Suzie’s House 286 : Justin and Emma Practice

“What are you doing here?” Justin looked scary with his mouth all snarly and eyes narrow.

For a minute, it made Emma nervous – as if there was anything in the world that didn’t make her nervous – but then, maybe it wasn’t a bad thing for Justin to hate Bruce that much.

“I got a right to be here. As much as you, anyway.” Bruce brushed at the sleeve of his leather coat like maybe any speck of dust he found there meant more interesting than whatever Justin was about to do to him.

“No you don’t. You aren’t a band member.”

“Neither is she.” Bruce nodded toward Emma, making her flinch.

She was already painfully aware that she wasn’t supposed to the in the school band room. Wasn’t this just like when Tracy held the auditions here without permission? So if the band teacher came, they’d all be told to leave. Then the embarrassment would kill her.

“Aren’t you supposed to be practicing with Tracy?” Justin didn’t give an inch.

“That’s tomorrow.” Bruce stretched like he planned on taking a nap right here.

“Don’t interfere.”

“I’m just here to give her something.” Bruce let his backpack slide off his shoulder. He fished around in it for a minute.

Emma’s imagination ran wild. She could see him pulling out a gun and shooting everything in the room, including her. She could see him pulling out his keyboard and insisting on joining them. Or maybe he would pull out another paper bag.

That was awful, at their first band practice in Gene’s house when Bruce had pulled out the paper bag and presented it to her like it was something precious. He’d already put holes in it for the eyes and mouth. She’d never been so embarrassed in her life, but she’d put the stupid thing on if nothing else so no one would see how red her face got.

She would never admit to him or anyone else that even for just a practice, it has worked. With her face covered, she could sing like she wanted to.

“Here.” He held something soft out to her.

It was made of blue satin and ribbons and lace. Gingerly, she took it between two fingers on each hand and lifted. It as a half-mask with ribbons that would hang down over the bottom of her face, going all the way to her neck. It was perfect.

“Um….” Her voice cracked. “Thank you.”

“What is this? Another one? You’re going to give her a fetish,” Justin grumbled.

“Hey, don’t implicate me.” Bruce held his hands up. “She’s the one who can’t sing without it. I’m not the cause.”

Emma let her hand’s drop. The beautiful blue ribbons were probably getting dirty from touching the floor, but she didn’t care. It made her feel sick to take this from Bruce of all people. Especially if it meant Justin didn’t think much of her.

Justin was probably the best guy in the band, even better than Gene. He didn’t talk that much, but when he did you knew he was smart. And except for the way he snarled at Bruce, he was so gentle. But strong. You knew he was strong. He made Emma’s heart go too fast.

“Oh. No. I didn’t mean anything by that.” Justin came over and took the mask from her. There was that gentle thing again. “Here, let me put it on you.”

He took the mask from her fingers, and tied it on for her. She wasn’t quite sure how to take that, but maybe it meant it was ok for her to wear masks?

Bruce said some not so nice words. He stormed off, his feet making noise long after they couldn’t see him anymore.

“Don’t worry about him,” Justin said as he took a step back. “He probably gave it to you so he’d have an excuse to touch you. Well. We’re here to practice. Let’s get to it.”

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