New readers start here: Let it Rock Chapters 1 & 2 or listen to the soundtrack here: Spotify Playlist
All my story posts start with photos just because I like them. I’m hitting the road this week, so here’s a driving sunset for you.
Happy reading!
Janet
ANGIE
As we walked, Lynn kept up a steady stream of comments about the music class. "And what did you think of the lesson on Elvis?" or "Hey, how did you do on last week's quiz?" and "Have you spent a lot of time in the listening library, because I have!" She didn't ask one question before diving into another, which suited me just fine. It gave me a chance to think. I was just so glad to finally be talking to her. For weeks now, I've been curious about this girl. She seemed to know everything about music and rock'n roll..just the exact opposite of me, really.
She didn't look or act like anyone else in this class, with her jean jacket covered in metal pins and her straight, jet black hair cut on a sharp angle. Did she dye it? She asked the best questions. She seemed to know all the right answers, in this class anyway.
I remember, before school started I had boasted to both Thomas and little Mel about signing up for this class. Those two wouldn't believe that I could actually take a class in music history, as if I would ever lie to them? Honestly!
Back then I thought, this class would be simple. An easy way to boost my grade. It really isn't, though. I really need help. Maybe I've made a friend, now. Maybe she can help me.
We had reached the Union, and she paused in her stream of comments to hold open the door with her foot for me, and for a group of students coming behind us. We finally reunited again in line at the deli and grill.
"What are you gonna get?" she asked. "Have you tried these Spedie sandwiches?"
I looked over the menu board. "Uh, no. What's a spee-dee?" I had a feeling she'd want to tell me.
"Ha, you haven't! Okay you should get one. It's a local specialty. It's kind of like a sub, uh, I mean a sandwich on a roll with meat and toppings. Like a Blimpie, y'know? Except theirs were made with grilled chicken and this marinade. I can't really describe it well, I guess. You just have to try it. I'm getting one, I mean. So maybe you want one too. Can we share a fries? I don't have enough to get a sandwich and fries, both."
Oh, okay. I've had a Blimpie's sandwich before. "Sure, sounds good. And we can share the fries, I want some but not a whole order." I pulled out my meal card as she talked to the kid behind the counter, who looked a little like Slater from Saved by the Bell.
While we waited for our food, Lynn and I chatted. We were both from New York, that must be why she and I got along so well right away.
She kept up a fast pace, but then paused to eat her sandwich, so I told her all about my family back home, how much I miss taking walks with my two dogs and hugging my baby brothers. I told her about my family's four-hour rule - how mom insisted that if I must go away to school, that I be no more than four hours from NYC so I could visit often. So of course, I picked the only school that was exactly four hours away. Lynn laughed at my joke - such a relief. I almost never find anyone who gets my sense of humor.
It's not that I don't like my mom or my family, or anything. I just needed a change of pace. Actually, this lunch is a good change of pace for me. I've been spending all my time in study groups organized by my dorm.
Has this really been the first time I've hung out with anyone since I've been here? I've just been studying all the time?
I told her about my study groups and my dorm, then asked her about which dorm she was in. Apparently, she lives off-campus! Her brother has an apartment that he's sharing with her. I only just met her, but somehow I can tell that she's a little mixed up about her brother. She would say, "he's really great" in one sentence and then in the next sentence would say, "he's ignoring me now, so I kind of hate him." I can't imagine saying that about any of my brothers. I wonder what this guy is like?
As we finished our fries and spedies (which were delicious) we got to talking about the class. I said, "Y'know, what really gets me going about college in general, and this one class specifically, is how great the teachers are. I mean, Mr. Lee is usually just so excited to be there. Last week's class on Mama Cass was just fascinating! Even though, of course, I really didn't understand it. I can't believe that we're not having class this week."
"Yeah, it's unbelievable." Lynn's face was screwed up in a squint, like she was trying to see something far away. "You heard what that TA said earlier, right? About there not being any class ever again?"
"I did," I said. "I know him, actually, he's my TA. I got into a little fight with him the other day. We disagreed about how I was interpreting Mr. Lee's lecture on one-hit wonders. He could use a bath, but he definitely knows his stuff." I paused, then added, "I wonder why he thinks that class will be canceled?"
Lynn looked at me and said seriously, "I was thinking that maybe it's because the music is gone. Disappeared."
Okay, that's surprising. I asked, "What, do you think so? You mean, you think it was stolen?"
"Well yeah, it could be stolen. What I'm saying is that if there's no music, then there's no music class. That would explain his behavior, and what he said, I think."
"Huh. Well, we can't know for sure if it's gone or not, unless of course we went to the music library to see for ourselves." I was done eating, so I stood up and stretched my legs, picking up my bag in one hand and the empty food tray in the other.
I was just making conversation but Lynn must have misunderstood, because she saw me get up and said, "What? Can we go look around now?"
"No, I don't think we can go...now," I answered. Is she serious? She looked sad at my response so I rushed to continue, "Because now it's too busy, and you heard what that T.A. said. They won't let us in. Also, I have class now, and you do too."
"Okay, so we'll go tonight after everyone is in bed? Angie, you mean we should go sneaking around? That sounds awesome!" She had stood up too and was bouncing on her toes like a bunny.
It did sound great. Exciting. Only...what she was talking about? Me, snooping around? I couldn't possibly do that. It's risky. Dangerous.
Lynn continued, "So we go in at night, after 9, or 10 at least. One of us checks out the room and equipment, and the other one keeps a lookout." I gulped a few times but nodded. I guess I had just agreed to do this. Me. As we started to walk out, Lynn stopped short and I walked into her, nearly tripping. Then she said, "This doesn't make any sense. Angie, didn't you just tell me that you had something going on tonight? A study group, or something?"
She was right. I did have a study group tonight. I could have skipped it, I suppose, but instead, I took my chance to get out of doing something so random. Danger? Peril? That wasn't for me.
So I said, "Y'know what, I do have a study group tonight. Biology. I promised I'd help out with some of the other kids who are having trouble, and I can't get out of it."
But now, that's strange. I'm sad. Really? Was I disappointed to be missing out on this? Weird. "I'm sorry I can't go. What will we do? Should we try going together tomorrow?"
Lynn shook her head. She said, "It's fine. I'll just go alone, tonight. No problem at all." She sounded confident like she'd done this a million times before. I guess that's okay. "But I'll report back to you tomorrow and we'll discuss the details. Let's say we'll meet back in the Union, in the lounge at 11?"
"Okay, see you tomorrow, " I waved and left, feeling confused as I headed for my afternoon class. Would she actually go?
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