Dead Bass Wonderland 2: Disband

It wasn't supposed to be like this.
There's only so much bullshit you can handle and willing to put up with.
Just not fucking this.

Its been a whole year since Brad and Sunset started going out.
You've pretty much outgrown your crush on her, or so you keep telling yourself.
Sometimes your heart beats just a little too fast when she's close to you and you worry that she'd be able to hear it.
If she ever did, she's never said a word, and you swear that sometimes she does shit on purpose.
Like backing up against you at the lunch line, or reaching for the same tray so that your hands accidentally touch.
What is her deal? She chose Brad so why is she tormenting you? It drives you crazy.
'Isn't it in human nature to crave what they can't have?' a nasty voice whispers in your head. 'She can do better than Brad anyway.'
Digging your nails against your palms, you scoff at the thought.
No way, Brad is supposed to be your best friend. There are certain rules you need to follow.
Sure, you can lust after her all you want, but she'll never be yours.

In the past year, you went from girl to girl, all to help you get over this damn crush.
None of them could make you forget though. You even thought about transferring schools.
Maybe you're just a masochist. Groaning, you slump in your seat.
What were you doing again? You dumbly blink down at the mostly blank paper on your desk. Something about writing a three page essay on molecular structures. You have a little over two weeks left to finish it.
With a dissatisfied grunt you shove the paper away from you, having only scrawled down half a paragraph. Standing up you search your room and locate your bass.
 There she is, all alone on her stand in her corner. You pick her up and sit on the edge of your bed, plucking at the strings at random and feeling the vibrations she warbles out. Tomorrow is Monday, the start of another week at school. You have unanswered texts on your phone from a few girls, Amy included.
Amy...
You pause your senseless plucking and think about the confession she made to you three weeks ago.

She was strangely jumpy that day. Almost nervous.
She had come around to your house one weekend and invited you to go to the park 'or a movie, doesn't matter', is what she had said.
The park was obviously the better choice, there wasn't anything worth seeing at the cinema anyway. Plus, it was free.
She led you around in the park, stopping only once to buy shaved ice from a vendor.
It almost seemed like you two were little kids again.
She led you up the hill towards a gazebo and patted the seat next to her, which you took.
You were enjoying the view and digging into your cherry flavored shaved ice, when she poked your side.
"Say Soren?" her voice was serious enough to make the spoon stop halfway between the cup and your mouth.
"Hmm?" How strange. The air around you both shifted, going from a comfortable warm to a more suffocating chill. She seemed hesitant to continue and you slipped the spoon in your mouth before the melting ice could drip over your jeans.
"Do...do you have anyone you like?"
"Mrghhhkk!" Out of nowhere she asked a dangerous question, making you choke.
Alarmed, she smacked your back until your coughs ceased. You wiped the remnants of spittle off your mouth and asked, "What kind of question is that?!"
She apologized immediately, her face heated with embarrassment. "Sorry sorry! That was stupid of me. I-It's just that..." she bit her lip, her fingers curling around the hem of her skirt, her shaved ice forgotten and melting into a pile of blueberry goo.
It then dawned upon you of what she meant, and your heart sank in your chest. "Oh." You couldn't bear to look at her. "I...I'm sorry Amy."
To your surprise, she simply laughed it off. She stood up and stretched, "Mmm...well got that off my chest. I suppose we are still friends right?" She turned to face you but her smile didn't quite reach her eyes.
You gave her a stiff smile of your own, you stood up and gave her head a gentle pat. Her face twisted into confusion when you pulled her in for a hug. "It's not that I don't like you, Amy..."
She went rigid in your arms, "Soren?"
Pulling back, you stared her in the eyes, and then rested your forehead on her slim shoulders. "Listen to me. You're the greatest girl to have around, an awesome friend, a talented musician. You don't need someone like me dragging you down into the mud. I'm the one that doesn't deserve you. You are so out of my league that I wonder why you let me be your friend..." Tears were pricking at the corners of your eyes and you hung your head, your self-loathing crossing a new threshold. Not even a moment later you found yourself sobbing into her lap, apologizing over and over.
She didn't speak throughout the whole ordeal, just stroked your hair absently until your tears stopped. The two of you stayed that way for a few more hours until the sun had nearly set and then wordlessly parted ways.

Opening your eyes, you grimace at the memory. She stayed away from you for three days and you couldn't blame her. Not only did you reject her, but you broke down and fucking cried in front of her too. So uncool.
Not like it was her first time seeing you cry, you were childhood friends after all. Still, you certainly do hope that you'll never allow her to see that face again.
The phone chimes again and you muss your hair in annoyance. Guess you'd better answer them now before they begin to pile up.
A grand total of eight messages.
Three from Rose.
Ugh...she wouldn't stop pestering you ever since that day and you gave in a went out with her for a while.
It didn't quite work out other than the sex.
You hate to admit it, but she gave the best head.
So now she was reduced to fuck-buddy status.
Not that she knows.
Next is Amy's.
She's asking if you know anything about Valhallen.
Huh...Valhallen? That transfer student from Appleloosa?
He was transferred in during the middle of the school year a few months back.
So far he had made a great name for himself for the lacrosse team and was a great motivational speaker.
Part of you is glad that she's already moved on and found someone else, but you feel a bit uneasy.
On the surface, Valhallen seems like a decent enough guy, however this is your friend we're talking about. You feel obliged to be on the lookout for her.
Fingers hovering over the touch keys, you type a quick reply and tell her to wait a little longer, maybe be friends with him first before she decides. Frowning slightly, you press the 'Send' key and go back to check your other messages.
Sherry is asking to borrow your notes for tomorrow and you agree, knowing full well that she'd rather kill herself than ask Brad because of his shitty handwriting. But why isn't she asking Amy or even Sunset?
Then there's two from Brad.
Oh. It must be for the band tryouts.
You bite your lip, hesitating to check the messages.
Earlier that week, the two of you had agreed to hold a fair audition and since Brad was the lead, that meant you'd have to try out like everyone else. No favoritism.
You decide to skip those for now and move to the last message.

CLACK!

Your phone falls and skitters two feet away on the ground underneath your dresser. With a frustrated grunt, you set your bass down and drop to your knees to blindly grope underneath the furniture for it.
Your fingers brush against the phone's case and you pull it out, pleased to see that the LCD wasn't damaged.
There's a message splayed across the screen in teal letters which you now recognize as Sunset Shimmer's choice of text color.

> Soren, can u come over 2 my house?

This...this can't be good.
Normally you'd be elated but there's a small voice in your head, telling you to watch where you tread.
You snap your phone shut and slip it back into your pocket. A quick dash down the stairs and a farewell to your mother later, you are out the front door.
The sun is making it's way down as you mount your motorcycle. Sunset Shimmer lives on the far-side of town, just shy of passing the North borders. According to some rumors, a syndicate operates there, but you aren't too sure.
You start up your engine and begin the trip over to Sunset's place.

---

"You've gotta be kidding me."
There is no fucking way she lives in such a place. This isn't an apartment complex...it's a death trap.
A piece of an exposed wooden beam breaks and falls off a boarded window, further proving your point.
Nudging the piece off to the side, you stare up at the building, debating whether or not it is safe to go inside.
After a few seconds, you facepalm and steel your nerves for entry.
'Just go in and get this over with and go home.'
You wrench the front door open and give the rotting staircase a skeptic look. Her text says she lives on the third floor.
Resisting the urge to turn tail and run, you take your time climbing the stairs.
You're mentally exhausted by the time you reach the third landing. She's a few doors down to the right.
The hallway is quiet and you sidestep a pile of garbage that one of her neighbors forgot to take out.
The smell of rotting wood is everywhere and the floor creaks underneath you, threatening to give way.
Apartment 303. Moment of truth is here.
Before you raise your hand to knock on her door, it swings open and Sunset's head pokes out.
Your breath hitches in your throat at the sight of her appearance. Hair tousled, a sheer black tank top with a strap deliciously sliding off her shoulder, and a pair of neon purple bootyshorts. Your tongue slides over your lips. She's playing a dangerous game, dangling forbidden fruit in front of you like that.
She regards you silently and grabs you by your blazer and practically shoves you inside.
You are treated to a view of her toned ass as she leans her body against the door's frame to inspect the hallway before closing the door behind her.
"Uh hi?" You are not sure were to look, so you train your eyes on the wall behind her left ear.
"Did anyone see you?" She slinks past you towards the living room, making sure to brush her shoulder against you.
Swallowing nervously, you follow her and wait for her to continue.
She sinks into her sofa, crossing her legs underneath her and reaching over to the worn coffee table, picking up a can of soda. It's then clear to you that she hasn't heard your answer. "Well? Don't keep me waiting, Soren."
You shake your head, "No. Why would they? It's kinda late." Glancing around, you burn the image of her apartment into your mind.
Small, but it eerily fits her. You notice now that it's a single, so her bed is crammed over in the corner.
Her...bed...
You quickly shake your head, removing all the provocative thoughts worming their way into your head.
Instead, you return your focus on her.
"Good. It would be...problematic." She sets the can down and faces you. She pulls a paper out from behind her back and holds it for you to take.
Walking over to her, you take the note, wary of the contents. Carefully unfolding it, you notice handwriting that is awfully familiar.
"You wrote this, didn't you?"
You stare at the note in a mixture of disbelief. She kept it? Why is she bringing this shit up?
Looking away, you simply smile, "What ever are you talking about Sunset Shimmer? I've never seen this in my entire life."
「Oh? But you know what every line says, don't you?」 A nasty voice whispers inside your head, mocking you. 「What a pitiful boy you are.」
Sunset's lips twist into a strange smile and snatches the note back. "My mistake then." Her hand takes the soda can again and brings it to her lips. Her tongue snakes out to lick up a stray drop from the opening, and you can't help but wonder what that tongue would feel like around your-
"Is that all you wanted to talk about?" Crossing your arms over your chest you lean your back against the wall, once more interrupting your own train of thoughts. What was even the point of all this? This woman...
"You could say that. Or maybe..." she pauses, and gives you a smirk. "I wanted to see you?"
"Hm?" tilting your head, you analyze her words, her actions. She's leaning towards you, her tank top giving the barest glimpse of the upper halves of her breasts. 'She's not wearing a bra.' You shift your feet, subtly moving forward one step. The following silence seemed to stretch on, and as if in a trance, you began to walk towards her.
Her smirk widens and she bids you to come into her arms. Your resolve is gone. Gone gone gone.
Your hands travel up her thighs as you move over her, her lips inches away and you hover over her face, drinking in the sight. Her hands find their way up your clothed arms and she pulls your head down towards her --
The chorus to Katy Perry's 'Firework' pierces the silence, shattering whatever spell was at work here. You instantly pull away and nearly fall off the couch, hands clamped over your mouth.
Sunset is already back to her normal self, legs crossed and staring at her phone. "Tch. Brad's coming." She stands up and walks over to you. "You should leave now. Thanks for stopping by." And then she disappears into the bathroom, locking the door behind her.
There is nothing for you here. Disappointment and shame pierces your already bruised ego. Sighing, you get up and with one last longing look at the closed bathroom door, you take your leave, making sure to lock the door behind you.
「Stringing you along like the fool you are. You truly are worthless」 The voice is louder this time, laughing.
'Fuck off.' Your head hurts.
「Now, now. Let's not be so hasty. I'll leave you alone.」
You can practically hear the 'for now' as the voice dissolves into nothing.
A clatter on the staircase startles you and you look up.
A neighbor is in the hallway and is waving at you. Wait, isn't that...?
"Oye, Soren Skyler! What a surprise to see you here, hombre." It's the school's janitor, Sombra. What's he doing here?
"Same here, sir." Offering one of your practiced fake smiles, you greet the man.
He nods and comes towards you. "So what brings you around here?"
Shit, gotta think of a lie. You don't know if he knows that Sunset lives here. "Nothing, I was just driving around and saw this place. Didn't think anyone actually lived here. I was just going."
He scratches his goatee and takes your arm, "Not exactly Versailles, but still habitable. I'll walk you out." The two of you walk down the stairs towards the exit and he walks you over to your bike. "Now run along and get home, it's late. Little niños should be in bed."
"Yes, sir. I'll see you tomorrow." He chuckles and goes back inside, finally leaving you alone.
Alone...
You stare up at the building and place two fingers against your lips. You and Sunset had almost kissed. You had almost gone behind your best friend's back. Feeling disgusted with yourself, you turn the key in the ignition, feeling the motor grumble underneath you.
"I really am scum." Revving up, you steer forward towards the road leading home, but something is standing in your way. "Oi! Move out of the way, jackass!" You can barely make out the stranger's face but the way that hair is styled, it can only be one person. Oh no.
"What are you doing here?" Brad has his guitar case slung over his shoulder, his brow furrowed in confusion. He steps towards you and your fingers tighten around the motorcycle's handlebars. "Oi. Earth to Soren? What the hell are you doing here so late?"
Quick! Stall him so you can think of another lie! "I...wuh...I could ask you the same thing." crossing your arms, you try to play it cool. Yeah. Totally nailed it.
He shrugs. "I sometimes walk around here to get inspiration." Liar. "Oh and speaking of which...yeah. Did you get my text messages?" How is that related to anything?!
On the bright side, it seems he hasn't noticed your strange behavior. Reaching into your pocket, you pull out your phone. "I kinda...got distracted and thought it would be a good idea to drive around town for a bit. I have no idea of how I ended up here."
「And you call HIM a liar? Heeeh, you're funny, my friend.」
'Shut up, whatever you are. Just SHUT UP.'
 With shaky hands, you slide your finger over the 'Unlock' button and look at Brad's messages. Your carefully placed fake smile slides off like a melting spoonful of ice cream.
"This is...but...why?" Raising your head, you glare at Brad. He looks uncomfortable.
"Well...don't be mad ok? The uh, hall monitor. Axel? Yeah, him. He's actually pretty good on the bass and...well." He takes a deep breath. "It's just that his audition was better than your was." His next words feel like he is pouring salt into the wound and then squeezing a lemon over it. "Did you slack off because you were confident you were going to win?"
Lowering your head, you stare at the metal bars of your motorcycle. Your voice can barely make it above a whisper. "That's not true..." Was it? You think back to your audition. The feel of your bass's strings between your fingers as you performed one of Brad's songs that you helped write. You knew you had the passion but...did you actually convey it?
「You were too busy trying to impress his girlfriend that you failed to impress him」

No. No! It wasn't supposed to be like this!
There's only so much bullshit you can put up with in one day.
Just not fucking this.
That twisting feeling in your stomach rises again, threatening to spill all over the ground. You force it down and slowly raise your head to face your best friend. "I see. Well, uh...good for him. I have to get home...you know, before my parents get too worried." You wave your hand at him, as if shooing a dog. "So could you get out of the road, Brad? Please?" Your smile feels like it's going to break your face.
Brad looks surprised, "You're not mad?"
"No."
「Yes」
"See ya, Brad." You ride past him, refusing to meet his eyes. Fuck him. Fuck your dreams. And most important of all, fuck Sunset Shimmer.
The road ahead is empty, just like your chest. You left that back at the front door of that crumbling building. There's only one thing left for you to do now.
Fake it until you make it.