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"You’re doing really well, Ivy Ryder’s a bastard," Phoenix encouraged from behind his drums His hairline and the collar of his shirt were da his dru, then he twirled theers while he waited for the next one to start He looked extra gangly perched upon the tiny drum stool, but this was exactly his element, exactly where I could tell he felt most alive
"Thanks Phoenix," I smiled at him and his whole face lit up The curse was extra hard to control when uys seemed to be Ok Besides, all my frustration and failure probably obscured whatever elevated affects swirled around in the air
"I didn’twell, Red," Ryder immediately put in and I could tell he felt bad for all of his "helpful" tips that had been frayingto say that was the best you’ve sounded I get that this isn’t easy for you"
"It’s fine, Ryder," I offered politely "I get that this is your thing I don’t want to mess it up for you But I did tell you this would be a probleuys don’t want me after all"
"We want you," Hayden piped up quickly "Ivy, I want you at least"
Ugh, that so sounded like an innuendo corunted I could tell Cole was just as interested in me as Hayden was, but his shy nature and quiet personality kept hi into stalker rumbled
"Why don’t you both shut up and leave her alone?" Phoenix’s voice rose above both of them
Ok, and this was et home before my curfew," I announced cavalierly "Sorry to break up practice"
Everyone kind of gave a whine of disappointht that was about to break out Well, everyone except Ryder sounded disappointed I chanced a peek at hi at me, eyes narrowed, expression tense His hand was half way through his hair and tugging at the roots
"I’ll just take these," I picked up the sheet ainst the sether "I can practice at home on my real piano and hopefully next ti, aard few moments of silence Ryder finally relieved ain in a few days Maybe you and I can just get together and see if you can hear the guitar reat," I smiled but there was no enthusiasm in my voice Ryder had to have been able to tell, but he just kept looking at
The band began to pick up various pieces of equiplanced at the microwave clock in the kitchen desperate to be away frouys felt a contest overthat I felt disappointed Ryder wasn’t trying to join in
I stood aardly outside of the practice area, since I didn’t kno to put anything away andup my sheet music I tried not to stare at the band, but it was difficult They were kind of fascinating with how much care they took with each piece of equipment or how cruel they were to each other… but in a funny, happy way
Boys They were so different frorapher observing like African lions in their natural habitat Honestly all I needed was a pair of cargo khakis and a British accent
The male drummer turns to face his natural enemy the male bass player They eye each other for a while before the second guitarist jumps in with a harsh quip about the bass players frayed skull cap This is the opportunity the dru for and he pounces on the bass player until he e about?" Ryder broke into ht train so suddenly I nearly ju," I squeaked
"Really? Because you have this really deep-in-thought look on your face," Ryder re to take ed the subject before he could ask any more questions, but I also really needed to know
"Actually, is it alright if Phoenix takes you? I orking earlier so it worked out, but it would be easier for ht on his way," Ryder explained
See? No curse If he felt the curse no ould he send uy
"Sure, that’s no probley Ryder shot me an offended look "I mean," I faltered a little, "whatever works for you"
"Uh-huh" His eyes narrowed onIvy home, Phoenix?"
"Huh? Oh sure! Yeah, it’ll be fun, won’t it Ives?" Phoenix grinned at e, boyish smile and I had to fall in love with hi made me instantly want to text Exie and make up some excuse for her to ain But then I quickly squashed it Exie’s rules weren’t exactly the same as mine, but Nix still ran the show in her life A relationship with anybody would eventually be terminated and I didn’t want to do that to Phoenix Or Exie
"Yes, ill!" I gushed "But can we go soon? I really do have a curfew I have to be back for"
"Sure I’ve got everything packed up so we can just take off now," Phoenix started walking toward the door, shooting Ryder a peace-out over his shoulder
Peace out?
People still said peace out?
Fifteen minutes later, Phoenix pulled up toit was to have ushing nonstop since we left Ryder’s and I couldn’t even get one word in to reood at all In fact, I was al to destroy their entire reputation and fan base
But that wasn’t soht now
"Are you sure you guys don’t know anyone else that can play the piano? I mean there has to be somebody" I turned in my seat, determined to help Phoenix remember somebody else that could fill this role
Phoenix looked at me for a beat No, not looked, Phoenix exa about me with a lucidity I had never seen him use before "Sure, there are other people that play, we could have asked others"
A breath of relief whooshed out of e burden lift off ood"
"But Ryder wants you" Phoenix continued, not noticing my reaction at all, despite this new found clarity "I think he thinks you’re a troubled teen That you need like, an outlet or sohter ripped out of"He thinks I need an outlet?"
"Uh, yeah," Phoenixhe wasn’t supposed
"He thinks I need an outlet? For ain, just to er built inside me quickly the more I repeated the words in my head "What does Ryder think will happen if I don’t have an outlet?" My voice rose to an angry screech and Phoenix flinched a bit "Does he think, what, I’ll turn to drugs? Drinking? I’ll hurt soain? What does he think will happen, Phoenix?"