I leave Alissa at her class and walk down the hall to try and get to mine on time. Brittney, a girl I’ve known since kindergarten, comes up to my side. She says something to me, but the crowded hallways are so loud, I can’t make out what she’s saying.

I lean in closer. “What?”

She says it again, but I must be almost deaf from all the shows I’ve done, because I still can’t hear her. I place my hand on her hip and pull her a little closer. “One more time,” I laugh.

“I said I caught your show this past weekend. You guys are awesome.”

“You haven’t seen a show before?” I ask as we round the corner. The hallways start to clear and quiet down. I move my hand from her side, no longer needing to keep her close in order to hear.

“No, I’m usually stuck in my bedroom, studying.”

“If you want to be valedictorian, you gotta study a lot,” I tease her.

“I’ve got to get to class before I’m late. Great show. I’ll try to catch the next one.” She walks away, leaving me to continue to class on my own.

My morning passes by slowly. When lunch rolls around, I find my way to Alissa’s locker. She isn’t here yet, but most people don’t run from class like I do. I rest against the locker next to hers and wait. She rounds the corner and comes to a dead stop when she sees me. After rolling her eyes, she pushes herself forward.

She puts in the combination and unlocks her locker, tossing her books inside. With a slam, the locker closes, and she turns to face me.

“Is something wrong?” I ask with amusement written all over my face.

She rolls her eyes again and says, “I saw you today.”

I laugh, I can’t help it. “You saw me doing what exactly?”

“I saw that girl come up to you in the hallway.”

“Okay. What about it?” I’m confused. What is she mad about?

“I saw you put your hand on her hip and pull her closer.”

Oh, I get it now. “That was completely innocent. I couldn’t hear her over everyone in the hallway.”

She crosses her arms and sinks against the lockers, keeping her eyes downcast.

I place my finger under her chin and force her to look at me. “There’s nothing going on.” I grin.

Her shoulders fall with relief. “Are you sure? If you don’t want to do this…” she motions between the two of us. “We don’t have to, you know?”

I shake my head before bending down and giving her a long kiss. “You’re all I want.”

Her eyes gloss over. She takes a long breath and looks up at me. “Really?”

“Really,” I assure her.

She nods. “I’m sorry.”

I take her hand and lead her toward the exit. “For what?”

“For being this jealous… freak. I’ve never been in a relationship like this before. I don’t know what to think.”

I lift her hand that’s in mine and press a kiss to the top. “It’s okay. I probably would’ve felt the same way. I’m sorry I touched her like that. I wasn’t even thinking about what it could’ve looked like. I’ve known her since I was five. There are no feelings like that between us.” We walk through the open doors, and I twirl her around to face me on the sidewalk. “It’s only ever going to be you. Understand?”

She offers up a sad smile before nodding.

I pull her against me for another lip crushing kiss.

* * *

School passes slowly, as it always does. But once the bell rings, I find Alissa, and we jump in the car to head over to the bar and grill. Dad wants to talk to me about something, and my nerves have been going crazy wondering what it is.

The entire building is up and looks damn near ready to open. We walk across the parking lot, and I open the glass door and allow her to walk in ahead of me.

I’m completely surprised when see the entire place is almost all set up. There are people I don’t know hanging pictures and tv’s. Others are behind the bar stocking the coolers and shelves with liquor.

Dad’s head pops up from behind the bar. “Hey, what do you two think?” He has a wide smile as he holds his arms out at his sides.

I nod. “It looks really good, Dad.” I spin and take in the place. My eyes land on a wooden stage in the front of the bar. “I didn’t know you were putting in a stage. That wasn’t in the plans I saw.”

Dad walks up beside me and pats me on the back. “I added that in last minute just for you.”

I turn to see his dark eyes twinkle. “Just for me?”

He nods with his smile still in place. “That’s right. I want your band on that stage every Saturday night.”

I can’t contain the grin taking over my face. “Really?”

He nods. “This Saturday is the grand opening, so you guys better get to practicing.”

I want to jump up and down I’m so excited. “Thanks, Dad. That’s really cool of you!” Leaning in, I give him a quick hug.

He returns the hug and slaps me on the back. “Alright, come over here and sit down, the both of ya. I want to talk to you about something.”

Suddenly, the excitement I was feeling dies down. He wants to talk to us about something? Is there a chance he knows that Alissa is staying in my bedroom?

We walk over to a small table, where Alissa and I take a seat across from him.

He places his hands on the table and leans in with his eyes on me. “I want you to know I hear you. I know you don’t like working at the shop. It’s just that until now, I didn’t have anything else for you to do. Other than the Saturday night gigs, I want you to be a waiter here.” He holds up his hands, palms facing me, preventing me from speaking the protest he thinks is on my lips. “I know, the job’s lame, but it pays just as much as what you make at the shop, plus you’ll make tips. When you get a little older, we can talk about you bartending and maybe even moving up to management.”

I quickly think it over. Hell yeah, I’ll take what he’s offering. I’d much rather be in the air conditioning than outside sweating my ass off in the sun while repairing something I have no business fixing.

“Thanks, Dad. That sounds awesome.”

He smiles and looks at Alissa. “And Alissa, I want you to waitress here, if you’d like. I don’t know how your parents feel about it, but it would give you some extra cash. And it would really help me out.”

Alissa smiles and nods. “Absolutely. I’ve been looking for a job. Thank you, Mr. Reynolds.”

I can tell how happy this place is making him already. The smile hasn’t left his face since the building started going up.

“Alright then, it’s all settled.” He smacks the table and stands. “Go on and get out of here. Training will start tomorrow night.” He walks away, leaving us sitting alone.

“I’m going to use the restroom, then we’ll head out,” I tell Alissa.

I quickly use the restroom, and when I return, I find my dad and Alissa looking at a picture hanging on the wall.

“What are you guys talking about?” I ask, coming to a stop behind them.

He motions toward a black and white picture on the wall. It’s considered art, but it’s only black circles against a white background. The picture is made to be some kind of illusion, making the picture look curved.

“What do you think of this picture?” Dad asks.

I study it for a minute. “I don’t really think it fits in the bar. It kind of gives me a headache.”

He looks at Alissa. “What do you think?”

She shrugs. “I don’t really like it.”

“Why not?” he asks.

She looks at both of us. “Because I like to see things how they are, not for what they’re trying to be.” She crosses her arms, something she does when she’s feeling insecure.

I lift an eyebrow. “What does that mean?”

The corners of her mouth turn up. “It’s just that this picture is flat, but it looks like it’s trying to come out of the frame, like it’s trying to be a column or something. I don’t like being fooled. I like to see things for exactly what they are.”

My dad grins and motions toward her. “I think you got yourself a good one here.” He turns and walks away, yelling for someone to take that picture off the wall.

I hold out my hand, and she takes it, so I can lead her back out to the car.

* * *

We’re lying in the grass by the pond watching the sunset when I ask, “What were you talking about with that picture earlier?”

She giggles and rolls to her stomach, so she can look at me. “I don’t like illusions, Dane.”

“Why not?” I roll to my stomach the same way she did.

“Illusions aren’t real; they’re a lie.”

“How can a picture be a lie? It’s just art.”

“Not all illusions are pictures. You see illusions every day whether you notice it or not.”

I cock my head to the side. “Care to elaborate?”

She rolls her eyes like she can’t believe I’m not picking up on what she’s spelling out. “People create illusions all the time to make themselves look better. Girls wear makeup to give the illusion they’re better looking than they are. Guys buy crazy expensive cars to make themselves look cooler. People plaster on fake smiles and tell a lot of jokes to make people think they’re happy. I know because… I used to do the same thing.”

“You don’t wear makeup. And between you and me, you’re not that funny,” I joke.

She laughs and smacks my arm, but then settles on her back, looking at the sky. “It’s all just a trick of the eye, Dane. I used to live that way. I got good at making people see someone that wasn’t me.”

“So, what happened? When did you give up the facade?” I settle between her legs, so I can feel her under me and look into her beautiful, blue eyes.

“When I met you.” She smiles. “I didn’t have to pretend to be happy anymore because just being with you makes me happy.” She lifts her head until her lips are pressed against mine, making my entire body tingle.

* * *

The week passes by quickly, and before I know it, it’s Saturday night. Alissa will be waitressing while I’ll be on stage. I’m pumped that I get to play in the bar and grill. The band has been practicing all week.

Before the place opens, we take our time setting up all the equipment. Mark and Zach are excited and bouncing off the walls. This is our first real gig. Sure, we’ve played hundreds of times and gotten paid for most of them. But this will be our first time playing in a business, not just some house party.

Dad unlocks the doors at seven P.M., but we don’t go on stage until nine, so we sit back drinking soda and eating whatever they’ll give us. The jukebox is loud while people drink, play pool, and have dinner. I keep an eye on Alissa to make sure nobody messes with her. The guys beg her to serve them beer, but she isn’t allowed to deliver drinks to anyone since she’s underage. My dad would freak out if he found underage kids in here drinking; he’s already told me not to even try it.

When nine o’clock rolls around, the jukebox is shut off, and Dad takes the stage. “Excuse me, everyone. I wanted to thank all of you for coming out tonight. This has been a dream of mine since before I started the shop. I’m not a man of many words, but the fact that you all came here to celebrate with me means the world to me.” He wipes an unshed tear from his eye. “Without further ado, please welcome the band that’ll be here every Saturday night, Empire of None!”

The whole place screams as we take the stage. Passing by my dad on the way up, he gives me this look that radiates pride. It makes this warm feeling spread through me. He’s proud of me. I’ve never felt this before.

I take my place behind the mic and introduce the band. Mark counts us down, and I start singing a hard rock version of “Here I Go Again”, by Whitesnake.

The crowd is mostly adult couples and friends of my dad, so the classic rock music is the perfect vibe for this crowd. Several ladies come up to the front of the stage, and they dance along with the music, swaying their bodies back and forth in front of me. My eyes automatically fall to watch them. Who doesn’t look when a big chested woman starts to dance in front of you? But as soon as my eyes land on a full rack, Alissa pops into my head and instead of watching the women, I search for my girl in the crowd.

I find her standing by the bar, holding a tray at her side while she watches me with a smile on her face. I keep my eyes locked on hers and sing like she’s the only one in the room.

When the song ends, we lead right into “18 and Life” by Skid Row. With the sounds of the music filling the bar, the crowd comes to life. Everyone is out of their seat, dancing to the music, or bobbing their heads. I find my dad standing behind the bar with his arms crossed over his chest like he’s a bouncer. He’s even bobbing his head to the beat of the music.

We play several more songs before we come off stage for a break. Alissa bounces into my arms and lands a long, strong kiss. “Oh my God, you’re amazing!” Her cheeks are flushed, and she’s wearing a wide smile.

“Thank you. Come outside with me and cool off.” I take her hand and lead her toward the door.

“Dane, I’m working. I probably shouldn’t just run off when I have tables to wait on.”

I wave her off. “You’re due for a break.” I pull her behind the bar and press her against the wall before moving my lips to hers.

The reaction of the crowd gave me a huge high. I’m buzzing with excitement and feel like the world is mine for the taking.

“Alissa!” my dad yells.

We jump apart and turn to see him standing at the corner of the building.

“You’re on the clock. Get back to work.”

She scurries off, apologizing along the way. I sag against the building, waiting to get my ass chewed out. But instead, he comes to stand beside me. “I had no idea you were so good.”

I laugh. “Thanks, Dad.”

“You know, I may have been wrong.”

“Wrong about what?” I turn to look at him.

“About you not being able to make money with a guitar. I think you’ve got what it takes.”

I’m in utter shock. My whole life he’s told me I have to work hard and get good grades. That I’d never make it anywhere with a guitar in my hand. “Are you messing with me right now?”

He laughs. “No, I’m serious. You’re becoming a man, Dane. It’s time for you to find what you’re passionate about and go after it.”

“I thought you said that was a pipe dream. Now, you’re telling me to go after it?”

He shrugs before standing up straight. “Nobody’s right all the time. We’re all just trying to do our best in life. That’s all you can ask for.” He walks away, leaving me alone in the dark.

* * *

The rest of the night passes by in the same fashion. The band quits at midnight, and we’re all exhausted from the show we put on. By the end of the night, everyone in the bar was up dancing. Dad even had to pull a couple women off the bar top when we played, “Pour Some Sugar on Me” by Def Leppard. It’s a night I’ll never forget.

Dad hangs out at the bar to make sure everything’s taken care of and closed up properly. Alissa and I take advantage of being able to get hidden away in my bedroom before he comes home. I have an appointment to check out a house tomorrow, and while I don’t have my hopes up, I pray it works out before we’re caught and kicked out of my dad’s house.

I remove my clothes and crawl into bed, pulling Alissa as close as I can get her. I drift off to sleep with her head against my chest while listening to her steady breathing.

* * *

We wake in the morning and get dressed. I watch as Alissa sneaks out my window, and once her feet are firmly planted on the ground, I turn to head for the steps. Just as I’m reaching for the handle on the front door, my dad walks into the room.

“Where are you going so early?”

I motion toward the door. “To pick Alissa up. We’re going to have breakfast and spend the day together.”

“Alright, have a good time and be home by curfew.” He takes a drink of his coffee and heads back into the kitchen.

I find Alissa sitting in my car. When I slide in, I look over at her. “Are you ready to go see our new house?”

“I’m more than ready.” She smiles widely.

We drive into town and pull up to the rundown, two-bedroom house. The outside is done up in a sun-damaged wooden siding. The yard is grown up at least a good foot, and the shrubs and greenery lining the worn-out porch are overgrown and taking over.

I look at Alissa. “Don’t worry. We can fix this.”

She looks back at me, blue eyes shining brightly. “I’m not worried. Illusions, remember?” She smiles and opens her door.

As we walk up on the old porch, the wood creaks beneath our feet. I can feel it give way just a bit, and I pray we don’t fall through. I knock on the door, and my dad’s old friend, Dan, answers.

“How are ya, Dane?” He holds out his hand to shake.

“Good. It’s nice seeing you again.” I shake his hand before we walk in. “Dan, this is my girlfriend, Alissa.”

She holds out her hand. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“You too. What are you doing with the likes of this one, huh?” he teases her.

She shrugs and backs away a few steps.

“So, Dane. Does your dad know about this?” He places his hands on his round hips and raises an eyebrow at me.

I let out a nervous laugh. “Not exactly.”

He nods. “Yeah, I figured. That old man of yours is going to be pissed,” he says with a laugh.

“Yeah, I know.”

“Well, listen. I seem to have gotten myself into a little financial trouble. I know the property isn’t in the best of shape, but I’m only asking twenty thousand. I’m more than willing to sell it contract for deed too. I’ll just need you to put some money down, but we can discuss all that after you check out the house.”

“Alright, thanks.” I spin around to look at Alissa. “Well, what do you think?”

“I like it. Let’s check out the rest of the rooms.”

We’re in the living room. There isn’t anything special about it. The hardwood floor is worn down with no shine left, and the white walls are yellowing from age. There’s a blood red sofa against the wall and a coffee table fashioned from an old spool that used to hold wire.

We walk through to the small kitchen. The cabinets are in good shape, even though they’re old and antique looking. The floor is black and white linoleum, but there aren’t any chips or cracks that I can see. The only thing the kitchen needs is some fresh paint.

We backtrack to the living room and go down the hallway, stopping in the bathroom first. The green tub is dirty and starting to rust. I open the lid on the toilet. The bowl is dry but has hard water stains along the rim. The whole bathroom will need to be replaced. That’s for sure.

We continue down the hall, peering into the spare bedroom. It’s small and has red shag carpet and white walls. This whole house is completely outdated, but for the most part it’s in good shape. Since we don’t need a second bedroom, this room can stay as it is until the time comes we need it.

Taking her hand, I lead her down the hall to the master bedroom. The carpet and walls match the first bedroom, but this one is bigger with one big window that lets in natural light. “What do you think? Can you see this being our bedroom?”

She smiles. “I can.” She takes a few steps into the room and holds her arms out to her sides. “We could put the bed right here.”

I close the distance between us and push her up against the wall, where she wraps her legs around my waist. I lean in and press my lips to hers. Her soft lips tease me, and her sweet taste sends a trail of tingles through me. I pull away and look into her blue eyes. Something is shining brightly in them.

“Marry me.”

“What?” she asks.

“You heard me.” I grin.

“Are you crazy? We’re seventeen.”

I laugh and nod. “I am crazy. Completely fucking crazy about you. Marry me.”

“Dane…”

I shake my head. “Don’t do that. Don’t act like I’m the only one that’s thinking it. I may only be seventeen, but I know who I want by my side for the rest of my life, and it’s you. Marry me.”

She laughs. “You’re crazy, you know that?”

I nod while moving in for another kiss. When I pull away, I say, “So what do you say?”

She nods with a big smile. “Yes!”

I kiss her more passionately this time, letting everything I am soak into her.

“So, what do you think?” Dan asks, walking into the room.

I set Alissa on her feet and turn around to face him. “We’ll take it.”

He smiles and motions toward the living room. “Great, let’s go take care of some paperwork.”

We follow him into the living room and take a seat on the bright, red couch. He hands over a file folder. “This is your standard agreement. It states that you’ll pay a five thousand-dollar down payment, and then four-fifty a month until the house is paid off. Will you be able to swing that?”

I nod. “Absolutely, but one small problem.”

“What’s that?” Dan asks.

“I’m not eighteen, so how can I sign a contract?”

He thinks it over for a minute. “As far as I’m concerned, your money is the same as everyone else’s. I don’t care how old you are, as long as you make the payments. I’ve known you since you were a kid, I think I can trust ya.”

“Thanks, Dan. You have no idea how badly we need this.” I take the pen and sign the contract. “Let’s just hope my dad doesn’t kill me.” I laugh while scribbling my name across the line.

He waves me off. “I think we both know your dad’s bark is worse than his bite. He’ll come around. In fact, I think your dad was about your age when he and your mother ran off and got married.”

I slide the papers across to him. “Really? I didn’t know that. He doesn’t talk about her much. She passed away when I was so young. I don’t remember a lot.”

He picks up the papers, tapping them on the table to align them. “Yeah, your dad was a lucky son-of-a-bitch. He stole her right out from under me.” He smiles like he’s remembering a fond memory.

“And you guys stayed friends?”

It’s weird thinking of Dan and my mom together. He’s the one that taught me to read music and play guitar. Him and my dad have always been close. I’d never have guessed my mom came between them.

“We weren’t at first. I met your mom when we were seventeen. I took her out on a date. I picked her up and took her out to dinner. Then we went to the pool hall that used to be here in town. We ran into your dad there, and it was like love at first sight for those two.” His eyes glaze over like he’s watching the memory instead of telling it. “At the time, it pissed me off the way he was looking at my date. Looking back now, I can see that was the moment he fell in love with your mom.”

I smile from hearing the memory. I wish my dad talked about her more. He’s never told me how they met.

“Well, anyway. I better get going.” He stands and walks toward the door.

“Thank you, Dan,” I say handing over the check for the down payment.

He takes it, folds it, and slides it into his shirt pocket. “Good luck, Dane.” He strolls out, closing the door behind him.

I turn around and grab Alissa up in a hug, spinning her around. “Welcome home,” I tell her before landing a kiss.

She giggles. “I can’t believe it.”

“Me either.” I set her on her feet. “And we even get a couch.” I plop down on the blood red couch and prop my feet up on the old wooden coffee table.

“It is a nice couch,” she says, moving to sit by me. She cuddles up to my side and looks around the empty house. “We have a lot of work to do.”

“That we do. We better get started if we’re going to stay here tonight.”

“Tonight?”

“Absolutely. I’ll run home and pack up our clothes. We can camp out here in the living room floor in front of the fireplace. We’ll worry about furniture later.”

I figure she’ll be bummed out about having no furniture or food in our new house, but she looks happy and content.

“Come on, I’ll drop you off at your truck, and you can pick up some supplies while I pack our bags.” I hold out my hand, and she takes it.