All These Pesky Feelings

-Asher

Damn it. 

I am 10 minutes late for the audition. I know Delilah wont mind, but Delilah isn't who I'm worried about. As soon as the driveway of the location I've been following  on my phone for the last 20 minutes comes into view, I sigh in relief. 

“Finally” I mutter under my breath as I start to park the car in one of the many parking spots I see. 

Saying it's a big house would be an understatement. This place is huge. Delilah must be rich. My house is almost as big as hers and my house is pretty big. Maybe my parents will finally approve of a girlfriend like this, I think, while shoving the mental image of Brooke out of my mind and substituting it with one of Delilah. The thought almost makes me laugh out loud. My parents dont give a s**t about who I go out with. Hell, I could go out with a hamster and they wouldn't care at all. 

I finally walk up to the entrance and ring the doorbell with my guitar strapped to my back. It takes a few minutes until I hear footsteps. Delilah opens the door with a wide smile. 

“Come in!” She says brightly while opening the door for me and letting me inside. I murmur a quick thank you and follow her down the hallway. 

“We were waiting for you. Ryan and Brooke are having a quick snack in the kitchen before we go out to the shed. The shed is where we usually practice! I'm sure you'll love the place.” Delilah keeps rambling on while I smile and act like I'm listening as she keeps walking me through different rooms. When we get to the kitchen my eyes automatically fly towards Brooke who is sitting in a chair and staring at her phone. 

“Hey” I greet while trying to muster my signature charming smile in hopes that Brooke will look up. 

“Hey” Ryan greets with a grin at the same that Brooke says “You're late” without looking up from the screen.  

“You should just ignore her, she's not in the best of moods today.” Ryan says with a chuckle, while Brooke gives him a sharp glare. 

“She ll get over it. So anyways, I think everyone is ready. Let's go start the audition!” Delilah chimes in while pulling me by the wrist. I can feel rather than hear Brooke walking behind us. What is this girl doing to me? It's like I have a sixth sense whenever I'm around her now. 

All four of us walk towards what Delilah calls a shed. It seems more like an extension of the house to me but compared to the rest of the house, I guess it is a shed. As we step inside I can see a drum set, a keyboard and a few other instruments laying around, along with a sound system that looks fully wired. I am impressed. 

“Okay, pop star. Impress us with your wild talent.” says Brooke, sarcasm dripping off every word. I give her a cocky grin. 

“That's what I'm here for, princess.” Princess? Was that the best nickname I could come up with? It obviously didn't charm her because she seems to be glaring daggers into my skull. So instead of trying another nickname I unstrap my guitar from my back and adjust it. When it is ready I prop the strap over my shoulder and hold the guitar in position. 

“Any song preferences?” I ask my small audience. 

“Surprise us!” suggests Ryan enthusiastically. 

And so I start to play a song called Romance Anónimo, by a spanish musician named, Narciso yepes. It's one of my favorite songs. I didn't expect anyone to know the song, but was pleasantly surprised to see a flicker of recognition in Brookes eyes. It's not that complicated to play, but it usually works to impress someone. When I finish playing Delilah and Ryan clap enthusiastically. 

“You are amazing!!” Delilah squeals in delight. 

“You are pretty good man, maybe even better than Josh.” Ryan comments before he glances nervously at Brooke. The tension in the room immediately rises. I can tell Ryan regrets saying Josh's name in front of Brooke. Is he her ex boyfriend or something? 

Wait. Wasn't Josh the asshole at Ryan's party who made Brooke-

“I guess you were okay.” Brooke's beautiful voice interrupts my thoughts. 

I grin. “So…? Does that mean i'm in?” I ask hopefully, even though I already know the answer. 

. “Of course you are!” Delilah is practically jumping with eagerness. 

I guess she would make an okay girlfriend. At least she could distract me from Brooke for a while. Stop thinking of Brooke! I scold myself internally.  

“Do you have any songs of your own?” Brooke asks, a doubtful tone in her voice. 

“In fact, I do” I answer smugly. 

She raises her eyebrows suggestively. My mind starts spinning. What song should I play? I could play it safe and go for a simple cliche song.  I've written so many, even one about her… without knowing it. She doesn't have to hear it though. And she'll probably not even know it's for her. It's kind of private. At the same time, it's a pretty good song, if I do say so myself. She might even be impressed by it. Doubtful… she'll probably hate it. Will she? I'm just going to shoot my shot.

I take a deep breath and start playing a rhythmic melody on the guitar.

Looking round a room

Nothing good left to do

Getting drunk cause, I can

Trying to navigate through the quicksand

  Shit, I already regret playing this. It's so personal…

Should I smile? Should I laugh?

Should I glare? Or half and half?

Can I leave just to be?

I’m so tired can’t you see?

I finish the song with my eyes glued to Brooke´s. All I can hear is my breath as the rest of the room stays silent in shock. I stare at Brooke's blank expression for a few seconds longer and then look around the rest of the room. Ryan looks impressed and Delilah is slightly blushing, a wide grin on her face. Why is she smiling like that? Shouldn't she be disappointed because I just sang a song that's clearly not about her?

Oh, crap. She thinks it's about her. 

Wait- 

Is that so bad? I wanted her in the first place. 

Didn't I?