Screw Ups

Justin Hicks The Trumpet God

Garrett Wells walked quickly down the hall to his band class, clutching his saxophone tightly. 'I'm so late..' He thought to himself, speeding up his frantic walk to a jog. He looked down at his watch to check the time before he hit something. Hard. His instrument and music hit the ground, the note covered sheets flying everywhere. He looked up to be met with a familiar bearded face.

"Justin..?" Garrett questioned, raising an eyebrow. The pair stared at each other for an awkward moment before remembering their initial missions.

Garrett got on his knees and started trying to round up his music. Justin watched, dumbfounded for a moment before he leaned down and started helping. Soon enough, they'd gotten Garrett's music back into his folder, picked his sax up, and they were back in awkward silence.

"Why aren't you in band?" Garrett asked the other.

"Trope kicked me out for talking while he was trying to teach, I dunno." Justin shrugged and the smaller boy furrowed his eyebrows.

"That man really hates you, huh?"

"Oh, for sure. But uh," Justin stretched, his back popping in the most horrific way causing Garrett to cringe. "I think I might dip. Wanna come with?"

Garrett scoffed, "Isn't this more of you and Audric's thing?"

"I mean, sure. But I like m akin' new friends." Justin winked at the smaller boy who gave a small smile.

"I've never skipped before, will I get in trouble?"

Justin shrugged, "Probably, but it'll be so much fun until you do."

Every part of Garrett's brain was telling him not to do this, but for some reason... He found himself sneaking out the school's back. The pair walked across the parking lot until they reached an electric blue thunderbird. Justin unlocked it, and the two climbed inside.

The drive was awkward and totally silent for about five minutes until Justin felt like he was gonna explode.

"What kind of music do you like?" The brown headed man asked Garrett.

"Oh man, it's that bad."

Justin couldn't help but laugh, "You just aren't saying anything."

"I'm sorry," Garrett laughed awkwardly, pushing his long hair out of his eyes. He looked over at Justin who glanced back occasionally. "I'm really bad with people like you."

The taller man looked at him quizzically, "What am I like?"

"Like, popular kids. I'm only good with Jayna because she's weird."

Justin shook his head, grinning, "We're both in band, so I think we might be on the same level."

"You think so? I don't know, you're so good with like, girls and stuff." The blonde headed boy immediately blushed after saying this.

"You need a wingman or something, Garr Bear?"

Garrett cringed at the nickname, "No, I didn't mean it like that. I'm gay." He wanted to slap himself. "But uh.. I'm not like James Charles gay like, I won't love you." Hard as fuck. "I mean not that I don't love you. You know! As a peer, I love all people, and-"

"Holy shit, man." Justin interrupted the other, sending them both back into an awkward silence until they had pulled up at the park. Garrett's heart had been pounding since Justin had cut him off, he must think he was an idiot.

Sometime during his rambling thoughts, the smaller boy was able to gather himself enough to notice Justin was staring at him. It made Garrett nervous.