Page 23 of Don't Bang a Bandmate

I got suspended for a week. When I returned to school, there was Jordan. She left a note in my desk, thanking me for sticking up for her. She shared her cupcake with me at lunch. From that day on, we were friends.

Later, when I met Knox and Jonah and we formed Criminal Records, I couldn’t imagine doing it without her.

Still can’t.

The tour bus rumbles as we make our way toward Chicago. Or maybe that’s just my stomach. I’m not hungry, though I could always eat.

No, today, I’m... conflicted.

About last night.

A one-time thing.

We’re both cool with that.

I told her I was. Hell, in the moment, I actually might have been. Now that I’ve been sitting here for a few hours, replaying last night’s main event over and over again in my head, I’ve started second-guessing myself.

Was it great?You’re goddamn right it was.

Was it a mistake?Maybe. I’m not one to dwell on that kind of thing.

But she is.

Jordan’s a structured girl. Not one to break the rules, unless there was something wrong. Unless there was something big at stake and the ends justified the means.

I look at her now on this bus and I sense that something isverywrong. While Knox and Jonah sit nearby with their guitars, bickering over what direction to take our new track for the Battle of the Bands,I get up and make my way toward the front of the bus. I take a seat next to Addison and Harvey. She’s reading while he’s scribbling away silently in his notebook. Much better company.

Also, it’s closer to Jordan’s table.

“Hey, Brony,” Addison says as I sit down.

I nod a hello as I look toward Jordan. She’s engaged in conversation with Chrissy and August, the three of them sitting at the front table together with their clipboards and long lists of to-dos, hammering out the details of our next few days.

She looks up as I sit down, but quickly looks away again.

I reach for my phone in my pocket.

Are you okay?

As I hit send, Jordan’s phone lights up on the table next to her planner. She grabs it with lightning speed, then stops, her face betraying nothing of her thoughts.

She taps out a reply without even a glance at me.

Jordan

Yes. Why?

You seem tense.

Just busy. All good.

You sure?

Yes.

Jordan sets the phone back down, turning to reply to Chrissy’s inquiry. After a few seconds, she picks up the phone again and my screen lights up.

Thank you for asking.

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