Music Masters: CD One

WHITE KNUCKLE RIDE: PART FOUR

Happiness did not even begin to describe how Michael Kay was feeling right now.

Right now, in this moment, everything felt like a complete turnaround from the previous day of total failure and disappointment.

He had done the seemingly impossible, and found someone to teach him the ins and outs of this incredibly dangerous Music Master business.

Michael had barely been able to sleep last night, his hyperactive nature and huge grin making it obvious to everyone at school that he was clearly ecstatic about something.

He walked with pride in his gait when he decided to approach Kim at lunch time.

Without asking, he plopped down right in front of her, interrupting the giril just as she was about to take a bite out of a fresh grilled cheese sandwich.

"So..." he began, not even touching his food and his gaze solely on her.

"..when do we get started?"

Kim sighed heavily.

She had to remind herself that somehow, she had allowed this to happen.

"First of all, I'm eating, so try to exercise your right to shut up."

She took a big bite of her sandwich, chewing quickly before gulping it down in a very impolite manner.

"Second, we start when I feel like starting. And don't you remember what I said before? I said I'd think about it. No guarantees, Michael."

Michael's expression dropped in an instant. His tone became loud enough that it drew attention from those nearby in the cafeteria without fail.

"Awwww, come on! I helped you! We beat them together! You really going to go and just mess with my hopes like tha-"

But Michael could say no more, as a strong hand clasped over his mouth and Kim's face got uncomfortably close to his.

"SHUT UP, you idiot. Didn't I tell you? No mention of any of this, whatsoever."

Michael nodded quickly, her iron grip on the verge of crushing his jawline. Feeling satisfied, Kim let go, taking another bite out of her sandwich and commenting mid-chew.

"Oh, and another thing. Exactly who said you could just sit here? If you think we're friends all of a sudden, I'm sorry for the newsflash, but we're not."

Michael, of course, just looked back and forth in the most conspicuous manner possibly.

He gave Kim a thumbs up and winked. "Yeah sure, Kim. Whatever you say..."

She groaned at his stupidity, putting her sandwich down as her appetite vanished.

"You're just not going to stop are you? Ugh, fine. Then we might as well start tonight." she declared, and Michael ears perked up in an instant. "Meet me at Central Park, 11:00 PM on the dot by the largest rock formation. Place should be empty by then."

Questions rolled through Michael's mind at the prospect. The words came out before he could scarely ponder over them.

"Uh, won't people see us? Don't you remember how huge the Big YMCA was?" he asked, with Kim just raising a perturbed eyebrow.

"Big YMCA? Really?"

Michael smiled awkwardly in response. "Hey, I had to call it something."

"Just trust me on this. No one's going to see us. That, Afroboy, I can completely guarantee."

"Okay, cool." he replied, clearly ecstatic. "Man, this is gonna be so great."

"Just do me a favor and don't be late." she said, trying for once to hold back the venom in her voice. "I'm wasting enough of my time with you as it is."