Chapter Text
Smoke reeked through the windows of the house as the pan caught fire. Perhaps if the boy had just been patient with the mix of now burned mushrooms and vegetables in the pan this wouldn’t have happened.
Tommy watched as the smoke curled upwards and the fire continued to burn. ‘’ shit. ‘’ he cursed under his breath quickly grabbing his nearby blue jacket. He quickly tossed it over the flames. Somehow managing to extinguish the fire as it was now lacking the air it required to properly burn.
He breathed out a sigh before multiple coughs forced themselves out of his throat. Right. Tommy still had to deal with the shit ton of smoke still floating around the room.
The boy quickly grabbed the handles of the windows nearby and threw them open. Letting out a sigh of relief when the smoke filtered out of the room.
He was quite surprised the fire alarm hadn’t started beeping by now.
Even if it did his father and brothers wouldn’t have cared. Nowadays they always ignored the 15-year-old. Leaving him to his own devices.
Perhaps it was better that way. After all they had always said that tommy was annoying and useless. His family all had talents. Ones that were useful and bought them a lot of fame.
His father Phil craft was the owner of a big game company, Technoblade craft was an English major and was currently writing books about all sorts of things and Wilbur Soot craft was amazing at writing poetry. He had always been creative.
But Tommy? Tommy had nothing of that. He wasn’t talented at anything. Well expect music. Music was like an outlet for the boy. Yet he had never thought of producing it much.
Besides if he were to get famous, he would probably die inside because his family would pay attention instead of pushing him to the side like he wasn’t anything important.
Tommy quickly moved the still warm pan to the trash can. After throwing out the vegetables he quickly cleaned it and put it into the washing machine. With a familiar hum the machine began to work.
Groaning the boy moved around the kitchen to pull out cereal, milk, a bowl and a spoon.
Guess he wasn’t getting some nice warm food today. Too bad really. The mushrooms had looked nice before he had gotten distracted and spaced out burning the vegetables and just creating more work for him to clean up.
Sitting down and pouring in the cereal first he began to munch on the already a little soggy cereal. He hadn’t bothered to check which kind they were since it didn’t matter much.
Besides all the cereal in the cupboards tasted the same.
After eating Tommy quickly put all the used things into the sink. That was a problem for future tommy. Checking the clock, the boy still had about an hour to get ready for school.
After showering and putting on some fresh clothes the boy went on his phone to check his social media. Tommy was still toying with the idea of becoming a singer. He already knew he wouldn’t bother with getting a band wanting to stick with becoming a lone singer.
Heaving himself from the cough Tommy grabbed his school bag and swiftly moved outside of the house to start his track down the sidewalk. His family had always been living in the richer parts of the city and due to that Tommy went to one of those extremely rich schools with all of those stuck-up assholes walking around.
He couldn’t really care less though if they left him alone. Which didn’t happen all too often. Usually, they would just give him disgusted glances or mean comments.
To be fair Tommy’s school uniform was a little too small. He would have to ask Phil for a replacement later. Scratch that. He could deal with a school uniform being too small! Not a big deal at all.
Tommy didn’t even bother to look up at the tall building in front of him as he climbed the steps to the school building. Pushing open the doors he was greeted by tons of students littering the hall. With a sigh he pushed through them being used to the way they would block the passages to talk to each other.
The boy arrived at his first class. Math. What a great way to start a Tuesday morning. With a huff he sat down in his chair not even bothering to get out his math book and laptop.
___
Tommy excitedly walked to his next class. Music.
Music was the best class by far. Not only was the teacher super nice but the work wasn’t hard either. Mr. Dude was a nice man with dark green dyed hair, brown eyes that almost seemed black and freckles. Tommy felt like his smile could light up the whole room.
The boy quickly made his way over to his chair to fall into it. Now he just had to wait for Mr. Dude to arrive.
‘’ Hello everyone! ‘’ The teacher greeted the students as he entered. Almost instantly the class quieted down. Ready to listen.
‘’ Today we will begin with a project I had in mind for all of you! Since the end of the school year is quickly approaching, I thought it would be nice to let all of you write your own songs. It can be anything. You will all be allowed to use everything we have available in this room. ‘’ Mr. Dude grinned clapping his hands.
‘’ you’ll get two weeks to come up with your own personal songs. These songs will be sung in front of the class when said two weeks end. ‘’
Tommy’s eyes widened. This was by far the most amazing task they had gotten.
Out of the corner of his eyes he noticed his classmates were already starting. So, the boy quickly ripped out a piece of paper from his notebook and began to write down ideas. What should the song be about? Should it be loud or a calmer song? Tommy hummed. He began to write multiple topics on his paper. And then also began to work on some lyrics that he thought would be the perfect fit.
The boy knew he would make this song absolutely amazing and that he would sing.
He decided he would simply play around with lyrics for a song he liked and tweak it so it fit him better. He decided ‘’ Boys will be bugs ‘’ by cavetown would be the perfect fit.
Now he would just have to get Mr. Dudes approval that he could do a cover for the song. Standing up Tommy moved to the teachers desk. ‘’ Uh.. Mr. Dude? ‘’
‘’ yes Tommy? ‘’ Mr. Dude glanced up at the boy.
‘’ Can I also do a cover for a song if I change the instruments around? ‘’ He asked tilting his head. Almost mimicking a bird.
‘’ Sure. Like I said do whatever you want. ‘’ His teacher agreed. Giving Tommy a thumbs up.
The boy smiled in return before nodding and returning to his seat.
____
Tommy found that time had passed quickly. Before he knew it Tommy was standing on the stage. The stage was a room his school had for school plays and anything to do with announcements.
Clearing his throat Tommy began. ‘’ This is Boys Will Be Bugs by Cavetown. ‘’ he spoke into the microphone.
The boy strummed the electric guitar. Waiting as the familiar melody began to come from the speakers.
‘’ I’m a dumb teen boy ‘’ He began by humming before beginning to sing strumming his guitar along to the lines
‘’ I eat sticks and rocks and mud ‘’ He breathed. Feeling the familiar feeling of nervousness settle in his stomach. Feeling all those eyes on him.
‘’ I don’t care about the government and I really need a hug ‘’ True words. Tommy thoughts bitterly.
‘’ I feel stupid, ugly '’
‘’ Pretend it doesn’t bother me ‘’ It really did bother him. Another breath.
‘’ I’m not very strong, but I’ll fuck you up if you’re mean to bugs ‘’ Hey? What could he say being mean to bugs really was mean.
Tommy catched his breath for a second. Letting the lyrics play in his head. He continued
‘’ It’s getting cold down here underneath the weather ‘’
‘’ I skipped class to sit with you ‘’ Not like he had any friends.
‘’ I really like your spotty sweater ‘’ Another breath.
‘’ If ladybugs are girls ‘’
‘’ How do you make kids together? ‘’
‘’ What’s it like in a female world? ‘’
‘’ I bet it’s just so much better! ‘’
‘’ I just turned 14 and I think this year I’m gonna be mean! ‘’
‘’ Don’t mess with me, I’m a big boy now, and I’m very scary ‘’
‘’ I punch my walls, stay out at night, and I do karate ‘’
‘’ Don’t message me cause I won’t reply, I wanna make you cry! ‘’
‘’ Ain’t that how it’s s’posed to be? Though it isn’t me ‘’
‘’ boys will be bugs right? ‘’
He breathed again. Catching his breath. His throat was beginning to hurt.
‘’ Boys will be bugs, right? ‘’
‘’ I'm a dumb teen boy ‘’
Tommy caught his breath again. Readying himself for the next couple of lines. He had closed his eyes by now. Embracing the lyrics and attempting to make them sound as good as possible.
‘’ All I wanna do is quit ‘’
‘’ My mum told me that she's worried ‘’ Not like Tommy had a mum.
‘’ And I couldn't give a shit ‘’
‘’ I have friends who understand me ‘’
‘’ Their names are spider, beetle, bee ‘’
‘’ They don't say much, but ‘’
‘’ They have always listened to me ‘’
He caught his breath again. Ignoring how his fingers had begun to sting. And how the electric guitar in his hands seemed to weight more by the second
‘’ The other boys at school ‘’
‘’ Think it's cool to hate your parents ‘’
‘’ But they're lying all the time ‘’
‘’ The bugs advised that I should let 'em ‘’
‘’ And if you wanna cry ‘’
‘’ Make sure that they never see it ‘’
‘’ Or even better yet ‘’
‘’ Block it out and never feel it ‘’
Sweat dropped down his face. He quickly swiped it way. Strumming his guitar again.
‘’ I just turned 14 ‘’
‘’ And I think I know everything ‘’
Tommy bobbed his head along with the beat. Grinning.
‘’ Don't mess with me, I'm a big boy now, and I'm very scary ‘’
‘’ I punch my walls, stay out at night, and I do karate ‘’
‘’ Don't message me 'cause I won't reply, I wanna make you cry ‘’
‘’ Ain't that how it's s'posed to be? Though it isn't me ‘’
‘’ Boys will be bugs, right? ‘’
‘’ Boys will be bugs, right? ‘’
Another breath and Tommy let his singing calm down.
‘’ Just turned 14 ‘’
‘’ And I think this year I'm gonna be mean ‘’
‘’ Just turned 14 ‘’
‘’ And I think I know everything ‘’
‘’ Just turned 14 ‘’
‘’ And I think this year I'm gonna be mean ‘’
‘’ Just turned 14 ‘’
‘’ And I think the world revolves around me ‘’
The beat picked up again and Tommy cheered.
‘’ Don't mess with me, I'm a big boy now, and I'm very scary ‘’
‘’ I punch my walls, stay out at night, and I do karate ‘’
Continuing Tommy closed his eyes again. Having opened them to catch his breath.
‘’ Don't message me 'cause I won't reply, I wanna make you cry ‘’
‘’ Ain't that how it's s'posed to be? Though it isn't me ‘’
‘’ Boys will be bugs, right? ‘’
‘’ Don't mess with me, I'm a big boy now, and I'm very scary ‘’
‘’ I punch my walls, stay out at night, and I do karate ‘’
‘’ Don't message me 'cause I won't reply, I wanna make you cry ‘’
‘’ Ain't that how it's s'posed to be? Though it isn't me ‘’
‘’ Boys will be bugs, right? ‘’
The singing and the lyrics got quieter. Tommy was now basically whispering the last few lines into the microphone.
‘’ Don't mess with me, I'm a big boy now, and I'm very scary ‘’
‘’I punch my walls, stay out at night, and I do karate ‘’
‘’ Don't message me 'cause I won't reply, I wanna make you cry ‘’
‘’ Ain't that how it's s'posed to be? Though it isn't me ‘’
‘’ Boys will be bugs, right? ‘’
Finishing the song tommy wiped away the sweat once again. His hands slid down his pants as he grinned at his music class. All of them wore shocked faces for whatever reason. Then the clapping began. They applauded him. The boy bowed one time before stepping down the stage. He was pretty much out of breath now. Luckily his song had been the last.
___
Once they returned to the music room Mr. Dude spoke up. ‘’ Would you all like to hear what I thought about your songs and then head home right after? ‘’
A chorus of the word ‘yes ‘bounced around the room for a moment before the class quietened down again.
‘’ right! Aiden. You may follow me first ‘’
___
After a short amount of time tommy’s name was called. The classroom had emptied out completely. Tommy didn’t really know why he was the last person to get called.
Stepping out of the door he saw Mr. Dude leaning against a wall.
‘’ Your song was absolutely phenomenal. You let the song guide you and made the electric guitar fit in perfectly. Congratulations Tommy. You deserve an A for that. ‘’ Mr. Dude smiled at the boy.
‘’ you should think about starting some sort of music channel. I recommend posting that song of yours to youtube ‘’ Mr. Dude added.
‘’ I- Thank you.. I never thought I'd get a good grade for it ‘’ Tommy admitted.
‘’ Your singing really is something special kid. Don’t let it go to waste. ‘’ His teacher grinned.
The boy just nodded in return.
Perhaps he should create a channel...