No Better Than Before

Henry laid out in the sun bath chairs next to Ian and Josie. He was dripping wet from the pool, but the sun was high and ready to put him on bake. Fortunately, Josie had sun screen for that and an extra pair of shades too.

She was reading and didn't mind if anyone thought she was getting tubby nor piggy. After all, her little stomach was growing. She was with child. Actually, she looked as if she could burst, but she was well covered in her Mom's old black swimming dress.

He squinted in his shades and looked about, as if he might find Shan somewhere around, but no. Just Leo, who was sitting at the side of the pool straight across from him with his legs dangling in the water. He was ever so serious.

Henry hated to imagine he was only staring at him. After all, they were just in band together. Leo played the drums too.

"He's kind of creepy, huh?" Josie said aloud then as she turned a page of her fashion magazine.

"He can't help it." Henry sighed. Leo wasn't awful. Perhaps a lump on a log watching time go by. He never said much. Henry thought at one time he might have Aspbergers because he never talked. But he was in regular classes, and band. "He's just different."

Henry felt a little sad for him. It wasn't like he was going to go out of his way and say something to Leo. There was always band. Usually, Henry might casually say something to Leo and then Leo would sort of laugh. Maybe Leo didn't know how to have a conversation.

What if Shan was like Leo? Weird.

Henry winced more. Leo was coming over.

"Hey, you ready for band tomorrow?" Leo stood in front Henry blocking the sun. Those white swim trunks didn't hide much of Leo, either.

Leo's hands were huge, so were his feet. He wasn't exactly an orgar, by any means. Yet, it was clear  his package was maximum too. 

"Not really." Henry barely got out of his mouth, hoping Leo would move on. Soon. Finally, he did.

"Are you sure, he's not coming on to you?" Josie said after Leo was gone. "And if he is, would you?" She smirked.

"God." Henry made a face of disgust.

But Josie kept giving that face that maybe she'd even want to see Leo out of his swimming trunks, too.

No Better Than Before

Shan kept to himself. What a fiasco. Could he even call it that.

"No, there is no one." He assured Lily when she made her daily call. Lily was always finding someone. Usually, to hook up with. She went to parties, but she could find someone in the most unlikely places. Like the grocery store.

Naturally, it grossed Shan out. He did not want to hear how she actually made out with someone in a restroom stall. But his best friend was fierce. Practically, the girl without a fear gene.

"You're nothing like you seem." Lily told him. "You know, you're just a weenie."

"Thanks for clarifying that, Lil." He rolled his eyes, thinking all he might be good for was going out to the lake smoking some weed alone and looking for frogs on the shore line with huge prong that his Dad used occasionally for grilling when he could find it. Shan kept it in his room. He was eying it right now.

He wouldn't mind a meal of frog legs. He needed something to do. Stop thinking about that guy at the library.

Shan kept listening to Lily talk about all her late summer plans before school started. He nursed his bottom lip. How in the hell was he going to get this guy out of his mind. No way would someone so cultured, who looked as if he were ready for tea and cucumber sandwiches, would have anything to do with a Neanderthal like him.

"You should go camping with us, this weekend," Lily said.

"No." Shan snapped. What would he do with a bunch of funny girls.

"I just worry about you, you know. I don't like that you are so alone." Lily reminded him with a very sad voice.

"I'm not alone." But he actually was. So alone. More alone than ever before. No Mom that he loved to talk too. He was trying to stay under the radar with his Dad and his family. Shan kept staring at his big fork to kill frogs.

Going to the lake and smoking his stash in the underwear drawer was the only way to go. But as soon as he hung up the phone, his step-mom had other plans.

"Why don't you take your sister to the movies."

Shan tucked the weapon behind his back.

"But..." He wanted to say that she wasn't his real sister. He didn't have any siblings. He was far to old to think about them now. "Sure." He said quickly. This was no time to argue.

No Better Than Before

Henry could not wipe that silly grin off his face, even if he wanted too.  This was the best surprise ever.

He found out where Shan lived. On his same block. Why didn't he know? He quickly took Shan's application and made him a library account.

Yet his heart beat quickened. He could barely think. Just how..HOW was he going to do this? How would he know..if..if Shan..was even interested in him.

If only he knew the secret code. Something.

A part of him felt faint. Especially, when he almost walked out the library door with Shan.

"You know..." Henry paused. It was a great pause as Shan looked him in the eye, waiting for some library rule..maybe he'd already broke. "I-I live across the street from you." Henry rattled off his address, which Shan looked rather blank about.

"See you around." Henry said so quickly as if he's gone past his warranty. Shan didn't look so impressed. Those dark eyes of his looked at Henry as if he needed to make an exit now. Naturally, Shan went straight to the women's restroom.

No better than before

What in the world was wrong with Shannon Jennings? He blinked as he passed by the women's restroom. He better not try it here. It was like a little warning that went off in his head. Maybe he was just getting lazy. Going weird.

Of course, the more he thought about it, that guy came to mind. He winced hard. Shannon always presumed he was above this...kind of madness. In all of his 17 years, he'd felt like an alien, feeling nothing for no one. Well, maybe Lily, but she was like a little sister. She was the only reason he went to that stupid band camp, anyway. It was the last days of summer. The last time they'd ever get to spend any time together, and then she went and found someone to make out with, the first day they got there.

She warned him long before, his self-esteem was low. Didn't help much to think on it, having to move to his Dad's and all. It was his mother's plan. Besides, she'd gotten re-married, and she was expecting him to go viral. So just as a precaution, it was his father's turn.

He could see how his Dad's wife was suspicious of him, too. Thought he was a lazy bum who probably kept weed in his bedroom. She didn't have to say it, but he knew. Lily could call him all she wanted and tell him how to be, but it wouldn't change anything. He wasn't going to learn any new tricks. He was a loner through and through, who suddenly had an urge for women's restrooms, as of late.

He didn't mean to be filled with emotion, but he needed to throw some water on his face, wake himself up. And stop thinking about someone he'd never see again.

Shan walked on. Took a deep breath. It would be a new school. New beginnings. But at the moment, he felt like checking out Eragon. The book was like an old friend, actually. He'd carried around his battered soft cover for ages. But his mom tossed it away as if he needed to grow up. It was a teddy bear of sorts, according to her. But he needed it now. As if he could be reading the pages if he closed his eyes.

He went straight to the fiction to find it. But it wasn't there. He winced, thinking that was just wrong. Wasn't everyone still reading THE HUNGER GAMES? Shan gritted. He guessed he'd have to talk to someone at the counter. He hated talking to people, because he never knew what he might say. There were a few things he was really enthusiastic about. Books, was one of them. Except, there were too few he'd read.

"Excuse me." He would sound polite. He cleared his throat wondering if that was too gruff. Still, someone was turned away from him, chatting it up with the girl next to him. "Excuse me." And then their eyes locked. Suddenly, Shan squirmed, at the thought he might go limp and pass out on the carpet. But he held it together and he chewed at the inside of his cheek for a moment, then let slip as he steadied his eyes, somewhere other than HIS eyes. "Its..its you."

HIS smile was open. Almost giddy. But Shan could barely speak. He was feeling dizzy.

"I was..was looking for a book." He quickly said looking at HIS clean fingernails then Shan took a look at his own. Possibly, eye contact was impossible to retain.

"Are, you?" Oh, HE was chipper. All smiles, as HE came around the counter. What was his name? Why didn't Shan remember?

That was just a dream. Shan blinked. Remembering how stupid he must have sounded, going on and on about the Martin book. He just couldn't make himself shut up. And the first place he went after his little monologue was straight to the women's restroom. Thankfully, no one was there, as he thought he might pass out then. Shan hoped it wouldn't be a repeat today.

Shan gritted wondering if ...this guy even noticed. He hugged himself tight, trying to get a grip. Somehow, he always looked really angry when he did this.

Henry. As if a light bulb FINALLY went off. It was as if the hard drive in his head, might have been rebooted. Henry was quick in his step and went in the opposite direction that Shan had came. It was hard to keep up, but Shan did.

"I love this..book..you see.." Shan winced. There he went again, going on about a good book.

"I didn't know, you, lived here. I've never..." Henry was so casual and friendly.

"I just moved." Shan pushed his hands deep into his cargo pockets.

"Oh..um.."

Shan couldn't help but smile, maybe Henry wasn't quite as perfect as he thought. A bit gangly, but those teeth. A beautiful confident smile. How did he do it?

Henry got the book for him, soon enough in the Young Adult area.

"Thanks." Shan sighed. "I really love this book." It felt like holding on to a treasure. "Have you read it?" He was eager to get back to his man cave. Devour it, and put off having to speak to that little step-sister of his and all her darling friends.

"Yeah." Henry winced, still smiling. An unbelievable smile that Shan could only watch, but unsure to mimic. "A while ago."

"You should read it, again." He looked at Henry. Shan nibbled the corner of his lip, thinking Henry must see him as a loon. Maybe he was.

No Better than Before

Henry hated to admit it, but he was on the look out for Shannon. At least no one had to parade around in a band uniform. Just the same, even in Tees and jeans, it was rather uni-sex for the most part.

He hated the idea that he was wrong about Shannon. Of course, Shannon hadn't exactly shown he was interested. If only, they'd been at a STARBUCKS and he was ordering a latte...

Henry shook that out of his head. He'd read a few books about the perfect way of meeting that certain someone. They'd hit it off and if luck would have it, he'd ride off on the back of a motor cycle with him. But that was only a dream.

Henry had to face the fact, Shannon was pretty much oblivious to everything. Except that book he was reading. Still, Shannon being aloof, with out a care in the world (He didn't even wear socks..what if he didn't wear underwear, either?) intrigued Henry all the more.

"Well, stop thinking about him." Audrey told him to snap out of it, on one of their nightly phone calls.

"Why ..why would you say that?" Henry was hurt that he'd hear that kind of advice coming from her. After all, she flirted with everyone, practically. All though, he guessed she'd turned over some kind of new leaf with his brother. They were pretty solid at the moment.

"Because, you are there to have fun. Think fun." She reminded him this was his chance to meet new people. To make some music. Experience high school.

Naturally, Henry thought about how many showers he wished he could take in a day. It was pure sweat and toil out there on the field, carrying those drums. It was back breaking. This was hardly a vacation. He was beginning to feel that Audrey didn't really get him.

All he really wanted.. to daydream about Shannon. It was something he needed to keep close to him, but was he just as idiotic, as he always was?

No Better Than Before

Shan really out did himself. Even he thought it might be a small feat. He went the rest of the week without saying a word to anyone. No matter how clingy or pestering Lily got with all her silly apologizes, he never acknowledged she was there. Besides it was good to have practice of not missing her. He didn't want to let himself. Even if it were a bitter ending, it was best to cut all ties. Maybe.

He didn't let himself think of Henry, either. Even though, there was that one moment, he was sure it must have been Henry in the next stall over in the restroom when he asked for toilet paper and he noticed the raw fingernails of someone who handed him paper under the stall when he was taking a dump.

Shan was speechless. Maybe all this silent treatment was permanent.

Soon enough he was home. It was quiet there. His new step-dad was off on a business trip. Actually, Shan couldn't say he could pick the fellow out in a lineup. Although, he was young and ambitious. Maybe not that young. But a few years younger than his mother.

They seemed happy when he was around. Of course, she was a nurse. She didn't quit her job. Still, he did wonder if they were going to start a family. She wasn't that old. She could have a baby.

The thought choked  him up as he did his best to get his stuff together. The most important was of course, something in a large baggie. There was plenty of it for his little nature trips. However, Shan didn't know when those might be.

His last day home felt like such a sad song. His Mom was just as mute as he was. No farewell dinner. He popped in a frozen pizza in the oven and she got out a bag of salad to put in bowls. When it was ready, they ate in silence. Ever so often he'd look at her as if he might be a criminal. Finally, after he ate the last slice of the Italian sausage pizza, he said, "You aren't even gonna drive me?"

She chewed ever so queen like on her salad as if it was not time for her to speak. He finished off the milk just so it wouldn't go bad. He was the only one who drank it.

"He wanted to come and get you." Her straight lipt made Shan all the more angry.

"Why?" He felt as if he might crumble. He didn't want to be a little boy. He knew he wasn't but he felt like it at the moment. He always had his mother. Always. As sad as he felt now, he guess he was a Momma's boy. Yet, he'd always felt he'd protected her. Especially, from his Dad, and now she wanted him to move in with his new family.

"He's..your father has changed." The words were bitter, but she sounded so certain.

"Right." Shan said ever so softly. He remembered their fights. His father didn't seem quite real to him. She kept saying it was the alcohol. He didn't drink anymore. Still, Shan didn't want to know him. Didn't care if he'd changed. Yet in the back of Shan's mind, he was afraid he could be just like his father. He didn't want to be anything like his father.

Shan didn't bother with his regular rant how his father had hurt her. Even if it were years ago, he remembered. So many things he remembered. But it was useless to say. It didn't matter.

Shan raked his fingers through his heavy dark hair. He kept staring at his mother's beautiful almond eyes. She was truly ageless. He wanted to remember her ivory skin. Her straight black hair. If only he could see himself in her. He pushed away from the table, took his dish to the sink and washed it along with the glass.

Each small moment he wanted to savor. Why couldn't time stand still?

Finally, he felt her warm fingertips on the back of his neck.

"I don't want you hating me, because you never got a chance to know him." She said ever so calmly.

"I don't want to know him." Shan  thought he might be seething. He jerked himself away from her and went straight to his room, slamming the door shut behind him. He flung himself on the bed, hugged his pillow hard. He screamed into the pillow, hoping it would help. It only made his throat raw.

Shan rolled back on the other pillow.  The tears were plenty of abundance. He tried to laugh. Why hadn't he tried to talk to Henry? Shan guessed he was his own worst enemy, after all. 

No Better Than Before

Henry woke in a sweat. He forgot where he was, but then he knew when he bumped his head. He was on the bottom bunk.

Of course, he'd been dreaming of Derrick. It wasn't of the romantic sort. Yet, Derrick found him. Somewhere. Henry winced thinking it was in the middle of an empty football field. Had to be after a game he guessed. The middle of the night. Such a muddled dream.

He wanted Henry back. But he kept saying something ominous. "You know, you'll always be the girlfriend, don't you?"

Even now the words stung him as he laid there in bed. He didn't want to be the girlfriend.

Luckily, he awoke when the five o'clock alarm went off. Hurded to the showers, wishing for hot water but only getting lukewarm. Then it was on to the cafeteria for breakfast is bandcamp casual attire, matching band Tee shirts tucked into crisp jeans.

Thankfully, they had his favorite cereal, Honey-Nut O's. If only he could have had three bowls, but he snagged a biscuit on the way out with his group.

He got a glimpse of Shannon eating alone. One would have thought it was his last meal with all the bacon and pancakes he was shoveling in. Henry couldn't help but watch. He almost tripped over one of girls trying to practice on her flute before they got to their first pep talk with the band director.

Soon enough he was headed with the rest of the drummers. He got ready to march. Finally, he noticed Shan's group was in yellow. He'd noticed at breakfast what he was wearing. And he'd even smiled at Shannon, except Shan gave him a look that he shouldn't be smiling.

Henry couldn't help it.

"What are you smiling about?" The one and only girl in their drum corp wanted to know. Kelsey was a freshman, but she was fantastic with her timing and everything else that drummer's needed to know.

Before Henry knew it, he heard Geoff snicker, remarking about Henry's love life with Derrick.

Kelsey looked over at Henry all weird, with a puffed up frown. When they started in on their steps, she beated the thunder out of her snare. Henry could hardly keep up, but there was no time to talk. He could tell she was pissed, probably at him. Before she'd been so friendly. He didn't exactly think of it as flirting.

Now he winced with concern, wondering if she thought he'd been flirting with her. Had he? God, he hadn't meant too, he thought. He was being friendly. He wanted to be friends.

But the morning wore on. He wanted to say something, but what? What was he suppose to say to her? Was he suppose to apologize? Why should he? If she had a problem with him...

He did his best not to think about it. But still, he couldn't help it. He wanted people to like him.

Finally, a quick fifteen minute break. It was mainly a bathroom break. Maybe get a cool drink. Rethink. Re-group. Kelsey high tailed it to the restrooms.

"Wait!" Henry ran after her. Thinking they should talk. Finally, he caught up to her at the locker rooms. "Look, I thought you knew."

"What? That you're gay?" She winced still moody with her arms crossed.

"Yeah." He managed to say as he kept looking down at her hoping she could deal.

She made it sound like an ugly disease. Henry didn't know what else to say. But this quietness was not what Henry wanted either. "I should have told you." He didn't want to say he was sorry.

She shrugged. Still indifferent.

"But..but I can..I can still help you with ..." He started to say, but she walked away.

Henry guessed he should have expected it. Be used to it, but he really wasn't. He didn't want to be someone he wasn't. He bit at a fingernail then, wishing he was anywhere but here. Wishing, he'd get a chance to see Shannon again, but he definitely wasn't feeling lucky today.

No Better Than Before

Shan didn't have a good feel to this. How in the hell did he let Lily talk him in to going with her? A kegger at the lake. Oh yeah, this was there last week together. Then it was off to sweet old Dad's house. For good.

But was she there at the bomb fire with him, sitting at the lake's edge? Of course not.

Shan sat there ridged, chewing at the inside of his jaw trying to keep calm. He hated this side of Lily. But wasn't this the Lily he knew. The one who was flirty and would do just about anything to feel young and free.

Lily was off with her new girlfriend Ronnie, who looked like that punk with the pink hair on a TV show that Shan never could quite get through. Why would he expect anything different from his so called-best friend?

He pushed his thick hair back as smoke was getting into his eyes. Maybe that was why he felt as if he might be bleeding  tears. Just then he caught a preppy looking fellow in his pale polo shirt and plaid chinos looking him over. Shan ignored him.

A suddenly shiver stung him. Was this what Lily was getting at? Hook up with the nearest stranger?

Shan winced hard and got to his feet. Thank God, he was in his sneakers. He bit his bottom lip. He needed to go, looking at the dark sky for guidance. Where in the hell was the north star? Shan needed to go in the opposite direction.

"Want a beer?" The Gossip Girl boy toy wanna be asked. His perfect shock of blonde hair grazed over his left eye. He was much closer than Shan anticipated.

"No." Shan backed away. He suddenly felt like a caged animal. It was as if they were waiting for the fun to begin. "Uh..uh..would you tell Lily..if..if you see her..I..I had to go."

"But I could give you a lift." His lips curved up as if other ideas were lodged in his head. This so called college guy didn't look completely misguided, but Shan didn't trust him.

"I don't think so." Shan shook his head. No way in hell was he going to get caught up in this so-called party.

"Aw..but we haven't even been formally introduced..have we?" He kept smiling as if he were ready to share some of his pills. If only, Shan would cooperate. "I'm Alf."

Shan felt as if the night was about to cut him into bits if he hung around another second. He only excused himself as if he might need to go pee, alone. Of course, he wouldn't mention it. He really didn't want Alf to follow.

Thankful, the night was dark in the woods and Shan didn't seem to mind. He ran up the rocky embankment, moving toward the sound of the freeway. Luckily, he saw it from the top of the hill. And from the hill in the distance was the campus.

He didn't know how he actually got here. They'd met with Lily's friend on campus. She was a college student that Lily met online. Shan didn't even have supper. Her stomach growled now, but he forged on hoping he could follow along the freeway to get back to the campus.

It would be horrible if his Dad heard about this. His father ran a tight ship. Although, Shan hadn't been a part of that vessel in an awful long time. However, his Mom got married over the summer and she thought it was time for him to get to know his Dad, before it was too late. Something like that. Of course, Shan didn't like the thought of moving in with his Dad's new family.

Although, he didn't think too much about it as he ran as swiftly as he could away from the traffic. This was the last thing he needed. To get ran over.

Finally, more street lights welcomed him. So did the fast food chains. Shan slowed down as if maybe he'd dodged the bullet. He felt bad for leaving Lily, yet not. They might as well be done. He was tired of being loyal to someone who could care less about his feelings or being left in the cold. Still, she was his only real friend.

He listened to his heartbeat now. His mother always said he had the stamina of an athlete. Of course, he couldn't be so sure. He did like a smoke now and again. Usually, not tobacco.

But he was a loner. He never shared his stash, and he did make it last longer than most. Shan was good at making things last. He wasn't quite a slacker, although, it could have been his secret life.

He stopped at a TACO BELL for something on the dollar menu. He wolfed down a taco and a burrito. Afterwards, on the walk back to campus, he reached for a cigarette. A few puffs would do. He'd put it out before anyone knew. He hoped.

As he made his way back to the dorm, he passed by the student center. It was so lonely now. It was lit inside. And there he was sort of like a window display, sitting on a posh chair. His head stuck to his cell.

Shan smiled as he licked a piece of tobacco from his tongue. It was crazy to think he might be attracted to this giraffe looking boy. His hair looked like something from a Dr. Seuss story. Shan watched from afar. He bet this Henry already had someone. He was probably straight, too. Anyway, Shan didn't date. Didn't exactly believe he could be a part of that society.

Besides, he was waiting for someone worthy of him, wasn't he? Was that selfish to think?

Shan winced, took another draw from his cigarette. He let the buzz float through him. He pushed the heat of the cigarette on the palm of his hand. He winced hard thinking it didn't burn him at all. Maybe he was tuff, after all.

Yes, he was still here. The slight burn was almost a simple rush.  Although, he couldn't help but watch Henry a little longer from the darkness.

No Better Than Before

Henry wished he could say he felt like a fish out of water, but truth be told he was in his element. He knew what was expected of him. After all his little fan club of Freshman girls were swarming around him. Actually, he didn't do anything, but smile.

Oh, the giggles. What were they even talking about? He wasn't even listening. He was trying his best to enjoy this cafeteria feast of tuff steak and cold bake potatoes. At one point he bit into some broccoli and one girl in pigtails said it looked like he was eating a tree. That was funny too. Honestly, it was giving him a head-ache.

Finally, he escaped to a quiet place that was out in the commons near the student center. It was a warm muggy night and he was oddly alone. He reached for his cell and direct dialed Josie.

"Hey." He smiled as if he needed to make himself happy, no one needed to hear nor see the sad feeling that clung to him like a very sad flu. He bit his thumb nail into the quick thinking Josie was probably busy with her boyfriend Ian.

"How's the drum-miester." Her voice sounded sleepy. He couldn't imagine her going to bed at this hour. After all, she was nine months pregnant. Henry remembered even if she swore he'd forget. Then he heard Ian's voice in the back ground.

Henry cringed. He'd interrupted something. He was sure of it.

"God, I shouldn't have called." He gritted then, wondering when anything good would ever happen again.

"We were just napping." She sighed heavily.

Henry winced hard thinking he could live with that image. He certainly wasn't up to listening to Josie talk about her sex life. His long skinny legs paced about. He looked down the lit sidewalk as the night was becoming alive. Laughter from the dark was coming closer and Henry needed to escape.

He went inside the Student Center. Everything was locked up, but the art area. There was a big purple cushy seat to sprawl out on, and he did to get comfortable with Josie on the phone. They laid in bed at night a lot on the phone, just not in the same bed.

"I met someone." He needed to say it before his phone died. "I think."

"You think?" She sounded puzzled as if maybe he wasn't even certain he'd met a human.

"He's nothing at all like Derrick." He told her. Now that was a name they both hated. Derrick was his ex and her ex too. Except, she was having his baby.

"I should hope not." Duh. She practically shot back.

Henry made his shaggy auburn hair all the more messy with his fingers, pushing it to one side. This humidity didn't help,

"Well? What's his name? What's he like? And..and why aren't you with him, right now?" Josie got to the point.

"Well..." He looked at his raw finger nails. Would he want to expose them to a guy like Shannon? "I dunno where he is, and..actually..I don't even know if he would recognize me if he saw me again." But maybe it was better to love from afar.

Relationships could get messy. Especially, when he'd felt so pressured with Derrick, and then to find out Derrick cheated on him.

He nursed his bottom lip, thinking how long it took him to get up the courage to talk to Derrick. But he did. At a Valentines Dance, in fact. He could do this again. But what if history repeated its self? What if he bailed when came down to the major sex stuff.

Did he really wanted to bother? Still he was living on a prayer that just might chance he'd at least see this sexy beast again.

"What happened?" Josie wanted him to tell her everything.

"We talked. He's a drummer, too." Of course, that didn't mean they'd be even near each other tomorrow. He didn't even show up at the cafeteria to eat. If he did, well, Henry missed him, but he'd scanned the masses diligently, looking for the guy with the most gorgeous hair.

"Do you even know his name? It can't be this Henry? You are good at meeting people. People like you." She told him.

"I guess." Henry supposed in some circles, but maybe not in everyone's circle. "His name is Shannon and I think he's a guy."

No Better Than Before

Shannon Jennings wasn't thinking. It was all a blur.  What had he just rambled about?
A harsh heat of anxiety took over him as he rushed to the bathroom to throw some water on his face. He might have been shaking as he stared at himself in the mirror. His locks of  thick dark hair hung in his face. Hopefully, this guys didn't see much of his. Didn't see his odd long face. His chin.
Shannon winced as if maybe that guy saw a monster. Really, he knew he'd witnessed the most warmest smile in his life, and it shocked him too. He'd noticed.
This fellow was fit, lanky and Shannon could only imagine how he might be with his shirt off.
He shook the thought to think that way. It was like him. He was above this. He really was. Shan sloshed more water on his face, getting his locks damp in the process, but he really didn't care. He needed to get out of this funk fast.
"Oh, there you are," Lily awoke him. "I've been looking for you everywhere." She put her arms around him from behind as if she'd finally caught him, but she pressed her cheek against his back ever so loving.
She was no more than a pixie, or so he thought.  Shan looked at her from the mirror.
"You know, you're in the women's rest room, don't you?" She smiled as if she really loved it when he did silly things.
Shan winced hard and unwrapped himself from her with a deep sigh. He looked back at her, thinking she was the most confident female he knew. Her hair was cropped so short, yet her femine touch prevailed. Her olive complexion only radiated her beauty more. She honestly could fight her way through anything, and she was his best friend.
"There's a party tonight." She pursed her lips as she looped an arm around his. She'd get him out of this mess. Lily always knew what was good for him.
"Here?" Shan winced, as he couldn't imagine one. They were at band camp. It was easy to see tomorrow would be rigid with music and marching. Lots of it. "Are you crazy?"
"Relax, its off campus." She shrugged with a smile, as if she had a wonderful time planned for them.
"I don't want to go." He shook his head. He had his book. That was satisfying enough. He needed some sleep, not a drunken mayhem with her. No telling, what she had in mind.
"Don't be a funk'n square." She scowled then. After all, this was their last time to hang out before he moved.

No Better Than Before

This a bit of an alternative version of Henry & Shan's story.

Hadn't he had enough change this summer? Henry didn't like the idea of going to band camp. It was almost time for school to be back in session. But everyone at the library was back from vacation and his hours were cut back.

At first he thought they were firing him, but instead Asa told him he needed to do at least one thing this summer that was actually fun. Unfortunately, he couldn't see how fun Band Camp would be, when most of it would be loading and unloading drums for the most part. He hadn't exactly been at drum corp this summer like he should have. Besides, they didn't really need him, but sure enough when he called the director.. the corp missed him terribly.

"Of course, they do." Audrey coaxed, but his brother coaxed more as they sent him on his way at the high school. First he'd get on a bus, travel four hours to a University, stay in a high rise and march his butt off, learning all of Lady Gaga's songs. Marching band always did their best at ruining pop music. At least, Henry thought.

Naturally, it was the same old crowd. Some in coming Freshman girls were all giggly and took over his seat he'd hoped to sleep in. The whole trip was loud. How could he get used to all this, again? He'd been at a place that was total quiet. Audrey did have her loud moments with TV reviews and boy bands, but nothing like this.

Soon enough they were on campus, and he was the last to find out where his room might be, because of all the band stuff to unload. Of course, it was crowded in the dorm lobby. More giggling prevailed. Henry did his best to be his happy self in the midst of it. He was in no hurry to find his room. He'd had enough girl drama to last him a month. Finally, it was just him, but somebody else lingered behind, as if nothing could possibly disturb him.

Of course, all Henry could note, as this guy sat their in his cargo shorts and his cryptic Tee-shirt, was the massive amount of hair in his face. He was reading a book. Henry couldn't help but stare. He wasn't sure what it was about this guy that intrigued him so. Perhaps, Henry just wanted to see his face, but it was practically stuck in R.R. Martin's A DANCE WITH DRAGONS.

"Is it any good?" Henry found himself asking. He wanted at least one look at the guy's face.

"What?" His head shot up, looking Henry in the eye. His thick hair fell around his eyes. Still a mystery, yet so intriguing.

"The book." Henry looked at him blankly.

The lean guy's lips curved up. "You haven't read his fifth book of FIRE AND ICE?"

Henry was caught off guard. Here he'd worked in a library and he hadn't even heard of the series. Henry shook his head.

"You have no idea, what your missing." He pushed a thick lock of hair behind his ear. "Its the best fantasy since LORD OF THE RINGS." He assured him.

"Really?" Henry wasn't sure what he was asking.

"Its like the third time I've read it." His smile was open as if he were glad Henry asked.

"So, you're here for band camp?" Henry asked soon enough before he got caught up in Fire and Ice.

"Yeah," he rolled his eyes as if he wasn't that big on band, as if he had a life. Not just band. He told Henry his name was Shannon, but he didn't shake Henry's hand. They talked a little bit about what they played. Shannon was a drummer too. Henry couldn't help but grin.

Finally, Shannon put his book in his messenger bag.

"Maybe, I'll see you around." He shrugged.

"Maybe." Henry did his best not to grin too much, but he definitely wanted to get to know Shannon, but Shannon paid him no mind, turned and walked directly into the WOMAN'S restroom.

Henry glared. "You're going the wrong way." He said to no one, as he frowned. What did he just see? Shannon had to be a guy. That was a guy he was talking to. He knew. No way, could Shannon be a girl.