December 24th [COMPLETED]

2. Second Session

Georgie's neighborhood was far from her neighborhood back in New York. She knew that. And yet, there was something familiar about this little quiet suburban that made her think of home. Maybe it was the narrow streets, the constant traffic flowing through as if the homes and families that bordered the streets didn't exist. Most likely it was the faint whiffs of cigarette smoke that reminded her so strongly of home.

Georgie appreciated her walks to the studio as it was the most exercise she got all day. Plus, it filled her lungs with fresh air before retreating into the dark rooms of the studio once again.

There was a chill wind reminding everyone of autumn's stronghold on the city. Georgie was grateful for her scarf as the wind whipped past her every time a bus rolled by. She spotted Felix in his usual spot, a pair of fingerless gloves on his hands to fight against the constant wind, the wool muting the sound of the guitar but doing nothing to hamper his voice.
He sang with his eyes closed so he didn't see Georgie stop several yards away to watch him perform. He sang as if his life depended on it. The lyrics of the song weren't that bad either. There was a spark of something in Georgie's gut that confirmed all her suspicions. Her gamble had been worth it. What Cal had taken for granted, Georgie was going to take for gold.

Felix ended his song with a vocal run that nearly ruined the whole experience. Georgie had to force the cringe off of her face as she approached. He was showing off but to no one around and somehow that made it worse.

"Don't do the vocal run."

Felix's eyes shot open and his head whipped in Georgie's direction.

"What?" he stammered, anger and hurt fighting for dominance in his voice.

"Don't do the vocal run. Don't ever do a vocal run. Like ever."

"But I can do vocal runs. I'm good at them."

"I didn't say that," Georgie countered. "I said you shouldn't do them."

"Why not?"

Anger had won the fight and it was written all over his face. Georgie brushed aside his scowl to explain herself.

"The only people who think vocal runs are cool are divas and singing coaches. Think over every great rock star. Have they ever done a vocal run and pulled it off?"

Georgie knew she had him there as the anger on his face was replaced with confusion.

"I didn't think so. You want to do rock, at least alternative, yeah?"

Felix nodded.

"Then don't do vocal runs. It distracts from your lyrics. What time are you off work tonight?"

"Nine," Felix replied.

Georgie looked both ways before crossing the street, calling over her shoulder as she left a baffled Felix in her wake, "See you then!"

Georgie was right on time. She always was. She drew attention to herself if she was the first person at the studio and even more attention if she was the last. Georgie had timed it perfectly over the last three weeks to show up right in the middle of the lineup. Cal was already there and chatting about the concert he had seen the night before, talking as if the people he was chatting with hadn't gone with him. His voice grew in volume when he spotted Georgie, making sure she knew they had all gone out without her. As if this was news to her and would send her off to the bathroom with tears in her eyes.

Georgie had better things to think about. She was working out some of Felix's lyrics he had been just singing then. Something about giving up, going down, heading out, diving in. Her brain saw this image of these four winds, four ropes, all pulling Felix in four different directions. She could see what he was going for but his lyrics didn't quite paint the picture he wanted.