Music Masters: CD One

WHITE KNUCKLE RIDE: PART SIX

It was a blessing in disguise that Aeris had decided to show up early tonight.

Because judging from her attitude the other day, Kim probably would have chewed Michael Kay out like no tomorrow once they were alone together for even a second.

He counted himself so incredibly lucky as he spotted her sitting on a park bench. Michael waved with excitement as he approached.

"I hope you weren't waiting here too long. I try to be early because Kim says she'll make me do push ups if I'm late." he remarked. Aeris just raised an eyebrow as she chuckled in response.

"Seriously?"

Michael grinned. "Nah, I'm just kidding. She's not that crazy."

"I think."

In truth, he actually wasn't sure what the consequence for being late was. He was probably better off not knowing.

Aeris stood up from the bench, her usual checkered blazer replaced with a much heavier dark blue winter jacket. She shivered a bit from the cold.

"Sorry, still not really used to this weather. Where's your friend Kim by the way?" she asked innocently, hands now stuffed in her pockets.

Michael looked around, now wondering the same thing. "I'm not really sure. I was expecting her to be waiting for me here. You know, because I disobeyed direct orders or whatever."

The blonde's gaze switched to rock formation up above. Her tone of voice seemed so pleasant.

"Maybe something came up. We might as well use the time without her while we have it. You did say you wanted to show me your songs, right?"

Michael perked up. "Yeah, totally!"

Together, Michael and Aeris made their way up the rock formation. To Michael, it was a bit of a surprise nobody really hung around Central Park on nights like this. He could only guess that the recent drop in temperature this early in September was probably the cause for the emptiness.

Once they made it to the summit, Aeris took a moment to look out at the view. She smiled to herself.

"There's kind of timeless quality about this city, you know. It's so different than countryside. I seen that stuff all the time, so it gets old. But all these lights and this noise, I don't know, it's got its charm."

"You said you were from Texas right? I wouldn't know what that's like. I haven't been a step out of this city my whole life." Michael replied, stretching for a moment before reaching for his headphones.

He was just about to put them in when he noticed the expression of calm on Aeris's face. In that brief moment she looked so at peace with the world. It was then that an idea he hadn't realized before popped into his head.

"Hey." he began, coming up right behind her. "Why don't you show me one of your songs? I mean, I don't even know what kind of music you like."

Aeris looked down, clearly uncomfortable now. "I don't think that's such a good idea. You wouldn't like my music very much."

Michael's expression became dour. "Who cares if I like it or not? I'm barely a week in as a Music Master. The more stuff I can see, the better. Kim says it'll help me prepare for the unexpected anyway."

He smiled again, sitting down on the rocky ground with legs crossed. Leaning back, it was clear to Aeris he wasn't taking no for an answer.

"Just before Kim gets here at least. I get the feeling your music's gonna blow us all away."