“Yo, you! Tall guy with the mallets! Come here!” Danny turned around quickly, mallets in hand. He had just finished performing with his school’s band. A boy roughly around his age, maybe a little older, was waving him down from across the room. There was no way that he wasn’t talking about him. He looked around quickly, to see if his parents were around, and slowly began making his way to the stranger.
He hadn’t ever seen this boy before. Did he go to his school and just didn’t notice? No, that couldn’t be. He was a walking dress code violation. His hair was long and messily thrown into a ponytail, there was a ring in his nostril, the flannel shirt that he was wearing was far too long, and a dagger shaped earring was hanging from his ear. How in the world did he get here?
“Hey, name’s Julio. You did real good up there.” the boy said, extending his arm for a handshake. Danny stared for a few seconds. “Uh, thanks. Um, my name is Danny. You don’t look like you go here.” he said, guardedly returning the handshake. The unfamiliar boy let out a small chuckle. “Yeah, I have a habit of hanging around places I don’t belong. I just like to listen to music.” Danny nodded, fiddling with the pair of mallets in his hands.
Julio reached into the pocket of his shirt, and pulled out a small piece of paper, handing it to him. “Anyways, Danny, keep in touch?” Danny looked around again, expecting to see his father staring at him with a disappointed gaze. All clear. He took the piece of paper, shoving it in the pocket of his dress pants. “Or don’t.” Julio said, before walking off.
Danny stared at the empty space where the boy once was. What just happened? “Daniel! Where have you been? Your father and I have been looking for you!” She was quiet enough to not cause a scene, but firm enough to let Danny know that she wasn’t happy with him. Oh well. He could think about this later, when he got home.
Danny peered down at the slip of paper, squinting to read the handwriting. On it was a phone number, right under a name. Julio Cuervo. He smiled at the sloppy, blocky lettering. He pulled out his phone, hesitating for a second, before typing it in. His fingers hovered over the keyboard. He could convey himself a bit better in text than in real life, so why was he still so nervous? Better not overthink it too much. He opted for a simple “heyy :)”. Was the extra Y too friendly? What about the smiley face? He forgot to clarify that it was him. His racing thoughts were interrupted by a “ding!” and a buzz.
DANNY?
yeah, how r u?
I'm alright, you?
im good. so u said u like to listen to music? is that why u were at vpat?
Yeah. Just like to check in on vacavilles musically talented lol
cool. so like, what school do u go to? how old r u?
Don't go to school anymore. 16. wbu?
15 ahhahaha
gotta go to bed srry
Night.
Danny threw his phone onto his bed. He just lied to someone he barely met. Not the best start. He never goes to sleep this early. He placed his hands over his face and groaned. Why did he text the number back? He really didn’t need to. Plus, even if he and Julio actually became friends, he wouldn’t be able to bring him around his parents. He didn’t want to begin thinking about what they’d say about him.
He could easily just block his number and it would be over with. But he didn’t want to. Why? It’s not like he was lonely. He had his friends at school, kids that his parents wouldn’t glare at. Kids whose parents would chat with his own, talking about whatever boring topics adults talk about. Kids who loved God as much as his parents told him he was supposed to. Kids who thought perfect thoughts, walked around in their perfect clothes, and spoke perfect words. Not like him. Not like Julio. He picked his phone up from where he left it, plugged the charger in, turned off his lights, and decided that he really would go to bed. One less lie on the list, he guessed.