You are a few weeks short of your 16th birthday, and the summer is almost over with just one week to go. You have also just moved from Minnesota to a new house in Oakland, California.

''Aw dad! Why did we have to move here?'' you complain while standing outside your new home.

''Because this is where my company moved, so you should make the best of it.'' your father says, exhausted with your complaining.

''When is mom going to be here with my guitar? I'm bored and I need the rest of my room''

''She should be here any minute, she just went to the grocery store.''

   As you look at the other houses around you you hear a great sound. You detect the sound to be coming from the house right next door. You've never heard such a unique song before from a local garage band. When you lean your head to see where the sound in your neighbor's house came from, you notice the garage door was open. So you decide to go over and meet those people- that is if they were people; they sound like gods, but gods of a garage.

   Once you are in front of the garage door, you stop dead in your tracks, your heart beat increases and your confidence that you walked over here so boldly with, left you. There they were, your "kryptonite", the most gorgeous green eyes you have ever seen. You search his face and notice his wonderful smirk, his perfectly ruffled black hair and his wicked guitar.  All of a sudden you realize you're staring, and they are just standing there looking awkwardly at you.

The guy at the drums clears his throat and the bass player whispers to the one you're staring at, ''Hey Bill, you better say something; it is YOUR house.''

   The boy walks up to you and reaches out his free hand while the other steadies his guitar. ''Hi, I'm Billie Joe. And I'm guessing you're the new neighbor here to tell us to turn it down.'' he said with a hint of annoyance.

''Actually'' you begin, ''I liked it. A lot. I think you're very good. That's why I came over here. My name's Maria.''

''Oh'' he said, ''Then Blue, Mike, Tre (I know it wasn't him at the time, but you can kiss my ass, 'cause I'm putting him here anyway!), and I welcome you to come over  anytime to listen- if you want.''

''Who's Blue?'' you ask already guessing the answer.

''My guitar, my REAL father gave it to me...'' he trailed off.

''So, what was the song called?'' you ask anxious to continue the conversation.

''Oh, it's called 'Why do you want him' it's one of our older ones.'' Billie said glaring up at the ceiling.

''It's about his mother!'' yelled Tre.

Billie goes over and smacks him o the head. ''Do you have to tell everyone?!''

''Yes.'' said Tre, and once Billie was turned around, Tre started making weird impressions, most likely of Billie, and you start to giggle.

''Mike, what IS he doing?'' Billie asks frustrated but not willing to turn around and see for himself.

''He is pretending to be a crazy person.'' Mike says and the started to crack up.

''He is doing it again it's he?'' Billie says starting to smirk. All Mike did in reply was smile.

  You didn't notice it, but Tre had gotten up and was sneaking over to you. Once he was behind you, he pulled up your shirt Yu get a shocked look on your face and elbow him in the chest. Billie and Mike laugh at the after expression.

As you straighten your top Billie asks, ''What school are you going to go to?''

'I think it's called Pinole Valley High School.''

''Great. That's our school!.'' Billie says excitedly.

''Now we can come bother you every morning before school.'' Tre adds.

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