Ahh, summer has been good to me. New job, prepping for college, oh yeah- nifty! Good job for reminding me Dan. Everyone, don't hesitate to nag me on this one. From all your kind emails, I'm under the euphoric impression I'm doing a good job. And now, for a rather musical chapter.
Sublimation- Chapter 5
"Hehehe... this oughta be interesting" Megan chuckled as she placed a burned cd into the karaoke machine. "Allright ladies and gents! Listen up!" she called to the choir room. The class turned to attention, a few stray laughs and words shooting around. One of the nice things about Megan was that she didn't waste class time waiting for those gifted with the gab to become absolutely silent.
"It's concert night! We're all up on stage- our parents, friends and random relatives have filled the audience." Megan walked around the room as she spoke. "Everyone's dressed to kill! We look gorgeous, beautiful, handsome," she paused at Andy and gasped "maybe even sexy!" Andy smiled and nodded as a few of the female choir members giggled. Megan rushed to the front of the room as she continued. "We've been working on our stuff for weeks! We know it like the back of our hand! The lights are on! The sound system is actually working for once!" She stopped. "What's the one thing that is gonna screw us over?"
The class debated for a minute. Finally, a girl yelled out the answer. "Stage fright!" "Score one for Melissa!" Megan responded, tossing out a candy bar in defiance of school policy against food in classrooms. "Repeat after me! Stage fright is bad! I look ten times as stupid if I freak out! Everyone in the audience is naked!" The class gave Megan a few looks at the last line. "I'm serious people! Ladies, you've just won a trip to Chippendale's! Fellas, think intro to James Bond movies- naked ladies dancing in giant guns and martinis! Oh, wait a minute," Megan paused, "your parents are in the audience!" The class exploded in torturous wail, whipping their heads and groaning in attempt to rid their minds of the horrid image.
"Ok, ok, so that was a little too far... But I have a plan. We're going to rid ourselves once and for all of stage fright." Megan walked to the karaoke machine and detached the portable mic. "Gather around here! The machine is going to play you a truly wild mix of music that you all know the words to. When I call you at your appropriate song, the last person will toss the microphone to you, and you will go all out. Your objective is to sing with passion and to make an absolute fool of yourself. I'm grading you on this. I expect insanity, stupidity and crazy dance moves! You will not receive an A on this assignment unless you embarrass yourself thoroughly!" Andy and a few of the kids gulped as Megan hit the play button. "Time to conquer your fears... Wendy!" Megan threw the microphone to the neat, conservative girl as the music of Christina Aguilara's "Genie in a Bottle" came on.
Girls laughed as they watched the uptight, quiet girl catch the mic. The look on her face was one of confusion. Some of the girls snickered, but Wendy took a breath and went for it. They had underestimated her drive for achievement.
She removed her glasses, pulled off her turtleneck sweater and undid her hair to the amazed hoots and hollers of the class. Her beautiful voice soon brought smiles to the group as she sang the lyrics:
"I feel like I've been locked up tight For a century of lonely nights Waiting for someone To release me"
She could dance! Her body dashed quickly through the line dances popular in music videos as she sang with the music. Any initial shyness disapeared as the class began to cheer her on. Her work was definitely A material. The class was getting into it- this wasn't going to be an ordinary period.
Megan stopped the music and called "Seth!" Wendy tossed the mic to him as the music for Greenday's "Minority" began. Seth was nervous at first and did what all hard rockers do in doubt- headbanging. His voice was confident though as he began to sing
"I want to be the Minority! I don't need your authority! Down with the moral majority Cause' I wanna be the Minority!"
He soon got into the spirit though, juggling the mic, and then flipping backwards (to applause). From the back of the group, Andy watched in amazement as Seth performed a variety of acrobatic and gymnastic feats- splits, cartwheels and others, all with the mic. Damn, but he was talented! Andy knew now that Seth was flexability itself, in every way. The only thing that drew his gaze away from the boy was Megan's summons to him and the mic thrown into his hands.
Andy would have freaked, but Megan knew him too well. His confidence returned as he recognized the song- Shaggy's "Dance and Shout". Andy was no big pop fan, but had always loved the crazy artist. His confidence was his ally as he moved around the room from girl to girl, teasing;
"Move to this! Let me see you jump and twist! Pump your fist Cuz' you know its hard to resist Now you be rolling with the love specialist Feed the fire baby Put the groove in the hips"
Andy used hilarious mimes as he sang, bucking as a bronco. The ladies went wild, forgetting any previous contentions they had held against him; cheering, whooping and filling in the female lyrics. Seth laughed as he watched Andy fill his niche. "Twice blessed," he thought. "He's incredibly sexy, and he's well aware of it".
The period was one the class never forgot, and everyone left the room with wonderful memories. Seth caught up to Andy as they headed for the parking lot.
"Mr. Lover, Mr. Lover, Mr. Lover?" Seth called. Andy turned, smiled and greeted him.
"Well, if it isn't Evel Kneivel. Should I throw down a red carpet?"
"Nah- red was never my color" Seth informed him. The two walked out to the parking lot as they talked.
"Seriously," Andy continued, "Where did you learn all that gymnastic shit?"
"My trampoline was my best teacher. A lot of stretching and some martial arts training helped."
"Christ! Is there anything you don't do?!" Andy exclaimed.
"Leather, whips and chains" Seth shot.
"Argh!" Andy grabbed Seth and noogied him. "Little smart-ass!" The boys laughed and laughed. Even if it was a choke hold, Seth felt a bliss in Andy's arms. Andy felt a pleasure from holding him as well, and as he realized it, he halted and let go with a shock. Seth looked at him, confused and secretly hurt.
"Andy? What's wrong?"
Andy's thoughts were in tumult again. Should he tell him? Would he understand? No. Far too dangerous.
"Well...um...Seth..."
"Yes?"
"We really shouldn't be doing that. Someone might look over and get some bad ideas"
"What bad ideas? That two friends are having fun together?"
"Don't be stupid- you know what I'm talking about!" Andy responded.
"What on Earth could you have to worry about from them?" Seth asked sincerely.
"I don't want anyone thinking I'm a fag!"
"Andy, come on- it really doesn't matter." Seth pleaded.
"GOD DAMN IT SETH, YOU ARE SO FUCKING NAIVE!" Andy shouted. Ironically, it was only now that a couple of heads turned to observe.
Seth was obviously hurt now. He had thought that the worse was over. Maybe Carol was right. Maybe he had been too idealistic when it came to Andy.
"I'm really sorry man. I don't want to mess up your reputation- I can tell its pretty important to ya. I'll... see you tomorrow I guess." Seth turned and walked towards his hill. Andy was silent for a minute, but had a change of heart.
"Wait" he called. Seth looked back.
"You wanna hang out tonight?" he asked casually.
Seth was upset- he wished that Andy would apologize, and was almost ready to ditch him. Then he remembered a line from his favorite book, The Prophet- "And who are you that men should rend their bosom and unveil their pride, that you may see their worth naked and their pride unabashed?" Apology was just too much to ask at this point from a guy like Andy.
"Sure- why not" Seth replied.
"Alright. We'll pick you up at 7. See you later."
They longed inside to be together, but went separate ways.
Seth was not one for holding grudges, so by the time that 7 rolled around he was feeling better about the situation. In his earlier grief, he had overlooked the wonderful reality of the situation- an invitation to pure adventure from a man he wanted to spend countless hours with. His heart sped up as Andy's crew pulled up to his door. "Loving God," Seth prayed "Give me balance, and let your spirit shine through your children".
"Who is this guy anyway Andy?" Nick asked as they waited in the driveway.
"A friend of mine in the choir" he replied, and came to regret immediately.
"Andy! What are you doing hanging out with castrated choir boys?" Chris asked. Andy found himself surprisingly enraged with Chris, as well as glad he hadn't accidently revealed his own membership in the choir as well.
"You fuck with him at all Chris and I'll give you two knuckle sandwiches to go!"
"Jeez Andy, you're no fun anymore" Chris whined, settling back into his seat. Seth came out to the van as Andy pulled the door open.
"Welcome to the Ghettomobile. Make yourself comfy and fasten your seatbelt". Seth smiled, feeling the last of the earlier feelings dissapate. Andy introduced him to his crew.
"This is Nick, Evan, Brian and Chris". Nick was friendly and seemed interested in Seth. Evan and Brian greeted him but were distracted by the Playboy magazine that had been smuggled into the back seats. Chris said nothing, and squirmed a little in his seat. Seth shuddered slightly- he felt darkness in the boy, and knew that there would be an eventual confrontation. He settled in next to Andy and tried to relax.
"So where are we headed tonight?" Seth asked.
"Nick, you're driving. Where are we going?" Andy inquired.
"Well, we may have to alter plans with your friend. I haven't got any fake ID for him."
"That's allright," Seth mentioned "I don't drink"
"Hey, that works" Nick reasoned.
"Whaddya mean you don't drink?!" Evan scoffed as he took at closer look at 'Miss Julia'.
"I'm a mad drunk. A really bad one" Seth explained.
"I wouldn't have thought that," Andy commented "Seems very opposite to you"
"Well, I probably get it from my father" Seth concluded. Andy backed off the subject.
"Well, it saves us rock paper scissors for designated driver" Nick pointed out. "We're going to McCormick's. The dj's good, and I hear they got a neat show tonight".
"What kinda show?" Brian asked.
"Hypnosis I think" Nick replied.
"That stuff is such bullshit" Chris piped up.
"Well, we'll see" Andy decided. "Helm, take her out"
Nick pulled out of the driveway and headed for the freeway. Seth took a breath and told his heart to stay open.
"You guys all know that I've got the pickup line contest won tonight" Brian challenged as the Ghettomobile parked and released its passengers.
"BS! Andy always wins pickup lines" Nick argued.
"Sigh... Guess I'll just have to prove it again" Andy pseudo-groaned
"Hehe, I got to see this" Seth encouraged.
"Gentlemen" Andy heralded, "The night is our own... "
" AND THE LADIES WILL MOAN!" The group finished in unison and headed into the club.
Seth scanned the rooms as they entered McCormick's. Dark wood accented the various side rooms and bars, while the central dancing area was flashing with light and sound. Avoiding alcohol and not urgently in need of ladies, he'd had little motivation to become much of a clubber at his age. He imagined he looked to be at least 21, and that he wouldn't be bothered unless he tried to purchase a spirit. Seth noticed his companions acquiring their targets and figured the pickup lining was about to begin. Nick was first up to bat and walked up to a pretty red head.
"Excuse me?" he asked. "I've lost my phone number... could I have yours?"
Back in the group, Andy was filling position as chief scorer and commentator. "Effective but cliched. Subject response?" he asked Evan.
"Aw, what a cute puppy" Evan mocked.
"4" Andy decided. Seth watched in humorous fascination as Chris headed up to a buxom pair of blondes.
"Whew- he's ambitious tonight" Evan noticed.
"Okay, time to be blunt ladies. You're hot. I'm hot. Why not?" Chris inquired of the pair.
The spectators laughed as they watched the taller blond slap Chris across the cheek.
"He really raced into the wall on that one!" Brian laughed.
"Sheesh, has he learned nothing? Andy complained. "Still, it was fucking hilarious. 4 as well. Brian, you're up." Brian decided to try his luck with a shy brunette in the corner.
"Oh my God! Aren't you Miss America 99?" he asked. The girl giggled and shook her head.
"Yeah? I guess not. Way more intelligent and far more beautiful" he answered.
The score team nodded with satisfaction. "Not bad at all" Andy commented "But, the pickup would be far too obvious to some girls. 6". Evan whispered something in Andy's ear, which cause Andy to crack up as he watched Evan head over to a column behind a group of lady friends. He shaped his mouth and emulated a short bird song. One of the girls looked around confused.
"Did you just hear birds?" she asked her friends
"Janet, you've only had one!" another girl replied. The score group chuckled as Evan called out quietly from behind the pillar:
"If you rub it, it will come"
One of the girls spat her drink out her nose while Andy and Seth cracked up from the back of the room.
"Did you hear that!?" the girl asked her friend.
"Hear what?"
"I heard 'If you rub it, it will come!"
The girls almost fell over laughing, as well as Andy and Seth. Finally, Evan could not keep himself from laughing either and the girls found him. They agreed he was a hilarious character.
"Well, I'd say that was an 8" Seth concluded.
"Good call. I'd give him more, but stealth cuts points down. Are you gonna try?" Andy asked
"Me?"
"No, the wasted guy next to you- Yes, you!"
"Allright. Let me think". Seth rubbed his chin till it sparked a mental light. He located a group of police officers and whispered something in their ears. Andy grinned with interest as the police officers laughed and followed Seth towards a pretty young woman.
As they approached, Seth feigned surprise and called out to the police officers. "There she is officers! She's the one!"
The girl gasped in bewilderment as they approached her.
"Please! I haven't done anything! I can prove I'm 21! That incident in the parking lot was not me!"
"I don't know son," one of the officers sighed "It's a pretty fishy story"
"Officer, I know it might sound more than a little crazy, but I believe."
At that moment, Seth and the officers turned to the girl and sang:
"I knew I loved you before I met you I think I dreamed you into life I knew I loved you before I met you I have been waiting all my life"
The girl hid her face in cupped hands as the surrounding clubbers applauded Seth's performance. From the back, Andy joined in the applause. Chris appeared next to him and surveyed the situation.
"Aw, what's the big deal? So he can sing"
"There's something to being in chior after all" Andy remarked with a smile. "10"
"Andy, aren't you gonna best him?" Chris sulked
"Nah. I'll let him have the spotlight tonight"
Chris looked at Andy watching Seth. Perhaps it was jealousy. Perhaps Andy watched just a little too long. Perhaps fate had simply found its vessel. For whatever reason, Chris knew that Seth and Andy were becoming connected in a deeper way, and he determined to discover what it was.