My Tutor is Zack Merrick?

Chapter 1

"Skylar? Come on, you're gonna be late!" My dad yelled up the stairs. I groaned to myself and grabbed my bass guitar. I walked down the stairs, trying not to glare at my father. He knows I hate being called that. We got in the car and we're driving to the music store.

"You know you have to be on your best behavior, I'm paying a lot of money for this, so I expect to get my moneys worth." I nodded at him.

"Yes, sir." He shook his head.

"Stop being so monotone, or I'll turn back and cancel the lessons."

"No, please don't. I'm just nervous to meet the teacher, I don't even know who he is." I pleaded.

"His name is Zack. He's a really nice guy. I think you two will get along." The rest of the ride was silent. When we got to the music shop, I got out and walked in behind Dad. We went up to Customer Service.

"Hey, we're here for bass lesson for Skylar." He told the lady. I looked down embarrassed. I wish he would call me Shiloh. My dad and the lady talked for a bit before he turned to me.

"Be on your best behavior, I'll be back in an hour." I stood beside the counter as I watched him walk out. I turned towards the lady and shyly asked,

"Excuse me, ma'am? Is there any way you can change my name?"

"Of course, love! What do you like to be called?" She smiles at me.

"I prefer Shiloh." I smiled back at her.

"What a lovey name. I changed it for you. I'm guessing your father doesn't call you that." I shook my head.

"No, ma'am. But I like it better than Skylar."

"Well I think it suits you. My name is Elizabeth, you can call me Beth. Zack should be out here in a minute, he is finishing up with his lesson." I walked around looking at the equipment in the store.

"Hey, Shiloh? Zack's ready for you. Go to practice room 3." I walked into the lesson room and sat down, it was empty. I got out my bass and set it up. The door opened, I tried not to look up. New people terrify me. It took everything to talk to Beth.

I'm assuming you're Shiloh, I'm Zack. It's nice to meet you." He sat in the chair across from me. I looked up with wide eyes. Holy shit. It was Zack Merrick. The bassist of All Time Low.

"H- hi." I looked down again. Way to go, you fucked it up. He chuckled a little.

"No need to be nervous. I don't bite. How about you tell me how skilled you are at bass so we can start at your level and work on some stuff?"

"W-well. I got it about a year ago. I know the basic scales and I play a little in jazz band and I played a couple blink songs at a talent show. I guess I'm still beginner. I'm not too sure." He smiled when I mentioned Blink-182.

"What songs do you know?"

"All the Small Things and First Date."

"Impressive, I love Mark Hoppus. Let's see, give me just one second." He pulled out his phone and was typing on it. 

"Here we go. How about I teach you a song that is pretty easy and has basic notes and rhythm?" I nodded. He moved his chair next to me and showed me the song. It was Good Times by his own band. Oh my god, Zack Merrick is sitting next to me and is teaching me how to play his own band's song..... oh my god!

He taught me how to play the first half to the point where I had it memorized.

"Good, now after the chorus it's pretty much just repetition and muscle memory from there." I nodded and continued playing, I ended up getting off tempo a couple times but he joined in and brought me back. I can't believe this is happening. We worked on that song and talked for a while until close to the end of the lesson.

"I'm sorry, I know we didn't get much done. I've honestly never had a student that was actually a fan of us or Blink. It's really nice to have someone who is familiar with that kind of music." He smiled at me. My heart stopped, ahhh.

"It's an honor to meet you. You and Mark were my inspiration to start playing. What made you start teaching lessons here?"

"Just wanted to get out of the house and get a little side money. I'm probably not going to be here much longer honestly. The owner is a bit of an asshole and treats the ladies who work here like shit." I frowned, my heart dropped a little.

"Well that sucks. Um, might be unprofessional and this is up to you but is there any way I could get your number or something? Because if you stop teaching here, maybe we can have it to where you can teach at my dads house or something. I'm sorry if it's too forward." I was trying to get a chance to hang out with my idol.

"Sure. I don't see why not. How old are you again?" 

"I'm 18, I turn 19 in October."

"And you're a senior?" I nodded at his question.

"I see, is your dad going to be upset?" 

"I don't think so. He said he wanted to get his money's worth." He laughed a little at my statement. We exchanged numbers and I packed up my bass. I looked at Zack and smiled. This is a dream come true.

"You alright?" He grinned at me.

"Oh, yea, I'm great." He side hugged me and we walked out into the store. My dad was waiting next to Beth's counter. 

"There you are. The lesson was 15 minutes late, I don't want to pay extra for chit-chat." He huffed.

"Don't worry, sir. I don't charge extra. You guys have a nice night. I'll see you next week." He smiled at me. I smiled back and walked to the car with my dad.

"So did you learn anything?" My dad asked me.

"Yes I did. I learned a lot." We drove home.