Dead Bass Wonderland 1: Betrayed

Sometimes you wonder why you put up with his shit.
He has everything.
The band. The fans. The girl.
And you? What do you have? Your bass.
Well, that's not entirely true. You do have your share of the fangirls, but no one wants to see a bass player on the stage by himself outside of a talent show.
Yes, the two of you occasionally rock it out during lunchtime together, but you're far from being buddy buddy with him.
Your name is Soren Skyler, you thought that this would be all you had to say.

Let's start at the very beginning, back in freshman year, way back before that strange new purple girl appeared, before Norman Normal.
You and Brad were the best of friends, having successfully entered the same high school, sharing the dream of starting a rock band together.
And man did the ladies dig that.
You couldn't walk two steps without a girl throwing herself at either of you.
Even then, Brad was still more desired than you, until for whatever reason he became the lecherous pervert he is now.

This was when Sunset Shimmer first came to school.
Life became strange after that. The school once famed for it's 'togetherness' was suddenly split into smaller factions.
Friends were suddenly refusing to speak to each other outside their little cliques which had dissolved into the following:
The Dramas
The Athletes
The Eco-Kids
The Techies
The Fashionistas
The Rockers
You fell with the last faction, no surprise there. You and Brad both.
And then there was her. Always her.
You were drawn to her like a moth to a flame and got burned before you ever reached her.
You had finally gotten the courage to leave a note on her desk to tell her to meet you in one of the unused classrooms up on the second floor.
However, it seemed like it was too little, too late.
When you had gotten there after being cornered by the deranged hall monitor, you found her with her lips locked on Brad's, her back against the cold metal of the lockers.
You felt your heart break twice over that day.
Once for her and the other from the betrayal of your best friend.
You couldn't tell which hurt you more.
And then you pretended like nothing had happened, you locked your feelings away and carefully swept them under the rug.

It's lunchtime once again and you sit there, drinking your soda, glaring at him over the cup's rim.
They are at it again, being so sickeningly lovey dovey near you that you almost crush the poor cup in your hand.
'Calm down. Just breathe and smile.' The same mantra you've been telling yourself for the past few weeks works it's magic.
Your hold on the cup loosens and you tune back in to the conversation.
Amy Heart is nodding along to everything Brad is saying, laughing at some joke you missed out on.
She then notices you and waves. "Nice to have you back among the living, Soren."
"...haha yeah. I was just thinking about the homework Cherilee gave us." Not a complete lie, but not the truth either.
Amy twirls a pen expertly in her hands and sticks it behind her ear, "Really? If anyone can do it, you can."
"Whaaaat, my boy here isn't a nerd." Brad suddenly loops an arm around you and pulls you against him in an awkward side hug.
Your sour mood returns full force, and with a forced smile, you remove his arm. "I am not, but I rather pass with at least a C. Dad said he'd get me those new strings if I did."
"Oh, it's one of those things." Brad rubs his chin thoughtfully.
Out of the corner of your eye you see Sunset Shimmer giving you a strange look.
Like what you said was the funniest joke she's ever heard.
Is that how she sees you now? A joke?
The air seems to freeze around you, and you stand up.
You have to go, it's too crowded, too loud too...everything.
Your friends don't seem to object, they hardly notice you leaving.
Or so you thought.

"Haaaah." A defeated sigh escapes your lips as you lean against the cafeteria door.
You bring up a hand to your face and grasp at the ends of your hair.
'What am I even doing? I should be happy for them, right?'
Even as you tell yourself that, you can feel resentment firmly taking root.
Ican'tforgivethisIhatethemithurtswhywouldtheydothisWHY
It echoes in your head, like an old memory.
Gasping, you loosen your tie and push off the door.
Water...water...your throat feels as dry as the Sahara.
What is happening?

"...ren. Soren. Soren!" A voice pulls you out of your head.
"Huh?" There's a girl standing in front of you. Who? You don't recognize her.
Judging by her clothes, she's a Fashionista.
"Are you all right?" You can smell the over-powering scent of her rose perfume.
Rose...? Rose! Yes, that's her name.
Her eyes show her concern, her brows knitted together.
It takes another breath to answer, but you manage to choke out, "Yeah, I'm fine." Straightening up, you wipe at your nose with the back of your sleeve, making sure to smile at her. "So what's a pretty kitten like you doing out here?"
She laughs, an irritating sound. "Oh you. I saw you leave and just...you know..." you feel her hand brushing up against your chest, a finely manicured nail scratching at your chin. "Thought I'd follow."
Inwardly rolling your eyes, you dip down until your face is only centimeters away from hers. "Did you now? That isn't any way for a proper lady to act." You cup her face and use your thumb to stroke her lips.
Her lips pucker up, expecting a kiss but you gently push her away. She looks surprised and her face goes red. "A-ah!"
Wagging your finger at her, you tsk. "I don't do kisses."
"Soren..." her eyes are hazy, and she's tugging on your blazer.
You squeeze her shoulders reassuringly and she melts.
Works every time.
For now, a distraction would be nice. Yeah.
Do you have enough time? Probably.
You trace the outline of her collarbone, reveling in the way she twitches.
It won't be much but...you press her against the door, a knee placed directly between her thighs.
She squeaks and buries her face behind her hands.
Maybe if she wasn't so annoying, she could have been a good replacement.
Your hands travel down her stomach and work their way under her shirt. "A proper lady...wouldn't let herself get caught like this." You whisper against her neck and she shivers.
Too easy.
The buzzing chatter from just beyond the door sounds so far away...

She's a complete mess when you finish with her.
Hair disheveled. Clothes wrinkled.
Fortunately, due to lack of time, you didn't fuck her.
You'll have to remember to wash your hands before class starts.
Rose has other ideas it seems.
Her hands keep a tight grip on your shirt and she buries her face into it.
You can feel her lips move through the fabric as she whispers, "N-not yet. Don't go..."
Pitiful.
As gently as you can, you pry her hands off of you and pet her head. She stares up at you with hopeful eyes.
"Sorry, doll. Lunch is almost over so why don't I take you to the restroom so you can freshen up, hm?"

> Spliiiiish
Your reflection in the mirror stares back at you as you wash your hands in the school bathroom.
What a miserable sight.
A quick check on your phone shows that there are 3 minutes left before lunch ends.
And it suddenly buzzes, a text from Brad.
Sliding it open, you notice it's not the only text.
There are five others preceding it. All from him.
Huh. Your phone didn't even vibrate for those.
Or maybe you had been too busy to notice.

> U there man?
> Practice at 7 remember!
> Nvm taking Sunset to see a movie

Shoving your phone back into your pocket, you refuse to check the rest.
A date is more important than your joint dreams? Fine.
You mush paper towels together angrily and toss the soggy mess into the trashcan.
Sure. Whatever, Brad. You can deal with this, no problem.
After all, it's just a stupid dream.

BONK

"Ow!"
"Wah!"
Speak of the devil and he will appear.
Or she, rather.
Sunset is nursing her forehead where you hit her with the door.
Shit. Better apologize.
"...what are you doing here, Sunset Shimmer?"
What the fuck. That isn't what you wanted to say at all.
She gives you an irritated look and flips back her hair.
"Looking for you. Flash wouldn't shut up after you left."
For a split second, you forget how to breathe.
Sunset...was looking for you?
You can't meet her eyes after she says that.
"So you coming or do I have to drag your sorry ass back to class? Flash is waiting."
Her hand reaches out and catches hold of your sleeve and she gives it the smallest of tugs.
Instinct kicks in and you snatch your hand back, accidentally smacking hers in the process.
"I can walk back on my own. I don't need a babysitter."
You stick your hands in your pockets and walk away, leaving her standing there, angrily scowling at you.
"You...FUCKASS!"

The bell rings not long after and you find yourself standing outside your fifth period classroom, hesitating to walk in.
The tardy bell hasn't rung yet, yet you linger outside.
Brad is inside, laughing it up with Lyrock and Amy.
Sunset is next to him, looking bored and writing something in her notebook.
Your heart twinges a bit, but you suck it up and walk in.
Amy is the first to notice you and she waves you down, pointing to the seat next to hers.
You silently shake your head, declining. You don't really feel like sitting close to them right now.
Instead you take the seat closest to the door and put your head down on the desk.
Not even 5 seconds pass when you hear the sound of a chair being scraped back and someone's ass plopping down on it next to you.
"Did all that studying hurt your head, bro?"
You lift your head and give your friend a weak smile. "Yeah...somethin' like that."
Stretching your hands behind your head, you yawn and smack Brad's back heartily. "So, what movie are y- mmf!"
What? You never saw him move and his hand is clamped over your mouth while his other is ordering you to shush.
"Not so loud!" he whispers and quickly writes something in his notebook and slides it over for you to see.

> I haven't told her yet

You can't believe it.
Brad Sentry cancelled band practice for a date that his girlfriend knows nothing about?
It pisses you off. Really. You can feel your blood boiling.
With an exasperated sigh, you shove his hand off and give him a quick clock on the head.
"Yow!"
"The fuck are you waiting for?" Those words are ash in your mouth and luckily before he can reply, the teacher walks in.
"Rise."

English class.
20 minutes before the bell rings and ends the day.
You can go home and pretend everything is all right.
You tap your notes impatiently, your pen leaving small marks over the margins.
Ms. Cherilee is covering Lord Byron's works and history.
"...to when he succumbed to a violent fever in April 19th 1834. Now, we'll be reading one of his poems today. Hm..." Ms. Cherilee surveys the room, looking for the right candidate.
You sink in your seat, hoping she won't notice you.
Her lips curve into a Cheshire smile and you realize your mistake, "Soren Skyler, would you read 'She Walks in Beauty' on page 178?"
Inwardly groaning, you open your textbook to the specified page and look at what you have to read.
And nearly swallow your tongue. A love poem. Of all things, a fucking love poem.
You sneak a peek over to your best friend and he gives you a thumbs up. 'You got this, Soren.'
Shaking your head you stand up, clear your throat and begin to read.

 "She walks in beauty, like the night
   Of cloudless climes and starry skies;
And all that’s best of dark and bright
   Meet in her aspect and her eyes;
Thus mellowed to that tender light
   Which heaven to gaudy day denies."

This is just cruel. The majority of the girls all have dreamy looks on their faces, save for Sunset.
Amy looks like she'll melt in any second.
You pause and look at Ms. Cherilee, and she urges you to continue.
Nodding, you make a decision. You'll use this as a way to convey your feelings to her.


"One shade the more, one ray the less,
   Had half impaired the nameless grace
Which waves in every raven tress,
   Or softly lightens o’er her face;
Where thoughts serenely sweet express,
   How pure, how dear their dwelling-place."

The words seem to blur together, and you fight off the dizziness that is threatening to take you down.
Pleading to the dead poet, you implore that he give you strength to finish.
Sunset Shimmer is paying attention now.

"And on that cheek, and o’er that brow,
   So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,
The smiles that win, the tints that glow,
   But tell of days in goodness spent,
A mind at peace with all below,
   A heart whose love is innocent!"

The class is dead silent when you finish reading and take your seat.
"Ve-very good, Soren." Ms. Cherilee is impressed and begins clapping.
Following suit, the room is filled with applause as the bell rings.
Cue the horde of girls (and a few guys) coming over with their stupid questions.
By the time you appease them all, Sunset and Brad are long gone.
You wonder if she heard your feelings.
No matter now, there's always tomorrow.
You can always hope for that.
Your phone buzzes in your pocket and you retrieve it.
Another text from Brad.

> HTTYD 2, she said yes.

With a pained smile, you text him back, saying that you hope he has a good time.
Hoisting your bag over your shoulder, you begin your walk home.
Oh well, there's always tomorrow.