How I Met Your Mother.

“Haven, asked me to tell her a story about Amanda last night?”

Four collective eyes stared up at me as I took an interest in my shot cup, picking it up and taking a swig back of my Jack and Coke. Matt spoke, finding the proper words to say to me, “What did you say?”

I glanced up at my friend and responded with a smile, “I just told her a story about how I met her.”

“I bet that was a good memory,” Jimmy replied with a soft smile. His crystal blue eyes staring back into my emerald ones. I nodded my head and it was silence at our table. Besides, the noise going on in Johnny’s Bar. When, came after for a few drinks from a long day at the studio and we needed a break. It wasn't long before Brian held back a laugh. We looked at him, “What’s so funny, Gates?” I mused at the guitarist turned to me.

“I’m just laughing at how much of a sap you were for a Manda. You were such a love sick puppy.”

I blushed, “No, I was not.”

The guys and Johnny had to put his two cents in, “Oh yes, you were.”

“Shut up, short shit,” I retorted picking up a peanut and throwing it. It smacked him right in the face and we busted out laughing. “I always knew Christ liked nuts to the face,” Jimmy roared and our laughter grew as Johnny flicked us all off. Before saying, “At least, Amanda never teased me.”

And that brought back the memory of how Johnny first met Amanda.

~***~

“Hi, Mrs. Baker!” Amanda beamed as we walked into my house. When, my mom walked out of the kitchen. “Amanda, how many times do I have to say you can call me, Maria.” My mom quipped with a huge smile.

I looked at Amanda as she laughed, “I’m sorry. I just keep forgetting, Mrs. Ba…I mean Maria.”

My mom looked at us, “Are you guys thirsty?”

“No, we’re good. We’re heading down in the basement. The guys are coming over for practice,” I said, grabbing Amanda’s hand and striding downstairs. Before, my mom said ‘I guess that means I have to stock up on food because of James.’ Amanda and I were downstairs as I opened the garage door.

Amanda took a seat on the old, beat up couch and spoke, “It never fails to amaze me, how much I love your family.”

I leaned down and smirked, “And it never fails to amaze me, how much I love you.”

Amanda blushed as she leaned in also meeting me halfway as our lips met in a passionate kiss. Amanda bit my bottom lip and I growled as a noise ruined our moment, “Eww, get a room.”

Manda laughed as I rolled my eyes and snapped my head, “Go away, Matty.”

My little brother shook his shaggy hair and bounded down the stair. Pushing me out of the way and sitting next to my girlfriend, “No.”

I grew red as Amanda laughed. Matty threw his arm around her and smirked, you heard me..smirked, “So, Amanda.”

“So Matty,” she mocked him with a laugh, “When, are you going to ditch my brother and settle down with a real guy.”

“Like whom?” she responded and I laughed. Matty placed a hand over his heart, “The more you insult me the more I fall in love with you,” he sighed dreamily. Amanda laughed, “Goodbye Matty.”

“Yeah, goodbye Matty.” I gritted through my teeth as Matty got up from the couch and headed towards the stairs. Before, looking at Amanda, “Farewell, my love.” And with that, he left.

I groaned, tilting my head back, “Why am I related to him?”

“Ask your mom and dad that question?” she laughed as I plopped on the couch next to her. “Maybe, he was adopted.” I suggested as Amanda nodded before looking at me, “Most likely.”

We laughed and looked into each other’s eyes, “I love you, Zack.” Amanda said sincerely as I smiled and kissed her. Our mouths molded together as my tongue slipped into the kiss. I got a moan from Amanda and I smirked and before I can lie on top of her. We were disrupted once again, “Aww, how cute.”

“Can I have a moment to ravage my girlfriend without being disrupted for five minutes?” I exclaimed before Syn piped in, “So, does it really take you five minutes to finish?”

He smirked and the guys let out ‘oohs’. Amanda replied, “No, Brian that is actually you. Zacky knows all my right spots.” She winked at the guitarist and we howled in laughter. Brian pouted and walked away, mumbling under his breath as he grabbed his guitar.

“Now, that effected his ego,” Valary chortled as she took an opposite next to Amanda. They exchanged high-fives. I kissed Amanda’s cheek and stood up grabbing my guitar. We were finally getting things together with the band. But, we were still having problems with finding a bass player. Since, we’re having issues with our recent bass player, Matt W. however; he decided overdosing on pills would be such a fun thing. So, we kicked him out of the band and we haven’t heard from him since. Now, here we are looking like a bunch of idiots without bass player. How are we supposed to be taken seriously without one? And just as I thought speak of the devil; this kid with a blonde Mohawk on a skateboard come boarding towards us with a cigarette between his lips. He hopped off and smirked cheekily, “Hey shitheads. Still haven’t found a bass player yet?”

“Go away, short shit. We have grown folk business to take care of and to answer your question yes, we did find a bassist,” Brian said rudely, toning his guitar.

He laughed, “Oh yeah, where?”

“None of your damn business now go away Johnny!” Matt dismissed him with the wave of his hand.

“Hey, don’t be mean and first of all, you guys don’t have a bassist. So, cut the bullshit and secondly, give Johnny a chance. Hi, we never met but I’m Zacky’s girlfriend, Amanda.” She smiled, shaking the
midget’s hand as he gave her a doe-eyed look, “I love you.”

The guys were about to protest. But, Amanda gave us a look and we knew not to argue. Matt rolled his yellow eyes, “Fine, go pick up that bass and you better be fast at learning tabs. This is called, ‘To end the rapture.’

And from then on, Johnny was a part of our group being the youngest and all. Even though, we knew short shit through his older brother who grew up with us. All thanks to Amanda making us include Johnny into the band. We got offered to play at Van’s Warped Tour that following summer. It was a terrible show. But, it was a blast and we were asked to headline next summer. From that day, Johnny and Amanda started a bond and soon became best friends with Jimmy alongside. Hell, we were all best friends. But, they were the closest. And that’s our their relationship came to be….

I don’t know how long I spaced out. Before, I glanced down at my wristwatch to check the time.

“Damn, I got to go now. I have to pick up Haven from school,” I stood up taking money out of my wallet before Brian pushed the money back at me, “Its fine, dude. Just go get the munchkin,” he laughed.

I smiled and removed myself from behind the table, “Thanks guys. I’ll give you guys a rang later.”

They waved and I bounded out Johnny’s bar in the blazing sun. I slid down my sunglasses. I walked up to my beamer, taking out my keys and pressing the unlock button. The car unlocked and I opened the door, hopping inside. I closed the door, pushing in the keys as Megadeth blared through the radio. I buckled up and backed out of the parking lot and on my way to pick up my daughter. Not too long passed as I found myself in front of Orange County School K-8th grade. I was leaned against the car with my hands stuffed in my pockets and sunglasses still on. I always get weird looks from the other kids’ parents because I have tattoos and piercings. I’m just as normal as they are minus the fact I’m a rock star. The bell rang and I licked my snakebites, leaning up and began walking towards the school; where the children ran towards their designated cars and parents. I smiled when I saw Haven and she saw me, waving and motioning me to come here. I laughed and shook my head. But, I motioned to her and when, I was close enough I saw she was talking to a young woman. They both turned their heads to me, “Daddy!” Haven squealed, jumping into my arms as I held her and kissed her cheek, “Hey missy.”

“Lookie at what I drew!” she beamed wide-eyed, showing me a painting of ducks. I laughed, knowing she would show Jimmy her masterpiece. “It’s beautiful!”

“Haven sure has a lot of talent,” a soft voice spoke.

I looked up and stared into pretty chestnut eyes. I placed Haven down beside me and I smiled at the woman, “She gets it from her dad.”

We laughed as Haven giggled. The woman stopped laughing, “Whoops, I’m so sorry. Where are my manners, I’m Yvette Livingston, Haven’s new kindergarten teacher.”

She reached out her hand, “Zack Baker.”

I shook her hand and we both got shocked of electricity. We laughed and shook out our hands, apologizing, “I’m gonna go against my teacher code, ha. But, I must say I’m a huge fan of your band.”

She blushed as I smirked, “Really? I’m surprised especially from a kindergarten teacher,” I teased.

She laughed and retorted, “Hey, I have a life outside of school, you know.”

“Mrs. Livingston,” another teacher called out to her. She turned her head before looking back at me, “Well, I got to go to a teacher’s conference. But, it was nice meeting you, Mr. Baker. Bye Haven, I’ll see you tomorrow.” And with that, she walked away and I couldn’t help but watch the sway in her step. Until, Haven’s voice brought me out of my trance, “Bye, Mrs. Livingston.”

I glanced down at my daughter as her same colored eyes that matched mine reflected back at me, “Can we go home now, daddy?”

“Sure, pumpkin.” I grabbed her small hand in my tattooed one as we started heading towards my car. But not before, I glanced over my shoulder and I couldn't help but feel that same feeling I had with Amanda. This definitely couldn't be happening to me or was it a sign.

I shall find out sooner or later.