The Ghost In My Bedroom - By Heather Jones Page 0,46

talked some more about random stuff, music, movies, what it was like to play in a band. He kept assuring me I would be a fabulous backup singer.

"I don't know, it could be fun but it could be an absolute nightmare too. What if I forget the words or trip or light myself on fire?"

"If you forget the words just pray that Kate doesn't forget and keep moving your mouth until you remember them. If you trip do a little bow and pretend like you meant to do it for the amusement of the crowd. If you catch on fire? I dunno, stop, drop and roll I guess."

I laughed at the absurdity of the image of me on fire rolling around on the floor with a crowd of people staring, not a one stopping to get a fire extinguisher to help. "It could be pretty horrible Spencer. It could potentially be a lot of fun though."

"That's the spirit."

"Do a lot of girls flirt with you because you're in a band?"

"Well, not really, but we don't exactly run around playing in clubs or anything like that...yet."

"Yeah I guess that makes sense. So like, did you get the band together or how did you all form?"

"Well, Jon and I used to play together all the time growing up. Then he met George in high school and Jon brought him over one day and we kind of hit it off together, just messing around and having fun, but non of us were comfortable with being lead singer, so Kate actually introduced us to Danny who was in her madrigal group."

"Gay."

"Yeah, but he's a decent singer. He has good vocal range, gets the high notes like someone is squeezing his sack. He tends to think it's his band though, which pisses me off to no extent."

"So are Kate and Danny going out or something?"

"No, he's too in love with himself to notice anyone else, I do think she has a crush on him though. She's not with anyone at the moment."

"Right, that would be why she went with Jon to her prom."

"Exactly."

Spencer continued to entertain me with his inane banter up until the point he dropped me off at my house. I climbed into the back seat for a minute to wake Jon up and say goodnight, he blearily wiped his eyes and gave me a hug and said he'd call me tomorrow.

"It already is tomorrow."

"Right. I'll call later then."

"Goodnight." I pushed his matted hair from his cheek and gave him a kiss, then got out and shut the door behind me. I stuck my face back in the front seat window and said goodnight to Spencer. "Thanks for an interesting day."

"No problem. I'll just wait until you get inside okay?"

"Okay, thanks. Say good night to Kate for me too."

"I will, later."

I ran up to my steps and opened the door, then waved goodbye as the van pulled away. Mom was passed out on the sofa with the TV playing. I woke her up to let her know I was home.

"Did you have a good day?" she asked groggily.

"Yes, it was nice going with friends instead of family."

"Hey."

"It's just different, not that I don't love going with you and dad and everyone."

"Yeah I know, getting to old for hanging out with the family to be cool anymore."

"Good night mom."

"Night Lu." She was already asleep as she said the words.

It was nearly one in the morning and I felt wide-awake. Not a good combination considering I had to work in the morning. I ran upstairs and took a quick shower to wash the ocean grit off before climbing into bed with Ryan.

"Hello dear, how was your day," he said lifelessly while doodling on a notepad.

"It was good," I said setting the alarm. "Can I turn off the lights?"

"Sure," he said tossing the pad aside and settling down next to me.

"I rode a surfboard. For a second or so."

"Oh yeah? I never tried it."

"It was fun, Jon's friends are very entertaining. I think his friend Spencer likes me, he kept flirting with me all day."

"Doesn't sound like a very good friend."

"I don't think he meant anything by it, I think he just flirts with everyone. But he was telling me on the ride home that Jon's dad died when he was young, and he would often talk to no one that he could see but it was like his dad was there."

"Does he still do it?"

"He didn't seem to think so. So I'm back to wondering