Panic in a Small Town pt9

Erika and I had been working while listening to Ryan on guitar and Brendon singing.  We were farther along than we'd expected once they'd started playing.

"Well, whenever I'm bored in Study Hall, I'll get out paper and start writing whatever comes to mind." I answered, surprised a little that Erika wasn't interrupting.

"Hey, Erika, why didn't you stop Rena from telling the real story?" Spencer asked lowering a hair-tie he was playing with.  His hands were red from accidentally letting the hair-tie go and it snapping on his skin.

"Cause Rena didn't wonna use the "mature" block again, it's bad for the story's image." Erika answered looking over her shoulder to look at Spencer.

"Story?" All four men asked.

"Never mind it.  Could I have my hair-tie back, please?" I asked turning around and holding out my hand.

"Oh, sure, sorry." Spencer said holding it up.  I walked over to him and took it from his hand.  I made sure our skin touch a little before I pulled my hair back up into to ponytail.

And awkward silence fell among the entire stage.

"Aww, that's so cute!" Erika said with her most annoying high-pitched voice she could somehow or another muster up.

"Sure, make fun of the same person who holds your paper's future in their mind.  Looks like Roxas is going to have fun!" I said.  I knew it was annoying.

"You wouldn't dare!" Erika shouted at me.

"Oh, I can already picture you and Roxas in a bed together.  How sweet!" I said back to her.  Erika made an odd scream noise, dropped her paintbrush, and started to chase me.

"Erika, I'm much faster than you and you know it!" I shouted as I jumped off the stage and ran down the middle of the auditorium.

"I don't care!  You brought it up!" She shouted back to me as I wait for her on the other side.  I made a right turn and ran again.  I ran in a zig-zag pattern which reminded me of an episode of Pokemon where May's Skitty got loose and was being chased.

"Fine, Rena, you win!" Erika said stopping and sitting on the dusty floor.  Which reminded me of something I'd forgotten.

I screamed out in horror making everyone else scream, too, and the Strand employees running into the auditorium to see what happened.

"Rena, what's wrong?!" Spencer called jumping off the stage and running to me.

"The floors still need to be swept and mopped!  Erika, back to work on the sign!  I'll find a broom!" I shouted running backstage.  I found a big broom and ran back to the floor and started sweeping stirring dust, cat hair from places unknown, dead bugs, and other stuff.

Erika was muttering something, Brendon, Ryan, and Jon were laughing, the staff went back to the main office, and Spencer watched me for a minute as I went up and down the floor making large dust piles.

"Can I help at all?" Spencer asked when I passed him.  He walked by my side, now.

"Go back stage and see if you can find another bucket, some soap, and a mop.  If not.  Yer gonna come with me to my house to get some." I said making another pile of dust.

"Did someone ask for a bucket?" Erika asked walking up to us.  She was carrying our paintbrush bucket.

"We're done!" She said pointing.  I looked up and the sign was perfect.

"Awesome!  Where's the soap and mop?" I asked taking the bucket.

"Well, there is none.  Looks like we're gonna have to buy one." Erika said.  She looked around and sighed.

"Okay, Spenc, let's go." I said grabbing Spencer's hand and dragging him out of the Strand.

"Hey, Rena, why're you still carrying the bucket?" He asked when we were about half way to my house.

"So I don't have to carry the soap.  Lucky you!  Yer carrying the mop!" I told him.  Spencer muttered something as I started down my road.