I woke up early once again the next morning. I slouched off the bed, got up, yawned, and headed downstairs to the kitchen.
Soon, Sonata heard me. "Good morning, Aria," she said. I gave her a half-smile and walked over to the counter to get bread so I could have toast.
Adagio was sitting on the couch, watching the morning news. She noticed me, too, but didn't say anything.
I sat down to have my toast. After a couple minutes, Adagio yawned. "So, how was your sleep?" she asked.
"Fine," I said. "Why do you even bother?"
"Well, Sonata said you felt horrible for not being out of the house." I took a bite of my toast, and I noticed Sonata looking down. She was probably still feeling guilty. "And you know, since you pretty much followed the rules and whatever, I thought, 'Why the hell not? Aria can go out of the house today.' So there, you can go do whatever the hell you want right now. But mark my words, I will kill you if you stay out late again." She got up and looked at me as I took another bite of my toast. "Got it?"
I nodded. "Yeah, yeah, got it."
She smiled. "Good. Honestly, can't believe you actually stuck with the rules." And honestly, I can't believe she fell for the lie.
I finished my toast and got up. "I'm heading to the park." I said.
Sonata got up, too. "Can I come with you?" she asked. "I just wanna get some stuff from the store right near the park."
I rolled my eyes. "Sure. You can come."
I turned to Adagio as Sonata put on her shoes. "We'll be back in a while," I said. Adagio just kept her nose in the newspaper.
We walked along the sidewalk, with me just going toward to the park and Sonata simply looking around the place like a tourist who's never been there before. We were almost there, when-
"Oh, Aria, look!" Sonata said, pulling on my torn jacket. "It's them!"
"Get off me! Who?" I asked. She pointed at who she was talking about, then my eyes shot wide open. We meet again...
The Rainboobs. Just walking around the place all happy since they were friends. Even though I did kinda regret trying to take over the school and whatever, I still hated them with a passion. I just didn't like them! And Sunset was the worst. She’d tried to take over the school, too, but the girls just acted like she was the one getting bullied!
I wondered what would happen if I tried to become their friend, too? Would they say, 'Oh, sure thing, Aria,' or would they say, 'Oh no, you tried to kill us?'
I tried to take my mind off of them, and just kept walking.
Sonata was looking at them too, though. Like she was thinking of becoming friends with them or something. As if she would get a different answer.
But Sonata kept looking at them and didn’t notice herself stepping off the curb. A car came by and screeched its tires as it swerved to not hit her. I pulled her aside really quick.
"What are you doing?" I asked her. "Pay attention!"
I looked over at the Rainbrools, and saw that they had noticed us. They just kinda gave us a look, as if to ask what was going on.
I pinched my forehead, and just tried to ignore everyone looking at us. “Seriously, this is embarrassing,” I said. “I know you can be... wacky at times, but seriously, get real, Sonata.”
We went one way, and the Rainboons went another. I was glad, though I still thought about apologizing to them. Would it work? If it did for Sunset, maybe we could be forgiven, too...
Soon we reached the park. Sonata headed to the store, while I laid down on a bench. The blue sky was clear, and the sun shonein my eyes. OW! God, I hate the sun.
As I laid back, I looked around. Peasants... peasants everywhere… They were just walking, drinking their coffee over at the coffee shop, walking their stupid dogs, it was just another average day. I hated the look of it.
I then felt a tap on my shoulder. It scared me a little, and I turned around quickly.
"Hey, I guess we're both here. Coincidence," said Anthem. "Mind if I sit?"
I kinda blushed a bit, and offered him a seat. "Where's the rest of the gang?"
"Oh them? They're back at our bus. I just wanted to walk around. Same for you?"
I nodded. "Yeah, got really nothing to do. I’m free, but I have to be careful not to get in trouble again." I sighed.
"Well, they said life isn't easy, but it sure is fun, eh?" he said. I nodded. "Yeah. I mean, me and the gang, we are the best of friends. Who are your friends? I'm just curious."
I stopped to think. "Well, I... I don't have many friends. I mean, I guess there's you guys, but other than that, there’s only one person I like. Name is-"
Sonata interrupted me. "Hey, Aria!" she yelled.
"Hey, Sonata." I sighed. "Done already?"
Anthem looked at her. "This is your friend, I suppose?"
"Uh, yeah, pretty much. Well, my sister. Sonata, Anthem. Anthem, Sonata."
"Hi!" she said, offering a hand to shake. She took a closer look at him, then realized something. "Wait, you're Anthem Flare? The singer for Next Generation?!"
He nodded. "Yup. A fan?"
Sonata shook her head. "No, I'm not a punk freak." she said. Anthem looked a little offended by the word 'freak', but still was alright. "I introduced Aria to your band ‘cause she likes punk!"
He looked at me, and I smiled. "It's true," I said. "And I got addicted, just like that." He chuckled.
"Woo! Brotha!" Wolf shouted from nearby. We all startled as he jumped on Anthem; nobody had seen him coming. "Hey, man, I got lonely back there! I mean, yeah there's the band and everything, but I can't-"
He then stood still and noticed not just me, but Sonata. "OH, uh, h-hi..." he said nervously.
Sonata giggled. "Hi!" she said, now offering a handshake to Wolf. He blushed as he held her hand and shook it. "And I think you're Wolf, right?"
I could see sweat forming on his neck. "U-uh, yeah! I'm Wolf Smoke! F-fan?"
She shook her head. "I'm not into punk. I just took a look at your band and introduced Aria to you guys."
"W-well, you could say that we're a pretty neato band, right?" he asked, with more sweat on the back of his neck. I held back my giggle. I could tell he liked her, and it was pretty cute to see.
"Sure," she said. "I like how you guys look like great friends."
Wolf smiled. "Sure are, ma'am." Sonata giggled at the way he said 'ma'am'. "We're like brothers! Except we're not, we're just crazy friends!"
She giggled more. "Well, that's cool." she said, rubbing her arm and swaying around a bit. "Oh, I forgot to introduce myself! Hi, my name's Sonata Dusk!"
Wolf nodded and smiled. "Sonata... nice name."
"I like your name, too. Sounds pretty cool."
Wolf turned red, but continued. "Th-thanks."
An awkward silence fell. "W-well, I gotta head back to the bus, see ya!" And just like that, he set off, dashing back to the bus.
Anthem shook his head and smiled. "Funny guy, but also an oddball. I like oddballs."
"He sure is." Sonata said. Then she whispered in my ear, "Personally, I find Wolf pretty cute. Don't tell him that, k?"
I chuckled a little. I had a feeling...
"Well, wanna just hang out?" Anthem asked.
Sonata shook her head. "No thanks. I'm just gonna go home." she said.
"Well, I'll go." I responded. "Got nothing to do anyways."
"Alright," said Sonata. "See ya, Aria."
Anthem looked at me. "So, uh, wanna just stay here or what?"
I shrugged. "I dunno. What do you have in mind?"
Anthem shrugged. "We could just walk around the city."
Well, what else was there? "Sure, sounds good." I said. "Maybe we'll find something interesting."
Anthem got off the bench. "Well, what are we waiting for?" He walked, and I followed. We walked around the city for a bit, then having a conversation.
“So,” I started. “How’s life going for the gang back at your little hub?”
He shrugged. “Pretty much the same as my life. They’re just sitting back and relaxing. We’re probably gonna start practicing tomorrow. Hell, maybe even make a new song.”
“That’s pretty cool.” I commented. “If you really are making a new song, I’ll be happy to be the first to listen to it.” I gave him a little smile.
“Depends on if it sounds cool to me, and if the gang enjoys it.” he said, scruffling with his hair. “It’s called ‘1988’. Can you take a guess why?” He put a smirk on his face.
“Green Day’s debut year?” I answered cockily. He stood frozen, surprised that I got it.
“Uh, yeah,” he said. “I’m surprised you actually got it.”
“I know my punk.”
He chuckled. “You know what, you’re a pretty cool person you know that?”
I get a little red, but I continued. “Thanks. I know I’m cool. Punk is awesome.”
“Well then, guess I’ll surely invite you over to our practice tomorrow.”
I opened my eyes wide and looked at him. “Really?” I asked.
He nodded. “You’re welcome.”
I come over to give him a quick hug. “Thank you so much!” I said, before realizing what position we’re in. I released the hug after noticing people saw us hugging. I chuckled nervously, and so did he.
But he still played cool. “No problem. I enjoy- I mean, we enjoy your company over.”
I grinned. “Oh, really? Well, I enjoy yours-”
"Oh, hey check it out." Anthem said out of nowhere.
"What?" I asked, wondering what the hell he was pointing at.
"It's those, uh, Rainbooms." I then heard glass shattering. The... Rainbooms... And they were right across from us... Great...