Page 5 of More To Us

We practice in the basement of the house that Van and Dylan rent out. They're both in college. Dylan's a senior, and Van should be too, but he couldn't decide on a major until his sophomore year so he won't be graduating in the spring. It'll probably take him another year to finish.

The house they rent is old and run-down but the basement is perfect for practice. It's big and open and we can be as loud as we want. And sometimes we get pretty loud. I'm sure the neighbors can hear us, but they're all college students so they don't care.

"Why are you so nervous about this song?" I ask Dylan. "If people don't like it, tough shit. Since when do you care what people think?"

Dylan is one of those guys who never doubts himself. He's Mr. Confident.He reminds me of Nash that way. Nash never gives a shit what people think. He dresses how he wants, says what he thinks, and doesn't back down when people challenge his opinions. I'm kind of that way, although I sometimes doubt myself, like now, when I'm supposed to be making all these life decisions and I have no idea what I want to do with my life. But I figure that's true of most people my age so I don't worry about it too much.

"He cares because the lyrics are about that girl," Van says.

"Inspired by her," Dylan clarifies. "Not about her."

"Who is this girl anyway?" I go to the mini fridge and get a water because now I'm suddenly thirsty.

"It's that girl he banged at a party last May." Van taps his drumstick on his leg in a steady beat. He's someone who can't sit still. He's always tapping his fingers on something or bouncing his foot up and down. But his movements always have a pattern, a rhythm. It's like he's got music playing in his veins that just has to come out. So it makes sense he's a music major. He plans to teach it someday.

Dylan seems agitated as he takes his place at the mic. "Are we going to practice or what?"

"Who was she?" I ask. "You never said."

Dylan sighs. "It doesn't matter. It was a one-time thing. Just forget it."

"Do you even know her name?"

He shoots me a look. "Of course I know her name. You really think I'm that big of an ass that I'd have sex with her without knowing her name?"

I shrug. "My brother, Jake, didn't always know their names."

"Yeah, well, I'm not Jake. And I'm not telling you her name so shut up and play."

Van laughs. "Isn't this great? We finally found something to annoy Dylan with."

Dylan doesn't like losing his cool. He does everything possible to avoid it. We've tried most everything to annoy him and nothing works. Until now.

"So Dylan, how old is this muse of yours?" I ask, trying not to laugh. "Is she our age? Is she in college?"

He glares at me. "Seriously, shut up. It's bad enough I get this shit from Van. I'm not taking it from you too, Wheeler."

"If talking about this girl bothers you so much, then why do you even want to perform the song?"

He takes a deep breath, trying to stay calm. "I just do, okay? But if we aren't going to practice, then I'm leaving. I've got other shit to do."

Van's giving me a look to keep egging him on but I decide not to. Whoever this girl was, Dylan really liked her, enough to write a song about her, so I'll cut him a break, at least for now. Besides, I know he'll get enough jokes from Van, his roommate and best friend.

Dylan and Van went to high school together here in Chicago, and then ended up at the same college. Van had originally planned to go out East for school but then his parents divorced and he decided to stay here for his sisters. They're younger than him and didn't take the divorce well so he wanted to be here for them. Van's annoying at times, but overall he's a good guy. He has a big heart. He fits the stereotype of the sensitive artist, but that's what makes him a good musician. He literally feels the emotion in the music and can tell when a note is off. And he's awesome at writing lyrics, most of which are based on his past relationships. That's why he's being so hard on Dylan. Dylan is usually the one making fun of Van for writing songs based on girls, but now it's the other way around.

I position my guitar and strum out a few notes. Dylan gives me a grateful nod for finally playing, then moves up to the mic and starts the song. Whoever this girl is, she brought out Dylan's softer side. I mean, seriously, a love ballad? That's the last thing I would've ever thought he'd write.

It just shows what a girl can do to you. I've seen girls change all three of my brothers, and now I'm seeing it happen with Dylan, after meeting a girl one time.

I'm not sure I'm ready for that. I don't want some girl coming in and changing everything. Not that it's always bad. My brothers are happier than they've ever been. But so am I. Being single doesn't bother me. I like my freedom. My life is fine just the way it is, so why complicate it with some girl?

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