When Kye hears her phone ring, she already knows who it is, and it brings a smile to her face. It's a young summer morning, the sun warm and the sky blue. Who else would be calling but Blake, and why else would he be calling but to suggest they seize the day?
"Hey, Blake," she says.
"You thinking what I'm thinking?"
"You bet I am! You called the others yet?"
"No, you were the first on my list," he says, and Kye can practically hear him wink.
She rolls her eyes and grins. "I'll start with Heath, then."
"Bring your gear," and he hangs up.
After making her way into the kitchen, Kye dials Heath with one hand while pouring cereal with the other. The phone rings a few times, and by the time he picks up, Kye's mouth is full of food. She does her best to talk between chews.
"Hello?" says a timid voice on the other line.
"Skateboarding time," she announces, "and bring your gear. We'll meet at the usual spot."
A quick shower, and Kye is swiftly getting ready. She tousles her short hair and pulls a beanie over it, and with a loose tank top and skinny jeans, she's good to go. The last things she grabs are her ukulele and skateboard. Now she has almost all the ingredients for a good time; all she needs are some people to enjoy it with.
Before leaving, she checks the other bedroom to see if Mom's still home. As she expected, the room is empty: Mom has already left for work. The first of her two jobs.
Kye pauses a moment, heaving an inward sigh. This will help, she tells herself. Soon our band will be making money, and I can finally help.
If only Mom would let her get an actual job, then she'd already be helping, but Mom stoutly refuses. She claims that Kye is too young to be out looking for work, and it's true it would be difficult, but that isn't the real reason she's against it. For some reason, Mom thinks she can carry the weight of two people by herself, and she doesn't want anyone's help.
Have a good day, Mom, Kye whispers as she closes the front door.
Outside, Blake and CJ are already waiting. Kye immediately shakes off her thoughts and grins at them. "You fools ready?"
"Been ready for the last five minutes while you painted your face," CJ retorts with a smirk. "Didn't you hear the doorbell?"
"Doorbell's out," Kye says, "but there is this thing called knocking."
"Don't listen to him," Blake interjects, rolling his eyes. "We've only been here for a few seconds. CJ needs to learn how to count."
Kye laughs. "Whatever. Are we gonna get going or what?"
"Let's go!" says Blake.
One by one, their skateboards smack onto the cement, and then they're cruising along down the street. A bench awaits them at the corner of Emerald and Pine Hill, where Heath and Warren will meet them. They live on the other side of the highway, so this bench is a good place for everyone to start.
When they arrive, the boys are already waiting, and Heath slips Kye a shy smile as he steps onto his board. Here they are: the skating musicians. Ready to take over the world. Warren straps his tambourine bag over his shoulders, and then they're all set.
Kye drinks in the air and smiles. "You guys ready to rock and roll?"
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