Vale's story

Guitar lesson

"Cole?" I yelled out. Cupping my hands around my mouth to make my small voice bigger. Nothing. Crap, I gotta find him. But where'd he go now? He said he was just gonna head to the bakery and pick up bread or something? I can't remember, I wasn't paying. Ever since he gave me a pocket knife for my birthday, I like carving little animals all time. I think mom likes them. Especially when I do hummingbirds. They're her favourite. Speaking of which, I pat my pocket to make sure I have it before I head out looking for Cole. Yup, still there. He said to keep it close when I feel scared. Which is all the time.. but that's not the point! I can't fly yet, or have any magic abilities I'm aware of yet. Cole said I'll get them when I'm older. I really hope I get fire powers like him. They're awesome. Just lighting a fire like nothing? Man, then I'd never have trouble getting the fire going at night. Anyways, I'm getting lost in my own thoughts. Find Cole. Before dad gets home. I dart my head around, looking at the fields and the trail that leads away from the house. Hmm, wait. Is that a trail cut into to grass on the left? Oh please don't tell me he went into the woods. I hate going into them, especially alone. I shake my head and take a deep breath to gain confidence. I can do this. Be brave, like Cole. I flicked my tail before going into a full on sprint into the woods, trying not to dwell on any of it, and focus on the trail he left behind. Ears and wings pinned back, I keep up a good pace for awhile. Cole always said I was a good runner. It was my way of flying until dad or Cole teach me. Hopefully Cole will.. I come to a halt as I realize I've lost my trail, the tall grass disappearing. Oh no, what now? I perk up my ears and look around. Yup, lots of birds, but they're just annoying right now while I'm trying to listen for him. Unless it's a hummingbird, then I wanna try and catch it for mom. She'd like that, I think.. I hear a snap of a branch and I immediately turn my attention towards it. Probably more in fear. Oh, it's a dumb rabbit. I hiss at it with what fangs I have, and it runs off scared. "hmph, that's right." I gave a proud stance "You better run. You're lucky I'm not hunting right now. I'm on a mission!" I say more to myself as the rabbit is long gone. I listen again once I calm my nerves. A creak? Cole always did like swimming. Well, that's my best bet right now. So I head off in the direction of the running water with more of a jog now. The trees slowly start breaking though as the creak gets louder. But my ears perk up again, as I hear something else. Not something as in nature, but.. a instrument? Because I hear a soft melody. I frown in confusion and tilt my head slightly. I quicken my pace, and push though a thicket of bushes that block my path in getting to the sound. Once I break though, there I saw it. A gorgeous little creak I've never seen before. The water glisten like crystal in the broken sunlight coming into between the tree's leaves. And sitting on a large stone on the water's edge, cross legged and back haft facing me, is Cole. He was hunched over slightly as he was holding something across his lap, bobbing his head a little. His guitar! That's where the music was coming from! Does he always play out here? He usually plays by the fire at night, or for mom. Huh, weird. Then I remember why I came, I shake my head. Quickly, but quietly go up to him, not wanting to spook him. "Cole?" I ask, leaning forward into his view of sight. Hands awkwardly behind my back. His eyes quickly met mine, and he smiled warmly with both his smile and eyes. Stopping his sweet melody. "Heeey little man." He ruffled up my hair playfully. "What you doing all the way out her? Did you make it here all by yourself?" He asked, clearly surprised. "Yeah!" I nod proudly and try to look brave by buffing out my chest a little. And, that only made him laugh. I blinked in confusion as he had to stop laugh because a cough interrupted it. My ears drooped as I watched with concern. "You got what moms got, don't ya?" He simply waved me off and shook his head. "I'm okay" he finished with a final cough and gave a forced smile to reassure me. But it didn't, not even remotely. "How bad?" I asked bluntly. "I said I'm okay buddy. It's nothing. Just a little cough is all." My expression went sour. I wasn't stupid. "I heard dad yelling at you this morning. Saying you were weak or something.." He waved me off again. Aw is that what you're referring to? Nah, he was just getting angry over something else." He then rested both of his hands on my shoulders. "So stop worried. I'm okay, really." I looked down for a second, then gave a nod. Only to indulge him really. He gave me a pat on the shoulder, then let his arms fall back onto his guitar. "So why'd you come out here? Is mom okay?" I quickly shook my head to not worry him. "No no, moms fine! She's sleeping. But I came looking for you because dad probably gonna be home soon.." my voice went quieter as I finished. He nodded back slowly. "I see well, we best get back then." He said as he uncrossed his legs, but noticed I was looking at his guitar almost the whole time. He stopped, and chuckled softly as he looked between me and it. "Wanna hold it?" He asked, tilting his head slightly. "Huh?!" My head snapped up from staring at it, not even realizing. "Wha-? N-no no, I can't-!" I took a nervous step back. "Come on, I know you want to. I see the way you watch when I play for mom. Here," he didn't even give me time to respond, and let it go in my arms. I caught it thankfully, but fumbled. I looked down at it wide eyed, and I could feel the smile on Cole's face. "Like her?" He nudged my forearm, snapping me out of my trance. "Y-yeah" I say as a smile slowly comes across my lips. I gently ran my hand over the glossy wood, the sun sparkling off of it. "Go on, give her a tone." Cole nodded to the guitar, and I quickly looked up at him. "I don't know how." And he just ran his hand though his hair like he was an idiot. "Of course you don't! I never taught you! Okay, come on. Sit down beside me," he patted the rock he was sitting on. "Wha-?" I just looked shocked at him. "Come oooon, I know you wanna learn." He waved me over. "But what about dad.." I quickly remembered before my desires got ahead of me. "Five minute lesson then?" He gave one of his smirks. One that always said 'come on, you know you wanna'. And I did. So, I gave a nod and a nervous smile of defeat. I held the guitar carefully in my arms as I sat comfortably beside him. He scooted closer to me so he could wrap his arm around me to get to my other hand holding the neck of the guitar. Repositioning my fingers. "Okay, so this is what you'd call a G note here. Now, go ahead and give her a strum." He nodded down at me. I stuck my tongue out as I focused on where he put my fingers, then looked at the base of the strings. I strummed it as instructed, and a strong note can out of the guitar. I got all giddy and looked up at Cole, whom laughed. "That's just one note Vale. Gotta learn a few more notes if you wanna actually PLAY a song." I looked at the guitar again, then picked at the strings randomly. "Can you teach me?" Cole tilted his head in confusion. "What do you think we're doing?" I shook my head. "The song you sing to mom every night. I wanna learn it. You know, just in case you're not around and mom wants to hear it.." He leaned back little and slowly nodded. "Ooooh, that song. Well, I think it's a little out of your league at the moment. But, lemme make ya a deal. You learn the basics in a week, and I'll teach you the song. How's that sound?" I quickly looked up at him, ecstatic. "Deal!" So, we did. Every evening when dad wasn't around and mom resting, we'd go out to our little secret creak and practice every day for an hour. Those evenings, were probably my best memories as a kid.