Making It!

Chapter 18

Today is a new day with new thoughts, new inner strength and full of new possibilities. When I got home from the hospital last night, I spent the remaining hours I was awake shut away in my room with my journal open putting together lyrics and melodies. After my chat with mum, I found this new inner confidence to perform my songs.

I really need my guitar but that's back in London, so I plan to swing by the music store in town before I head to the hospital today and rent one until I can get mine.

The music store hasn't changed since I was last here, the same yellow painted walls, with guitars and other rentable instruments mounted on them. There is one difference, the young man behind the counter, working on replacing a string on a guitar. He's got jet black hair tied back. "Hey man, what can I do for you?" he says looking up from what he's doing. "Yeah, I'm looking to rent a guitar" I reply. "1st timer?" He asks coming round the counter towards me. "Na mate, I've been playing for years, but mine is in London just now" I say as we walk towards the guitar display. "So, what are you looking for mate?" We turn towards the display. "I'm on a bit of a budget....erm, sorry what your name?" I say. "It's Mitch. How about the Yamaha." He takes it down and offers it to me. Another customer enters the shop so Mitch excuses himself. Noone is close by to hear me but I'm nervous, my panic rumbling alittle in my chest, I refuse to acknowledge it though and give the guitar a quick, quiet strum. This is the 1st time I've played outside my own house.

"Yeah, this one will work" I say walking back towards the counter. "Perfect, let me get the paperwork sorted" and Mitch turns towards the computer. "Thanks for your help" I say as I sign the bottom of the paper. "No problem.....Harry Styles. Now that's a star name if i've ever heard one" he says looking down at my name on the top of the rental agreement. "Let's hope so mate" I say shyly as I leave.

Mums beams at me when I enter her room with a guitar in hand and my journal tucked under my arm. "Am i going to be privileged to hear some of these songs you have been working on?" she asks excitingly. "Maybe" I say through a huge grin, it's so good to see her alert and doing well.

I pull the guitar into my lap, and mess about getting it in tune. I look up at mum and she's gazing at me,"everything okay?" she nods and says "just thinking. I could have never seen you do this ever again." she rubs away a tear. "Lets not think about that mum, your own the mend now" I give her hand a little comforting rub.

I start to play mum a verse from my journal,

I don't wanna be alone

I don't wanna be alone

When it ends

Don't wanna let you know

I don't wanna be alone

But I,I can feel it take a hold

I can feel it take control

Of who I am and all I've ever known

Loving you's the antidote

Golden

You're so golden

I look up at mum and wait nervously for her to say something.

"Wow, H. I loved that. It's great, honestly" I let out a sigh of relief "really? I'm pretty happy with who it turned out." she lets out a sweet chuckle and says "You should be, it's good"

I played a few other snippets I've been working on and all were received with good, positive words from mum.

I'm actually incredibly proud of these songs. I know they're good, I'm telling myself as I'm packing away the guitar, next step is getting them heard.