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“Whooo! Freedom!” Luke whoops as he bursts through the front doors of Los Feliz High School, an excited bounce to his step.
“Yeah! Junior year in the bag baby!” Reggie cheers as he bounces after Luke. Luke turns to throw an arm around Reggie’s shoulders, spinning them both around to face Alex and Bobby behind them, the other two boys grinning as well.
“Okay you dorks, keep moving before you get us trampled.” Bobby says with a fond chuckle, gesturing to the rest of the Los Feliz High student population streaming out the doors around them. Next to him Alex is craning his neck trying to see over the crowds. Bobby grins and elbows Alex playfully.
“You trying to catch one final look at your boy now he’s a graduate and you won’t get to ogle him in the hallways anymore?” He teases. Alex’s gaze snaps back to Bobby, his cheeks flushed.
“What?! I- no! Willie is not my boy!” He stammers in protest. The other three boys share an amused look.
“Bobbers never said anything about Willie.” Reggie says with a smirk. Alex’s cheeks flush an even deeper shade of red.
“I hate you all.” He grumbles. Luke grins and slips around to Alex’s other side, throwing an arm around his shoulders and jostling him playfully.
“Nah you could never hate us Lex, you love us too much.” He says with a smirk. Alex lets out a long suffering sigh.
“Unfortunately I do.” He grumbles, though a slight twitch of his lips betrays his true feelings.
“Aww we love you too Lexi!” Reggie teases playfully. Luke grins and gives Alex one more squeeze before bounding ahead of the other three boys, then turning around to face them, his arms spread wide as he continues walking backwards.
“This is our time boys! 3 whole months of nothing to do but work on our music! This is Sunset Curve’s time! I can feel it! It’s gonna be a good summer, boys!” Luke crows gleefully.
“Dude you say that every summer.” Bobby points out dryly. Luke, very maturely, scrunches up his face and pokes his tongue out at Bobby.
“Don’t be such a Debbie-Downer Bobbin! Big things are gonna happen for us this summer! I can feel it in my gut!” Luke proclaims, still walking backwards and by some miracle managing not to trip or run into anyone. Alex snickers.
“You sure that’s not the three hot dogs, two bags of chips, five cookies and nearly a gallon of lemonade you consumed at lunch today talking dude?” He snarks. Next to him Reggie gets a dreamy look on his face.
“Those cookies were so good! I love the last day of school lunch, it’s always the best food of the school year!” Luke chuckles and reaches forward to ruffle Reggie’s hair, causing him to squawk and bat at Luke’s hand.
“Yeah, they were some pretty great cookies bro. But no, Alex, that’s not it.” Luke says, bringing the conversation back around to its original subject. “This summer's gonna change everything for Sunset Curve, I’m telling you guys!”
~~~***~~~
Twenty minutes later the four of them are standing in front of the detached garage they use as a studio with matching looks of shock on their faces. The house that the garage belongs to has a for sale sign in the front yard and a moving truck in the driveway while guys in uniforms go back and forth between the house and the truck.
“Uh Luke…?” Alex says, his voice rising in pitch. “When you said everything was gonna change this summer, was this what you had in mind…?”
“N-no… no! No! I-I… this.. W-what is happening?” Luke stutters out, his eyes wide.
For almost as long as the boys had been a band they had been using this garage as their studio to practice and hang out in. It belonged to a sweet old lady named Dorothy Rogers. Miss Dorothy, as she insisted they called her, was an elderly widower who was a little hard of hearing, so their playing didn’t bother her. She let them use the garage as their studio free of charge in exchange for the occasional help around her house and garden, which the boys were more than happy to do for her. Especially since they couldn’t exactly afford to rent a studio space right now and Miss Dorothy’s place was conveniently, centrally located between all 4 of their houses and their school.
Just then a middle aged man with dark slicked back hair that’s graying around the temples, wearing slacks and a button down with the sleeves rolled back and the top button undone makes his way over to the four boys. He gives the boys a friendly smile, though there is a tightness around his eyes that gives away his underlying stress.
“Ah you must be the band that’s been practicing in mom’s garage.” He says when he reaches them.
“Yes, sir.” Alex replies politely.
“We’re Sunset Curve!” Luke says proudly, taking a step forward.
“Tell your friends!” Reggie pipes up with a grin, leaning forward over Luke’s shoulder. Bobby rolls his eyes in fond exasperation and tugs the pair of them back by their shirts.
“Not the time dorks.” He mutters. Then he sends the man an apologetic smile. “Sorry about them. Can we help you?” The man blinks in shock for a moment before chuckling weakly.
“Right. Yes. I can see why mom was so fond of you boys, she said you were a charming bunch.” The four boys exchange worried looks at the man’s use of past tense.
“I-is Miss Dorothy okay?” Reggie asks nervously. “D-did something happen to her?” The man quickly nods.
“Oh yes, she’s okay now. Sorry, I’m not doing a very good job at this, I’ve had a lot going on this past week. I’m Ian Rogers, Dorothy Rogers is my mother. Earlier this week she fell and broke her hip. They had to rush her in for emergency surgery, but she’s doing a lot better now. My wife and I have been telling her for years now that she was too old to be living here on her own. She insisted that she was fine and that a very nice group of young boys who were in a band helped her out around the house and gardening in exchange for using the garage as a practice space. Which, I want to thank you for, by the way, you’ve been a great help to her over the years.” The boys all smile at that, relieved to hear that Miss Dorothy is going to be okay.
“No need to thank us, sir, we were happy to help and we really appreciated her letting us use the garage.” Alex says.
“Well, I still appreciate it.” Ian says with a kind smile. “I do have some bad news though. This fall was a bit of a scare for mom and the wake up call that she really shouldn’t be living alone anymore. She’s staying with my family for now, but she’s going to need more consistent care moving forward, so we’re going to be moving her into an assisted living home once she’s recovered from her surgery. None of this has been or is going to be cheap, so we are trying to get mom’s house cleaned out and on the market ASAP. Which unfortunately means I’m going to have to ask you guys to clear all your stuff and equipment out of the garage as soon as you can. I’m terribly sorry.”
All four boys fall uncharacteristically quiet for a beat as they stare at the man in shock. They’re losing their studio?! Just like that?! Bobby is the first to recover. He clears his throat and takes a step forward.
“We understand, we’ll get the garage cleaned out this afternoon.” He says with a weak smile. Ian gives him a grateful smile.
“Thank you boys, I feel bad, but I do appreciate it. And I really can’t thank you enough for everything you’ve done for mom. Now I really must run, mom will kill me if I let those movers break any of her things.” He gives the boys one more small smile before hurrying back over to the moving van.
Bobby turns and herds the other three boys into the garage. They trail inside slowly and despondently, all their previous excitement about the summer having evaporated. Alex settles behind his kit, picking up his sticks and fiddling with them absentmindedly. Reggie curls up in a chair, his bass cradled in his arms. Meanwhile Luke flops down on his couch with a huff, slumping back into it with crossed arms and a pout that makes him look like a grumpy puppy. Bobby moves to stand behind Reggie’s chair, giving his shoulder a comforting squeeze.
“Alright guys, I know this isn’t ideal, but we gotta get this place cleaned up. We’ll figure something out later, but we owe it to Miss Dorothy to leave her garage looking as nice as we found it.” Reggie lets out a sigh, leaning his head sideways so it rests against Bobby’s forearm.
“Yeah, you’re right, Bobbers. It sucks, but we owe it to Miss Dorothy.” He says softly.
“What are we gonna do with all our instruments and equipment and stuff though?” Alex asks with a frown.
“Well I know it’s not exactly ideal since I live the furthest away from everyone, but we can keep anything you guys don’t wanna take home at my place for now. Just until we find a different solution. You know my uncle has the space, he won’t mind.” Bobby says with a shrug.
The other three boys share a look before shrugging and nodding.
“Yeah, I guess we can make that work short-term while we figure something out, thanks Bobbin.” Luke says speaking for the group.
With that decided the four of them get to work tidying up and packing up the studio. It’s not how any of them expected to spend their afternoon, but it has to be done.
~~~***~~~
By early evening they have everything plus the four of them crammed into the band van and are headed towards the Wilson residence in Malibu. When they arrive they’re hot and tired, but they know they still have to get everything unloaded and taken inside. They’re on their third collective trip when Carrie wanders into the front hall and gives them a weird look.
“You throwing a party you didn’t tell me about cuz?” She asks Bobby, eyeing all the musical equipment they’re carrying in.
Bobby rolls his eyes fondly. He’s spent so much time living with his uncle and cousin that Carrie feels more like a sister to him at this point.
“Please Care,” he says, setting down the heavy box of cables he was carrying, “if either of us was going to throw a start of summer bash, we both know it would be you, not me.” Carrie grins and flips her hair over her shoulder.
“But of course. So what are you guys doing with all that stuff?” Bobby sighs.
“We lost our studio space. The house that had the garage we were using is being sold so we had to get all our stuff out of there. I told the guys we could keep it all here until we figure out a new studio.”
“Why don’t you guys just practice here?” Carrie asks with a frown. “We’ve got the space and you know Dad wouldn’t mind, he’s told you plenty of times, you can have your friends over whenever.” Bobby gives her a small smile.
“Yeah, I know and I appreciate it. But the thing was, our old studio was much more centrally located, so it was easy for all of us to bike or walk there from our homes or school. Malibu is a bit of a hike for the rest of the guys. But we’ll have to make it work for now. I mean it’s not like we have the funds to rent somewhere else. Despite what Luke seems to believe, busking is not a reliable source of income.”
“Hey!” Luke calls with a pout as he walks in carrying two guitar cases with a third strapped to his back. “I’ll have you know, I make great tips when I busk at the pier! Besides, it’s not about the money, it’s about…”
“The music.” Bobby, Alex, and Reggie chorus in unison, having heard this spiel from Luke a million times.
“You guys are so weird.” Carrie says with a roll of her eyes. “Also, if you need band funds, why don’t you guys get summer jobs? That’s what the Candies and I are doing.” The boys all stop and look at each other.
“Huh.” Bobby says. “You know, that’s actually not a bad idea… what do you guys think?” He asks the other boys who all nod in agreement. Carrie stares at them incredulously.
“Seriously?! None of you thought of that?!” She shakes her head and rolls her eyes. “Boys honestly.” She mutters to herself.
“Hey!” Luke huffs. “We only just found out and we had to spend all afternoon cleaning out our studio, so we haven’t had time to think about it yet!”
“Mhmm, sure, whatever you need to tell yourself.” Carrie says with a smirk. “Oh and if you don’t know where to start looking, the Hollywood Pool Club is still hiring lifeguards for this summer. Orientation and training starts tomorrow at 8am.” She calls over her shoulder before walking off into the house.
The boys stand in the front hall looking at each other for a moment. They’d all taken the lifeguarding and first aid class at school to cover their health and gym credits. And if they all got a job together, it would probably be easier to work their schedules around band practice and gigs. Luke is the first to speak up.
“What do you say boys? Who wants to be a lifeguard this summer?”
~~~***~~~
The following morning Alex finds himself walking up to the HPC at precisely 7:15am. It’s the first day of summer vacation and here he is, out of bed even earlier than he would be on a school day. But given that he and the boys were applying last minute, the last thing he wanted was to show up late, so of course that meant he ended up getting here ridiculously early. The peace and quiet of the early morning with no people around is actually quite relaxing though, so he finds he doesn’t really mind. He’s just rounding the corner of the building to approach the front door, wondering if the club is even open yet when that peace is abruptly shattered.
“INCOMING!” A voice yells from an alarmingly close distance and his brain barely has time to register the clatter of wheels against the sidewalk before something, no someone, slams into him. Hard. He goes toppling backwards in a tangle of flailing limbs, hitting the ground hard before having the wind knocked completely out of him when another body lands squarely on top of him.
Alex lays there dazed and winded for several long seconds before the weight on top of him disappears when the person scrambles to their feet. A moment later a hand appears in front of him.
“Oh man, I am so sorry dude! You came out of nowhere! That was totally my bad, I didn’t expect anyone to be here this early!” The owner of the hand rambles. Alex blinks in a dazed shock for a moment longer before reaching up and taking the offered hand.
“Yeah well, you should watch where you’re going, you could’ve killed me.” He grumbles as he’s hauled to his feet.
That’s when he looks up and comes face to face with Willie Covington, otherwise known as the coolest, most attractive guy at Los Feliz High School (at least in Alex’s humble opinion) also known as the guy Alex has had a massive crush on for ages.
With the hand that’s not still holding Alex’s (oh god he’s holding his hand!) Willie reaches up and pulls his skating helmet off, sending his long, chocolate brown, gorgeous (again in Alex’s totally not biased opinion) locks tumbling around his shoulders and gives him a sheepish grin.
“Yeah, my bad, I totally pancaked you there, are you okay man?” Willie asks, thankfully not seeming bothered by Alex’s grumpy reaction. But Alex has lost all ability to speak, completely flustered at being in such close proximity to his long-term crush. Belatedly he realizes he’s still holding onto Willie’s hand and quickly lets go.
“I-I yeah, good, f-fine, uh I mean I’m fine. Thanks.” He finally manages to stutter out after what feels like the longest, most awkward pause ever, stuffing his hands into the pockets of his shorts.
“Phew! Glad you’re good man. Don’t think I’d be very popular if I killed Sunset Curve’s drummer!” Willie jokes, giving Alex a dazzling grin. Alex’s eyes widen.
“Y-you know who I am?” He blurts before mentally kicking himself. Smooth Alex, smooth . Willie chuckles sheepishly.
“Right, sorry, that probably seems weird. I should introduce myself properly. I’m Willie. I go to, well, went, to Los Feliz High School. I just graduated. I was in the art program though, not the music program, so that’s probably why you don’t know who I am. I saw you guys perform at the Winter Showcase and it totally rocked! I promise I’m not like a creepy stalker or something.”
Alex shakes his head.
“No I know- I mean I know you- your art! I know your art! Your, uh graffiti mural was really, uh cool.” Willie perks up with a grin.
“You saw that? Thanks man! It was my senior project. I was pretty proud of it, I have to admit. Lessa wasn’t so thrilled with it at first since I may have neglected to ask for permission before painting that wall behind the gymnasium, but it covered up that awful homophobic graffiti those jerks from Burbank High did after we kicked their butts in the Lacrosse Championships, so she couldn’t exactly be too mad about it.”
“Wait, you were on the lacrosse team?” Alex blurts in surprise. How did he not know about this? More to the point, why hadn’t Reggie told him? He’d had a fleeting crush on Nick Danforth-Evans, Los Feliz’s star lacrosse player, so he’d attended several of the games, oftentimes dragging Luke with him.
Bobby had refused to go and watch Reggie, as he put it, ogle his cousin’s boyfriend. (Though Alex suspects Bobby had his own reasons for not wanting to be forced to sit and watch Reggie gazing starry eyed at the lacrosse team’s golden boy, but Alex wasn’t about to say anything, those idiots could figure things out for themselves.)
And Alex, on principle (that principle being to spite his conservative, traditionalist, homophobic parents) refused to attend school sponsored sporting events in any form. (Though he may have made an exception if he’d known it would give him a valid excuse to sit and stare at Willie, he’s sure he would’ve looked great in, well, whatever it is that lacrosse players wear.)
Willie laughs brightly and Alex can’t help but savor the beautiful, musical sound.
“Nah man, I mean, I was, for like a hot minute, but I figured out pretty quickly I didn’t enjoy it all that much, even if I was a decent player. Much to Coach Barron’s disappointment I quit the lacrosse team and joined the cheer team instead! Way more fun! But we cheered at all the lacrosse games, so I got to witness our guys wipe the floor with Burbank.” Willie explains with a grin.
Alex blinks as his brain takes a second to process that information. Because, wow. The mental image of Willie in a cheerleading uniform is somehow even more attractive than the (granted slightly blurry) mental image of him in a lacrosse getup. He is seriously going to be having words with Reggie later about not telling him this very important tidbit of information. And Luke for that matter. Though to be fair, Reggie was probably too busy, as Bobby said, ogling Nick to pay attention to the cheerleaders, for once. Luke, however, has no excuse. It’s highly improbable that Julie was at the games for Luke to get distracted pining after. Luke is many things, but subtle he is not and Alex would’ve heard about it if Julie had been there.
He doesn’t realize he’s been staring at Willie for too long without actually saying anything until Willie’s smile dims and he wraps his arms around himself, his thumb rubbing at a spot just above his elbow.
“Look, I get it’s not super common for guys to be cheerleaders, but it’s not unheard of…” Willie says, his voice taking on a defensive edge. That kicks Alex’s brain back into gear.
“No!” He blurts, then cringes. “I mean- That’s cool. Very cool. Awesome in fact!” Willie’s posture relaxes and his sunny grin returns.
“Yeah?” He says, his tone hopeful. Alex nods quickly.
“Yeah! Totally! That’s super cool that you did what you wanted rather than sticking to the status quo. I, uh, always wanted to try ballet when I was a kid, but my dad flat out refused. Said no son of his would be caught dead flouncing around in tights.” He says with an eye roll. “Joke’s on him though. I still turned out to be the gay disappointment of the family.” He says with a shrug. Willie winces and gives him a small, sympathetic smile.
“That’s rough man, I’m sorry. Oh, umm, this is kinda awkward but I never actually got your name. It would be nice to be able to refer to you by your actual name and not just Sunset Curve’s hot drummer.” He says with a wink. Alex’s throat goes dry. Did Willie really just call him hot?! He clears his throat.
“Oh! Right! I’m Alex. How’s it going?” He manages to get out, cringing internally at how awkward he sounds. Willie doesn’t seem to notice though, shooting him a dazzling smile that sends Alex’s heart beating double time.
“Well it’s very nice to formally meet you, Alex, and sorry again for pancaking you. I wish I could stick around and chat, but the reason I ran into you in the first place was because I was running late and rushing. I promised my uncle I’d get here early to set up for lifeguard orientation and training. And now I’m really late.”
“Right! Yeah of course, go ahead, don’t let me hold you up.” Alex rushes out quickly. Willie shoots him one last grin before scooping up his skateboard and turning to head into the club.
“Catch ya later Alex!” He calls over his shoulder as he disappears through the front door.
Alex stands there and stares at the door that Willie vanished through for several long moments, his brain finally catching up with everything that just happened. Boy is he going to have a story for his bandmates when they show up.