Haunting music broke the silence, and broke through Karma’s thoughts, the beginning notes just a prelude to what comes next. For a moment, she was sorely tempted to let the song continue, that way she’d hear the rest...but...that would mean ignoring whoever’s calling her phone. With a sigh, a hand dove into the depths of her pocket in search of its source. Leisha glanced up from her bowl of cereal, curiosity swirling within those blue eyes of hers...but Karma didn't bother answering any of the unspoken questions. Instead, she read the caller ID, and wasn't surprised at reading Eric's name.<br/><br/>Being the drummer of Cosmic Challenge, he was always tapping out a rhythm on his thighs, on a desk... anywhere that had a decent enough surface. Eric was great at it, too, but his parents didn't understand how important music was to him. Neither did her parents. Karma looked up this time around, debating whether or not she should answer the call in front of Leisha.<i>Oh, to hell with it, </i>she finally decided.<i>I'm going to band practice, no matter what she says. It’s my life, and I can go play music, and see my friends, if I so wish. Babysitter she may be, but overlord of my life? I don’t think so. Besides...Maybe he knows where practice is gonna be held…</i>Her mind made up, she hit a button and lifted the cell phone to her ear, head falling back until she was looking up at the ceiling.<br/><br/>"Karma speaking," Karma spoke up, only to laugh seconds later. The musical sound danced in the air, almost delightfully so, a few notes finding their way into the mouth piece. "What's up, Eric? Can't find your drumsticks again?" That was a common occurrence for Eric, seeing as how he couldn't seem to keep track of his own head at times. "Which one is missing this time? Lefty, or Righty? By the way... you really should give them better names than that." Her lips curving into a grin, she didn't notice Leisha looking her way, nor the smile crossing her face.<br/><br/>Leisha tilted her head, assessing the girl that was steadily becoming a woman before her eyes. It wasn't all that long ago when she watched after her last, but comparing then and now...she was vastly different.<i>I'm wondering when I blinked, and she became a young woman...</i>she wondered, now brushing light brown out of her eyes. The light hit upon the pair, picking out tones of green among the blue.<i>Of course, I probably seem like a nuisance...and I have probably changed quite a bit, in her eyes, as well...</i>she realized, only to give a nod to herself.<br/><br/>An alert rang in Karma’s ear, notifying her that a text message was just received. “Hey, wait a sec, Eric,” Karma told him, pulling the phone away to check and see who sent it.<i>Ah! It’s Ashlynn, I wonder what she has to say…</i>Her finger began pressing buttons, and it was just moments later that she read the message. “Eric! Ashlynn is hosting our practice tonight!” she pointed out, relieved to finally find out for herself. “She just sent me the address, and knowing her, she sent it to everybody… So, who is bringing the pizza? This time it’s me, isn’t it?” Every band practice, someone brings drinks -which mostly consist of soda-, another brings food, and the others have a bit of money to help pay the people back. It’s a fair system, overall. “Okay… I’ll bring one Pepperoni, one Mega Meat, and one Hawaiian, the usual… so I’ll talk to you later! Bye!” Karma hung up on Eric without another word, her thoughts going back to the transportation issue.<br/><br/><i>I guess I have no other choice… I only have my learner’s permit, and Mom won’t let me drive unless it’s under adult supervision… What a pain.</i><br/><br/>Karma let out a long, exasperated sigh, those mismatched eyes of hers locking onto the young woman sitting across the table. Leisha glanced up, not so much bothered by the stare, but rather wondering why she was being stared at. “Yes?” she finally spoke, raising her eyebrows in a questioning look of her own. “Is there something you need?”<i>From the sound of things, Karma needs a ride somewhere...</i>she thought, having connected the dots during the conversation.<i>And she doesn’t want to ask me, but is forced to…</i>The spoon dangling from her fingertips, indigo blue eyes lifted again, light passing over the pair much like a lover would pass their fingertips over skin.<br/><br/>“If you need a ride, all you have to do is ask. You don’t need to glare at me like that.” Leisha’s voice broke the silence again, this time jarring Karma out of whatever thoughts she was having.<br/><br/>“Fine! Then you’re buying the pizza, too!” Karma announced, jerking out of her seat and coming to a stand. Luckily, pizza was something the band never seems to finish, seeing as how they always get wrapped up in new songs, or lyrics, or anything along those lines. “I’m heading upstairs and getting dressed… Just be ready to go!” Karma huffed, before swiftly heading up to her room. Leisha winced when the door slammed, yet she decided not to say anything...then. Later on, however, is a different story. With a soft, amused chuckle leaving her lips, she picked up both bowls and rinsed them out in the sink, before placing them in the dishwasher.