You instinctively tapped your foot to the music, humming out lyrics and jamming out. That was until you felt the hardest slap to your head. "Ow!"
"Melodia, are quite done?"
"Ow Shiri, you didn't have to slap me geez." you said as you readjusted your headphones. "I had the sound turned down you know."
"No you didn't."
"Prove it?"
"You were performing that rebellious air guitar in the middle of me informing you of how I failed that math test yesterday."
"Oh.......I may have had the sound turned up just a little."
She gave you a sigh of disappointment as the bell for the next class rang. "I'll be waiting for you in class deary. It would be quite unladylike to arrive late you know."
"Ok ms. perfect." She smiled and stuck her tongue out at me. "Oh how unladylike of you Shiri."
"If you say so hun."
Shiri and you go way back to when you were just starting out elementary. You were both raised to prim and proper surprisingly, kind of unnoticeable now but it's true. Back then it was all, "how are you today sir?" and, "I would be honored to have to this dance sir?" There you were just jamming out, seconds later, the teacher takes your headphones spouting nonsense about it being uncouth and you fight to get them back. Like way unladylike right? It was Shiri who ultimately defended you in the end against both the teacher and the principal. You guys have been friends ever since. You've never been apart since then, even during the entirety of middle school where things were not all sunshine and rainbows thanks to the divorce between your, oh so happy, parents. She's been there to comfort you every step of the way, a real best friend. "Good memories." You grab your bag and head inside the school. Your class was on the other side of school and you only had one minute to get there, kind of normal for you actually. You passed by the lunch room only to hear something past your own music that caught your attention. Someone's really dropping it. You take off your headphones and bop your head to the beat.
Youtube Video
You had to find out where this was coming from. You let your highly trained musical ears do the work and soon found yourself in a vacated music room. The only person sitting inside was a girl with multicolored blue hair. Still continuing to dance to the beat, you made your way over to her facing a computer screen with a mobile soundboard next to her. You tapped her on the shoulder making her shut off the music and turn around. "That's the sickest thing I've heard all day." She pointed to the screen with a confused look on her face. "Yea the beat is awesome. Did you make that?" She nodded. "You're really good." She gave you a thumbs up and removed her own headphones. "So what's your name." She opened up a webpage and let you see for yourself. "Vinyl Scratch otherwise known as DJ-Pon-3. Cute name. By the way, do you have a sore throat or something." She shook her head. "Is they're a reason you don't talk then unless it's personal, then I'm sorry for asking."
The expression that came to her face was depressing. Even under her glasses, you could tell she was sad. She picked up a piece of paper and wrote, "It's kinda hard to talk about....literally." She put the paper down and put an x over her throat.
"Oh crap, sorry for asking."
She smiled and shook her head then wrote down on the paper, "It's all cool. A lot of people act the same way."
"So sorry if it sounds insensitive but is it hard being mute?"
She shook her head and wrote down again, "Not really, I either make gestures, write it down, shoot that person a text, or use sign language. Course, I could be more motivated to learn sign language if it wasn't so boring."
"True, the same could be said about my math class." This solicited a small chuckle from her. "So how do you produce your music?" She pulled up a program that had a cool looking 3 in the corner. You must have examined the program for 20 minutes even motioning her out of the chair she was sitting in. "Wow this has everything an artist can dream of. Who made it?" She pointed to the symbol and then pointed to her shirt. "Wait a minute?" The symbol that lay on her shirt was the exact same as the one on the program.
"Y-you made this?" She nodded. "So not only do you produce your own productions, but you made your own production program the helps artist produce their own productions? Tongue twister."
She nodded then wrote on the nearest piece of paper. "Pretty sweet right? Everything you could want is in there for exactly 99$."
"Steep price, but I guess for the best program, it's worth it."
She flipped the paper over to free space and wrote, "You must be quite the master yourself."
"Yea, I create some things here and there, nothing to serious. I mean, I got the fake award for never taking off my beloved headphones."
She pointed to her headphones and gave you a thumbs up as if to say the same thing. That's when she finally wrote a question you weren't expecting. "Can I hear something?"
"Well...I don't know."
She then smacked a piece of paper on the table that said, "No need to be nervous man. As an artist, you should be forever proud of what you make. Now let's hear it."
You let let out a sigh and whipped out your laptop. "I guess it couldn't hurt." You cued up the track and hovered over the play button. "Alright......here we go." You pressed play and let the music flow.
Youtube Video
"It's not awesome and hardcore like your beats so it's not really something I like to advertise."
She then stuck a paper in your face. "Are you kidding me? A softer beat can always be a game changer. Sure hardcore beats get the movement out of people, but have you ever thought of the people who would like to listen to music we make but prefer a softer beat."
"Hey you know what? I never thought about it that way."
Suddenly my phone went off with a text message. "It's Shiri love, where are you? The teacher is getting ever so curious and I don't believe he'll make it easy on you this time. Come up with an excuse and hurry."
"Oh crap I have to get to class." you say as you close your laptop and throw it into your bag. You mentally stop yourself before bolting out the door. "Can I see you again sometime?" She nodded and handed you a smaller slip of paper with her number on it saying text me. "See ya later." Before she could blink, you were out the door and down the hall. You crept up to the door of your classroom and looked through the small window. The teacher was turned around and writing something on the board. You took this chance, silently opening the door and slipping in. Everyone noticed you but the teacher who was still preoccupied. After slipping into your seat, you threw you backpack down on the desk and laid there as if you had been sleep the entire time. You turned to everyone and whispered, "Shhhh."
Finally the teacher turned around and crossed his arms. "Ms. Melodia String. I do thank you for joining us."
"Sorry man, I was just so tired."
"You can't fool me this time Ms. String. I clearly have you listed as absent."
That's when the most awesome thing happened. Shiri stood up and motioned to you. "What ever do you mean? She has been here the entirety of the class."
Like a chain reaction, other kids began to throw in the same comments. "She's been here the entire time."
"Didn't you see her teach?"
"I even talked to her at the beginning of class."
The teacher rubbed his face in frustration and went back to the board. "You got lucky this time Ms. String but if I don't see you in that seat next time, I will give you detention understood?"
I smiled and gave him a thumbs up knowing that you had obviously won. Shiri tapped me on the shoulder letting me turn to the most threating of death stares. "So do inform me why you were...late." She whispered.
"Well see the craziest thing happened." you whispered back.
"I'm sure."
"No for real. I met this awesome girl in the music room who just so happen to like music as much as I do."
"Really? What was her name?"
"I think it was Vinyl Scratch."
"Vinyl? The dubstep artist?"
"That would be her. She made some crazy beats that I just couldn't help but go talk to her about. Next thing I know I'm like twenty minutes late."
"She sounds like a good friend. Someone that you finally share with."
"I share with you, what's wrong with that?"
"I like the soft nature of your music, not the beats. I do not share such enthusiasm for dubstep as she might."
"But you loved the last one I let you preview."
"Because it contained a hint of classical music deary. I though you knew my musical preference."
"Yea....I did...kind of."
"We have been together for this long and you didn't know I was purely classical?"
"I have a horrible memory, don't judge me."
"We'll have to have a little chat about that later."
The fear of hours of classical music made you shudder. "Yea, let's not." Class went on as normal, the teacher telling you and Shiri to stop talking and work ensued the rest of the time. Finally the bell rang and everyone began to exit the classroom. As you and Shiri exited alongside the others, you turned and gave a fist pump to the air. "Thanks for the save you guys." Everyone gave their cheerful you're welcome and departed. "Man I hate that math class."
"Quite difficult actually which is uncommon from past classes."
You made your way outside the school, spring was just setting in, the snow was melting, and the trees were returning to vibrant color. Out of the corner of your eye you gave a high five to someone. "Sup Luma."
"What's up Melodia?"
"Did you guys hear about that crazy math test the teach is gonna give us?"
"Oh yea....Oh crap. You studied right Applejack?"
"Yep. Ah reckon ah can tutor one or two of ya."
"Even me and Shiri?"
"If ya are really dedicated then sure."
"Sweet. What time though?"
"Tonight sound good?"
"You free tonight Shiri?"
"Of course Melodia dear."
"We'll be there around 4:00."
"Alright then."
"See ya AJ, Luma."
Shiri tugged you in the direction of your houses. "Come on dear, it's still slightly colder than i'd like it be."
"Alright alright."
"Um....Melodia. After the study session..." Shiri said with a slight blush. "Is it possible that maybe you and I cou...."
Her sentence was then interrupted by your ringtone. "Hmm? Look behind you?" You turned around to see Vinyl smiling that beautiful smile. "Oh Vinyl." She waved then turned to the person next to you. "Oh yea, I forgot to introduce you guys. Vinyl, this is Shiri. Shiri, this is Vinyl."
"It's very nice to meet you hun." Vinyl gave her thumbs up soliciting a curious expression from Shiri. "Are you ok dear, you're not speaking." She put a x over her throat. "You have a soar throat?" She shook her head. She made the motion of talking then put an x over her mouth. "Oh how rude of me. You're....mute darling?" Vinyl nodded. "I'm sorry for not noticing before."
She a gesture of it's ok and shot me a text. "Hey, you got any plans? I was hoping you could come over and record some beats with me."
"You're kidding right?" She shook her head. "Um...Shiri, could you maybe deal without me tonight."
"Why ever would you want to ditch a study session?"
"Well see...Vinyl here is a....music person...and...I..just though I could...you know....make some music with her...hehe."
Shiri let a little anger come to her, the smile fading from her once happy face. "I mean while that sounds like a good idea..I'd really think it more beneficial if you would join us....I mean I...would really enjoy it if you..."
"Come on, please Shiri?"
"I-I guess it would be good to miss one d-day."
"Thanks you're the best. See ya tomorrow, that cool?"
"F-fine." she said giving you a smile.
You don't remember actually paying much attention to the signs she gave, the obvious emotions swelling inside her. You just went on your way and imagined the sick beats you could produce. Vinyl shot a text which said, "Your friend seemed pretty upset back there."
"It's all good. She just really wants to help me study."
Another message popped up. "You sure you don't wanna go with her?"
"Yea it'll be fine."
About ten minutes later, you arrived at her house which was nothing to behold. Simple two story house with dark and light blue stripes. Inside, however, the place was more than award worthy. The entire place was themed after Vinyl herself, white couch, white wall paint, blue vases, pictures with blue frames, even majority of the floor was white while a single purple stripe went diagonally across the room in 2 feet increments. I was in complete awe and shock at this point, mouth wide and dropped to the floor. Suddenly my phone lit up. "Awesome right?"
"Are you kidding me? It's like something you would see in the future." She motioned me to the kitchen where she made a drinking motion. "Oh definitely." She pulled out a couple of cans of soda and handed one to me. "Thanks." I admired the house as we made our way into the basement of all places. "Why are we doing down here?"
She raised one finger and stepped over to a brick wall. She turned her back to it, then tapped on a hidden panel with her knuckle. Suddenly, a section of the wall slid open and revealed a heavenly sight. It was a small room but still amazing nonetheless. Completely white but with horizontal blue lines instead of purple going up the wall. On one side of the wall left of the opening, A HDTV screen was built into the wall with a open space just below. Opposite of that wall was a usual vocal recording booth with glass separating the inside from the outside and a microphone inside. Like cliche, your phone went off. "You have no idea how much I had to put down just to make this happen. Hell, the hardest part was the hidden wall."
"Yea. But wait, wouldn't your parents notice something that requires so much money?"
She chuckled then shot me another. "Dude, didn't you see the house? I live alone."
"Really? Thank whoever is up there for another independent woman."
"Yea mom and dad were really killing the vibe back in my old house. Things like, "Turn it down," and, "Why don't you do something productive with your life," you get the idea."
"I know that pain, believe me."
"So you ready to lay down some tracks?"
"You bet your base I am."
Time went on, hour after hour. You introduced her to the beat you had been planning on incorporating into your latest track and she turned it into a masterpiece, with your help of course. Apparently, she was able to remove the gigantic soundboard and place in the space just below the TV, quite the customization you'd say. The hours of producing went by, mistakes were made, ideas were put to the test but finally after all that time, pitch black outside actually, you and Vinyl gave a sigh of relief that it was finished. Your phone lit up the second you decided to stretch. "I am drop dead tired! Ready to blast this?"
"Always ready. We set that vocal track up correctly right?" She nodded then took the cursor back to the start and pressed play.
Youtube Video
"And to think we did that in a day."
"Amazing I know. It would've taken me at least a week to come up with it, then another to actually produce it. Vinyl you're amazing."
A slight blush came to her peach colored cheeks as she waved my compliment away. "So how about we get this song saved on flash then head up?"
"Sounds good to me." With that, she took a few minutes to load the song onto a drive and we headed up. "Only about 7:00. I still got a couple of hours to kill."
"You wanna hang with me till then?"
"Sure. What's on TV?"
"I was thinking something else."
"Like?"
"Just turn on some good music and get to know each other."
"Hey i'm game." We sat on the couch and she turned on the TV. Not only was she musically gifted, she also was crazy tech smart, showcased by the picture that suddenly popped on screen without her even needing to choose a song or hook anything up.
Youtube Video
"How did you do that?"
"I saved the music on my TV."
"You can do that?"
"Nope."
"Someone's an overachiever."
"Shut up, I am not you jerk."
"Oh you're not, says the music award sitting over your TV."
"OK ok, I overachieved a little, only a little." The conversation seemed to normal, laughing and talking about your interest and dislikes. It was normal until she decided to remove her glasses. She set them on the nightstand next to her then looked back to dumbstruck face. Curious, she shot you a text, snapping you out of your trance. "You ok?"
"F-fine. Just listening to the music is all." You never realized it, this entire time you had been looking into those glasses of hers. Now that they're off, it's a whole new feeling swelling inside of you staring at those beautiful rubies of her's. "You really are an overachiever."
"What are you talking about now?"
"I mean....nevermind." At first you began to think to yourself, but when stressed, a certain habit becomes obvious. She's everything in one. How do I handle this without making her all weird towards me? I mean is she even into girls? "She's stunningly beautiful, smart, the best damn DJ on the planet...."
Suddenly my phone rang. "You really think that?"
That's when you realized that half of what you thought was said, completely, out loud. You covered your mouth and looked into Vinyl's eyes, the concern growing in them. "I...didn't m-mean to say...." She attempted to reach for you, letting the fear build within you as she got closer. With no warning, you shot off the couch and to the front door. "I-I got to go." After slamming the door closed you booked it down the street, past the school and back home, a half hour run by usual standards might I remind you but it only took you 10 minutes. As soon as you slammed the door to your house shut, you slid down to the ground with heavy breath, not just from running but from what you just did. "Did I really just say that out loud? I thought I left that stupid habit in 5th grade." You made your way to your room and fell with a sigh onto your bed. Your emotions swirled like a twister inside you. You turned on your phone and began to text Vinyl only to have your fears turn the phone back off. You grabbed your pillow and screamed directly into it for a pure minute. "Do I say sorry or something? Maybe I should confess that I like her? No then that would make it all weird for the both of us. What do I do?!"
"Well for one, you can stop screaming your thoughts."
"What the? Shiri?"
"Yes love." she said as she opened your bedroom. "I came to check on you. How was your session with Vinyl?"
"It...was good...I guess."
"Then might I ask why you were screaming into the pillow?"
"I was just letting off some steam from school." you said as you attempted to put on my headphones before being stopped by Shiri.
"You are a terrible liar hun. Tell sister Shiri what troubles you."
"It's.......embarrassing."
"I'm your best friend Melodia, I'll understand."
"You sure?" She nodded. "Well....I think I......well you see.....it's kind of.....I think I have a crush on Vinyl."
"R-really?"
"Why, is that weird?"
"N-not at all my dear. A girl liking a girl is never a crime. W-why does it trouble you so?"
"I practically told her straight to her face then ran out like a baby."
"Oh t-that is a predicament. What would have done if that girl or any other for that matter had liked you back?"
"Most likely would've accepted what I am and faced it head on."
"S-so you're saying that if a girl were to like you, you wouldn't be against a girl to girl relationship?"
"Not even a little. You ok, you're shaking up a storm there."
"Oh me? I-I'm fine really."
"You sure, you seem really nervous."
"Me? Nervous? I laugh at your assumptions. Hahaha..ha..he.."
"Please help me Shiri, I have no idea what do anymore. Do I go back and clear it up or just leave it alone, please help me!"
"Calm d-down Melodia. All I can say is to come clean as it would yield the best results. Don't let the negativity of your emotions control your actions, let your courage take your feelings of love and turn into a brave and bold statement."
"I hope it's as easy as you just said. Say I'm going to head down to the store real quick, you want anything."
"Just an ice coffee thank you." As you began to head down the stairs to the living room, you could hear Shiri faintly saying something, "........what you preach Shiri."
Or at least that's what you assumed she said. "You say something Shiri?"
"Oh my...n-nothing darling, please continue." With that you exited the house and made your way for the store.
