Girl I Know

Johnny's POV:
I knock on Zacky's door and it soon opens, he smiles slightly when he sees me and moves out of the way so I can enter. I walk to the kitchen and sit down at his dining table, Zacky sits down in front of me. “So, what’s up?” he asks awkwardly and I take a deep breath, I’ve never been good at saying sorry, “I want to apologize for getting angry this morning” I finally admit and he nods slowly “Why were you so mad?” he asks, I bite my lip, how do I explain this? “It’s just that, Stella is…can be, wild and I just don’t really want you getting mixed up with her honestly” I admit and he raises and eyebrow “Wild how?” he asks “She’s just wild, she likes to get in trouble, she’s one of those people that likes the adrenaline rush of almost getting arrested” I try to explain. Truth is, I’m basing all this on the stories I’ve heard and what I’ve observed. “I think you’re wrong” Zacky says and I shake my head “She may seem really innocent and sweet, but trust me, she’s a handful” I say and Zacky stares at me “No she’s not, she’s really cool” he protests. “I know you think she is but she’s reckless I swear. Or at least that’s what I’ve heard” I add quietly. “Exactly” he practically shouts “You don’t even know what she’s really like, you’re just telling me what you’ve been told” he points out. “But-” I start even though I have no idea what to say, he’s right, either way he cuts me off quickly “Johnny, I think I can handle myself. I don’t need you telling me what girl is right for me or isn’t right for me” he defends while standing up. I follow his lead and we’re both standing now, facing each other “I know you can man, but-” he cuts me off again “No, stop. Why does it bother you so much?” he asks “Cause I care about you” I answer and he rolls his eyes “If you cared about me, you’d let me make my own decisions” he points out and I nod “Fine, whatever man. I guess I can’t make you not see her. But it was one kiss, it may not even mean anything right” I try to convince myself but Zacky stays silent “What?” I ask slowly “I was just out with her, we went to dinner” he says and I bite my lip “How’d it go?” I ask and he shrugs “Pretty good, she’s really cool Johnny. I really like her” he answers as if he’s begging for my approval, I look down for a bit “Alright, well if you like her, I won’t get in the way” I say hesitantly and he smiles “Thanks” he says and I nod. Deep down, I know this isn’t over but I'll shrug it off for now, I don't want there to be tension between us. I walk over to him, give him a small hug and make my way to his front door. “Band practice Tuesday, 11?” I ask, that’s in about 6 days, and Zacky nods “Sure, see you then” he says before I leave. ***

Zacky's POV:
Matt, Brian, Johnny, Jimmy, and myself are all over at Matt's parents house for band practice. We could practice in the studio, but I know we all love the feeling we get when playing in his parent's garage, it’s like we’re starting out as a band again. We’re just finishing Afterlife, one of our favorites. “This place full of peace and light, and i'd hope you might take me back inside, when the time is right." Matt sings the last line and we all stop playing “That sounded awesome!” Matt says and we all nod. I grab my water bottle and drink from it while the other guys talk amongst themselves. My cell starts ringing and I walk away from the boys to answer it, “Hello?” I say, “Hey Zacky” Stella answers and I smile to myself “Hey Stell! How are you?” I ask quietly so Johnny doesn’t hear, things have been tense between us the past few days. Stella and I have hung out four other times since Johnny came over. “I’m good, want to meet me at the beach in ten minutes?” she asks. “Zack!” Johnny shouts and I turn around “We’re going out for beers, you coming?” he asks and I bite my lip “Hold on” I say before turning around again, “The boys are going out for beers” I tell Stella “Awe c’mon, please” she begs “I’ll make it worth your while” she adds and I smile to myself again “Alright, I’ll see you there” I give in before hanging up. I walk over to the guys who are putting on their shoes. “Sorry I can’t go, Stella wants to hang out” I explain, avoiding Johnny's eyes. “Who’s Stella?” Jimmy asks with a grin before elbowing me in the ribs and I laugh, “A girl I’m seeing” I answer and he nods “Alright man, next time then” he reassures and I nod, “For sure” I answer. I follow them all outside and we say our goodbyes before getting into our cars and driving away. I do feel bad about not going out for a beer with them after band practice; it’s been our tradition ever since we started playing together. I really want to join them, but I really want to see Stella too. Oh well, it’s a one time thing anyways, it’s not like Stella is always going to convince me to pick her over the band right?

Notes