“So, you’ve finished your first week of your new school. How do you feel?” My mom asked me that evening while we were eating dinner as a family at the table. Mom had baked a delicious lasagne for the three of us.

I nodded while finishing my mouthful before replying, “I like it so far. But technically, I haven’t been at school for a whole week yet, just three days.” Mom waved her hand at me as if you sayyou know what I mean. “But I’m not enjoying Art as much as I thought I would.”

Dad set down his fork on his nearly empty plate, “But you love Art! You’ve always love Art. What’s wrong? Is it the students in your class? Is the work too hard? No that can’t be it, you have amazing talent... Then what is it?” He appeared worried at the thought of me giving up one of my favourite hobbies, even though that wasn’t the case at all.

I raised my hands as a signal to stop him from saying anymore, “No, Dad. It’s fine. It’s just my teacher. For the three classes I’ve had with him, he is always so angry at everyone, so grumpy, and it puts me in a bad place. I mean, today he gave me and my friend, Delilah, detention for something so small, it’s ridiculous!” My anger was soon taken out on my food as I violently stabbed at the mushrooms.

Mom then set down her fork to speak, “You had detention? Sweetie, you never get detention. You’ve always been so good. What happened?”

“Me and Delilah were passing notes about a gig tomorrow night.” I mumbled, looking down at my plate as I ate slowly.

Mom rolled her eyes, “Well there’s your mistake. You couldn’t have had your conversation with your friend before or after class? What was your punishment?” Her voice was stern, never taking her eyes off of me.

I was the final person to set down my fork, “He made me clean all of the bathrooms. I only managed two tonight and have to continue with my detention until they are all finished... But by then the ones I originally started with could be dirty again.”

Mom started on her food again, “I suppose that was a little harsh, but still, you did something you weren’t supposed to do in class... And I guess the punishment reflected his... anger. Hey, you never know, he may just be having a hard week. You might go in on Monday and he’s all sunshine and rainbows and any other thing that makes you smile.” I knew the conversation was finished when both my parents began eating again. I sighed to myself as I finished the rest of my dinner, too.

That night, I rang Harry, who I hadn’t spoken to since Tuesday, the day before I started Belleville High, ”Hello?” A tired Harry asked.

I smiled, “Hey Harry, it’s Sam. I feel as if I haven’t talked to you in, like, forever. How are you?” I asked as I fell back on my bed, kicking off my shoes.

I heard him cough on his side and I sensed he wasn’t feeling great, ”Oh hey Sam... To be honest, I feel terrible. My nose feels swollen, my head is banging, my eyes are all watery, and my whole body just aches. I’ve been asleep most of the day, actually.” He coughed again.

“Oh no. I guess now didn’t a good time to call. Let me know when you feel better and I’ll call you then.” He quickly mumbled a goodbye before hanging up the phone. At that moment, I felt sad. I’ve only been in New Jersey for a month and already I was slipping away from my old life.

I have yet to talk to any of my old friends and whenever Harry and I talk, it’s always cut short by other things such as illnesses and poker nights. Maybe staying in touch with people you were once close to was going to a lot tougher than expected.

I guess, for now, I was going to have to accept that and just begin everything over again here. As much as I hated to admit, my old life in New York ended when I was first told we were moving.

By midday on Saturday, Delilah had arrived at mine. I wasn’t sure why she had arrived so early as the gig didn’t start until seven-thirty and she said she had an appointment, “Didn’t you have to see your dentist today? I thought that was why you weren’t getting here until seven.”

She nodded before taking a seat on the couch in the living room, “I did, but my mom changed the appointment for next week. I just wanted to come by early because it’s a Saturday and I have nothing to do. Are your parent’s home?”

I nodded and I, too, took a seat, “Yeah, my mom is. She’s making lunch if you wanna meet her?” Delilah jumped up off the couch before following me into the large kitchen, “Mom, this is my friend, Delilah, Delilah this is my mom, Hilary.”

Mom set down her cooking utensils and cupped her face, “Oh my, you are so pretty.” I rolled my eyes and shook my head as Delilah stood back, slightly uncomfortable, “It’s nice to meet you, Delilah. Oh my, what a very pretty name as well... Would you like some lunch? I’m making some small pizzas. I’ve also made a wonderful coffee cake if you want some after?”

Delilah looked at me nervously with a smile, “Erm, sure. I’d love to, thank you.” Mom smiled wide as she got back to her cooking, allowing us to go back into the living room.

“Your mom seems... cool. She’s very, erm, happy.” Delilah struggled to find the words to explain my mother and her overly enthusiastic personality. She laughed, “No, really, she seems very nice. I like her.”

By nine-thirty that night, Delilah, Tom, Suzanne and I had already seen two of the bands playing. The final band was Delilah’s friend’s band, Leathermouth. The night had been a lot of fun. I didn’t think I was going to enjoy it, and neither did Delilah, as we didn’t really like the music they played, but it was soon easy to get used to and listen to it with enjoyment.

I heard a deep male voice through the microphone at the small stage introduce the next band, “I hope you’ve had a great evening. The music’s been great, hasn’t it?” The crowd cheered, hyped up from the previous bands and alcohol, “Finally tonight is a new band in town. They are... Leathermouth!” The man left the stage as five male musicians came onto the stage. Two picked up their guitars as another picked up their bass. A fourth sat down at his drums and the final member stood by his microphone stand.

“Oh my god! That’s him! That’s Frank.” I saw that Delilah was pointing to the guy without an instrument of any kind.

Without introducing the band himself, Frank screamed the name of the first song which sounded like Sunsets Are For Muggings. The music was louder than the previous bands, but it was very intense and I really enjoyed what I heard. Each member of the band threw all of themselves into their playing. They enjoyed what they were doing and it didn’t matter what else was going on in their lives, this moment mattered to them more than anything.

They never really listen,
‘Cause they never fucking care,
The way I feel inside,
They can never fucking hear.

During their set, I struggled to get out of the crowd to enable me to get an ice cold drink, “Diet coke, please... With ice.” The bartender nodded as he reached for a clean glass and poured in the fizzing dark liquid. He dropped in two large blocks of ice and handed me the drink. I paid him the correct amount and turned back to watch the band.

Unfortunately, as I turned around, I failed to see the tall man standing behind me. I bumped into him, spilling my drink down his clean white shirt. I quickly set down the glass and grabbed his arm, “Oh my god, I am so, so sorry about that, I wasn’t paying enough attention –“

“No, don’t worry about it, it’s okay.” He laughed as I continued to drag him to the bathroom, “Where are we going?” He asked.

I made him stop outside the ladies bathroom as I went inside and brought back out a lot of toilet paper. I dabbed quickly at his shirt, although I knew it wasn’t going to make a difference, “I’m such an idiot. I am so sorry. You must think I’m so stupid.” I slapped my forehead at my stupidity as I kept dabbing.

The young man brought up his hands and pulled mine away from him, “Please stop. I’m okay, really, it’s not a big deal. And I don’t think you’re stupid or an idiot. It happens.”

I exhaled deeply, “Really?” He nodded, “Thanks.”

He shook his head, “No problem... I’m Mikey by the way.” He held out his hand for me.

I smiled, “I’m Sam. Nice to meet you Mikey.” He smiled back, “So do you like the music?”

He nodded quickly, “Oh yeah, definitely. I actually know the singer of Leathermouth, Frank Iero. He’s a very close friend of mine.”

I nodded, “Oh that’s cool. My friend knows him, too. That’s why I’m here. She’s here, too.”

Mikey was about to open his mouth to say something when a voice called out to him, “Hey Mikey, get back here!” I looked in the direction of his voice and my eyes went wide at the sight of my Art teacher, Mr. Way.

Mr. Way looked at me quickly and his anger was back in its rightful place. Mikey smiled before looking back at me, “I’m sorry, that’s my brother. I should get back to him.”

“Mikey!” He yelled out again.

Mikey sighed, “Yes, Gerard, I’m now coming! Jeez, he’s my older brother yet he still needs something with him for everything.” He laughed but soon stopped at my expression, “What’s wrong?”

I pointed to Mr. Way, “That’s your brother?” Mikey nodded with confusion, “He is? That man right there is your older brother?” He nodded again. I sighed, “Great.” I said more to myself.

Mikey stepped in the direction of Mr. Way, “Ookay. I better get back. Bye, weird girl.”

I shook my head as I watched the two of them speak to each other. Every now and then, Mr. Way – or Gerard – would look in my direction with a long hard stare before looking back at his brother, Mikey.

I sighed again as I returned to the bar, “Can I have another diet coke with ice please?”