Music Masters: CD One

WHITE KNUCKLE RIDE: PART SEVEN

It had been her first Friday night off in over a month, but for Colleen Kay, some splinter in the back of her mind was stopping her from fully enjoying it.

The heat had kicked in and she had covered herself up with a warm blanket on the couch, and yet still she couldn't focus. Colleen shuffled around, trying to get more comfortable as she focused her eyes back on the pages of this particular romance novel.

But as she tried to read, the words just seemed to melt off the page.

Her ears perked up. Now she realized exactly what was bothering her.

For whatever reason, there was no booming music coming from Michael's room. The apartment was so silent, and she knew for a fact he had come straight home after school. Unsure of what to do with herself, Colleen looked around, then back down at her book.

She sighed heavily in the next moment, throwing her book to one side of the couch in frustration.

It dawned on her just how used to Michael's loud music she had become, and just how empty everything felt without it.

Colleen leaned back, her black hair falling to one side as she momentarily stared up at the ceiling.

"Hey Mike." she called out loudly, though not moving an inch. "You okay in there?"

No answer.

Colleen sat up, and in a few strides she was at Michael's door. His enormous poster of the Bee Gees seemed to serve as impromptu doormen as she debated knocking first.

It was a short debate. Colleen slowly opened Michael door, and was met with the sight of him sitting cross-legged on his shag rug.

His back was facing her and he was completely silent, save for the faint sound of music coming from his headphones. He wasn't wearing a shirt, and clearly Colleen could see a sheen of sweat that could only have come from strenuous exercise.

Colleen was a moment away from apologizing for bothering him in what looked like a private moment, when Michael's whole body gyrated in one smooth motion. With all the grace of a gymnast, he flipped himself onto one arm, eyes still closed as he focused on his music and nothing else.

Despite how lazy she'd often seen her brother act, his abdomen didn't quiver for a moment as he kept the handstand. Michael now blinked, noticing her and smiling wide in response.

"Oh hey Colleen!" he exclaimed, before pushing back with all his might. With a quick back flip, he was back on his feet.

"What's up?" he then asked, stretching his arms up high as he exhaled from the previous strain.

"Didn't mean to bother you. You working out for dance club again this year?"

Michael's mind fizzled for a moment, delaying his response.

"Dance club..." he said sort of flatly, only to catch himself a moment later.

"Yeah! Dance club, of course! I can't be slacking on dancing. I mean, it's like the only thing I'm good at."

Colleen smiled before messing with his hair. "That and being a real pain in the butt. But it's nice to see you doing something else besides being holed up in your room, little brother."

Colleen's nose twitched uncomfortably once she picked up the general scent of his room.

Even he wasn't so oblivious to not know what she was thinking.

Michael grinned. "Probably need a shower, don't I?"

"You think?" she replied, heading back out the door as he closed it behind her. He heard her yell from outside though as he searched his room for a serviceable towel.