Rivers is now lying in bed, alone. He wishes Miriam was here. –why did she say that she doesn’t want to be with me? Holy cow, what should I do?-- He turns his body over to face the wall. “Oh, Miriam. Maybe you’re just too good for an ugly piece of white trash like me.” Rivers whispers into the silence. He feels something is stuck between the wall and his bed. He gently pulls it out. A sweatshirt—Miriam’s sweatshirt. He puts it close to his face, trying to make the scent of Miriam out of it…

Miriam smiles to herself as she listens to undone and remembers Rivers’ little bowl cut hair. –Man, he has so much hair-- Then she realizes the background vocals in the song. They’re so nicely done, supporting Rivers’ lead vocals; yet, they don’t get too much attention.

* * * * *

Today, Rivers and Miriam are going to the band rehearsal together. Miriam is just going because she wants to meet the other members of weezer too. So she wouldn’t look like another groupie just having sex with Rivers, and not care about anything else. –I wonder what the other guy are gonna think of me— Miriam thinks as Rivers walks off to talk to Karl (oo, first Karl appearance!! Karl rocks!!)

Miriam walks around in the garage at one of the guys’ place. Someone comes up to her.

“Hey, what’s a hot chick doin’ here at a nerdy band’s practice?”

Miriam chuckles at his charm, “You must be Matt. I’m here with Rivers.” She extends her hand for a shake.

Instead Matt pulls in for a hug, and whispers to her ears, “groupie,” Matt jokes. They both laugh it off as Matt introduces Brian and Pat to Miriam.

“Hey,” Brian and Pat said in unison.

“Hi,” comes the reply. Miriam looks at Brian and thinks of the background vocals in undone. *electric shock* --Shit,-- Miriam thinks, --That’s some chemistry.—

“Hey. What’s up, everyone?” says Rivers as he walks over to them.

“Someone seems happy today,” adds Brian.

“I guess so,” Rivers shrugs and looks at Miriam. He is just so happy that she is willing to hang out even after that situation at his house the other day.

Miriam uneasily walks over to the bar and gets a drink.

“So Rivs, are you guys…” Matt asks.

“I don’t know, that’s why I’m bringing her here today. I want you guys to talk to her and see if she actually likes me.”

“Ahh, we’re just tools.” Brian says.

“C’mon, you guys. If you guys do this, tonight’s happy hour’s my treat. Alright?”

“Yeah, we’ll do it. Not for the happy hour; but the friendship, bitch!” Pat’s trying to be sarcastic but it doesn’t work.

“Uhhh… right, Pat.”

Awkward silence.

* * * * *

“Hey,” Brian says.

“Hi,” Miriam replies without looking up.

“So, um,” Brian feels kind of uneasy, “How did you meet Rivers?”

She finally looks up to him with confidence and says, “I’ve known him since, grade 2. We live close to each other, and he was a little loner, so was I, so we just hung out.”

“Whoa, that’s a long time,” Brian says in shock. Who would knew this girl who seems to be a groupie to have known Rivers for so long. “You must know him better than any of us.”

Miriam flashes an agreeing smile at Brian , “I guess so.”

Shit, she’s pretty, thinks Brian, now in a shade of light red. “So, um, have you guys ever gone out or anything?” Now thinking this maybe a weird question.

Miriam thinks how she should answer this question, while Brian apologizes for asking such an uncomfortable question. “No, no. It’s all right. I think I can trust you.” It’s quiet, while Brian awaits Miriam to say something. Brian is studying Miriam, her facial features. She’s not the pretty kind, nor the ugly kind. She looks so normal, and plain, that, there is some kind of attraction to it. Miriam licks her lips and opens her mouth, “Well…”

Rivers suddenly comes it. “Mim, let’s go. We’re all done.” Brian nods at Rivers to say hey.

“Rivs, I’m actually kinda like, talking to Brian here.” Miriam says.

“Ahh,” Rivers looks at Brian who’s giving him thumbs up about that helping thing, “ok then,” Rivers can’t help but to smile, “Bri, drive her home, will ya?”

“Sure thing,” replies Brian, “I can even take her to dinner.”

“Yeah, that’d be even better.” Now Rivers returns thumbs up while Miriam looks away from his direction. “Bye then.”

“See ya.” Brian and Miriam say together.

“Let’s go for dinner then,” Brian asks.

“Yeah, ok” Miriam looks at Brian adoringly.


Ch. 5