Chapter Text
Tomika POV
It’s time for my big trick Tomika said to herself.
She positioned her skateboard above the stairs. Zack had her phone in his hand below waiting to press play when she gave him the thumbs up to record. Lawrence, Freddy and Summer stood beside him anxiously waiting for Tomika’s epic jump.
“Okay, Zack I’m ready.” Tomika adjusted her helmet securely on her head lining her skateboard with the edge of the step. She breathed out a breath of air getting herself prepared for the big move. Zack pressed play as Tomika launched from the top steps turned her board in a full circle while holding on with one hand. She went to stick her landing when someone walked right in her path. She tumbled over running right into the mystery figure. When she looked up she looked into the eyes of the most amazing pair of blue eyes she had ever seen. How could they be that blue? She wondered. She was never much for sentiment but she could imagine herself swimming in those eyes. She felt hands reach for her shoulders pulling her up to her feet. He was strong too. Even though Tomika was sore form her fall all she could think about was this new specimen in front of her.
“Oh my goodness, are you okay? Are you hurt? Tomika fretted over the new stranger. “Are you new here?”
The young stranger flashed her a sweet smile. “Hey, I’m Logan.” His smile alone was enough to make Tomika feel flustered. She began to stammer. “I um I uh…”
By this point the others had come over to join her and make sure she was okay. Zack turned her around to observe her condition. “Tomika, are you alright?”
“Just fine.” Tomika said dreamily still thinking about the cute boy she landed on. She went to take a step and her ankle buckled under her. Zack caught her by the shoulder holding her up to steady her. At that moment the young new guy came over and swooped Tomika up in his arms.
“I’ll carry you to the nurse’s office.” He flashed her a charming smile walking off carrying Tomika with ease.
Tomika turned to look at her friends as she was being carried away. All of them looked shocked and confused by what was happening except for Summer who gave her a ‘go get ‘em’ approving nod. She didn’t mind being carried as long as it meant she got to figure out who this new guy was.
“So you’re Logan. I’m Tomika by the way.” She smiled at Logan.
Zack POV
“Okay, who the heck does that guy think he is?!” Zack blurted out to his friends in frustration.
“He seems nice.” Summer chimed in.
Zack kept ranting without paying her any attention. “He just came in here like he owns the place, got right in Tomika’s way when she was doing her stunt, then he scooped her up and carried her off!” Zack threw up his hands in an irritated fashion.
“You know man, you sound like a jealous boyfriend.” Lawrence always had a way of spewing nonsense.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He wasn’t jealous he reassured himself.
“You know you kind of do.” Freddy stood by Lawrence placing his hand on his shoulder in a supportive way.
“Why would I?…uh… You all are crazy! I am not!” Why were all his friends saying such ridiculous things about him and Tomika? Zack tried his best to shake off their stupid comments after all he didn’t have time to deal with them he needed to find out who this guy was.
Tomika POV
The nurse examined Tomika’s ankle carefully. “I can’t say for sure if it’s broken or not. It’s pretty swollen, I’m hoping it’s just a nasty sprain. I called your doctor he said to send you for x-rays just to be sure then you can follow up with him after. We’ll put this compression wrap on it for now. I’ll call your parents to come get you.” The school nurse left to call Tomika’s parents leaving Logan and Tomika alone.
“So, tell me about you.” Tomika wasn’t too concerned about her ankle she’d had many skateboard falls before and considered this one minor in comparison.
“Well, my family moved here from Australia.” She loved his accent. “We’ll be here for a little while before we have to go back. I’d really like to check out some of the things around Austin, maybe you could show me around sometime.”
“She’s not going to be able to show you around if her ankle is broken.” Zack said dryly as he walked through the door way. “Your parents called Summer to take you to get an x-ray but she’s busy setting up sound proofing for the band pract…uh…”
Tomika jumped up to cover Zack’s mouth before he finished what he was saying. What was he thinking saying that in-front of the new student?
After Principal Mullins found out they were a band at the festival 5 years back they were unable to keep it a secret any longer. Mr. Finn was able to stay their teacher but was under strict rules to keep music out of the classroom otherwise their parents would pull them out of William B. Travis prep. They were still able to practice and preform on the weekends though. That is until they got to high school. Mr. Finn transferred to be the high school history teacher. With the new principal they were able to be a little more secretive about their classroom band practices.
When Tomika jumped up to stop Zack from talking she put too much weight on her ankle and started to fall to the ground. Logan quickly got up and caught her in his arms.
“Just put her on the chair.” Zack insisted.
Why did he care so much all of a sudden?
They were good friends for sure maybe even closer lately simply because they had been spending so much time together this year. They were both in all the same classes, other than History Freddy and Lawrence weren’t in her classes. Summer was in quite a lot of them as well yet not all like Zack was. They were lab partners for chemistry, sat next to each other in English literature and calculus. Both took AP Spanish and the same PE class, they even had the same lunch hour. With band practices in history class and practices or performance every weekend. They pretty much did everything together.
Tomika was just glad this new guy was being so attentive. Logan slowly lowered her to the empty chair.
“Anyway, Summer wants me to take you to your appointment. We can take my car”
“In that case I’ll carry her to the parking lot.” With ease Logan lifted her back in his arms. “Show me where you’re parked.”
Zack POV
Zack guided Logan and Tomika to his Black Honda Civic. He couldn’t help rolling his eyes when Logan reached over and fastened her seatbelt for her. Why was this guy bothering him so much. He couldn’t put his finger on it.
He came over quickly and closed her door. “Thanks, man” he tried his best to be sincere. He hopped in the drivers seat and drove off seeing Logan only in the rear view mirror. Finally, he was done with that guy.
“Is your ankle feeling, okay?” Zack glanced over at Tomika with concern.
“This little thing? I’ve had far worse before you know that.” He did remember just a year or so back she had wiped out doing a skateboard trick and broke her arm and scratched up her cheek. She couldn’t play bass for a month. She was always tough it was something he admired about her. It was also something that drove him crazy. She never admitted when she needed help.
“That new guy Logan is really nice.” Tomika couldn’t help bringing him up. She glanced out the window thoughtfully.
“Ya, I guess so.” Zack tried his best to not say something he’d regret.
“You know I wasn’t planning on going to prom this year, but maybe I have new plans.”
That did it that pushed his buttons. “He didn’t even apologize for getting in your way, Tomika!”
“It was my fault really. I shouldn’t be doing tricks like that in a busy hallway.” She touched her bruised ankle and grimaced a bit.
“Since when has that ever stopped you before?”
“Fair enough.”
“I just mean you don’t have anything to be sorry for he is the one that should have been paying attention. Because he didn’t you’re hurt.”
“Okay, I’m done talking about him for now.”Tomika laid her chair back a bit. “Can we listen to some music?”
That was always her default when she was done with a conversation there was no use trying to talk to her about it anymore. Zack reached over to search a song on his phone.
“Can we listen to one of your Korean bands?” Tomika smiled at him.
“Are you sure?” She never let him listen to his Korean music in the car. He knew this meant she was trying to appease him. He quickly picked a song to play.
Tomika POV
“I’m so glad my ankle is only sprained! I can take my wrap off by prom!” Tomika laid on her bed with her feet propped up on her headboard. “Summer, I can’t believe Logan agreed to go with me!”
Summer sat on Tomika’s small couch in her room. “This is going to be so great! Freddy and I are going together and you and Logan! It’s going to be so much fun!” Summer got up off the couch and started jumping up and down.
“Okay Summer, you’ve got to calm down a bit.” Tomika sat up on the edge of her bed.
“I’m sorry you just haven’t always been into girly things like prom and dress shopping and dancing before. Today you are and it’s making me so excited!” Summer sat back down to try to settle herself from all her excitement.
“Okay, well don’t turn me off to it again.” Tomika said sarcastically.
“Did you hear who Zack asked?” Summer leaned forward assuming Tomika would be interested in what she had to say.
“That’s weird he didn’t tell me.” Tomika crinkled the space between her eyes in concern. “He always tells me everything. Why has he been acting so strange lately?I don’t know what’s up.”
“He asked Jacqueline.” Summer said emphasizing her words.
“He what?! Doesn’t he remember how badly she has always treated me?” No wonder he didn’t want to tell me Tomika thought to herself. He knew I’d be angry. Tomika had also heard that she was caught making out with Josh when he was dating Kendra. She wasn’t sure if the rumor was 100% true but it came from a pretty realizable source.
“I was so surprised too when Freddy told me. I remember just a few months ago she made sure the teacher knew we were late for class.” She rolled her eyes.
Tomika was going to have to have a talk with Zack. This was so out of character for him. Anyway, she wasn’t going to let it get her down. She was going to go to prom with Logan the newest, cutest guy at school.
“You know what I’m just not going to worry about it. If thats who Zack wants to take then good for him. It’s not who I think he should take being that she has proven herself to be a snake in the grass. Anyway, thats his decision.” Tomika wasn’t going to let the choices of others get her down. She was going to prom with her crush Logan!
Zack POV
“Cough, cough.” Tomika turned her head away from Zack at their lab table in chemistry. They both had goggles on for their experiment. Zack was adding the next chemical to the beaker resting on a stand above a Bunsen burner.
“Are you okay? Are you getting sic…” Zack leaned over to examine Tomika.
“Don’t say it!” She sniffed a bit and laid her hand on her forehead rubbing as if it hurt. “I can’t be getting sick prom is tomorrow and our big gig at the Midnite club is on Sunday.”
With his hand he reached over and brushed her hair out of her eyes. He gently felt her head. “You feel really warm.”
“This is literally the worst timing possible.” She borrowed her face into her crossed arms resting them on the table.
“You really should take something for your fever. I can finish up this and write down the results in your lab notebook so you can get some Tylenol from the nurse’s office.” He grabbed her open book from in front of her.
“Thanks, I don’t think I need that though because I’m not sick.” As if on cue Tomika sneezed. “It’s so cold in here I wonder why they aren’t turning the heat on.”
“Tomika, it’s like 75 degrees you’re just sick.” Zack grabbed his jacket off the back of his chair and put it on her shoulders. “
“Thanks.” Tomika slumped down in defeat.
“Just let me take you home. If you take medicine, drink plenty of fluids and get some rest maybe you’ll be feeling better by tomorrow.” Zack started packing up his bag with all his books. He grabbed his and Tomika’s bag and tossed them over his shoulder.
“What about our experiment?”
“We’ll start over and do it next class. It’ll be fine. We need to get you home.” Tomika was very surprise Zack was so willing to leave in the middle of such an important experiment just for her. She watched him as he went over to their science teacher to explain the situation.
“C’mon Tomika.” He waved her over to meet him at the door.
Next thing she knew they were outside walking in the school parking lot. His parents had money so of course he had a brand new car. He helped her get in the door of his black Honda Civic sport.
Tomika leaned her head against the headrest and snuggled under his jacket. She fell right asleep. She didn’t know how long it was until she opened her eyes. The car was parked and Zack was sitting in the drivers seat. He was watching her until she stirred then he turned away quickly.
“What time is it?” She peaked out the window noticing it was almost dark.
He glanced at his iwatch on his wrist. “It’s about 6:30. Sorry you fell asleep and I didn’t want to wake you up.” They were parked outside of Tomika’s house.
“Whoa, it’s that late?” She sat up still feeling a bit disoriented. “I’m sorry I made you wait around so long. You could’ve woke me up.”
“I didn’t mind.” He held up a book. “Just worked on some schoolwork.”
She sat up quicker now and put the jacket on that was laying on her. She still felt sick but she felt a lot better then she did before. “Well, I probably should go in for dinner. Do you want to join? I’m sure my mom wouldn’t mind.”
“I wish I could but I promised Jacqueline I would get her corsage tonight.” He gave her a weak smile.
“Zack why are you going with her to prom? Not only is she controlling I’ve heard so many things about her. She’s bad news.” Zack closed his book and turned to Tomika.
“Why are you going with that guy Logan?I’ve been hearing things about him too.”
“Like what?” Tomika started getting defensive.
“Like he’s a total player.” His anger got the better of him and he blurted out. “Apparently his plan while he’s here in Texas is to kiss every girl at William B Travis Prep High school.”
“Where did you hear that?” Tomika glared at him with annoyance. He could tell she was hurt by the words he just threw at her with no concern. “Whatever it’s just a kiss anyway doesn’t mean anything.”
“Like how our first kiss didn’t mean anything.” He meant for it to be a question but it ended up being a statement. He was starting to realize how little he meant to her. Remembering something he thought was special apparently meant nothing to her.
“That kiss was an accident.” She said causally. He could feel a burning in his chest. “Why are you even bringing it up?”
“It doesn’t matter. You should go in and rest. I’ve got to go get Jacqueline’s flowers.” He gestured for her to get out of his car.
She slipped out of his car quickly and slammed the door shut. The last thing he saw of her was her small frame running into her house still wearing his jacket.
Tomika POV
She felt so sick. Her head was pounding. There was a huge pit in her stomach. Was it really all because of this virus she had? She was sure it wasn’t. What was going on with Zack? Why was he acting like this? They were always good friends. Now he was being an evasive, moody jerk. She was so frustrated.
She plopped down on her bed pulling her blankets over her head to block out the whole thing.
Everything was going so well. He was being so sweet taking her home from school, letting her sleep in his car then it all flipped upside down. Ugh, guys are dumb. She tried her best to shake off the frustration.
Her cellphone dinged and she grabbed it quickly hoping to see a text from Zack saying ‘sorry for being a jerk’ to her surprise the message was from Logan instead.
*hey r u free to talk?*
*ya, sure what’s up?*
After she sent her response text her phone started ringing. The caller ID indicated it was Logan.
“Hey.” She said rather surprised as she answered her phone.
“Hey, Tomika I heard you’re sick.” Logan didn’t sound the least bit concerned. “I was thinking you probably want to take it easy tomorrow and are not really up for going to the prom.”
Tomika was so caught off guard she didn’t even know how to respond. She was sick but never considered not going to prom because of it. “Uh umm ya, you’re right.” She just started saying what she thought he wanted her to say. He obviously didn’t want to go to prom with someone coughing all over him. She figured she’d let him off the hook and end the call quick. “I’m really not up for it. You have a good time. Bye.” She hung up abruptly. Tears started prickling her eyes. Could this day get any worse? She laid back on her bed wishing to escape it all by just falling asleep.
Zack POV
Zack walked into the gymnasium at school with Jacqueline. He quickly spotted his friends. Freddy was dancing with Summer and Lawrence with Esme. Where was Tomika?
He knew he had messed things up with her yesterday. He wasn’t sure what he was even going to say. He just knew he needed to find her and make things right. Where was she?
“Can we dance?” Jacqueline asked.
“There’s just something I need to do first.” He kept searching the crowds of people to find Tomika. “Let me get you a drink.” He was happy to have the excuse to walk around looking for Tomika and not have to worry about entertaining Jacqueline.
By the time he got to the punch bowl he turned around and spotted Logan. He was walking up to Jacqueline soon they both walking off together onto the dance floor. What was with this guy? Wasn’t he supposed to be with Tomika? Where was Tomika? He rushed over to Freddy and Summer.
“Guys, where’s Tomika?” He couldn’t help his urgency.
“Not even a ‘hello’, Zack?” Summer teased.
“Hi.” He said curtly. “Where’s Tomika?”
“Didn’t she come with you?” Summer asked confused.
“No, she was supposed to come with Logan.” Zack was really, really starting to hate that guy.
“She told me that plans changed last minute and she wouldn’t be going with Logan but you were taking her instead.” Summer was starting to get worried about her friend.
“She’s sick with a fever. She must have told you that so you wouldn’t skip coming.” He looked over and noticed his date was quite happily dancing with Logan.
Summer and Freddy looked at each other concerned. Freddy put his hand on Zack’s shoulder. “What are you going to do, man?”
“I’m going to her house.” He turned to leave quickly.
Tomika POV
Tomika lay in her bed with the pillows propped up behind her. Her pain medication had finally kicked in. She laid her head back against the pillow grateful the room was no longer spinning from her pounding headache.
She was startled by a knock at her bedroom door.
“Hey.” Zack peered from behind the door. “Your mom let me in.” He was carrying a brown bag of things he must have gotten from the store.
“Hey, why are you here?” She tried to be angry with him but couldn’t. It was Zack her best friend, no matter what she couldn’t help forgiving him. “Aren’t you supposed to be at the dance?”
“I was going to ask you the same thing.” He walked over and sat on the corner of her bed. “How are you feeling?”
“I’m okay.” She said half-heartedly.
“Why aren’t you dancing it up at the prom with Your Aussie?”
“Don’t you know? I’m sick. Thats what Logan was quick to remind me anyway. That or he was trying to find a good excuse to not be stuck with me.”
“That guy really… what were you thinking going to the prom with him?” Zack grabbed a purple Gatorade out of the bag he brought with him. Purple was her favorite color this made her smile. He handed her the bottle after opening the lid for her. “You know when I was leaving the prom your guy was making a move on my date. Not that she was stopping him.”
“You should have expected that. Jacqueline?! Really?” She met his gaze. “You know maybe you and I should have just gone together as friends.”
“You’re probably right, missed opportunity. Maybe next time.” He smiled at her sweetly. He grabbed a new box of tissues, cough drops and a small blanket out of the bag. Gently he wrapped the blanket around her shoulders. “We have to get you well for our band performance tomorrow.”
“Is that why you went to all this trouble to bring me all these things?”
“Something like that.” He reached for her lap desk tray she used for homework and placed it on the bed between them. After reaching in his pocket he pulled out a deck of cards and started dealing. They stayed playing like that for a while.
The last thing Tomika remembered was leaning back on her pillow and drifting off to sleep. Zack must have left shortly after that because when she woke the next morning he was gone. The next day she took it easy all day then headed to the club in the evening.
She was supposed to be feeling better already. After all didn’t this cold know she had to sing today at the Midnite club? She sat on a cushioned chair backstage. Her head was leaned resting on the arm rest.
“Tomika, I brought you some soup.” Zack handed her a thermo canteen with chicken noodle soup in it. “Try to drink some if you can the warmth will help your throat.”
“You could use some electrolytes too.”He handed her a purple Gatorade.
“I’m still not feeling great, Zack.” She drank some of the drink he gave her.
“You don’t look so good.” Her face was really pale and her eyes looked tired.
Summer came to join them backstage. “How are you doing, Tomiks?”
“She doesn’t look very good. I think she’s worse then yesterday.” Zack turned just to look at Tomika. “Have you taken any medicine recently?”
“Here’s the thing.” She sat up a little in her chair. “I was all out of the DayQuil I was taking so I took some NiteQuil instead. It seemed like the right decision at the time.” Tomika dropped her head down a little embarrassed of her poor choice.
“Tomika, what were you thinking?” Summer chided her. Zack shook his head.
“My symptoms are better at least except for the dizziness. I thought I’d be strong enough to fight off the drowsiness.”
“This is just like that quinceanera all over again.” Summer thew up her hands in defeat.
“Trust me guys I can do this.” She sat down the soup and drink Zack had given her and started to stand up. The room spun a bit. Zack reached for her waist to steady her. She looked up at his concerned face. “Thanks.
She was a fighter. She knew she could still perform. Slowly she walked to the stage with Zack’s help. He picked up her bass for her and strapped it on. “If you need to stop at any point just signal to Summer or I we’ll take care of it.
She nodded her appreciation. He let go of her waist quickly. He looked startled like he didn’t realize he was still holding her there.
They all got on stage ready to perform their set.
Zack started playing the guitar intro to Fleetwood Mac’s Go Your Own Way. They played a couple of original songs, Thunder by Imagine Dragons, and Windows Down by Big Time Rush.
The moment they finished there songs Tomika felt completely wiped out. Her eyes felt so heavy she could barely stand. She had mustered up all her energy and drive for the performance. Zack must have noticed her exhaustion he stood right in front of her and removed her bass from her shoulders placing it on its stand.
All she remembered after that was Zack picking her up in his arms and carrying her off the stage. She slumped in his embrace relieved to have someone there she could lean on and rely on completely.