focus on me | l.r.h

one

10:00 am

Soft rock played through my headphone's
as I took in the unfamiliar sights around me. It was my second week at my dream college in Los Angeles, but I had yet to make myself at home.
I swiftly guided my way down sidewalks
with my head down, and towards a building labeled "Music" and "Theater", the building containing my next subject.

My school counselor aided me to join a
special elective or extracurricular for more credits, my options being an extra math class, or a music class. I went with what I thought was the easiest choice, choosing to not subject myself to extra math. Not that I had anymore interest in playing an instrument.
Within seconds of entering my class, my
professor quietly beckoned me. I let out a heavy sigh, knowing he was going to mention my work ethic in his class.
"How's your morning going?" He spoke
respectfully, not looking at me while he sipped a coffee. I took a seat at a small stool beside his desk.
"Fine." I smiled with a node.
"I've noticed you're struggling a bit in here. Have you been practicing out of class?" He questioned.
"Uhm. A little, here and there. I get busy
with my other classes." I tried my best to create an excuse for my lack of passion for guitar. My professor let out a quiet "Hm." before turning his chair towards me.
"A past student of mine is a tutor, every fall
he comes back down here to help out my students." he began, "I think you would benefit greatly from his knowledge." I mentally rolled my eyes at the thought of someone tutoring me about something I had no drive to expand my knowledge on.
"I think I'll be okay." I spoke kindly. My
professor let out a small chuckle.
"Y/n, I wasn't so much asking you as I was
informing you." He spoke slowly. "You will continue losing credits if you keep up the work you're doing." I looked at him with frustration.
"So I have no choice?" I sighed.
"I'm sorry, I just want you to succeed, and
Luke is an amazing tutor." I stood up from the chair at took my assigned seat, dwelling on the idea of being taught guitar by a stranger for the rest of class.

11:30

"Y/n!" I heard a cheerful shout ahead of me.
I looked up from the floor as I exited the music building, and was met with the face of my best friend, Leah.
"Hey." I spoke flatly. Leah frowned.
"What's the matter with you?" We continued our way towards the courtyard for lunch, dodging the rush of students in our path.
"I have to have a tutor for my stupid guitar
class." I began, "I don't even wanna be in that class."
"Have you met the tutor yet? Maybe it'll be fun?" Leah spoke with optimism.
"Not yet. He used to go here though, his name's Luke, I guess." I muttered. Leah stopped in her tracks, turning to me slowly.
"Luke what?" She questioned. I shrugged,
confused to why his last name was so important to her.
"I don't know, I didn't ask." I mumbled.
"Find out and let me know." I raised an
eyebrow at my friends eagerness as we arrived to the courtyard.

2:00

I swiftly finished my day, my music and sketchbooks helping the minutes pass. As I made my way towards my dorm, I had accidentally brushed shoulders with a faceless figure. Before I could see their face, they were paces behind me. He was tall, really tall. His hair had a slight sandy blond curl to it, and he walked with grace, but with a purpose.
Thinking nothing of it, I continued to my dorm.

I tossed my black tote bag onto my bed, myself following shortly after. I let out a sigh as I bent down to unlace my converse, kicking them off of my tired feet.
The burdening thought of my mystery tutor ached my head, I began to feel my mood slowly decline. Why should I have to put effort into something I have genuinely no interest in? And why is it my fault when I do bad in that subject? I reached for my phone and saw a text from Leah.

"Can I come to your room? I'm boreddd."

I giggled at the message before giving her a yes, beginning to tidy up the small space.

My roommate mysteriously disappeared after the first three days of school-by disappearing I mean she dropped out, and none of us are really allowed to talk about it-, leaving me with the dorm to myself. I thought I would appreciate the alone time, but I find myself wishing I had more company. I did my best to decorate the dull room with posters and plants, and some decorations from home.

Three simple knocks landed in my door, I sat up from my seat to let my friend in.

"Can you please elaborate why you need to know my tutor so desperately?" I laughed as we took our seats on my bed.
"It's so dumb, honestly." She began, shaking her head with a giggle, "I guess there was a boy in one of the music classes last year named Luke, and everyone I know says he's like, outrageously hot or something." She explained. I raised my eyebrow and laughed.
"Well, he can't be the only Luke in this school. It's probably not the same kid." I shrugged.
"Hopefully it is. I've heard every girl who tried to ask him out got rejected." Leah dramatically widened her eyes.
"Whatever." I giggled.
We spent the after noon and early evening gossiping about professors, new students, and my mystery tutor.

5:30

After Leah's departure, I stared blankly at the guitar in its case across the room from me. I huffed before getting up and grabbing it from its enclosure, taking my seat again.
I plucked cluelessly, unsure of where to even begin. I placed my fingers to where I thought I remembered was a C chord, and hesitantly strummed down. The guitar emitted a strenuous tune, causing my face to scrunch. I tried once more, readjusting my fingers and strumming again.
"Ugh!" I groaned, shoving the guitar to the side of me. I was aware of my own impatience, but was too prideful to admit that it was my own lack of motivation to practice that was causing it to sound bad, and not the guitar itself. I began to think to myself, maybe a tutor wouldn't hurt? The faster I get help with the tutor and do the bare minimum, the faster I can leave the class.
I laid on my back in my bed, soaking in my own boredom.