Come & Get Your Love • Alex Turner

5: Letters in Exchange

Today's club day. We were able to prepare everything for the activities such as the decorations, the games, foods, souvenirs and the exact place for the fun. The UCLA Bruin's Football in Pasadena was the location planned for the huge event.

Ms. Powell, the club adviser told us to focus on what's to be fun and not to pressure ourselves on our school works. She was benevolent of managing the arts club, and most of all, she was one of the best teachers in the University. She's also the arts professor in Oscars's class, that's why I got to know about her more.

"Avery, is everything already prepared for the occasion?", Jenna, one of the members asked me for a confirmation, making sure that everything was already done.

"Of course, now go tell the other members to cheer for us, okay?", I patted her head and she walked away so that she can tell the others.

It was the time that the activities had started. First, it all started with an introductory speech from the school president, Mr. Martinez. We were just standing, overthinking of what might happen later during the presentations.

"And now, students of UCLA, I hope you will enjoy this day and the joy of happiness and fun may be upon you", as he ended his speech, we all applauded, and it was suddenly followed by a shout by Mrs. Andersen, the superintendent, telling us if we were all ready.

And all of us shouted with a "yes!"

As the programs started, there were cheers from other clubs. And there were chorus of chanting of their songs.

"Are you nervous?", Abigail asked me, while the other clubs were chanting, and the members of our club were just chatting around.

"Not really", I was holding the microphone, my palms were already sweaty and my hands were shaking due to nervousness.

"That's okay", Abigail patted my back and I gave her a slight smile,

"Thank you"

"No problem", Abigail smiled

It was our club's turn to give the audience a chant. I was deep nervous, my body was almost trembling, but nevertheless, I still did my best to show the others my performance as a leader of the club.

I held the microphone in my hand and the audience was cheering loud for us. I gave them a shout by saying:

"Are you ready, kids?"

And they shouted back, "Aye-aye, captain!", the drums were banging heavily as the band in our club played their trumpets loudly.

"I can't quite hear it, say it again!", I put my hand on my ear lobe in order to hear them cheer loudly. I could see Bridgette and Abigail smiling for me

"Aye-aye, captain!", This time, their chant was the loudest compared to any chants. I was proud that we made everything for this day.

"Before we start this program, I was just making sure that no one get hurts while dancing or showcasing their talents in singing and playing their instruments on this show," I said while speaking in the microphone, "Are you all ready?!"

And they chanted louder especially Abigail was cheering my name louder than ever.

I was laughing with happiness. This day's listed in one of the best days I ever had in my college years. I was being called out by some students from the other group to dance but I didn't , instead, they kept shouting for me.

"Come on, Avery, you're the president of your club, don't be shy to dance in front of everyone", Chester, one of the members of the Earth Warriors club spoke through the microphone while Oscar was roaming around to take photos of us.

I shook my head as a sign of no whilst laughing because of the lack of confidence I had when it comes to public appearances.

Instead, they chanted louder for my name, waiting for me to come in front and dance in front of everyone. I lost, I made my way in front of everyone. Poker Face by Lady Gaga was the song I danced to. While dancing, everyone cheered for me, as they saw me as one of the popular girls in the whole campus, but I wasn't though.

I made my way back to my club, I received lots of compliments from my members due to my dancing skills.

"You're really really cool, Ave, you're one of my inspos to have self confidence", Janice said, She was an 11th grader, and she's keen in drawing and painting canvases.

"Aww, thank you so much everyone", I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. I was sweating and I enjoyed it, still.

As our turn to showcase our talent ended, we were at the huge arts and music room (behind the arena) for a mini exhibition of the pieces my members made, and playing music and raw instruments. Some people from the other clubs even made it to ours just to vibe something from the karaoke, and they paid us $0.50each .

I could really tell, this day was fun. We ate delicious foods during the activity, sang songs, and one of them even made it to sing Don't Stop Me Now by Queen. This was different. I could also see the students in USC are friendly and vibey as always.

-
I made my way home. I was tired. While riding on the taxi, I just listened to Bryan Adams songs on my headphones. One of my favorites is Summer of '69 and Heaven. One of my favorite artists from the 20th century.

As I placed my bag on top of the table, my phone buzzed in it. I quickly grabbed it, maybe it was an emergency, but it turned out it wasn't . It was Alex again, he messaged me, so I opened the notification and it said:

"I sent something in your mail. I hope you'll check it out if you're not busy of course. Can't make any calls as we're about to start our tour sooner :))"

I checked my mailbox, and there was an envelope in it, I grabbed it and made my way inside. Alex's being Alex. We're just in LA, and yet, he didn't hesitate in the first place to send me a letter, back to the old times.

As I sat down on my couch, I began reading the letter, it consisted of three pages. There were artworks of flowers and stars being displayed, I bet Alex's an amazing artist.

Dearest Avery,

As of now I can't really make some phone calls with you, I hope you read the message already, haha. Anyways, I'll just keep this as a secret of sending letters to you (I know it sounds so weird that we're going back to the old school tradition), Matt, Nick, and Jamie are already teasing me as they thought I was having a thing with you already. Don't worry, I proved them wrong.

As the tour's about to start by next week, I feel so bad for not taking you out. I would be happy if you're with us, if not because of your college works. I mean I don't wanna intrude your personal space as a student, I'm not that person who disrespects a person's capacity. I heard that summer's gonna start, but still, wrong timing for us hahaha. I hope you'll enjoy the rest of your vacation and if you have something to tell me, don't hesitate to send me a letter or send a text message.

Life's shit, right? We're having rehearsals as of the moment. The first leg of the American tour will start in LA by next week, followed in San Francisco, San Diego, Oakland, Sacramento, Pasadena, and while the last leg will take in Seattle. I'll update you about the happenings of the tour!

I think this would be all I can say to you, I guess? Waiting for your reply as soon as possible. Gonna mail this to your address already, as the three little pigs still shouting for my name to come over them. While writing this, I hid in my room in order for them not to see the shit I've been dealing with.

Talk to you soon, Avery! Stay safe there in LA and I'll miss you when the tour already starts!!

-Alex

His handwriting was beautiful even though it was a style of a typical professor. I was biting my nails like a child while reading the letter and I could literally hear his voice in the middle of reading it. The efforts he made by designing mini aesthetics in the paper was a symbolization of a real artist. I couldn't help myself but to write down my response in a piece of paper. I hope that he'll read my long rantings on it.