***Chapter Sixty-Two***
Another week has gone by with everyone being knee deep in schoolwork. The end of the term was coming fast with the holidays following right behind. The next holiday being Thanksgiving in another week. We were all so focused on making sure our grades were up to par that we didn't have much time for anything else. Even with that there was still exciting news to be shared.
The most exciting thing being that the boys had another performance coming up. Everyone wanted to see and hear them play so much that they wrote petitions to the dean so they could play again. They were getting so popular right before our eyes. It was only a matter of time before they were picked up by someone big. Their other two performances were already up on every social media outlet. The amount of likes and views they were getting was insane. Everybody wanted to see them, and most girls wanted to date them. It was wild!
"You need a social media page," Julie said as we looked at the number of times their performance was reposted.
Dre thought it could be smart. "If we have a page maybe it'll help get us even more recognized." He thought.
"Yeah, we can even keep people up to date with our performances," Drew chimed in. It was still hard to hear his voice.
Of course, Julie had to be the one to try and involve me. "What do you think Anna?" She asked me.
All eyes fell on me waiting for a response. I've been minding my business in the corner sipping my drink. Leave it to Juliana to draw attention to me. I was trying to stay invisible so Drew would ignore me. As soon as she opened her big fat mouth, there were those eyes boring in me. If anyone was waiting for me to say something it was Drew.
I've been doing an excellent job avoiding him these last two weeks. He has yet to try and come and apologize like Dillon said he would. Though I should have guessed she didn't know what she was talking about. They barely spoke to each other I doubt she's able to tell what he's thinking. It bothered me a bit that he wasn't budging. Did I mean that little to him?
Clearing my throat, I refocused my attention onto everyone but Drew. Looking at him just gave me a headache and a lot of heartache.
"It's a good idea but you'll need a band cover or logo," I add my two cents.
They all agreed with me. "Get some outfits like you did for the Halloween party and we'll take some pictures." Julie was excited about that.
"Cameron, you can come up with the theme. You're good at that," Dre passed the task to him.
Cameron didn't mind already thinking of something cool they can do. As for the other three, Dre would get the word out around campus for their page. Keegan was more so in charge of spreading news around the bar. He was able to pass out flyers all night to gain more traction. Drew oversaw making sure they had songs to play. He ran their practices and coordinated their performance on stage. As small as their band was now, they sure did a wonderful job marketing. It helped that they were all attractive too.
Speaking of their roles, Drew, the creative that he is, told us he had another new song he was working on. It should be ready by the time they have to perform. Yet shocking he was able to write songs so fast. He just wrote a song for Halloween. Now he's writing another. For someone who didn't want to get famous, he sure was taking this very seriously.
"It's going to be a little slower tempo," he warned the guys. "I'll explain more during practice."
Julie crossed her arms. "Why wait till practice? We want to know too."
Drew huffed before speaking again. "The song...it's sort of...personal," he sounded nervous. "Trust me, you'll want to wait until the show to hear it."
That got her perked up. "Is it another song about us?" She questioned. "I really loved the first one." She turns to me.
I nod, giving her a tight-lipped smile. Is it personal if it's about Julie again? Not that the first song wasn't amazing, but another one about how their relationship is such a bummer. How many songs do you have to write about your girlfriend before everyone gets the point? The only reason it bothered me so much is because I was jealous. So jealous that I didn't want to talk about it anymore.
Drew chuckled. "Just wait until the show," he repeats. "Any way, shouldn't we get going?"
"Where you two headed?" Cameron asked them.
Juliana stands up, clasping Drew's arm. "Early Christmas shopping. Need to get ahead of the game before Black Friday hits too."
"Blahhh, Christmas shopping," I roll my eyes. It was always so draining.
Julie nodded. "Tell me about it, see you guys later."
They walk away as Dre, Cameron, and I stay here chatting. It was awkward not speaking to Drew even though he was right in front of me. My casual glances didn't help the situation either. The more I stared the more my heart missed him. Staying strong was the smart thing to do. I couldn't keep letting him get away with things just because he's Drew. That would be absurd.
The guys never ceased to entertain me though with their wild ideas. This is the first time I'm spending time together with Dre and Cameron without anyone else around. What they had to say was interesting to say the least. My hopes wouldn't be let up as I'm not expecting anything. It's ridiculous to even say it aloud.
"I bet you he wrote that song about you," Dre immediately says once they're gone.
Cameron laughed. "Oh, you know he did," he agreed.
My cheeks go red at their crazy ideas. "What? Guys come on there's no way," I disagreed.
"Anna, he's been a wreck since you guys stopped talking," Dre gave me a serious look. "I know his sappy ass and that's how he gets his emotions out."
It did make me laugh that he called him sappy, but I still wasn't buying it. Drew wouldn't do that knowing the consequences. It would be too obvious if it's about me. What would be his purpose for doing such things? If he wanted to apologize, he could have to me. Not so the entire campus could hear. The situation was just complicated and needed to be put to bed.
However, I'd be lying if I said it didn't make my heart skip a beat just thinking about it. What could he say in his song that'll make me realize it's for me. If he weren't careful Julie would catch on to and then what? He'll be back to telling me we can't talk anymore. All of it would be worth nothing if things didn't change.
"Please, he wouldn't do anything like that with Julie there." I didn't want to believe it.
Cameron still didn't agree with me. "I'm sure he's past the point of caring about Julie in the way."
I scoffed. "Then why hasn't he changed anything?" I question.
"Out of protection for you," Dre adds.
Whenever Dre would tell me something I'm always willing to listen. He knew Drew best and would know everything he was thinking. Plus, his knowledge of their situation led me to believe him more than anything. Drew could be doing all of this to protect me. From what, I have no clue. Did he ever stop to think that I don't want protection? All I want is him. It's always been him.
Dre realized I wasn't fully understanding so he continued to explain. "Not protection because she's going to hurt you or anything like that. I guess he's trying to avoid having you see him taken away."
That piqued my interest. "Taken away? Why would that happen?" I need more answers.
His face softens, looking down at the table. "Anna, you're a smart girl. Take a wild guess." He didn't want to tell me directly.
It went over my head because I still couldn't piece it together. Where would Drew be taken to if we were to start dating? Is someone willing to go that far all because we have a connection with one another. I never would have expected Drew to be willing to push all his feelings aside just to keep me from getting hurt. He was something so special. Something that you only encounter once in a lifetime. Even when we're not speaking, he finds a way to warm up my heart.
Silence takes over us as I sit trying to figure out what Dre could mean. It wasn't entirely clear yet somehow, I knew he was right. Everything Drew was doing, even though he kept so much secret, was to protect me. If it weren't a terrible idea, I'd gladly welcome a song as an apology. With Julie around I couldn't see how this was going to go over well.
"You know him best, but I'm still not understanding," I say.
Dre chuckled. "Stranger things have happened. But remember when I'm right."
I smile. "In any case, he should be careful making stuff like that." My concern was showing. "If he could really get taken, wherever that may be, I don't want it to be because of me."
Cameron laughed. "When has Drew ever been careful?" He questioned jokingly.
"Drew is the definition of reckless. He's going to do what he wants whenever he wants." Dre added.
That made me laugh because it is true. He started being a lot more reckless recently. Kissing me in public spaces knowing Julie could pop up anywhere. Hell, everyone else found out because they caught him being extra flirty with me. To say Drew is reckless is an understatement. Though it's hard to be mad at him. He chose me to be reckless with.
"Don't give up yet Anna," Dre gave me hope. "Things will be made right soon."
How soon is soon enough?