Critical Thinking

18

November had strolled on by. Sadly our concert was put off since our teacher got a cold the day before Halloween and had still been sick afterward. So sometime this week we are supposed to be doing our Spooky Concert that now won't be that Spooky. Soon though we would have to practice songs for Christmas to be prepared. Everyone was probably thinking about Thanksgiving but who could blame them? I was too, how was Thanksgiving going to work out for me this year?

"Something on your mind?" I heard a voice speak up and I glanced around at the lunch table to see everyone looking at me. My face heated up.

"U-Uh just the holidays," I said with my hands up and Lily laughed patting my head while Vic grinned at me.

"Thinking of all that tasty food are we?" Vic asked wiggling his eyebrows and Farley slapped him in the back of the head making Cory burst into a fit of giggles as Vic glared at Farley.

"That was very disturbing, don't do that," Farley said before eating.

"Sooo how do you celebrate Thanksgiving?" Clyde asked turning to me and I looked down at my food.

"Um well, usually we all cook together and invite the family over to eat dinner with us," I mumbled.

"My granny cooks and invites our neighborhood," Clyde said making me look up and blink.

"Umm...how's that gonna work?" Vic asked laughing.

"Well if she did, I wouldn't be able to go. My aunt and I eat together every year." Farley said picking at his food.

"That's okay," Clyde said nodding gently. "My granny just likes to visit people just in case they couldn't eat," he said and I smiled.

"That's very kind of her," I said and Clyde smiled back nodding.

"If that is an invitation then I will gladly accept! I have nothing to do with my life anyway." Cory said before eating and Lily rolled her eyes smiling as Vic scoffed.

"Wish I could come," Vic said turning his head in Clyde's direction and I nodded feeling the same.

"Me too." Lily nodded before eating.

"Soooo, I was thinking us band kids should hang out together and practice!" Vic said grinning at Clyde, Farley then I.

"Looks like it's time to go," Cory said rolling his eyes linking his arm with Lily to pull her up from the table making me blink.

"See you in class," Lily said to me giggling before they walked off.

"Anyways, practice," Vic said once again making me glance at him.

"Can't." Farley simply said and we all turned to look at him.

"Why not?" Vic huffed.

"Umm..busy," Farley said standing up as I ate my food.

"Oh, that's too bad," Clyde said frowning then finished his food.

"Busy with what?" Vic snapped glaring slightly as Farley three away from his trash and put his tray up.

"Vic it's okay, Clyde and I can still come," I said after swallowing my food and smiled at him.

"No..." Vic said watching as Farley head to the doors. "We're going to find out why he's busy," he said looking at me and I tilted my head.

The bell eventually rang right when I finished my food. Vic finished before me and had already headed to the trash can by the doors to throw away his trash. I quickly got up doing the same and left out the doors. I went to English and kind of chatted with Lily a bit too much. I didn't get a lot of my work done like I wanted to. In-band the teacher decided in two days we would have our concert, I hope I was prepared for this. History wasn't too bad but I was happy when the bell rung. I wanted to talk to Bookie and ask him about his Halloween.

"Hellooo? Oakely."

I blinked to see Vic waving his hand in front of my face as Farley and Clyde watched. Cory was rolling his eyes as Lily giggled. Vic pulled away gently grinning.

"You spaced out there," Vic said and I nodded feeling my cheeks heat up.

"Something on your mind?" Farley now asked glancing at me and I shook my head feeling my cheeks grow warmer.

"Well if you need to talk know we're here," Lily said smiling and Clyde nodded making me smile at them.

"Aw, thanks, gu-" I was cut short.

"Okay okay we get it, let's go," Cory said linking his arm with Lily's before dragging her off to the direction of the buses.

"Attitude as always," Vic said rolling his eyes and me frowned.

"Maybe he's having a bad day?" I suggested looking at them and Farley shrugged as Clyde only glanced at the two walking away.

"Well, he shouldn't take it out on you," Vic said looking at me.

"I'm sure he didn't mean to," I said waving my hand in the air awkwardly.

"Well, I have somewhere to be for once so, see you." Farley nodded at all us before waving and walked off.

"See you," I said waving as Clyde waved also.

"Let's follow him," Vic said making me turn to him almost fast as the speed of light but before I could even get a word out a voice spoke.

"Are you out of your mind?! That is so creepy and stalkerish."

I blinked and turned to see Clyde looking at Vic. Vic blinked also at him before laughing. I glanced at Vic confused then back at Clyde. I kind of agreed with Clyde, plus I'm already awkward. That would just make me a creepy awkward. And my smiley faces I do here and there already makes me a little creepy.

"I guess your right but it could be fun. Practice can wait until afterward." Vic said and I huffed with Clyde.

I'm not sure how but he got us to follow Farley with him. I had to call dad to not pick me up. Clyde, on the other hand, was hoping this wouldn't take long so he could go back to his grandmother. But following Farley took a lot of walking and hiding. I think that would be the workout I needed but never do now that I've been going to school, have friends, and talk to Bookie.

"Blue Ginger?" I read from the flashing indigo sign and glanced at Clyde who sighed as Vic walked inside leaving us behind.

"Wait up!" I said opening the door for Clyde who sighed but thanked me and I nodded following him inside.

It was slightly dark but there was lighting. The lights were just a dim purple and blue though. One side seemed to be serving drinks and food. There were tables next to windows that shined more light in from street lights. Then there were other tables spread out and a stage was at the end of the room with a microphone and stool. Someone was sitting on that stool and a red light shined on him. The other side of it there was a stand where I guess tickets were sold. Posters hung on the walls and other wall declarations.

Teen Spirit by Nirvana filled my ears soon and a guitar strumming. Another person who stood slightly in the shadows was playing guitar as another man sing. I made sure Clyde was close by, which he was thankful. Now we just had to find Vic.

"See Vic anywhere?" I asked looking around at all the bunched up groups of people.

"All I see are a bunch of bodies," Clyde said stepping back slightly close to me.

"Well maybe...we should call out for him?" I asked and that's when Clyde looked up at me smiling.

"That just gave me an idea, we can call him," Clyde said pulling out his phone and I nodded pulling out my phone also.

We both called Vic and I also looked around a bit. I was hoping we would hear another phone ringing than our own. Sadly there was no luck. But then there was a hello that slightly echoed from my phone and slightly I could hear somewhere in this room.

"Vic?" I said as Clyde hung up and put his phone away.

"Yeah, where are you two?" Vic asked.

"In the Blue Ginger like you," I said looking around and stood on my tippy toes for a while hoping I would see him.

"We're way in the back," Clyde said getting closer to me to be heard on the phone.

"Okay, I'll wave my phone with my flashlight so you two can find me," Vic said before hanging up.

"He didn't answer my call," Clyde grumbled and I frowned.

"Maybe he just clicked answer randomly," I said before looking at the crowd as I heard Clyde laugh.

"No, he just likes you," Clyde said and I frowned more glancing down at him.

"There he is." Clyde snapping my attention away from him and to look at where he was pointing.

Vic was waving his phone fast. Hope he wouldn't drop it. I noticed Clyde had been standing on his toes. Guess I'm not the only one who does that.

"We have to make it over to him now," Clyde said jumping up slightly to wave at him. "Well, unless he comes to us which I doubt it," he grumbled.

"Hey, we came here for Farley but we haven't seen him," I said before my cheeks heated up as Clyde took my arm and pulled me between people to get to Vic.

"Yeah, well there is a lot of people here," Clyde said pushing us past people as I kept my focus on Vic so we wouldn't lose him in the crowd. Eventually, we got to Vic as more strumming invaded my ears.

"I didn't expect there to be lot's of people where Farley would go to," Vic said as the strumming became louder and soon the tune of a familiar song I heard on the radio filled the room before singing joined in.

Vic and Clyde turned towards the sound and their eyes widen. I tilt my head slightly confused then turned to look who was singing and playing the guitar on stage. My eyes soon widen as I saw Farley singing into the microphone and strumming the guitar. Red pinkish colored light shined on him.

"Girl you know I want your love, your love was handmade for somebody like me." Farley sang smiling as people began to hum and dance.

"Woah he's....better than me!" Vic said looking at me and I blinked at him.

"I think what he meant to say is that he's great." Clyde laughed.

"Yeah, he's good," I said smiling and glanced at Farley up on stage.

He seemed so happy and care-free. I wouldn't say this is how he always acted. But I guess when you're passionate about something you look like that. Wish I was passionate about something like that.

I hummed swaying slightly. Vic and Clyde seemed to be arguing. As usually Vic was arguing with someone but I was getting used to it by now. I glanced back at Farley. I wonder why he didn't tell us about this talent of his.

"I can't even sing, I sound like a toad." Vic huffed and I couldn't help but giggle.

"I'm sure it sounds like a very professional toad singer," I said and he grinned at me.

"Guys shush," Clyde said quickly covering Vic's mouth as he opened it.

"Oops right." I giggled rubbing the back of my head to glance back at Farley only for eyes to meet before he widens.

Farley slightly began to fumble with the strings of the guitar and his singing. But he finally got the words and cords right. He looked away quickly going back to the song.

"We've been caught!" Vic said grabbing our arms and tugging Clyde and me away from the stage.

We had to push past people in the crowd, some that were dancing. It was kinda hard to get past those people. But we eventually got far enough from the crowd and stage more near the tables. Some people were sitting at the tables but not many.

"Should we just leave?" Clyde asked glancing at Vic and me.

"May-" I began to only be interrupted by Vic.

"We need to confront him about this," Vic said.

"Sounds like he did something bad," Clyde said laughing and Vic huffed as I giggled.

"Anyways;" Vic said rolling eyes and huffed pouting. "We're gonna wait until he's done and then talks to him about this," he said and Clyde nodded.

"But it seemed like he wanted this a secret. Not to hurt anyone." I said the last part quickly and put my hands up when they both glanced at me.

"Well, why keep it a secret?" Vic asked.

"It's not hurting anyone though. He just wanted to keep this to himself maybe." I said putting my hands down and Clyde nodded.

"You have a point," Clyde said smiling at me gently and I smiled back slightly.

"Okay okay." Vic laughed then grinned at us. "We can leave but he did catch us here. So we'll just pretend this didn't happen?" he said heading to the door.

"Sure, why not," Clyde said the following and I followed behind them.

When we walked out the sky wasn't that dark. It was just turning a mix of peach and light purple. It was a pretty sight to see, not that many clouds in the sky.

"Guess I should probably get going in the quickest way. Don't want granny worrying." Clyde said ruffling his hair with pink cheeks.

"The bus would probably be faster than walking with us." Vic chuckled and Clyde nodded.

"See ya guys," Clyde said waving and ran off to find a bus stop.

"Guess we should get well-"

"Nah let's wait for Farley," Vic said and I blinked.

"I thought we were-"

"Yeah I know, I changed my mind," Vic said and I blinked again.

I wanted to text Bookie was the first thing that popped into my mind. We've both been so busy lately. Plus my dad probably was getting worried. I sighed feeling my cheeks heat up. Why is Bookie always coming to my mind?

"Something wrong?" Vic asked looking at me and I jumped slightly feeling my cheeks get more heated.

"N-No just thinking," I said laughing nervously which of course was awkward and he blinked at me.

"You're so adorable." Vic laughed and I covered my heated face.

I heard the doors swing open and jumped slightly. I put my hands down to see Farley standing in front of them gripping the strap attached to his guitar. Vic blinked then turned to me quickly.

"Well good luck explaining," Vic said and my jaw dropped as I was about to grab his arm but he dashed off faster than sonic the hedgehog.

I slowly turned to see Farley narrowing his eyes at where Vic ran. He then quickly looked at me and I squeaked out loud by accident. That squeak was supposed to be mental. I mentally facepalmed as Farley blinked at me making my cheeks heat up.

"Lo-Look I um...we um...I can keep this a secret!" I said waving my hands around and he blinked again before glancing away making me frown.

Farley's cheeks went pink as he bit his lip. Why am I staring at every little move he makes?! He turned to me and I jumped slightly with heated cheeks. I hope he didn't see me staring.

"You promise?" he asked and I nodded quickly putting out my pinky without thought.

He blinked staring down at it before wrapping his pinkie around mine. My cheeks were just getting hotter. I squeezed my eyes shut looking down, as I squeezed his pinkie gently. He returned the squeeze and I opened my eyes looking up to see his cheeks now a bit red. My face was steaming as I realized how close our faces were. I jumped back as he stepped back. Our eyes met before he glanced away again.

"Um.It's getting late," he said.

Yeah, it is... I wonder how it would be like if I met Bookie? And we were that close... OAKELY WHAT ARE YOU THINKING?!

"So um." Farley clearing his throat brought me back to really making me look at him. "I can walk you home?" he asked more than said and I giggled nodding.

Walking together than walking alone would be better and safer anyway. But if Bookie was around- STOP BRAIN!

"U-Um yes that would be nice," I said smiling and he smiled back showing his white teeth making my heart flip flop with my cheeks heating up.