Page 34 of Our Moon
Trevor stomps over to Ally. “What the hell are you wearing?” he asks her in a hushed, angry tone.
“You don’t like it?”
“You need to put more clothes on!” Trevor insists.
Ally rolls her eyes, “I’m not putting more clothes on. I think I look nice.”
“I think you look nice, too!” one of the guys from the other band calls out from across the room. Ally blushes, but still thanks him because that’s just how she is. Trevor shoots the guy a death glare. Joey and Alex are sitting on the sofa, watching the whole interaction with amusement. I don’t think I’ve moved from my spot since she walked in the room. I did make sure my mouth was closed, though, and there was no drool.
“I just wanted to come back here and wish you all ‘good luck.’ You’re doing awesome tonight, and I’m so proud of you.”
Trevor visibly softens. “Thanks, sis.”
Ally grins at him, assuming she’s won this round. But I know Trevor, and he hasn’t forgotten the sinful outfit his sister is wearing.
“But you’re still not going back out there in that,” he scolds.
“Trevor! I’ve been out there for the last few bands,” Ally argues. She arrived late to the show because she had a swim meet she couldn’t miss.
“And you’re lucky I didn’t see you then,” he returns.
“But I don’t have anything else to wear.”
“Then I guess you’ll have to stay back here.”
Ally’s mouth drops open and sadness fills her face. Oh, man. Why does she have to look so sad? I’m completely on board with Trevor here, I don’t want her out there dressed like that for guys to drool over--I don’t count--or even worse, to grope, but I don’t want her to leave or have to hide out in the back either. Then I get an idea.
“Hold on,” I tell them both and run to the corner of the room where there are boxes of Battle of the Bands t-shirts. I find a size smalland bring it back over to her. “Here, put this on.”
Ally takes the shirt, still looking disappointed, but looks up at me and gives a small smile. “Thanks, Chase.”
My heart thumps in my chest. I love being the reason this girl smiles.
Ally pulls the shirt over her undergarments--because let’s face it, that’s what they are–and she seems to brighten up as she hangs out and talks with us. She talks about our competition and tells us why she thinks we’re better than them, what we have that they don’t, etc. She easily accomplishes what we were trying to do before she walked in, and now we’re definitely psyched up and ready to get back on the stage.
***
We lose in our semi-final round, but getting to be on stage and seeing Ally right up front cheering us on was worth the whole experience. We play better in our final set than we did any of the others, and I know it was because we have our biggest cheerleader there with us.
I text her later that night.
Me:thx 4 coming 2nite.
Ally:Nowhere else I would have rather been. I’m just sorry I couldn’t have been there earlier.
Me:dont b sry, its not like u ditched us, u had something important
Ally:I know, but I can’t help but think I let you all down.
She thinks she let us down? Oh, hell no.
Me:stop it. u didnt let us down. we r all so proud of u 4 what you do in the pool. we wouldnt want u 2 miss that. U DID NOT LET US DOWN. got that?
Ally:Yeah, I got that. Thanks, Chase.
Me:ur welcome
Ally:I’m sorry you guys didn’t win.
