2. Come Meet the Band

CHAPTER 2

Come Meet the Band

CALEB

T he sound of those dang roosters jolted me awake, going off like alarm clocks on steroids. I groaned, burying my face in my pillow for a moment before forcing myself to sit up. Gotta love life on the ranch, right?

I stumbled to the bathroom, splashing cold water on my face to wake myself up properly. As I brushed my teeth, I caught my reflection in the mirror. Was that a zit coming in? Great. I ran a hand through my messy dark hair, trying to tame it into something presentable.

The smell of Mom's famous pancakes was already drifting up to my room, making my stomach growl like a hungry bear. I threw on some clothes - my favorite worn jeans and a faded band tee - and practically tumbled down the stairs, following my nose to the kitchen.

My parents were already at the table, Dad hidden behind his newspaper while Mom hummed as she flipped pancakes at the stove. It was our usual morning routine, quiet but comfortable.

"Morning, sleepyhead!" Mom called out, sliding a heaping plate of pancakes in front of me as I plopped down in my seat. Her apron was dusted with flour, and her smile was as warm as the stack of pancakes.

"Thanks, Mom. You're the best," I said, drowning my pancakes in syrup.

Dad peered at me over his coffee mug, his eyes all crinkly at the corners. "So, how's school going, kiddo? Learning anything good?"

I couldn't help but grin, thinking about yesterday. About Liam. "It's great, actually. I met this new guy, Liam. He's pretty cool. Plays a mean piano, too. We jammed together after school."

As soon as the words left my mouth, I felt a weird flutter in my stomach. Why was I so excited to talk about Liam? Sure, he was cool, but it's not like I'd never made friends before.

Mom and Dad exchanged one of those parent-y looks, all proud and pleased. "Well, isn't that something!" Mom said, beaming at me. "It's always nice to make new friends, especially ones who share your love of music."

"Yeah, for sure," I agreed around a mouthful of pancake. "Can't wait to hang out with him again today."

Dad chuckled, folding his newspaper. "Sounds like you've found yourself a kindred spirit. It's good to see you so excited, son."

I felt my face heat up a bit at Dad's comment. Was I that obvious? "He's just really cool, you know?" I mumbled, suddenly very interested in my pancakes.

After inhaling my breakfast, I grabbed my trusty guitar and headed out the door. The sun was shining, the birds were singing, and I had a spring in my step. But my mind was racing. Why was I so nervous about seeing Liam again? Why did the thought of his smile make my heart do a little flip?

As I walked to school, I tried to sort out my jumbled thoughts. Liam was just a friend, right? A cool new friend who happened to be really good at piano and had the most amazing laugh and oh. Oh no.

I stopped in my tracks, the realization hitting me like a ton of bricks. These feelings they were different. Different from how I'd felt about any of my guy friends before. Different from how I'd felt about girls, too, if I was being honest with myself.

Did I have a crush on Liam? Was that even possible after just one day? And if I did what did that mean about me? I'd never really thought about liking guys before. Was I gay? Bi? Just confused?

My heart was pounding, and not just from the walk. This was all new territory for me, and it was terrifying and exciting all at once.

Shaking my head, I started walking again. Today was gonna be… interesting, that's for sure. I had no idea what these feelings meant or how to deal with them. But I did know one thing - I couldn't wait to see Liam again. Maybe spending more time with him would help me figure things out. Or maybe it would just confuse me more. Either way, I was about to find out.

As I walked into school, I was immediately surrounded by my usual crew. Mark, with his ever-present skateboard tucked under his arm, gave me a fist bump. Sarah, her vibrant red hair tied up in a messy bun, greeted me with her trademark sarcastic quip.

"Well, well, if it isn't our resident rock star," she teased, green eyes twinkling. "Did you actually remember to bring your homework today, or were you too busy composing the next chart-topper?"

I rolled my eyes, but couldn't help grinning. "Ha ha, very funny. For your information, I not only did my homework, but I think I might have actually understood some of it."

Mark snorted. "Miracles do happen, folks."

As we made our way down the crowded hallway, I found my eyes scanning the sea of faces, looking for one in particular. Don't get me wrong, I love my friends, but today, all I could think about was seeing Liam again. There was just something about him - the way his face lit up when he talked about music, the way his fingers danced over the piano keys like they were magic. I couldn't explain it, but I felt drawn to him in a way I'd never felt with anyone before .

"Earth to Caleb," Sarah's voice cut through my thoughts. "You in there, buddy?"

I blinked, realizing I'd completely zoned out. "Sorry, what?"

Mark and Sarah exchanged a look. "Dude, you've been acting weird all morning," Mark said. "What's up with you?"

I felt my face heat up. "Nothing's up. I'm just thinking about this new song I'm working on."

Sarah raised an eyebrow, clearly not buying it. "Uh-huh. Sure. This wouldn't have anything to do with that new kid you were hanging out with yesterday, would it?"

"What? No! I mean maybe? We're just friends," I stammered, feeling like I'd been caught with my hand in the cookie jar. "He's really cool, and we've been jamming together. That's all."

"Riiight," Sarah drawled, a knowing smirk on her face. "Just friends. Got it."

Before I could protest further, a commotion down the hall caught our attention. Jake Thompson and his crew were hassling some poor freshman, shoving him against the lockers. My blood boiled at the sight. Jake was the kind of guy who got his kicks from making others miserable, and I couldn't stand him.

As we got closer, I overheard Jake's sneering voice. "Did you see that new kid yesterday? What a loser. Bet he cried himself to sleep last night."

I felt my fists clench at my sides. They were talking about Liam. Sweet, talented Liam who'd done nothing to deserve their cruelty. I wanted to march over there and give Jake a piece of my mind, but Mark's hand on my arm held me back.

"Don't, man," he said quietly. "It's not worth getting suspended over."

I knew he was right, but it didn't make me feel any better. The thought of Liam being targeted by Jake and his goons made my stomach churn. I vowed to keep an eye out for him, to make sure he didn't have to face their bullying alone.

The morning dragged on, each class feeling longer than the last. I tried to focus on my work, I really did, but my mind kept wandering back to Liam. Was he having a good day? Had Jake or his cronies bothered him? Would he still want to hang out after school?

By the time lunch rolled around, I was practically vibrating with anticipation. I scanned the cafeteria, hoping to catch a glimpse of him, but he wasn't there. Disappointment settled in my chest like a heavy weight.

"Looking for someone?" Sarah asked, sliding into the seat next to me with her tray.

I shrugged, trying to play it cool. "Nah, just you know, people watching."

Sarah's eyes narrowed. "Uh-huh. And I suppose the fact that your new pianist friend isn't here has nothing to do with your sudden interest in ‘people watching'?"

I felt my face flush. Was I really that obvious? "I don't know what you're talking about," I mumbled, suddenly very interested in my mystery meat surprise.

Mark plopped down across from us, his tray piled high with what looked like every dessert option available. "What are we talking about?"

"Caleb's little crush on the new guy," Sarah said, a mischievous glint in her eye.

I nearly choked on my milk. "What? We just met yesterday."

Mark leaned in, his curiosity piqued. "Oh yeah? You two seemed pretty into your jam session in the music room. Spill the beans, man."

I felt my face heating up, but I tried to keep my voice casual. "It's nothing, really. We just got talking about music. He's pretty talented."

Sarah raised an eyebrow. "Uh-huh. And that's why you guys were still there when we passed by an hour after school ended?"

"We lost track of time," I started to explain, but Mark cut me off.

"Dude, you were totally in the zone. It was like watching two people speak a secret language. "

I groaned, running a hand through my hair. "Guys, come on. It's not like that. We barely know each other."

Sarah's tone softened a bit. "Hey, it's okay if you hit it off with him, you know. We're not interrogating you."

I looked up, meeting their eyes. "I appreciate that, but seriously, there's nothing going on. Liam's just interesting to talk to. That's all."

Mark shrugged. "If you say so, man. But for what it's worth, you two seemed to have some serious musical chemistry."

"We're just getting to know each other," I insisted. "As friends. Can we please talk about something else now?"

Sarah laughed. "Alright, alright. We'll drop it. For now."

I breathed a sigh of relief, but I couldn't help feeling a bit unsettled. Were they right? Was there something more to my interest in Liam?

As my friends moved on to other topics, I found my eyes scanning the cafeteria. Almost unconsciously, I was looking for Liam. I spotted him through the window, sitting alone under the big oak tree in the courtyard.

Before I even realized what I was doing, I was standing up. "I'll catch you guys later," I said.

Sarah and Mark exchanged a knowing look. "Not interested, huh?" Sarah teased.

I rolled my eyes. "I'm just going to see if he wants company. That's what you do for new kids, right?"

"Sure, sure," Mark said, clearly unconvinced. "Go be a good welcoming committee."

As I walked away, I could hear them snickering behind me. I tried to ignore the flutter in my stomach as I headed outside. It was just friendship, I told myself. Nothing more.

But even as I thought it, a small part of me wondered if I was trying to convince them, or myself.

"Yo, Liam!" I called out, jogging over to him with what I hoped was a casual grin. "Ready to make some more musical magic today? "

He looked up, and I swear, his whole face just brightened. It was like watching the sun come out from behind the clouds. "Hey, Caleb. Yeah, definitely. I've been looking forward to it all day."

I plopped down next to him, setting my guitar case in the grass. "Me too, man. I've got some new song ideas I think you're gonna love."

We spent the rest of lunch talking about music, swapping stories about our favorite bands and the instruments we wished we could play. It was so easy talking to Liam, like we'd known each other for years instead of days. I found myself watching the way his eyes lit up when he talked about classical composers, the graceful way his hands moved as he air-played an imaginary piano.

When the bell rang, I jumped up and offered him a hand. "Meet you in the music room after school?"

He took my hand, and I swear, I felt a little spark where our skin touched. "Wouldn't miss it," he said, smiling that shy smile of his.

The rest of the day crawled by slower than a snail on a salt flat. I couldn't focus on anything my teachers were saying, couldn't even fake interest in my friends' conversations. All I could think about was getting to the music room and seeing Liam again.

The minute the final bell rang, I was out of my seat like a shot, weaving through the crowded hallways like a man on a mission. I had to get to Liam before Jake and his goons did. As I rounded the corner, I nearly collided with Sarah and Mark.

"Whoa there, speed racer," Sarah quipped, steadying herself. "Where's the fire?"

"Music room," I panted. "Band practice, remember?"

Mark's eyes lit up. "Oh yeah! We finally get to meet this Liam guy you've been going on about."

I felt my face heat up. "I haven't been going on about him," I protested weakly.

Sarah just rolled her eyes. "Sure, keep telling yourself that, Romeo. Come on, let's go make some noise."

The three of us made our way to the music room, Mark twirling his drumsticks and Sarah humming a baseline under her breath. When we burst through the door, Liam was already there, sitting at the piano with a faraway look on his face. Relief flooded through me at the sight of him, safe and unharmed.

"Hey, you," I said softly, not wanting to startle him.

He looked up, and his whole face just melted into this beautiful smile. "Hey yourself." Then, noticing Sarah and Mark, his smile turned a bit shy. "Oh, hi. You must be Caleb's bandmates."

Mark stepped forward, extending his hand. "Mark. I'm the one who keeps the beat and these goofballs in line."

Sarah snorted. "I'm Sarah. Bass guitar and occasional voice of reason."

Liam shook their hands, looking a bit overwhelmed but pleased. "It's great to meet you both."

I wanted to warn him about Jake, to tell him to be careful, but I didn't want to scare him or ruin our time together. I decided I'd walk him home after we were done, just to be safe.

"Alright, gang," I said, clapping my hands together. "Let's make some music, shall we?"

We spent the next hour running through our usual setlist, with Liam adding piano parts that somehow made everything sound ten times better. It was like he instinctively knew exactly what each song needed, filling in the gaps we didn't even realize were there. Mark's drumming provided a solid foundation, while Sarah's bass lines intertwined perfectly with Liam's piano and my guitar.

During a water break, Sarah sidled up to me. "Okay, I get it now," she whispered.

"Get what?" I asked, feigning ignorance.

She just gave me a knowing look. "Why you've been walking around with your head in the clouds. That boy is something special."

I couldn't argue with that. Watching Liam play, lost in the music, his fingers dancing over the keys it was mesmerizing.

As we launched into our newest song, I found myself gravitating towards the piano, my guitar and Liam's playing weaving together in perfect harmony. Our eyes met over the instruments, and I swear, the rest of the world just disappeared.

It was just us, just the music, just this indescribable connection that made my heart race and my soul sing. When the song ended, we were both breathing hard, grinning at each other like we'd just discovered the secret to the universe.

"Damn," Sarah whistled, her fingers still resting on her bass strings. "That was intense."

Mark nodded, twirling a drumstick. "You two have some serious chemistry going on. We should definitely work that into our performance for the talent show."

I felt my face flush, but before I could respond, Liam spoke up. "Talent show?"

"Oh yeah," I said, suddenly remembering my idea from earlier. "I was thinking maybe we could all perform together? Show the school what we've got?"

Mark and Sarah immediately agreed, but Liam looked hesitant. "I don't know, guys," he said, fidgeting with the hem of his shirt. "I've never really performed in front of people before. What if I mess up?"

I moved to his side, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Dude, you're not gonna mess up. You're insanely talented, and we sound awesome together. It'll be a blast, I promise!"

Mark chimed in, "Yeah, and if anyone does mess up, it'll probably be Caleb anyway. He's got a habit of tripping over his own feet on stage."

"Hey!" I protested, but I was grateful for his attempt to lighten the mood.

Liam chewed on his bottom lip, looking all adorably uncertain. But then, slowly, a smile started to spread across his face. "Okay," he said, nodding. "Let's do it."

I let out a whoop of excitement, high-fiving him with my free hand. "Yes! This is gonna be legendary, just you wait."

We spent the next couple of hours working on our set for the talent show, tweaking arrangements and figuring out how to best incorporate Liam's piano skills. The more we played, the more I found myself drawn to him. It wasn't just his musical talent - though that was certainly part of it. It was the way his whole face lit up when he played, the way he listened intently when others were speaking, the little crease between his eyebrows when he was concentrating hard.

As the sun started to set, casting long shadows across the music room, we decided to call it a day. Sarah and Mark packed up their instruments, chatting excitedly about the talent show.

"Same time tomorrow?" I asked Liam, my voice coming out all hopeful and eager.

He nodded, his eyes all warm and soft in the fading light. "I'll be here."

As Sarah and Mark headed out, promising to brainstorm costume ideas, Liam and I lingered behind, neither of us quite ready to leave.

"That was… amazing," Liam said softly, his fingers ghosting over the piano keys. "I've never played with a band before. It felt…"

"Right?" I finished for him, stepping closer. "Yeah, I felt it too."

We stood there for a moment, the air between us charged with something I couldn't quite name. I wanted to reach out, to pull him close, to…

The sound of a slamming locker in the hallway made us both jump. Reality came crashing back, and I remembered Jake's threat from earlier.

As we walked towards the school exit, my arm still around Liam's shoulders, I couldn't help but feel like I was on top of the world. The warmth of his body next to mine, the lingering rush from our music session - it all combined to create this perfect bubble of happiness.

"Hey, uh, mind if I walk you home?" I asked, trying to sound casual despite the worry gnawing at me. "I just… you know, thought we could keep talking about song ideas for the talent show."

Liam looked surprised but pleased, his eyes lighting up in a way that made my heart skip. "Sure, that'd be great."

As we stepped outside, I scanned the area, my eyes darting to every shadow and corner. No sign of Jake or his crew, but I couldn't shake the feeling of unease. I stayed alert, hyper-aware of our surroundings, ready to protect Liam if needed. The thought of anyone hurting him made my blood boil.

We walked side by side, our shoulders occasionally brushing, sending little sparks of electricity through me each time. Despite my vigilance, I found myself getting lost in our conversation. We talked about our favorite songs, about the kinds of music we wanted to explore together, about our dreams for the future.

"I've always wanted to study music in college," Liam admitted softly, his voice taking on a wistful tone. "But my parents, they don't really get it, you know? They think it's just a hobby."

I felt a surge of protectiveness, along with a flash of anger at anyone who would try to dim Liam's light. "That's rough, man. But hey, you've got serious talent. Don't let anyone tell you to give up on your dreams, okay?"

Liam smiled, a soft, grateful thing that made my heart skip a beat. "Thanks, Caleb. That means a lot."

As we rounded the corner onto Liam's street, I finally let myself relax a little. We'd made it without incident. But just as I was about to breathe a sigh of relief, I heard a familiar, sneering voice behind us that made my blood run cold.

"Well, well. What do we have here?"

We turned to see Jake and two of his friends blocking the sidewalk, their postures menacing. My heart rate spiked, and I instinctively moved closer to Liam, my body tensing for a fight.

"What do you want, Jake?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady even as adrenaline surged through me.

Jake's eyes narrowed, a cruel smirk playing on his lips. "Just wanted to have a little chat with the new kid here. Teach him how things work at Oakwood High."

I felt Liam tense beside me, his breath catching. The fear in his eyes only fueled my determination to protect him. "Leave him alone, Jake," I said, my voice low and warning, surprising even myself with its intensity. "He hasn't done anything to you."

Jake took a step forward, his face twisted in a sneer. "Aw, how cute. Caleb's got himself a little boyfriend. Didn't know you swung that way, man."

I felt my face flush, equal parts embarrassment and anger. The word ‘boyfriend' echoed in my head, stirring up feelings I wasn't ready to confront. "It's not like that," I snapped, even as a part of me whispered that maybe I wished it was. "And even if it was, it's none of your business."

Jake and his friends laughed, the sound grating on my nerves. "Whatever you say, lover boy. Now why don't you run along home and let us have a word with your new pal here?"

I stood my ground, moving slightly in front of Liam. My heart was pounding so hard I could feel it in my throat, but all I could think about was keeping Liam safe. "Not gonna happen. Back off, Jake. I mean it."

Jake's expression darkened, his eyes glinting dangerously. "Or what? You gonna fight all three of us?"

For a moment, doubt crept in. Could I really take on all three of them? But then I felt Liam's presence behind me, heard his shaky breath, and my resolve hardened. "If I have to," I said, my voice steadier than I felt.

Just then, a car turned onto the street, its headlights illuminating the scene like a spotlight. Jake and his friends took a step back, clearly not wanting to get caught causing trouble .

"This isn't over," Jake spat, pointing at Liam. "Watch your back, new kid."

As they skulked away, I turned to Liam, my hands shaking slightly from the adrenaline dump. "You okay?"

Liam nodded, his face pale, eyes wide. "Yeah, I… thanks, Caleb. For standing up for me."

The vulnerability in his voice, the gratitude in his eyes - it hit me like a tidal wave. In that moment, I realized I would do anything to keep him safe, to see him smile, to make him happy. The depth of my feelings terrified me.

I wanted to pull him into a hug, to tell him that I'd always protect him, that he meant more to me than I could put into words. But I held back, afraid of scaring him away. Instead, I gave his shoulder a gentle squeeze, trying to convey everything I couldn't say. "Anytime, man. That's what friends are for, right?"

As we continued the short walk to Liam's house, I couldn't shake the feeling that something had shifted between us. The air felt charged, full of unspoken words and emotions I couldn't quite name. My skin tingled where we'd touched, and I found myself hyperaware of every movement, every glance.

When we reached his front porch, Liam turned to me, his eyes soft in the fading light. "Thanks again, Caleb."

I swallowed hard, suddenly aware of how close we were standing. The urge to reach out and touch him was overwhelming. "No problem. I've got your back, always."

For a moment, we just stood there, looking at each other. I felt drawn to him, like there was some invisible force pulling us together. I wanted to lean in, to close the distance between us, to finally give in to the feelings I'd been trying so hard to ignore.

The porch light flickered on, making us both jump. The spell broken, Liam gave me a shy smile that made my heart race. "See you tomorrow?"

I nodded, trying to ignore the way my pulse was pounding. "Yeah, tomorrow. Goodnight, Liam."

As I walked home, my mind was a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. The confrontation with Jake had brought everything into sharp focus. The fierce protectiveness I felt, the way my body responded to Liam's presence, the constant desire to be near him - it all added up to something I couldn't deny any longer.

One thing was clear: my feelings for Liam were more than just friendship. The realization both terrified and exhilarated me. I'd never felt this way about anyone before, let alone another guy. What did it mean? How would it change things between us?

Tomorrow was going to be interesting, that was for sure. But as scared as I was, I couldn't wait to see where this new chapter of my life would lead. Because one thing was certain - whatever happened, Liam was worth it.