The Day That I Met You
Chapter One
Olivia
It was a sweltering summer day, but here we were, crammed into my parents’ garage, watching the boys work on some of their new songs. I was feeling too hot and lazy to do much else anyways and it was always fun to watch them play, especially the man I’d had a crush on for years now.
It was crazy to think that just a few years back a couple of high school boys smoking cigarettes in my parents’ garage decided to start a band, and now here they were, playing amazing new music and preparing for their upcoming gigs. I knew my brother was talented of course, but hearing him sing made me so happy, even when the songs he was singing were anything but. I could tell his girlfriend, Val, felt the same way as she smiled at him from the couch where we were lounging. I loved seeing them together because it made me have faith in love. Not that I was getting any, but still.
They were practicing a new song, which was a lot different from their music in the past, but I loved it so much more. Matt had decided he didn’t want to scream as much anymore and I was glad. He had an amazing voice and I thought it would be good for him and the band in the long run if he started singing more and screaming less. I always had my opinions about the band, which I tried to keep to myself most of the time, but as their “manager,” this was my job. I wasn’t really a manager of course, since no one paid me, but since I helped them find their first few gigs when they started out, they gave me the title, more as a joke than anything else.
“What do you think?” I heard my brother ask Val, sitting in between us on the couch when they were finished.
“It’s awesome!” she said, snuggling into him.
“Yuck, you’re all sweaty,” I said, getting off the couch and immediately smacking into Brian.
“Watch it, girlie,” he chuckled at me and I turned red. He looked so sexy smirked down at me and I wanted to die in embarrassment.
“OK!” Jimmy suddenly yelled, distracting everyone. “IT’S TIME TO PARTY!”
“It’s only 4 o’clock, Jimbo,” Brian said.
“PARTY TIME!” he responded, standing up from behind his drum set and kicking into the air. I couldn’t help but laugh at his antics. As always, Jimmy was acting silly, making all of us laugh.
“Not yet, Rev,” Matt said. “Michelle will kill us if we show up too early. And I’m thinking 4pm is too early, right Val?”
“Probably!” she laughed. “Especially seeing that she said come over at 9!”
“Well fuck that I’m starting now!” Jimmy exclaimed, opening the garage fridge and grabbing a beer. The guys followed suit, laughing along with him.
“Then I’m going to help Michelle get ready. Come on, Liv,” Val said to me.
---
Michelle and Val’s new apartment wasn’t huge, so I really didn’t know how this party tonight was going to go. We all wanted to celebrate the guys finishing up their small tour and starting a new album. Matt had told me they needed to party now before things got more “serious,” but we all knew that was bullshit. This was just the first of many parties we’d be having while the guys were here instead of out on the road. Next time we’d probably claim it’s a housewarming party for the girls, even if it wasn’t the first party at their place. Eventually we’d run out of excuses like these, but we’d still have fun.
Michelle was picking up the living room when Val and I walked in and I sighed. I honestly wasn’t looking forward to spending the afternoon with the twins, but I had promised I’d help get ready for the party with them, even though I probably wouldn’t be much help anyways. Val was one of my best friends and had been for a long time, but Michelle was never one of my favorite people. Though she and her sister were similar in a lot of ways, Michelle was a lot more, well, rambunctious I guess. And flirtatious. Especially with Brian, which pissed me off.
She and Brian had this on-again, off-again “relationship,” if you could even call it that. They hooked up every once in awhile, and though Michelle acted like that’s all she wanted, we all knew she would drop everything and anyone for Brian. In a way I couldn’t blame her, but at the same time, I just wanted her to forget about him and move on. It would help me out, anyways.
“Hey girls,” Michelle said as we came in. “I’m finishing up here. I need you to help me pick an outfit for tonight!”
“Just wear that,” I said. She had on short-shorts and a cute black tank.
“Uh,” she scoffed at me. “That might be good enough for you, but there’s gonna be a bunch of hotties here I need to impress! And Brian, of course!”
I almost rolled my eyes at her, but it wasn’t worth pissing her off. I was wearing a similar outfit and could be easily offended by her, but she wasn’t worth it. So I just plopped down on the couch and said, “Well I clearly won’t be any help. Let me know if you need me.”
“Whatever, Olivia. Come on, sissy,” she said, pulling Val into her room.
While the twins picked out clothes in Michelle’s room, I was lost in thought. This party tonight would probably end up having a lot of people at it and I honestly wasn’t looking forward to it. I wasn’t horrible with crowds or anything, but I definitely was better with people one-on-one. I always ended up coming across bitchy because I was quiet, even though that was never my intention with people. I would probably just hanging out with Zacky as usual. He was always super nice to me and looked out for me, which I appreciated. He knew me better than most people and could tell when I needed rescued from an awkward social situation.
Tonight, though, I wanted to try and hang out with Brian as much as possible. Since they had returned from their latest bout of gigs, I promised myself that it was time to stop thinking about all of the “what-ifs.” When they were gone I had missed them all so much and it made me realize that I couldn’t wait on Brian to make the move anymore. Sooner than later they would probably become more and more famous, leaving more and more often, and I couldn’t sit back waiting on him to return just so I could stare at him from across the room while he flirted with other girls. It was stupid, and I was getting too old for it now. I wasn’t just some high school kid who had a crush on her brother’s friend anymore.
I knew with a little liquid courage I could flirt and maybe make a move. I didn’t necessarily plan on confessing my love by any means, but maybe some touching, some kissing? The thought along gave me a stomach full of nerves. I would probably be too chicken shit.
-0-
Zacky
When the girls left I cracked open my first can of cheap beer for the day, taking in the cool liquid. It felt so great to drink after playing all day in this god awful heat. I was ready to relax tonight and drink with my friends. It had been a while since we had a good party and I knew tonight would be wild. Johnny was already talking about all of the people he invited, and though we joked that he was a liar with no friends, we knew they’d come. He always invited all of these mysterious people to our parties, which sometimes made it more fun, sometimes not. But, hell, it was always interesting.
Johnny was joking with Brian about Michelle, asking if he would hook up with her again tonight. Brian shrugged, “Eh, I might want to try something new tonight.”
Brian had such an easy time with girls, it killed me. I typically didn’t struggle too much, but I actually had to make some effort, where he could just smirk and they’d come running. When we were on tour it was easier, because a lot of girls want to hook up with guys in bands, and though I may have indulged once or twice, I couldn’t do it forever. Especially when the girl I really wanted was back at home.
While we were on tour I wondered about what she was doing or if she was seeing anyone. I wondered if she missed us, or just her brother. I knew she saw me as a good friend, but I couldn’t help but hope that my absence made her realize she wanted more. When we came back, though, that didn’t seem to be the case. Honestly, she paid more attention to Brian than anyone else when we got back. Go figure.
I wasn’t sure what her deal with him was. I had always noticed how she’d flirt with him, but I refused to worry about it. He usually ignored her advances anyways, or, if he would flirt back, it was only when Matt wasn’t around. If she was into him it would really piss me off, but who knew if anything would come of it. It would really surprise me if Syn settled down with anyone in the near future. We all just kind of figured he’d end up with Michelle by default.
The guys and I goofed around for awhile and had a couple more beers before decided we should probably get ready for the party. I was looking forward to going and hanging out with Olivia. No matter how the parties we had went, she and I always ended up together at some point. Usually it’s because she gave me awkward looks from across the room as guys hit on her or she was introduced to new people. She wasn’t great in those sorts of situations, so I’d usually snag her away and end up spending my evening with her. I loved it, though. I just needed her to see that. I needed her to see that it was more of a friendship to me.
Our band was going to be huge one day, we all knew. Things had been going so well for us lately and we had so many ideas. I knew that I had to do something about this, and soon. If I didn’t who knew if I’d ever get the chance. Sure, she was Matt’s sister, but it’s not like she’d come on tour with us and drop her whole life for our band, especially when she started going to college not too long ago. If I wanted to make her mine, I needed to make my move. And I was going to do it tonight
It was a sweltering summer day, but here we were, crammed into my parents’ garage, watching the boys work on some of their new songs. I was feeling too hot and lazy to do much else anyways and it was always fun to watch them play, especially the man I’d had a crush on for years now.
It was crazy to think that just a few years back a couple of high school boys smoking cigarettes in my parents’ garage decided to start a band, and now here they were, playing amazing new music and preparing for their upcoming gigs. I knew my brother was talented of course, but hearing him sing made me so happy, even when the songs he was singing were anything but. I could tell his girlfriend, Val, felt the same way as she smiled at him from the couch where we were lounging. I loved seeing them together because it made me have faith in love. Not that I was getting any, but still.
They were practicing a new song, which was a lot different from their music in the past, but I loved it so much more. Matt had decided he didn’t want to scream as much anymore and I was glad. He had an amazing voice and I thought it would be good for him and the band in the long run if he started singing more and screaming less. I always had my opinions about the band, which I tried to keep to myself most of the time, but as their “manager,” this was my job. I wasn’t really a manager of course, since no one paid me, but since I helped them find their first few gigs when they started out, they gave me the title, more as a joke than anything else.
“What do you think?” I heard my brother ask Val, sitting in between us on the couch when they were finished.
“It’s awesome!” she said, snuggling into him.
“Yuck, you’re all sweaty,” I said, getting off the couch and immediately smacking into Brian.
“Watch it, girlie,” he chuckled at me and I turned red. He looked so sexy smirked down at me and I wanted to die in embarrassment.
“OK!” Jimmy suddenly yelled, distracting everyone. “IT’S TIME TO PARTY!”
“It’s only 4 o’clock, Jimbo,” Brian said.
“PARTY TIME!” he responded, standing up from behind his drum set and kicking into the air. I couldn’t help but laugh at his antics. As always, Jimmy was acting silly, making all of us laugh.
“Not yet, Rev,” Matt said. “Michelle will kill us if we show up too early. And I’m thinking 4pm is too early, right Val?”
“Probably!” she laughed. “Especially seeing that she said come over at 9!”
“Well fuck that I’m starting now!” Jimmy exclaimed, opening the garage fridge and grabbing a beer. The guys followed suit, laughing along with him.
“Then I’m going to help Michelle get ready. Come on, Liv,” Val said to me.
---
Michelle and Val’s new apartment wasn’t huge, so I really didn’t know how this party tonight was going to go. We all wanted to celebrate the guys finishing up their small tour and starting a new album. Matt had told me they needed to party now before things got more “serious,” but we all knew that was bullshit. This was just the first of many parties we’d be having while the guys were here instead of out on the road. Next time we’d probably claim it’s a housewarming party for the girls, even if it wasn’t the first party at their place. Eventually we’d run out of excuses like these, but we’d still have fun.
Michelle was picking up the living room when Val and I walked in and I sighed. I honestly wasn’t looking forward to spending the afternoon with the twins, but I had promised I’d help get ready for the party with them, even though I probably wouldn’t be much help anyways. Val was one of my best friends and had been for a long time, but Michelle was never one of my favorite people. Though she and her sister were similar in a lot of ways, Michelle was a lot more, well, rambunctious I guess. And flirtatious. Especially with Brian, which pissed me off.
She and Brian had this on-again, off-again “relationship,” if you could even call it that. They hooked up every once in awhile, and though Michelle acted like that’s all she wanted, we all knew she would drop everything and anyone for Brian. In a way I couldn’t blame her, but at the same time, I just wanted her to forget about him and move on. It would help me out, anyways.
“Hey girls,” Michelle said as we came in. “I’m finishing up here. I need you to help me pick an outfit for tonight!”
“Just wear that,” I said. She had on short-shorts and a cute black tank.
“Uh,” she scoffed at me. “That might be good enough for you, but there’s gonna be a bunch of hotties here I need to impress! And Brian, of course!”
I almost rolled my eyes at her, but it wasn’t worth pissing her off. I was wearing a similar outfit and could be easily offended by her, but she wasn’t worth it. So I just plopped down on the couch and said, “Well I clearly won’t be any help. Let me know if you need me.”
“Whatever, Olivia. Come on, sissy,” she said, pulling Val into her room.
While the twins picked out clothes in Michelle’s room, I was lost in thought. This party tonight would probably end up having a lot of people at it and I honestly wasn’t looking forward to it. I wasn’t horrible with crowds or anything, but I definitely was better with people one-on-one. I always ended up coming across bitchy because I was quiet, even though that was never my intention with people. I would probably just hanging out with Zacky as usual. He was always super nice to me and looked out for me, which I appreciated. He knew me better than most people and could tell when I needed rescued from an awkward social situation.
Tonight, though, I wanted to try and hang out with Brian as much as possible. Since they had returned from their latest bout of gigs, I promised myself that it was time to stop thinking about all of the “what-ifs.” When they were gone I had missed them all so much and it made me realize that I couldn’t wait on Brian to make the move anymore. Sooner than later they would probably become more and more famous, leaving more and more often, and I couldn’t sit back waiting on him to return just so I could stare at him from across the room while he flirted with other girls. It was stupid, and I was getting too old for it now. I wasn’t just some high school kid who had a crush on her brother’s friend anymore.
I knew with a little liquid courage I could flirt and maybe make a move. I didn’t necessarily plan on confessing my love by any means, but maybe some touching, some kissing? The thought along gave me a stomach full of nerves. I would probably be too chicken shit.
-0-
Zacky
When the girls left I cracked open my first can of cheap beer for the day, taking in the cool liquid. It felt so great to drink after playing all day in this god awful heat. I was ready to relax tonight and drink with my friends. It had been a while since we had a good party and I knew tonight would be wild. Johnny was already talking about all of the people he invited, and though we joked that he was a liar with no friends, we knew they’d come. He always invited all of these mysterious people to our parties, which sometimes made it more fun, sometimes not. But, hell, it was always interesting.
Johnny was joking with Brian about Michelle, asking if he would hook up with her again tonight. Brian shrugged, “Eh, I might want to try something new tonight.”
Brian had such an easy time with girls, it killed me. I typically didn’t struggle too much, but I actually had to make some effort, where he could just smirk and they’d come running. When we were on tour it was easier, because a lot of girls want to hook up with guys in bands, and though I may have indulged once or twice, I couldn’t do it forever. Especially when the girl I really wanted was back at home.
While we were on tour I wondered about what she was doing or if she was seeing anyone. I wondered if she missed us, or just her brother. I knew she saw me as a good friend, but I couldn’t help but hope that my absence made her realize she wanted more. When we came back, though, that didn’t seem to be the case. Honestly, she paid more attention to Brian than anyone else when we got back. Go figure.
I wasn’t sure what her deal with him was. I had always noticed how she’d flirt with him, but I refused to worry about it. He usually ignored her advances anyways, or, if he would flirt back, it was only when Matt wasn’t around. If she was into him it would really piss me off, but who knew if anything would come of it. It would really surprise me if Syn settled down with anyone in the near future. We all just kind of figured he’d end up with Michelle by default.
The guys and I goofed around for awhile and had a couple more beers before decided we should probably get ready for the party. I was looking forward to going and hanging out with Olivia. No matter how the parties we had went, she and I always ended up together at some point. Usually it’s because she gave me awkward looks from across the room as guys hit on her or she was introduced to new people. She wasn’t great in those sorts of situations, so I’d usually snag her away and end up spending my evening with her. I loved it, though. I just needed her to see that. I needed her to see that it was more of a friendship to me.
Our band was going to be huge one day, we all knew. Things had been going so well for us lately and we had so many ideas. I knew that I had to do something about this, and soon. If I didn’t who knew if I’d ever get the chance. Sure, she was Matt’s sister, but it’s not like she’d come on tour with us and drop her whole life for our band, especially when she started going to college not too long ago. If I wanted to make her mine, I needed to make my move. And I was going to do it tonight
Notes
OK! So now we're diving into the story more. What will happen at the party?
Thank you SO MUCH to those of you who reviewed, rated, and read my story. It's definitely encouraging! <3
Late to the party, but this was so sweet! I loved the whole story and it was perfect that she ended up with Zacky! I felt like it was fitting :) I love the moment she got to have with Brian though. The understanding was great! <3 Nice work! :)
6/8/17