Critical Thinking

19

Bookie and I had started texting a lot again like how we did at the beginning. It ended with long weekend nights filled with just texting him. It had been so long since we talked we both agreed on staying up until we fell asleep texting which began to happen every night. I couldn't stop smiling, it was great to talk to Bookie. I wonder what Bookie looked like... I wonder if he possibly....liked someone.

"Denver!" Ms.Housewright shouted making me jump back into reality.

Some people stared at me while others laughed. I puffed out my heated cheeks slightly then looked over at my teacher.

"Y-Yes ma'am?" I said trying to ignore the staring and laughing.

"Pay attention, and the rest of you focus on the music and stop laughing! We have our concert, tonight!" she placed her hands on her hips making the whole class go silent as I let out a shaky breath. "Again." she snapped her fingers for us to start the song all over again, the song is Thriller.

When school ended I was so happy. I surprisingly had no homework. I could text Bookie- well until my concert. My thoughts began to drift back to Farley. He was quiet most of today. Probably because of that one day Vic, Clyde, and I saw him playing, which made me kind of feel bad. Everyone else acted how they usually did and didn't seem to notice something was up with Farley like I did. I tried to ask Farley what's wrong even though I had a guess but he changed the topic.

I heard a car honk bring me back to reality. I turned my head in the direction of the noise and saw my dad's car. I ran to his car after waving goodbye to my friends. I got in quickly and went on Feather book.

CyberGeek: Boookieee

I felt my cheeks heat up after sending that. Hope he didn't think I was too weird. I felt my phone vibrate and I quickly checked my notifications.

"So how was school?" I heard my dad ask.

"Great," I said smiling as I clicked on Bookie's message.

"Because?"

"Bookie answered." I felt my face get hot as the words left my lips.

"What?"

"Uh-Uh um, nothing!" I quickly said and read his message sneaking a few glances at dad as he drove.

BookerBooker: Hey *grins* read my new book yet?

CyberGeek: No but I'll get to it! How have you been?

BookerBooker: Okay, you?

CyberGeek: I've been good too. Kind of tired though

BookerBooker: Because of school?

CyberGeek: Yes mostly, how's school been for you?

BookerBooker: Life-consuming lol

CyberGeek: I agree with *giggles*

I sent that smiling then clicked on his profile picture to go to this page. I clicked on the newest book he made and began reading. Whenever he texted I had to leave the book and text then go back to the book. This went on all the way until dad took us home. As soon as dad parked I hopped out quickly going inside the house with the key dad had made me. Dad came in right after and went into the kitchen to probably start on dinner. I went straight to my room dropping my backpack on the floor and flopped onto my bed typing a text to Bookie.

CyberGeek: YOUR CHAPTER IS SO LOOOONG.

I sent without pre-reading it and mentally facepalmed. Caps were on lock the whole time. Good job Oakely. My phone soon vibrated in my hands and I glanced at the notification clicking it.

BookerBooker: Lol, I know. Do you think it'll throw people off?

Oh..he didn't really say anything about my caps. Guess he doesn't mind. I felt my lips curve up and I knew a smile found it's way on my face.

CyberGeek: I don't think so, you have nothing to worry about I'm sure. *smiles*

BookerBooker: Thanks :) *ruffles your hair*

I felt my cheeks heat up but I also still felt the smile. It wouldn't leave, would it? I laughed to myself typing a reply.

CyberGeek: *smiles hiding my face* Um any plans today?

BookerBooker: Actually yeah, I have somewhere to go later on tonight.

CyberGeek: Me too. *pouts* Maybe we'll be able to text when we're less busy?

BookerBooker: Hopefully :)

As creepy as that smile might have looked, it had my heart flip-flopping. I didn't really understand this feeling. But it wasn't a bad feeling...it didn't feel bad.

"Dinner's ready!" my dad yelled out and I glanced at my phone huffing with my cheeks puffed out as I typed.

CyberGeek: Gotta go eat dinner, talk later if I can.

BookerBooker: Alright.

I turned off my phone and tried to decide if I should bring it with me or leave it. Which in the end I decided to leave it so it could charge. I put my phone on the charger then ran out the room and down the stairs. I slid into the kitchen almost falling and dad turned to me blinking with a plate in his hands that I assumed was mine. On the plate was a taco and on the side were peppers. I slightly made a face but I knew dad wanted us to be healthy. I took the plate gently.

"Thank you," I said and he smiled nodding then turned to make his own plate as I was about to creep back up the stairs to my room, I stopped myself. "Hey, dad," I said and he hummed a reply back. "What are we going to do about Thanksgiving this year?" I asked and he froze but soon recovered finishing making his plate.

"I'm not sure," he answered honestly as he turned to face me and I nodded gently before stepping out the kitchen heading back upstairs to my room.

I text Bookie while eating and text him after eating. After some hours passed we said our goodbyes since I had to go get ready for my concert. I took a shower then got dressed in a formal white button-up and black slacks with black converse since I didn't have any fancy shoe wear. I found dad in bed on his laptop probably doing work. I cleared my throat and he glanced up at me.

"I'm ready to go," I said leaning against the doorway and he nodded grunting as he pushed the laptop off his knees.

"I'll be downstairs in a bit," he said yawning as he stretched then pushed the covers off himself and I nodded before heading to the stairs then down them.

I had a pop tart and some milk while walking around the living room waiting for dad. By the time the time he came downstairs I had finished my milk and had a half of my other pop tart left. We left the house and got into the car when he started the car driving the way to my school. During the ride to my school, I text mom telling her how I was going to my first concert. I felt bad that I hadn't remembered to tell her sooner that way she could have been here. But maybe it was for the best, dad and her might would not have got along.

"Alright, we're here bug." I heard dad say and I glanced up turning off my phone completely then slipped it into my pocket.

"Okay, thanks, dad. See you from the stage." I said smiling and he smiled back.

"Break a leg," he said as I got out the car.

"No thanks." I laughed and he chuckled before driving off to find a parking spot.

I walked towards the door and I was also trying to make sure I looked right. I felt my heart pounding. I was going to play in front of others besides our class as usual. I was too busy thinking and not paying attention to the world around me that I not only bumped into someone but also bumped into the door. I rubbed my arm feeling my face heat up as I glanced up to find Clyde blink at me.

"O-Oh sorry," I said laughing awkwardly and he laughed now too but it wasn't awkward like mine.

"Hey, Oakely. I just saw you coming so I decided to open the door for you," he said smiling and I nodded with still heated cheeks.

"Well thank you," I said smiling slightly and he smiled back as I walked inside.

"Nervous?" he asked walking by my side as I stopped in the middle of the room realizing I had no idea where to go.

"Oh um yeah," I said rubbing my slacks down constantly proving his statement.

"It's okay," Clyde said rubbing my back. "You'll get less nervous then more concerts we have." he smiled and I nodded relaxing a bit letting him lead the way.

Clyde lead us to the Band room and opened the door for me. I thanked him for smiling with heated cheeks then walked into the room hearing chatter everywhere. I wondered if anyone else was nervous like me. Clyde didn't seem to be nervous. I realized there were more students in here than usual. There weren't even enough chairs for everyone. I scanned the room to look for my friends. I eventually saw Vic and headed that way leaving Clyde as he held the door open for others. Vic glanced up at me from the group of people he was near that I didn't know and grinned.

"Hey," Vic said sliding his phone into his pocket and I smiled.

"Hey..um are you nervous?" I asked laughing slightly as I rubbed my arm and he laughed.

"Nervous? Never." he grinned and my shoulders dropped.

"Oh," I said softly.

"You?" he asked.

"Uh...no..maybe..kind of," I said huffing and he chuckled before grinning.

"It'll be okay," he said and I nodded gently before scanning the room for Farley.

Eventually, I found Farley start coming into the room but stopped going to the side talking with Clyde. I was surprised Clyde was still holding the door for people still. It was very nice of him. I smiled gently then turned to look at Vic who started talking to some other people. I bit my lip wanting to get his attention but I didn't want to disturb him.

I decided to walk off and go practice so I went over to the instruments getting mine. I got mine out and started practicing as quiet as I could in that space by the instruments away from the people. Soon Farley came in the room waving at me and I waved back smiling. Then the teacher went to the front of the room making some of the chatter quiet down.

"Alright everyone gets your instruments and we're going to start playing. Thank you, Oakely, for already doing so," she said glancing at me smiling, feeling my face heat up as lots of eyes went on me.

Soon we started practicing the songs in this order; Calling All The Monsters, This is Halloween and Thriller. Before we started Zombie the teacher let us take a short break. Then when she came back with her bottle filled with water she cleared her throat loud enough to get our attention.

"I was thinking that someone could possibly sing the song Zombie while everyone else played. Any volunteers?" she asked looking around at the classroom and her eyes landed on me, making me gulp then look away to avoid eye contact. "Oakley?" I heard her voice call.

"Ye-Yes ma'am?" I said still not looking at her.

"Great, Oakely will be singing!" she announced and I whipped my head around to finally look at her.

"Wa-Wait what?" I said gasping.

"Oh look, time for us to head out there on stage. Leave cellular devices and jackets in the class, please. I'll lock the door." she said as students started heading out of the door but I was blubbering as Clyde, Vic, and Farley made their way to me.

"You'll do great." Vic laughed and tried to push me along in the line which he managed to do but soon went ahead to talk to some others as Farley and Clyde stuck by my side walking down the hallway.

"M-Me?" I gasped and Farley frowned looking at me and Clyde rubbed my back.

"It'll be okay..like Vic said I'm sure you'll do great," Clyde said gently.

"I can't believe the teacher would throw that out in such a last minute," Farley said scoffing and rolled his eyes before shaking his head.

"I-I have to sing on stage." I gasped out again as my heartbeat was pretty much all over the place like my thoughts in my brain.

"Just look over their heads while singing," Farley said and I nodded gripping onto my saxophone.

"O-Okay." I breathed out as Clyde pat my back.

Soon we had stepped behind the curtains on the stage. I could hear voices past the curtains and there was a lot. I was shaking where I stood. I felt a hand on my back again assuming it was Clyde's but turned to see Farley. He waved when I turned and I left out a breath waving back then turned away. When the curtains were wide open I was hardly relaxed. As we had to begin playing I was shaking and stumbling with the music but eventually, I was playing fine. I wasn't paying attention much to the crowd, I was too busy looking at my eyelids, shoes, or searching for dad.

I didn't find him but I kept playing. And I think I was doing pretty well and began to relax more. But soon then the last song came along where I would have to sing. I decided I probably would need to have to move slightly to the front. As it was my time to sing I began to part my lips singing softly looking around frantically as my heart beat went crazy as eyes were on me. Was I doing good or bad? I didn't know. I glanced at our teacher and she was nodding at me smiling...so I must be doing good. I began to relax slightly as I sung. But soon I heard it...my voice....it cracked when the song was almost over....at Zombie. My eyes widen as I was horrified hearing and seeing some chuckling, snorting, and giggling from the audience...and people behind me as well. I started out at the song finished to find my dad looking at me and the curtains closed.