The Colors In Her Voice

☆Chapter 16☆

It's been two days since Mason read my song in the school auditorium. Two days since I have been working in the quaint 'Stephanie's Abode'. Mrs. Scott - who has insisted every time that I call her Stephanie but I just couldn't bring myself to - and Emily were going a little easy on me because it was my first time handling the cash counter or anything for that matter.

All of this hard work was messing with my mind and I wanted nothing more than to go home and sleep on a continuous loop. 

My mom detected that I was tiring myself out lately but didn't question me about anything. It could probably be because she knew that I would quit after some time which was true but it wouldn't happen anytime before her birthday. 

I was determined to carry out everything with responsibility. That and everybody was willing to help me out with my huge task so basically, I couldn't pull myself out even if I had a twinkle of a wish to. Not that I was going to anyway.

I wiped my sticky hands on my apron which worked as a code of conduct for this coffee shop. Mrs. Scott left early because she needed to do some grocery shopping. 

Emily was in the back room, placing and arranging all the baking utensils along with the other things. I had turned the board to the 'closed' sign before taking a seat behind the counter.

My eyes fell on my guitar, Hope, which was placed meticulously against the backside of the counter. I picked it up with a small smile on my lips. Wearing it around my shoulders, I held its neck and body delicately in my hands. I couldn't stop myself from staring at it because my fascination and admiration for it couldn't be curtailed.

Mason had recommended me to teach guitar here at the coffee shop itself. I was a bit reluctant in the beginning but he assured me that his aunt and cousin wouldn't mind at all. Plus, he said that it would be convenient for both of us. This is the reason why I brought along my guitar. 

He also asked me to not share this piece of information with Bethany because he wanted the whole team practice to start from the next week. So, we both agreed that he would meet me after the working hours of the coffee shop were over. I'd be lying if I said that I wasn't excited.

"Hey!" Emily exclaimed from behind me. I turned around to see her leaning against the door frame. "I'm done in the back here," she told me, pointing behind her. She came and sat beside me. Her face is never void of any smiles and her personality makes it even more interesting to work here.

"Cool." I nodded my head. I was still awkward around people, especially when they're new to me. Emily is chirpy and loquacious enough for the both of us, which I didn't really mind because half the time, I was blank. 

It doesn't happen when I am with Mason because for some reason, he doesn't make me feel insecure or unable to speak. Although Emily doesn't make me feel uneasy, she has this tendency to be happy over everything which makes it hard for me to match her enthusiasm. 

"You look so attached to it, considering it's just been a few days since you bought it," she said, pointing to my guitar. She meant it in a good natured way which is why I didn't mind her comment.

"I'm like a mother to an unborn kid," I said, laughing. "You know, like how a mother is pregnant with a baby and she's not even seen them but she falls in love with them anyway." My explanation might have sounded weird but it was applicable in my situation. One doesn't need to spend time with something or someone to grow fond of them. Sometimes, it's just their mere presence, be it visible or invisible.

"Oh, my God!" Emily started cackling and I blushed immediately.

"What?"

"You're just like him!" She shouted with a smile playing on her lips teasingly. "You talk just like Mason, which is so cute. I mean, a normal person would have just shrugged it off or said, 'I think it's beautiful' something like that. But you guys are so different. Not that I mind though. But on a serious note, is he rubbing off on you?"