Chapter 5: Buzzcut

By the time we got to wherever we were getting to, the sun had almost completely set, and I had already asked about a million questions. Unfortunately for me, none of these questions had been answered with any real answer, so I stopped asking. All I knew was that it was inside and that we were meeting some people. God, I really didn't want to go out tonight. I just wanted a chill night to decompress, but, of course, that was never going to happen anyway.

Grabbing my hoodie, I followed Juda from his parking spot across the street into a small, hole-in-the-wall bar. What were we doing at a bar? I didn't think either of us could legally drink, and I wasn't about to start now.

The place was bustling, filled with people our age and slightly older. Bar stools right up against the counter were the only seats, aside from a few random chairs scattered around, and a low-to -the-ground, makeshift stage was in the very back. A couple of instruments were on the stage, as well as a girl with jet black hair and Juda’s blond friend from earlier today. I never did get his name. Another guy joined them a few seconds later. He was short with green hair and colorful tattoos. He quickly got to work with the other two, setting up one of the amps.

Wait. He took me here to watch his band?

“Oh no, I’m going home,” I argued, only causing Juda to laugh.

“You said our music was good,” he countered.

“I lied.” Juda clutched his chest, feigning a massive blow to his ego. I rolled my eyes.

“Don't worry, you’ll love us. Besides, there’s some people I want you to meet.” Juda wrapped an arm around my shoulders and started guiding me through the crowd. Okay, this was fine. Totally platonic, right? Yeah, it had to be. Shoulder touches are completely platonic. Everybody knows that. Now, if it was a hand on my lower back, that’d be a different story.

We stopped at a pair talking. The girl had fiery red hair and multiple piercings, standing taller than even Juda, who was close to six feet tall. Next to her stood a shorter, more muscular guy with dark brown hair and tattoos all over. Although he looked intimidating, he radiated positive energy.

“Guys, this is El, the girl staying at mine for the summer. El, these are my friends Lula and Caleb. They’ll take care of you during the set. I better go, though. See you after,” Juda explained with a smile. I held tighter to the hoodie in my arms. Okay, I’ll admit, I didn't want him to leave. Not because I like him or anything, because I didn't, but I didn't want to be left alone with complete strangers. Granted, he was a stranger until a few hours ago, but still.

I stood up a little straighter and nodded with a smile. I wasn't about to let him think I was some scared little girl who needed him to make her feel safe. No way. Apparently satisfied with that, he left to go up onstage. As he broke physical contact, his hand trailed down my back slightly, but not going past where I was comfortable, before walking away. How far did his fingertips travel? Did that count as the lower back? It couldn't have, right? No, we’re just friends. That’s all we’ll ever be. Besides, he wouldn't like me if actually knew anything about me. I just had to keep telling myself that so I wouldn't get attached.

“So, El, you’re staying with the Bennetts? How’s that going so far?” Lula started the conversation. I answered her, grateful to avoid any awkward silences.

“Pretty chaotic, to be honest. Back home, it’s just me and my mom, so it feels kind of crowded with everyone in the house. I just got in today, actually.” They both nodded, happy with my answer. “So, uh, how do you guys know Juda?”

“Oh, we’ve been friends for forever,” Lula smiled. “We went to school together for the longest time.”

“And I met him through my boyfriend, Grant. He’s the blond one in the band,” Caleb told me. Oh, so that was his name.

The lights dimmed more in the bar, signaling the band would start soon.

“I’m gonna grab a drink. Anyone want anything?” Caleb offered.

“Gin and tonic,” Lula answered, pulling her phone out of her pocket to check it.

“Got it. El?”

“Nothing for me. Thank you, though,” I replied. He nodded and was off.

“Juda and I aren't a thing, if that’s what you're wondering,” Lula said, breaking the few seconds of silence that we had.

“Oh, no, I don't, I mean, not like-”

“He’s a little too much of a player, if you ask me. Plus, a few years ago, he got the worst haircut. You should’ve seen it! Dude got a buzzcut.” That’s when I realized that any malicious intent I feared was nonexistent. I let out a breath.

“A buzzcut! No way,” I laughed. I couldn't imagine him with anything shorter than what he had now.

“It’s true! I’d show you a picture, but I just got a new phone.” We stood in silence, but a more comfortable silence this time. Both of us had our eyes trained on the stage as the band finished setting up and were finally ready to perform. Just as Juda went to the mic to introduce the band, Caleb came back with a drink in each hand. Lula thanked him and immediately downed half of the drink. Caleb, on the other hand, had only sipped his beer. Or, at least, sipped what I thought was beer.

“How’s everybody doing tonight?”