. It was kind of my goal," I said.

"So, do you think I'm finally off the hook for the whole almost hitting your dog with my car thing?"

"Hmm," I paused to think for a second. "I think it's safe to say you're off the hook."

"Oh thank goodness," she sighed, relived.

"I'll walk you to the door."

Brook

Alex quickly came around to my side of the car, while I dug through my bag for my keys, and opened the door for me and then carefully helped me out of the car and then carefully helped me walk to my front door.

It was sweet and I didn't want to bust his bubble, but my knee was fine by now.

We stood in front of the door. Both of us bounced around to keep warm.

It was in that moment that I remembered why I hated this part of the first date. How did we end the night? Was I supposed to kiss him? Was he supposed to kiss me? Should I invite him in? It was frustrating.

"Thank you again for dinner," I said finally. "Next time it'll have to be my treat."

He smiled. "You think they'll be a next time?"

I shrugged. "Maybe."

He smiled again. "Well good. And you're welcome."

I watched him as he shuffled back and forth and it dawned on me that he might have been toying with the idea of kissing me.

I gave him another couple of seconds to make his move and when he didn't, I decided it was time to end the night. It was freezing.

"Get home safe okay," I said unlocking my door. "Maybe shoot me a text so I know you got there okay."

"Okay," he nodded. "I can do that."

"Thanks."

"Goodnight Brook," he said and my heart rate sped up when he started to lean in to me and quickly slowed when his lips lightly brushed my cheek.

"Goodnight Alex," I said stepping half inside the door and he smiled and wave one last time before walking towards his car.

I sighed loudly as I walked inside and locked the door behind me and started heading upstairs.

I noticed a small pain in my knee whenever I put pressure on it going up the stairs. Maybe I did need ice.

I took off my coat and draped it over a chair in the kitchen.

I couldn't believe Alex didn't try to kiss me. I was almost sure he would've at least tried it. Sure, I could have easily made the move, but I wanted him to.

"Jen? You still awake?" I asked, tip-toeing passed her room in case she was asleep and I didn't want to wake her.

I got no response from her but instead I heard a knock at the door downstairs.

"What the hell?" I mumbled to myself as I carefully jogged down the stairs, ignoring the pain in my knee.

I peaked through a crack in the blinds and saw Alex standing there, bouncing around in the cold again.

I opened the door and was quickly hit with a cold breeze. I should have grabbed my coat on the way down.

"Alex. What's wrong?" I asked, stepping outside.

"I forgot something," he answered.

"Forgot wha-" I half got out, but was pleasantly interrupted when Alex stepped forward and grasped by face in his hands and pressed his lips down to mine.

It took me a second to react but once he began to slowly deepen the kiss, I moved my arms around his neck and he moved his arms around my waist, pulling me closer to him. I was glad for that because I suddenly wasn't so cold.

"I'm sorry," he said when he pulled away and I was sure he'd done it too soon.

"D-Don't be," I stumbled over my words, still a little thrown off from the kiss.

"I got nervous before but I really, really wanted to do that," he said, touching my cheek lightly and pushing some of my hair behind me ears.

"I'm glad you came back," I assured him.

He smiled, moving forward and kissing my lips again softly. "Goodnight Brook," he said quickly before turning to walk back towards the street.

"Goodnight, Alex," I said as I watched him go. Just before he reached his car he turned back to me and waved and it was definitely hard to ignore the giant butterflies he caused to go rampant in the pit of my stomach.