The Butterfly Effect

Chapter 24

Entering a music store in Newark, Kyle looked around the pretty crowded place to search for an available store clerk. When he spotted one, he quickly approached her and asked, "Excuse me, can I try the black guitar by the store window?"

"Sure," the clerk replied politely. "Let me take it for you."

After the clerk handed him the guitar, Kyle thanked her with a smile and the clerk walked away. It was the guitar he wanted for a long time. He sat down on a chair and started plucking it as he closed his eyes solemnly and let himself drown in the melody his fingers were playing. The pleasant feeling reminded him of his first real guitar when he had been nine years old and how the sensation had sneaked into him the first time he strummed it. Right away, he had fallen in love with the instrument.

"Kyle?"

Sensing a tender pat on his shoulder, Kyle peeled his eyes open and rotated his head to the source of the voice. There he found a blonde girl behind him with uncertainty in her blue eyes. When she saw his face, her mouth warped up an innocent smile.

"Kirsten? What are you doing here?" Kyle asked, both surprised and distracted.

"I'm checking a guitar for my dad's birthday present," Kirsten said.

"Oh, your dad plays?"

"He's a composer now in Hollywood and also teaches at UCLA, so, yeah, he basically plays many instruments but guitar is his most favorite."

"Wow, that's cool!" he hooted in amazement. "Bet he's worked with many famous musicians and celebrities there."

She laughed. "Yeah, pretty much."

"So, do you play, too?"

"Just a little bit of piano. And since my dad found out my stepbrother, Joey, plays as well, now he has someone to play with. Sometimes, they play with Liam too because he plays piano. My dad even turned our basement in LA into a mini studio for their gig. Last Christmas, me, my dad, Joey and my stepmom Maya gathered around by the fireplace and sang Christmas songs all night long," Kirsten babbled excitedly.

"Your folks sound really fun," Kyle commented, fascinated. "You guys should form a family band."

"Funny you mentioned that. The idea came up one time, but it ended up in disaster before we even picked a name. Me and Joey argued first thing about what genre our band should play."

He broke into cackle when he heard that. This girl hadn't changed since the last time he remembered, still jolly and chatty like always. That was why he had liked to keep her around that made him forget that it was supposed to be just a game between them back in high school. Kirsten was an attractive, decent girl who could turn an uncomfortable tension around within seconds. It was the best thing about her and the reason why she was likeable and socially accepted anywhere.

"So, have you found a perfect guitar for your dad yet?" Kyle asked.

Kirsten clicked her tongue. "Yes. Actually, I came here just to check it out before they deliver it to LA. But the thing is I don't know anything about guitars, so I have no idea what to check. I guess I'll just let them deliver it anyway." She sighed heavily. "Joey was supposed to go with me today, but he bailed on me last minute. I honestly wasn't in the mood for coming here after the bail, but then I thought I didn't want to mess up the present."

Pity came into Kyle to hear disappointment in her voice, so he offered, "Good thing you ran into me. I can help you out."

Kirsten's eyes immediately glittered as she smiled. "You can? But I don't want to ruin your plan tonight. What are you doing here in Newark, anyway, Kyle?"