Leora opted for jeans and her favorite faded Guns and Roses t-shirt. She didn’t want to look like she was trying to impress him, because, after all, she wasn’t. After applying her usual night-out make- up, black eyeliner and black eye shadow, she poured a glass of orange juice to drink while she waited for Dominic. There was a knock on the door shortly after six. Leora answered it and saw Dominic standing there. For a moment, she just stared. He managed to look good just by wearing jeans and a black Atreyu t-shirt. His hair was spiked into the usual three inch Mohawk, and his lip piercing was still intact, as was the eyebrow one.

“Hey.”

“Hi. Um..do you want to come in?”

“Sure.” Dom stepped inside the quaint little house, hand shoved into his pockets. It was decorated in a traditional style: mismatched furniture that somehow managed to fit together, knickknacks in a glass cabinet, hardwood floors with a simple area carpet. “Nice place.”

“Probably not as nice as yours, rich boy.” Leora said, jokingly.

“No. I like yours better. I’m not afraid I’m going to break anything.”

Dominic’s heart started beating faster when she gave him a grin. “Well, my parents are out, so you don’t get to meet them.”

“Oh.”

“Don’t sound so disappointed.”

“No, it’s not that. Do they know where you’re going?”

“Yeah. I left a message on my mom’s cell phone and a note on the table just in case.”

“Good idea.”

“You ready to go?”

“I guess.”

“Let me get my shirt.” Dominic watched as Leora ran up the carpeted stairs. The minute he saw her, the butterflies flew harder and faster in his stomach. She had the most brilliant blue eyes he had ever seen, and the eyeliner made them appear even brighter. She had practically taken his breath away. And she had a crush on Max. The thought was always in the back of his mind.

“Alright.” Leora came downstairs, a hoodie tucked under her arm, along with a purse on her shoulder. She locked the door and followed Dominic out. Leora grinned at him when he opened the door for her, and he blushed and looked at his feet. The car ride into town was quiet, aside from a CD that was playing. Leora began drumming her fingers on her thigh to the beat.

“You like this band?” Dom asked, breaking the ice.

“Yeah. They’re awesome. The guitar solos are fantastic. Who is it?”

“The band I play in. Spoilfive.”

“Really?”

“Yeah.”

“You listen to your own band in your car?”

“Yeah. Why not? It gives me a chance to hear our flaws. And then we fix them.”

“What flaws?”

“There’s flaws. Believe me.” The best guitar solo Dom ever played broke through on the speakers.

“Oh, wow. I got chills.” Leora said, reaching for the volume button. They were quiet for awhile and the CD ended.

“What do you play?” Leora asked suddenly.

“Hm?”

“In your band? What instrument do you play?”

Dom cleared his throat. “Um, the guitar. I do back-up vocals, too.”

“Really? Are you shittin’ me?”

“Um, no.”

“What the hell are you doing in a little town like this when you can do that? Dom, you could be famous.”

“I’m not that good.”

“You are so! You’re right up there with Jimi Hendrix and Slash!”

“Jimi Hendrix? Are you on crack? I’m not that good.”

“That guy is the only other guy who gave me chills listening to him play. You gave me chills.”

“That doesn’t mean I’m good.”

“Have a little faith in yourself.”

“Where do you want to eat?”

“I don’t care. Don’t change the subject.”

“I really don’t want to talk about it.”

“Why?”

“Because.” Dominic snapped. Leora stared at him for a moment. She turned and looked out her window.

“Diner okay with you?”

“I said I don’t care.”

Dominic sighed heavily. “I’m sorry. It’s a really sensitive subject.”

“Don’t worry about it.” Leora said genuinely. “I shouldn’t have bugged you about it.”

Dominic pulled into the parking lot of the diner and killed the engine. “I didn’t mean to snap at you.”

“It’s okay. Don’t worry about it.” Leora unbuckled her seatbelt and slid out of the Jeep.

Dominic held the door while Leora walked in. The place was surprisingly full. Dominic nodded at the owner, a young guy of about 26, and gently grabbed Leora’s hand and lead her to a booth in the back corner. The waitress appeared immediately.

“Dom, good to see you.”

“Hey, Lisa.” The waitress was in her mid-forties. She has short, silky brown hair, streaked with strands of gray here and there. “This is Leora.”

“Heya, honey.”

“Hi.”

“What can I getcha to drink?”

“I’ll have a Coke.” Dominic said.

“Me too.”

“Two Cokes.” She walked away giving Dom a wink.

“What was that all about?”

“I’m a regular, I guess.”

“I bet.”

“So, what’s your family like?” Dom asked.

“My parents are nice.” When they’re not fighting. “My sister’s away at college. She’s getting her degree in teaching.”

“That’s cool.”

“What about you?”

“My dad’s nice. My mom left when I was young. My step-mother annoys me. That guy I waved to when I came in is my brother.”

“Oh, really?” Leora stretched her neck to see Dominic‘s brother. “Yeah, you look alike.”

“You know, everyone says that, but I just don’t see it.”

“You do. I don’t know why I didn’t see it when we first came in.” A that moment, Lisa came back with their drinks. “Ready to order?” She asked.

“Cheeseburger and fries.” Dominic said.

“I’ll have the same.”

“Alrighty.” They continued talking until their food arrived. Leora was surprised she had so much in common with Dominic. They both thought Guns and Roses was better with the original members. They both disagreed with society’s view on what real music actually was. After they had finished eating, they sat talking for a little while longer. Dominic was talking about the band’s upcoming gig at the prom. Leora’s eyes widened and she grinned. “Seriously!?”

“Yep. And they’re paying us $600. That’s enough for a week of studio time.”

“Dom, that’s awesome!”

Dominic grinned. “Yep. So, are you ready to go?”

“I think so.”