Avenues and Alleyways, chapter 4

Aaron tentatively stepped inside his front door and closed it softly behind him. He was pretty sure his dad was still at work, but he couldn't be sure. He had never liked being alone in a house. It made him feel uneasy; like someone was watching him.

"Dad?" he called. No answer. Good, he thought. He really wasn't in the mood for being asked about where he had been just then.

The clock hanging on the kitchen wall told him it was close on six o'clock. Dan had told him he'd see him around half-seven, so he had time yet. He pulled up a chair at the rickety kitchen table. There really wasn't anything to do in the house anymore...

Ten minutes later he realised he had been sitting there doing nothing for ages. He liked daydreaming, it gave him something to think about other than how much money they had, how they were going to pay the rent... But he still felt he should be doing something more than... well, nothing.

The sound of a key in the front door broke him from this new train of thought.

"Aaron? You home?"

"Yeah"

"Hey, you okay? I was worried." He appeared in the kitchen doorway

"Dad, I'm fine. I'm smart enough not to kill myself."

"Yeah, you're a smart kid. How was school? What'd you learn today?" He was always seemed keen to know exactly what had been going on at school.

"Fine," he answered, coldly. "Dad, you don't think-"

"Aaron, we've been through this before, this school could be your only way to get a decent life for yourself."

"Dad, I've seen the bills, You can't... We can't afford it."

"Listen," he spoke quietly but with anger in his voice, "You have no idea how lucky you are."

"Yeah, real fucking lucky."

With that, he turned on his heel and strode out the front door. As it swung shut behind him, the slam brought him back to his senses. Shit, he thought, as an icy breeze hit him. He mentally cursed himself for not thinking to grab a jacket.

***

He had arrived at the doorway of the grimy club before he anticipated. It was still bright, so he reckoned it was still pretty early. Aaron stepped inside anyway. it was cold out.

He barely had time to catch his breath before he had a battered old amp and a tangle of cables thrust into his hands.

"Hey man, help me carry these?" It was Joey. His clothes hanging off his tall and skinny frame. His dreadlocked, blond hair framing his pointed face. His little black eyes were glittering with excitement; like two shiny beetles.

"Hey," he said as they started towards the stage. "You're here early."

"So are you."

"Heh, yeah, but I got a reason."

"So do I. Didn't I tell you I got a new band?"

"Uh, no. That's great. What's your name?"

"Haven't got one yet. Tell me if you think of one, will you?"

"Will do."

"So how come you're here so early?"

"Dad," he said simply.

"Oh, right."

"It's Ok," he shrugged, "I just didn't feel like arguing, y'know?"

"Mmmm"

They reached the stage and Joey began to fiddle with the equipment and move stuff around. Aaron sat down and watched him.

"Hey," Aaron said.

"Yeah?"

"Who else is playing tonight?"

"Uh, this new band... Rancid, I think."

"They any good?"

"Dunno, haven't heard 'em. The guitarist is Lint... at least I think so."

"Really? cool. I never knew he had a new band."

"Dan only told me this morning"



Aaron surveyed the growing number of people. There were a crowd of mates in one corner of the room. They were obviously already drunk. Or high. Or both; it was hard to tell... A guy with a huge mowhawk, was talking to a couple of girls. One of them was tall, long blonde hair with purple streaks. The other had very dark skin, and was wearing a minor threat shirt.

"Hey Aaron."

"Yeah?"

"You got any weed?"

"You gonna get high before you play? C'mon man, you know I quit." It hadn't been a matter of choice.

"Yeah right!"

He disappeared into the now dense crowd, in search of a joint, he assumed. Aaron fought with his self control for a moment before giving in.

"Hey man, wait up!"

Joey punched him playfully on the shoulder, and smirked annoyingly.

"Thought you quit?"

"This is the last time."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah."

The cold air outside hit them both suddenly. Night had fallen in the time they had been inside. They looked up and down the dimly lit street for someone they might know.

"Hey Kit!" Joey called to a girl sitting in a doorway.

"Hey." Her face was lit up by the pool of light cast by a streetlamp and Aaron recognised her as the short, black girl in the club wearing the minor threat shirt. He was slightly surprised at the sudden feeling of resentment he felt rise inside him.

Aaron inclined his head slightly but didn't say anything.

"So...uh," Joey began.

She smirked as she pulled a couple of joints from her pocket.

Joey smiled.

"Thanks Kit, we'll see you later, right?"

"Yeah, should be a good show."

"So how's life?"

"Can't complain. You?"

She smiled at Aaron.

"See you later," he muttered to Joey.

"Huh, where you going?"

"Inside," he turned and walked back into the club.

He heard footsteps behind him.

"What the fuck's your problem?"

"Nothing... she's just a bitch"

"What the fuck... oh..." realisation dawned. "Racist much?"

"Fuck off!"

Aaron walked off, feeling furious with himself yet again.