Jack was awestruck. I had more guitars than he could count on two hands. My dad plays and my mum did too, needless to say; I picked that up pretty quick.
“You have a Les Paul?!” He asked.
“Yep, you can play it.” I nodded.
“Seriously?!” He picked it up like a new born.
“Yes, deres da amp fer it.” I handed him the chord. He plugged it in and began fiddling around with chords.
“So, what music do you play?” Jack asked.
“Anyting.” I said, picking up my Ibanez, strumming along to whatever Jack chose to play.
“Oh, you can improvise.” He got a smirk on his face.
“Yeah?” I asked slowly, trying to follow what he was going to do.
“Follow this then.” He started playing a random string of chords in the key of D, my favourite. We continued on like this for a good hour before I heard the front door opening, signaling my mum’s arrival.
“Hi mum!” I shouted from the basement.
“Hi Mar. Who’s dat?” She asked, nodding towards Jack.
“Oh! Dis is Jack, I met him at school. He’s in most o’ me classes.” I beamed.
“Hi Jack, I’m Mrs. Allen, but you can call me Coleen.” She smiled at him.
“Hello.” Jack smiled back.
“Want anyting t’ drink?” I asked Jack.
“Water please.” He asked, going back to playing the guitar.

“He’s cute and he plays guitar.” My mom smirked while I grabbed the glasses.
“Mum, I just met him.” I laughed. She was right, even for an American, he was cute. He was tall and skinny, but not lanky. He wore an AC/DC band shirt, black shorts and black vans. He did have skunk hair and a big nose. He also had beautiful brown eyes. But once again I just met him. I filled the glasses with water and made my way downstairs.
“Here ya go.” I smiled.
“Thanks.” He smiled, putting the guitar back in its place. We sat in an awkward silence for a few minutes.
“So what do you think about America?” He asked, breaking the silence.
“Da school system sucks. I don’t know yet.” I shrugged my shoulders.
“What do your parents do?” He looked at me.
“My mums owns a retail store and my dad…well I can’t really say and I don’t wanna talk ‘bout it.” I sighed, looking down. I had to get my tattoo on my wrist touched up.
“How many tattoo’s do you have?” Jack asked, noticing my discomfort about the subject.
“Seven and still counting.” I boasted.
“Can I see them?” He asked.
“You can see dese one’s.” I giggled, pointing to my arms, then removing my jacket and showing him the ones on my upper back.
“Where are the other three?” He wriggled his eyebrows.
“Upper tigh, hip and my side by my breast.” I rolled my eyes.
“You’re accents adorable.” He stated, I blushed.
“Tanks.” I smiled. “So I’ve told you enough ‘bout me to write a book, tell me ‘bout yer self!” I plopped back down in front of him.
“Well I’m Jack, I am 18, I play guitar and I’m in a band. I have two siblings, a sister and brother, and I live right down the street.” He laughed. Suddenly his phone went off, indicating he had a message.
“Who’s dat?” I joked.
“Ah shit, I gotta go; I’ll see ya in school tomorrow!” He hugged me. It was the first time someone really gave me a hug. It was a bone crushing hug too.
“Bye Jack.” I smiled as he left. Just when I shut the basement door, I heard the front door open. My dad must be home. Great.
“Well, how did it go?” I heard my mum ask.
“Horribly, apparently we didn’t have enough to sell, so he had his guys beat up my guys. He told me if I don’t have what he requested by next Friday at three o’clock, he’ll kill us…” My dad whispered. He bargained us?!
“WHAT?!” My mum sounded like she was crying. I didn’t want to deal with this shit.
“Is Mari home?” My dad asked, signaling for my mum to breathe and change the subject.
“Yes, but she was ‘bout to go out.” She sneered. My mum knew me way too well. I grabbed my skateboard and went out. Fuck all this.

Jack’s P.O.V

“One, two, three, FOUR!” Alex shouted into the microphone. We had a small gig at a local bar. It was a lot of fun. We began playing Running From Lions. It was our last song on our little set list. I guess my mind was preoccupied, because before I knew it we were done.
“Jack, you were out of it the whole show.” Zack looked at me like I was on drugs.
“Sorry, thinking.” I shrugged my shoulders.
“About?” Rian encouraged me to continue.
“This girl…” Just as I said that, I saw what looked like Mari skating down towards the park.
“Mari?” Alex asked.
“Hey, I’ll be right back.” I said, putting my guitar in its case and took off towards the park.
“Mari?” I called once she stopped skating.
“Jack?” She asked, confused as to why I was here.
“I had a gig, and I saw you.” I shrugged.
“Oh, how’d it go?” She asked. She looked like she had been…crying?
“Fine, are you okay?” I asked.
“Um, yeah, I just don’t wanna talk ‘bout it.” She looked down.
“Why don’t you come back and celebrate a gig well done with me and the rest of the band?” I offered.
“Okay…” She seemed hesitant.
“We just dick around and play video games at Alex’s or my place. I think its Alex’s turn actually.” I smiled, offering my arm. She linked her arm with mine and we made our way back to the bar. Zack, Rian and Alex were standing out front, waiting for me probably.
“Hey man, where’d you…oh.” Zack said, looking at Mari.
“Hi, I’m Marissa, or Mar, or Mari. Whichever you prefer.” She smiled.
“She’s Irish and hott?” Rian and Zack said at the same time. Her face turned a deep shade of red. It’s true, she was hott. She had long brown, almost black, hair. She was curvy, and very well endowed.
“Tank ya.” She smiled a little towards the guys.
“So shall we go celebrate?” Alex asked. We all cheered and headed to Zack’s car.