This is a Wasteland

*One week later*

Tony POV

I was walking in the halls at school, when I first heard it. I’m talking about everybody was talking about it and I couldn’t help but groan. “Cheer up Tone-Tone. We all know who your taking to homecoming.” That’s right the dreaded homecoming is upon us and I don’t have anyone I want to ask. I don’t know who Mike thought I was going to ask to homecoming and I’m sure I didn’t want to know. To my surprise there was a groan from beside me too, I turned to see who it was and it was Ahysha. She looked annoyed and irritated to pieces.

“I don’t want to hear about this shit, this early in the morning. Or ever, actually.” Air groaned again before heading towards her locker. I followed her since I didn’t need to go to mines.

“Why not? Know your not going to be asked out?” I said to her, once she turned around. I heard her scoff before looking at me over her locker door.

“No, I hate dances. Any kind of them, homecoming, prom, anything.” Air told me in a ‘duh’ voice.

“Why?” I asked her genuinely curious.

“Because.” She told me and I took that as the end to that conversation. She started talking about the gig she got us at the new club opening around the corner from my house. How she managed it, I’ll never know, she has to be the best manager ever for pulling this shit off for us. She got us to be able to play this Saturday at the opening and we were all excited. Addie had become a quick and new addition to our group and she fit in well with us, especially Mike.

I cleared my throat, “Um… I never got to thank you for making this gig happen for us.” I told her and she stopped to look at me. She looked at my face for a long time and I started shifting from foot to foot because I was getting uncomfortable. She must’ve found whatever she was looking for because she turned around, walking away while tossing me a ‘no problem’ over her shoulder, like booking the gig wasn’t that hard.

I made it to first period with Ahysha, just before the teacher came in. “Cutting it a little close, aren’t we Ms. Penar and Mr. Perry?” He asked while we took our seats. “Pass your worksheets up, everybody.” He said standing behind his desk, everybody did as he said and once he collected them he turned back to us. “As you should all know by now, the homecoming dance is before us. In just two weeks, on Saturday, will be the homecoming game and dance. If you want to volunteer to help set the homecoming dance up, please sign up on this paper-” cue him waving the paper, “-with you name and homeroom teacher. Thank you.”

Ahysha leant over and whispered in my ear, “Sign up with me?” I couldn’t help but look at her skeptically.

“Thought you didn’t do dances?” I asked her, mocking her just a little bit.

“I hate dances, but that doesn’t mean I’m not going to help set them up. I did every time there was a dance at my old school. My friends would tell me I have no school pride or spirit for not going to dances, so this would make up for it.” She told me, standing up. “You in?”

I stood up and nodded and we made our way to the front. She signed her name on the paper first and after she finished I followed her lead. I still needed a date to the dance in two weeks. “Got anyone in mind, that you’re going to ask to the dance with you?” Ahysha said, breaking me out of my thoughts. I shook my head.

“Nope. Plenty of guys are going to ask you though. I can see it already.” I told her, putting my arm around her shoulders, her tense stance relaxed under my arm.

She shook her head, “No they aren’t because it’ll spread like wildfire that I’m not going.”

“It’ll make them even more determined. They all want to know who can make Ahysha Penar go to homecoming with them.” I told her. “It’s all some sort of game with them.”

“Just walk with me to second. I’ll think about this shit later, again it’s too early for this shit.” We walked to second period quietly but she got stopped about five times to be asked to go to homecoming with them. It was four guys and a girl that asked her, I laughed when the girl asked because Ahysha shifted uncomfortable and looked awkward. I had to stifle my laughter or else Ahysha would glare at me, and being on the receiving end of her glares is like wanting a death wish.

When the guys heard of that one at lunch, we all were laughing not caring about getting Ahysha’s glares. “Geez, we’re sorry Ahysha.” I told her, smiling to let her know we were only joking around with her.

She smiled, “Band practice. Today, 4-8.” We groaned when she said this, at this rate we were going to drop dead before this Saturday. “I got my volunteer assignment for the homecoming.”

“What is it?” I asked her.

“Finding live bands to play at homecoming. I have an idea of one of the bands I want to play there.” Ahysha said looking at Vic, Jaime, Mike and I. They stopped laughing long enough to catch the gist of this. She wanted us to be one of the live bands that play at homecoming.

We all nodded, “Hell yeah!” I said speaking for us all. “Two gigs back to back? Yeah Ahysha.” I told her, giving her a hug, and so did the rest of the guys.

“Alright, you guys need to practice and make sure you’re good. But I need to make some calls and get some more bands for homecoming, even if I’m not going I’m going to make sure it’s good.” She told us.

I stood up, “Alright, time to get to fourth.” I told everybody and pulled Vic with me.

“What’s up man?” Vic asked me. I shrugged.

“Nothing, just didn’t want to hear how she isn’t going.” I told him, as we walked into fourth.

“Why not? Wanted to ask her?” Vic asked me smiling. I shrugged again.

“Maybe.”