Shoot For The Stars (Wesley Stromberg)

Chapter Twenty-One: My deadliest catch

Wes~

I threw the sheets with my handwriting scrawled all over them across the room.

They dispersed and floated down gently.

My fists curled up and I banged them against the desk.

Keaton poked his head through the door.

“S’up?” he asked me quizzatively.

I growled in frustration and put my guitar on the bed.

“I can’t do this song right.” I complained.

Keaton picked up all the scattered sheets and sat on the bed with the guitar on his lap.

He strummed out a few notes and then some chords.

I sat back in my chair and watched as he read over the notes.

“Ok here goes.” He muttered and began to play.

Somehow, frustratingly, he got it right on straight away.

He finished off and looked up at me.

“Now you try. Put everything else aside and just feel it.”

He thrust my guitar at me and shoved the notes after.

I gave it another go and messed up a few times but I’d gotten better.

“Thanks bro.” I smiled and stood up to ruffle his hair.

He shook me off and smiled back.

“What song is it anyway?

“It’s called deadliest catch by lower than atlantis.” I explained.

Keaton pursed his lips and nodded.

“Sounds good. C’ya later.”

**

“Hello? “

“Scout!”

“Wes!”

“Come over.”

“I can’t.”

“You’re lying.”

“I’ll ask mum. It’s pretty late…”

“Please?”

“Ok I’m on my way.”

I hung up the phone and grabbed my guitar.

I practiced the notes a few times and waited for Scout to knock on the door.

Twenty minutes later I heard a knock on the door.

“Hello Scout, dear.” Mom said.

I could just about hear the conversation between mom and Scout.

Although, it was muffled.

A light knock on my door made my nerves kick in.

“Come in.”

Scout poked her head through the doorframe and peered in.

“Eyoo!” She sang cheerfully.

She took a seat on the bed and looked at me.

“Ok. So I’ve been working on this for you since last Sunday. You WILL like it.” I laughed and she giggled along softly.

“Ahoy there, all aboard.

This relationship is leaving shore.

Anchors away as I set sail through choppy seas, rain storms and gales.

The sun is rising on the horizon.

As I climb the mast, my heart’s capsizing.

From the crow’s nest, where the view is best, I can see she’s swimming miles from where I’m casting nets.

I know, I know. They say there’s plenty more fish in the sea.

But that girl’s the best catch in fifty thousand leagues.

I know, I know. They say there’s plenty more fish in the sea.

But that girl’s the best catch in fifty thousand leagues.

She’s the one that got away.

Electric eels could not express what I feel.

The vessel she sunk cos I was drunk at the wheel.

From port to starboard, man the life boats.

She was taking in water, couldn’t keep her afloat.

Apparently, no man’s an island but I’m deserted and hurting, I'm suffering in silence

We rocked the boat when we skull and cross boned.

Should have listened to my first mate, now I'm all alone.

I know, I know they say there's plenty more fish in the sea

But that girl was the best catch in 50,000 leagues.

I know, I know they say there's plenty more fish in the sea

But that girl was the best catch in 50,000 leagues.

She's the one that got away!”

When the song came to an end I looked up at her to see her grin reach practically from ear to ear.

“I DID love it.” She smiled and leaned towards me.

Her hands gripped the neck of my guitar and pulled it away from me.

She moved it out the way and snuggled up to me.

“I’m going to miss this.” She sighed seeming more peaceful than she had all week.

I’d taken her to school on Monday but hadn’t seen her since.

“I’m going to miss you.” I responded and poked her ribs playfully.

She wiggled in my arms and broke free before I could annoy her any further.

She let out a massive sigh and flopped backwards so she was looking at the ceiling.

“Don’t forget about me.” Scout said finally.

Her voice seemed laced with actual worry and concern.

I leaned over her so I was looking down on her.

“Stay.” I said simply.

She cocked her head to the side and shot me a puzzled expression.

I’ll admit it was kind of cute.

“What?”

“Stay with me. Tonight. You can take tomorrow off and come help me get settled in the house.” I begged. “What do you say?”

With her hands on her chest she pushed me away as she sat up, so as not to head butt me.

“I say…” she cut off teasing me and she was enjoying it.

I lunged towards her and pinned her arms above her head.

“What do you say?” I repeat, trying to sound menacing.

She laughed harshly at my attempt to be scary.

“I say… Ok.”