Just Strumming My Guitar (OPEN)

[Justin McCoy]

Justin walked into the empty auditorium and felt a rush of emotions. The little boy in him wanted to scream as loud as he could and run around endlessly. The freak in him wanted to jump on stage and destroy things, and the romantic in him just wanted to sit down and strum a little on his guitar. Justin decided that the only logical thing to do was to go the safe way and sit and play his guitar. He took a seat in one of the red chairs, closest to the exit, and starting to play a song he had written that had been unnamed. He eventually moved on and began to play Linkin Park's "What I've Done".

I’ll start again
And whatever pain may come
Today this ends
I’m forgiving what I’ve done

I’ve faced myself
To cross out what I’ve become
Erase myself
And let go of what I’ve done

What I’ve done
Forgiving what I’ve done

It was then that Justin realized that he wasn't alone. He heard a group of girls getting yelled at by Coach Bolton. One of them was that cute blonde girl, Hailie. As they were led out of the theatre to god know's where, Justin noticed Jocelyn, the girl from French class, walking out. He was surprised and amused by all the commotion, and waited for someone, anyone, to notice him.

[nmikale]

Hailie looked over as Coach Bolton led them out to the office. Her eyes caught a boy that she hadn't seen before. "He must be new," Hailie said quietly to herself. She slipped out of Coach Bolton's sight and walked over to the boy, who was playing a black guitar and sitting in a chair close to the exit. She was startled when he turned and faced her, and she turned her head, acting as if she was admiring the large pillar-like structure she ended up facing. She didn't want to seem like a stalker, but she still felt intriqued by the boy.

She finally gathered up all of her courage and slowly walked over to him, a smile growing across her face. She took a seat next to him and then said, "Hey, I'm Hailie. I really liked that song you were playing. You're really good at playing the guitar, I see." Hailie leaned backwards in the chair and then began to say, "So I guess you saw that little scene we caused over there. I took advantage of Coach Bolton's blind spot, I guess. So...What's your name?"

[Justin McCoy]

Justin watched as the petite blonde walked over to where he was sitting and took a seat. She told him about how she used Coach Bolton's blind spot to get out of trouble and Justin laughed a little. "Sneaky, eh?" Justin said, running his fingers through his soft, dark brown locks. He listened as she asked him what his name was, and he quickly responded with, "Oh, I'm...uh...I'm..." Justin couldn't find out what to say. He blanked out, as he looked deeply into her hazel eyes, tunnels into her mind.

He finally remembered and finished his previous statement. "Oh, I'm Justin. Sorry about that, I black out sometimes." Justin leaned back in his seat and muttered, "Smooth...", quietly to himself as he looked back at her. She smiled and looked at him, giggling at his dismay. He knew she was just playing around and he got lost in her eyes, yet again. He tried to snap back into reality, but it seemed to be getting further, and further away.

"So, what are you doing Friday night?" Justin knew that wasn't the best pick-up line, but he was new at this. He really didn't know what to say. He crossed his fingers and waited for a reply.

[nmikale]

Hailie listened as the boy went on to make a complete fool of himself when he couldn't find the right words to say. She didn't really mean to laugh, it was just a human reflex. She hoped he understood, and he gave her a quick nod that confirmed that fact. He went on to tell her his name, and he said it was Justin. "Wow, Justin's one of my favorite guy names." Hailie said, under her breath in a muffled, but audible tone. He asked her if she had anything to do on Friday, and before she could let out an embarrassing ,"No, why?", she understood. He was asking her on a date!

She blushed and looked down at her fingernails, now newly manicured, and she began to fiddle with her hands. "Oh, um...Going out with you?" Hailie knew this was really forward, but she also knew that Justin seemed like the type that would admire that type of confidence. She suddenly had a panic attack and wondered if that was the right thing to say. Had she screwed it all up? Was it over before it even began? She calmed down, and waited for his reply.

[Justin McCoy]

Justin heard Hailie respond, and his heart started beating fast the second she opened her mouth. He was worried. She could reject him, and laugh at him, and tell all of her friends that he was a loser. But then, a rush of relief and joy came over him as she spoke.

Oh, um...Going out with you?

He finally took a breath, and then almost jumped out of his seat. "That's what I was hoping you'd say. So, maybe, um...the skate park, tommorow, at about sevenish? I can pick you up, although, I can't promise you a limo or anything but I can promise you that I will share my skateboard..."