I woke up two days later. It was a Friday afternoon. May 29th, 2021. I sat up in bed. My blind was open and the sun was shining brightly. Who opened the blind? Why would someone come into my room and do that? It's too early and too bright. I covered my eyes. Then I heard a knock at my door.
"Bandit, come down stairs, your father and I have to talk to you about something."
"Alright." I said. That was mom. What could her and dad possibly want? I rolled out of bed..literally, I rolled out of bed. I went over to put my slippers on. I walked out of my room and went down the stairs. Mom and dad were sitting on the couch together.
"Good morning guys. What did you want to talk about?" I asked.
"Come sit here, Bandit." Dad said. I came and sat inbetween them.
"Last night Bandit," He began, "After you feel asleep, I picked up your phone."
My heart stopped. He did not read the messages between me and Hunter.
"And I happened to glance at a few text messages.." He said slowly.
"There was a message from this number that didn't have a name... And that person happened to ask you out on a-"
"It was Hunter. The messages were from Hunter." I said, interrupting him.
"Oh.... A boy....hmm?" He said, quietly, slowly, and angerly.
"Don't worry dad, it's no big deal." I said, trying to calm him down.
"You said yes... And I don't even know him..."
"You can meet him tonight if you want. I'll invite him over, just for you."
"That makes me feel slightly better." He leaned over and hugged me. "I'm just nurvous, this is your first "boy experience"."
I just looked at him and laughed. "You don't have to worry, daddy, I'll be alright."
I stood up from the couch and ran upstairs to my bedroom. I leaped onto my bed and grabbed my phone. I pulled up Hunter's contact. I messages him;
"Hey Hunter. My parents kind of want to meet you. Would you like to come over tonight?"
He sent back shortly after.
"Of course I would. Then we could go to where I was gonna take you tomorrow.... Except its today..."
"Alright, be here around..... 6:30?"
"Sounds good. See you then ;)"
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6:30. Tonight. My place. I cannot believe it. Hunter was coming to my house. But daddy can't mess this up for me. And I have to look perfect. God, why does all this boy stuff have to be so complicated? I laid back on my bed and looked at my ceiling. Then someone knocked on my door.
"Bandit? Can I talk to you for a second?" I heard mom ask me. She pushed through my door and walked into my room. She came and sat by me.
"I can see that you're a little nurvous about Hunter coming over tonight." She said softly.
"Psh, me? Nurvous? I'm not nurvous..." I said shaking.
"I can tell you are. It's okay to be nurvous. I was nurvous when I went on my first date with your father. I couldn't even think straight."
"Really mom?"
"Hell yeah. Although dad was probably a million times more nurvous."
She came and sat closer to me, putting her arms around me.
"You don't have to worry darling, everything is going to be alright. I told daddy to behave and play nicely. You're going to have so much fun with him anyways." She said sweetly.
"Why don't we go get out nails done to help calm your nerves?"
"Yes please, that sounds wonderful."
I got up off my bed and walked over to my closet.
"I'll be down stairs waiting for you when you're done gettin' ready."
I pulled out a pair of jean shorts, a pale sort of teal colored shirt, and this sweater like vest thing. Whatever it was, it was cute. Then I went and slipped on a pair of black, gladiator sandals. (Ya know, the ones with the strange looking back? Ya know what I mean.) I walked into my bath room and brushed my hair and did my make up. When I walked back into my room, I was looking for my phone. I don't remember where I put it.... Or my purse.... I walked all around my room, looking under my bed, in shelves, under Chica. But they were no where to be found. I walked over to my end table to turn my light off and there it was. If it were a snake it would have bitten me. That's what my grandpa always says. Still couldn't find my purse. I slipped my phone into my back pocket and walked out of my room. I walked down the stairs and there stood mom.
"Ready to go sweetheart? You look nice."
"Yeah but I can't find my purse."
She tilted her head a little to the side, "It alright, we won't be gone long."
We started to walk out the door.
"See you later, ladies!" Shouted daddy.
"Bye! We love you!" We shouted at the same time.
We walked outside and shut the door. It was hot and humid out, like always. We sat down in mom's car. It was even hot and humid in the car. She started it and turned the ac on. I rolled down my window.
"Bandit, if you do that, the warm air will get in." She said.
"Well, I'm just trying to get it to cool off." I rolled it up again.
It was so hot and uncomfortable in here, I really want to get to salon....and fast...

We arrived at the salon about 20 minutes later. We stepped out of the car and walked inside.
"Welcome to Tráy Sabéls. How may help you?" Said the clerk.
"Hello, we would like to get our nails done."
"Mani-pedi?" She asked.
"Why not?" Mother said.
The clerk led us into the back. We sat down in these big chairs, and that is where we stayed for about 45 minutes.
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*Gerard's POV*
"Frank, get your butt over here; I got a big tv that has football, and it's screaming your name. Mikey is here. Be quick about it."
I yelled into the phone. Then I hung up. Since the girls were going to be out for awhile, I thought that we could have a 'guys day'. Ya know, watch football, hangout, talk about football, eat, nap. I haven't done this in awhile so it's nice. I sat down on my big recliner in the family room and changed the channel to ESPN. Mikey came in soon after. He had a cold beer in his hand.
"Now don't you get that on my furniture. Or I'll beat you." I said, sternly.
"You couldn't do it if ya tried." Mikey stuck his tongue out at me.
"I can cut your tongue off, too."
He leaned back quietly. We watched the Giants and the Lions. The score was close; 66 to 64.
"Come one baby!" I shouted at the tv.
"No, don't throw it to-"
"Ugh!" We both grunted. There was an interception and the Lions scored. It was now 66 to 67... With 12 seconds left in the game.
"Face it Mikey, were hopeless."
"I'm not!" Shouted someone. I turned around to see Frank standing behind me. He ran around and flopped down on the couch next to Mikey. He also had a beer in his hand. I personally don't drink beer anymore so we just keep these for the guys when they come over. As he sat down, he cheer loudly for his team.
"Were gonna totally kick your asses." As he said that, he pulled out a cigarette.
"Dude, seriously?" Said Mikey.
"Yeah? So what?" Questioned Frank, sticking the thing in his mouth and lighting it.
"Gerard," He said, looking at me, "Why don't ya try one?" He threw the box at me.
I caught it. I opened it up and pulled one out. He then threw me his lighter. I lit it and took one long puff.
"God damnit. I forgot how good these were." I said.
"I'm so fucking ashamed of you two." Mikey said.
"Hey, don't use that word around here."
"Sorry Mr. I Don't Swear."
"The hell I don't!" I ran up to Mikey and tackled him. We started to wrestle.
"He's pinning him by the neck!" Frank shouted.
"1..2..3! And he's over!"
I won. Like I always do.
I pulled the cigarette out and blew the smoke in Mikey's face.
"That'll teach you p, ya son of a bitch."
"God damnit.." He said, rubbing his neck.
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*Bandit's POV*
We pulled into the drive way.
"Mom, I really do love my nails, thanks for taking me." I said, great-fully.
"No problem honey." We opened our car doors and then shut them again. I ran up to the door and opened it. There sat daddy, Frankie, and Uncle Mikey. Uncle Mikey was drinking a beer. Daddy was smoking. And Frankie had his mouth full of food.
"Daddy....?" I asked, wondering what the hell he was doing.
He stood up quickly.
"Hey Bandit honey."
Mom walked in right behind me.
"Gerard Arthur!" She shouted. She walked over to him quickly and pulled the cigarette out of his mouth. She put it out in the ash tray on the coffee table.
Frankie then stood up.
"Rello Rindsey!" He shouted, his mouth full of food.
"Don't talk to me with your mouth full." She barked at him.
"And for you Michael, that better not have been your fourth beer!" She walked over to him.
"Uhh, no ma'am!" He stood up, very straightly.
Mom sighed.
"Get the hell out of my house you two. Frank, take him home."
Frankie left, guiding Uncle Mikey to the door.
"Bye-bye Bandit!" Said Uncle Mikey.
I waved to him. Then I walked up to daddy.
"Do you like my nails?" I asked.
"Of course I do." He leaned in and hugged me. He smelled like cigarette smoke.
Mom came over and kissed him on the cheek.
"I'm sorry I yelled at you. It's just you haven't smoked in years, and then all of a sudden?"
"I know, I'm sorry." He said, kissing her forehead. It was now probably 5:45. Shit... Hunter is going to be here in a few minutes. I have to go get ready! I ran up to my room.
"Have to go get ready for my date!" Mom and dad just laughed.
I ran upstairs and opened my door. I walked over to my closet. Now, what do I wear?
I opened up my closet. I pulled out a pair of ripped, navy blue skinny jeans, a gray tank top, and my black and white varsity jacket. Then I walked over and got my black converse hightops. I laid the outfit out on my bed. Good enough, I think Hunter will like it. I walked into my bath room and shit the door. Glad I washed my hair this morning. I pulled out my makeup case and re-did my makeup. I re-applied my eyeliner and mascara. Then I got a wise idea. I quietly but quickly ran to moms bathroom. I searched through her medicine cabinet where she kept her make up and bingo. Her signature red lipstick. I ran back to my bathroom. I put the lipstick on my lips. I smiled in the mirror. I think I look good. I then brushed my hair and grabbed a black bow headband. I placed it just behind my bangs. Perfect. I ran out of my bathroom and out on my outfit. As soon as I finished tying my laces, daddy walked in. He smiled at me.
"Don't you look gorgeous." He walked over to me.
"Isn't that your mothers-"
I placed a finger over his lips. "Shh.." I whispered.
I looked into the mirror. I looked....perfect.
"Hunter will love it." Dad said. "I do."
I turned around and hugged him.
"I love you daddy"
Just then, the door bell rang.
"He's here..." I motioned daddy to go get the door. I paced around my room.
"Hello there Hunter." I heard daddy say.
"It's nice to meet you Mr. Way."
He's here. He's actually here. In my house...... Holy... Shit....
I walked out of my room, while sliding my phone into my pocket. As I stepped out of my room, I saw mom come over and shake his hand. Daddy and his parents were talking. I slowly approached the stairs and walked down them. Then I saw Hunter's head turn toward me. He smiled.
"Hello Bandit." He said sweetly.
"Hi...." I said, shyly and nervously.
We walked over to the couch and sat down.
"So Hunter," Daddy asked, "Where are you and Bandit going this evening?"
"I was thinking we could go to this great karaoke bar down the street."
I thought to myself. Karaoke? Karaoke?! Are you kidding me?! He's not gonna try and get me to sing now is he?!
"It has food, dancing, and not to mention karaoke." Hunter said, laughing a little. Daddy laughed too. I didn't. I don't think it's very funny to make someone sing against their own will. We sat there talking for a few more minutes until Hunter decided it was time for us to head off.
We stood up. Him and daddy shook hands again. As we walked out the door, casually looked down at Hunter's 'rear-end'. Is it just me, or does he look fine in a pair of skinny jeans? He had on a pair of skinny jeans, a white t-shirt, a black leather jacket, and a black beanie. He ask had black convers high tops.... Just like I did. We sat down in the car. The ride was kind of awkward.
"Gosh you guys." His mother spoke "Could you talk any louder?" She said sarcasticly. We weren't talking at all. When we finally arrived to the bar, Hunter looked over at me.
"Don't you move, okay?"
I looked a little confused, cause I was, but agreed. Hunter climbed out of the car and and ran to my side. He opened the door for me. I smiled and giggled.
"You didn't have to do that."
"Oh I know. I just wanted too."
I climbed out of the car and shut my door. Ya know, at school, Hunter seems really tough and uptight, but when he is around me, he is really nice, actually.
"Okay, we will pick you two up at 11, okay?" His parents said. We waved goodbye to them and walked in. The place was big and full of bright, flashing lights. We checked in. There was even a guests list. This place must be pretty popular. The gaurd let us in. We walked over to the bar and sat down. Wh ordered some drinks. I got a lemonade and Hunter got a coke. We not 21, so we can't drink. We got out drinks and started talking.
"So, I heard it was your birthday a couple of days ago."
"Yeah. I only turned 15, it's no biggie."
"I turned 15 about 2 months ago."
"Really? That's cool."
We talked for awhile until we had two glasses of drinks each. Hunter stood up.
"Care to dance?" He asked.
"Of course not."
He lead me to the dance floor. Now, I may be able to sing and play the guitar, but I can't dance what so ever. I only dance around Carry and family. Hunter started to dance. He was really good too. He looked at me and smiled.
"I know you can dance, Bandit!"
"No! I can't!" I shouted. The Hunter took my hands and started to dance with me. He spun me around. He locked my fingers with his and we danced. It was fun. We danced for awhile until the do stopped the music.
"Now calm down ya crazy kids. It's time for some karaoke!"
Everyone shouted. These people must be pretty serious about their karaoke. Hunter and I went and sat down in our spots. A come of kids had already gone up and sang. Then Hunter leaned over to me.
"You go." He said.
"No way." I said back.
Then the dj spoke again.
"Any volunteers?!" She shouted.
Hunter grabbed my hand raised it up.
"She'd like to go!" He shouted.
"Alright young lady, get on up here!" Hunter let go of my arms. I cannot believe he did that. I slowly walked up on stage.
"What are ya gonna sing?" The dj asked me. I looked through my song options. I found one I knew and really likes.
"The Bird and the Worm." I said, "By 'The Used'."
"You got, girl." The dj began to play the song.
"He wears his heart safety pinned to his back pack. His back pack is all that he knows.
Shot down by strangers whose glances can cripple the heart and devour the soul."
I could see Hunter in the distance looking at me. He had a huge smile on his face. I don't know, I was just singing...
"All alone he turns to stone, while holding his breath, half to death.
Terrified of what's inside to save his life, he crawls like a worm from the bird.
Crawls like a worm from a bird."
As I was singing, some kids started to cheer and clap. I don't even think I sounded that good tonight.
"Out of his mind, the weight pushes him, whispering, must have been out of his mind.
Mid day delusions of pushing the out of his head, maybe out of his mind.
All alone he turns to stone, while holding his breath, half to death.
Terrified of what's inside to save his life, he crawls like a worm, crawls like a worm from a bird."
When I finished that line, a bunch of kids started to stand up and cheer and clap.
"All he knows, if he can't relieve it, it grows. And so it goes,
He crawls like a worm, crawls like a worm from a bird.
Out of his mind, the weight pushes him, whispering, must have been out of his mind."
Some kids now, even started to sing along with me and waving their hands in the air. Hunter stood up and was clapping too.
"All alone, he turns to stone, while holding his breath, half to death.
Terrified of what's inside to save his life, he crawls like a worm from a bird.
All alone, he's holding his breath half to death.
Terrified to save his life, he crawls like a worm, crawls like a worm from a bird.
Crawls like a worm from a bird, crawls like a worm, crawls like a worm,
Crawls like a worm from a bird."
I finished the song. I looked around the room and people were cheering, clapping and shouting.
The dj looked over at me.
"You got a name?"
"Yeah, it's Bandit. Bandit Way."
"Well Bandit," The dj said to me, "You got some serious talent, and I sure hope you plan on using it."
"Oh, I do sir." I set the mic back in its stand and walked back to Hunter. He stood up and grabbed my hands.
"Bandit, you sound amazing!"
I smiled. "Thanks."
"Come with me, I want to show you something." Hunter grabbed my hand and pulled my to the back of the bar. He opened this back door. Behind the bar was this amazing little garden.
"I didn't even know this was back here."
"Neither did I, till my friend told me about it."
Hunter and I sat on this bench underkneeth this willow tree.
"Bandit, there is something I want to give you." Hunter turned to me and opened this little box. Inside was a shinny, small necklace.
"Hunter, it's beautiful."
He came behind me and out it on me. I could feel his hands grace the back of my neck.
"La tua voce è potere."
"I beg your pardon?" Hunter laughed.
"'La tua voce è potere' means 'Your voice is power' in Italian."
"Why Italian?" I asked.
"My family is from Italy. I can speak the language."
"Hunter, that is so cool."
We looked at eachother, smiling. We looked into eachothers eyes. We leaned in. Closer...closer...closer... We far enough, that our lips almost touched. We were right about to kiss when our noses bumped into eachother.
"Aww man..." I said.
I looked away. I was embarrassed. I messed up the kiss. Then I felt two hand hold my neck. I turned my head. It was Hunter. He pulled my head in closely and kissed me. It was magical. I swear fireworks were going off in the air. We pulled back. We leaned our foreheads against eachothers.
"Bandit.. What's your middle name?"
"Lee." I said quietly.
"What about you?"
"Ricardo."
I giggled a little. He looked back into my eyes.
"Bandit Lee? Would you do me the honor of becoming my girlfriend?"
My heart stopped.
"I would love too."
He smiled so brightly.
We hugged and kissed and hugged and kissed. This night could not get anymore perfect. I had my first kiss, I sang in front of a big crowd and I got my first boyfriend. No, this sure as hell ain't getting anymore perfect.

Notes

Finally. It's here. Part three is here. The part many of you have been waiting for. Now you can stop hatin' me. Hehe, jk. I hope you guys like it. I'm happy with it. Now, I'm warning you guys. In a couple chapters, serious shit is about to go down. Pretty devastating shit. But, enjoy the happiness! By the way, I posted this at 12:00... p.m....... Midnight....... I wrote from 8:30....till midnight....I'm fucking tired...... Goodnight..... :)

Sweet sleep, here I come,

R.J. Taylor