Loyd
--------------------
Moving my fingers delicately and smoothly, I gently pulled the bow across the violin. I danced my left hand across the neck, feeling myself become immersed in the smooth, wanting sound it emitted. It kept me calm despite the fact that I was facing a personal fear. At first it was difficult, and to keep from freaking out I shut my eyes; now, however, the violin's song soothed me, and I remained steady. I took a calm and collected breath and pulled the bow. A final stroke and I was done.
Hesitantly I opened my eyes. The brief pause that ensued felt like a torturous eternity to me, and sweat began to bead on my forehead as I looked at the crowd. Seemingly in slow motion I lowered my bow and my violin, standing a moment more. Then something unexpected happened. They stood. They clapped. They whistled and cheered. I grinned, surprised, then bowed slightly before running off the stage.
"Oh my God, Loyd," a girl behind the curtain said, "you were so incredible!!"
I grinned. "Thank you!"
She nodded and smiled, then walked away. I shut my eyes and pictured the moment once more. This is something I could get used to, I decided. The feeling of accomplishment that was welling up inside of me was almost unbearable, and yet it filled me in a way that made me happier than I'd ever thought possible. I felt... I felt important, like the people of the world were actually listening with intent and intrigue, like what I said mattered. It was an incredible feeling. I must feel this again.
The girl returned and extended her hand. "My name's Erin." I took her hand and shook it, smiling. "I'm the instructor's daughter. He's told me so much about you..." She blushed slightly. "He said you were good, but I didn't think..." She trailed off a moment, then chuckled and looked up at me. "Sorry, I get lost in thought."
I chuckled and smiled at her. "You're fine Erin. It's a pleasure to meet you."
She smiled, then bit the inside of her lip. "This is going to sound incredibly random, but I swear it's not: do you like a band called Muse?"
"I've heard a few songs of theirs, and I like what I've heard."
"I've got tickets to go see them this Saturday, I don't suppose you'd like to go with me...?"
"I'd be delighted to," I said quietly, a smile on my face.
She smiled and nodded. "Okay. Pick me up at my dad's house at four? The concert is all the way in Portland and I'd like to get good spots."
"Can do." I nodded. "See you then?"
She smiled. "See you then."
I nodded once more, then grabbed my coat and walked outside. After having put my violin in the back seat, I walked over to the driver's side of the red corvette and reached for the handle; a sticky note on the window stopped me. Cocking my head, I removed it and flipped it over. Good job, you were my favourite part. I compared this handwriting to the handwriting on Erin's tickets; when the handwriting didn't match up, I shrugged and chalked it up to an accident. Someone probably put this on the wrong car, I decided. I got into the car and started it. Automatically Audiomachine started playing, and I smiled. Someday I must be in an orchestra like this. I turned on the windshield wipers and wiped away the thick layer of snow and drove home.
...
I came to my building, and, climbing the lengthy staircase to my fourth-floor apartment, I heard a loud thud come from somewhere at the bottom. Startled, I looked over the railing. A woman lay on the ground for a moment, and for a moment I thought she needed help; then she sighed, stood, and brushed dirt off her red coat. She looked behind her, staring into space with a look of almost-terror, then shook herself. She adjusted her pony tail, for bits of brown were flying everywhere in a wavy mess of hair. After messing with it for several seconds, she tugged it out altogether, letting it fall over her shoulders, and took two pieces on the side and put those up. She nodded vaguely and started up the stairs again, coughing a bit. Deciding she would be okay, I went into my own home and turned on the lights. I stayed in front of the door for a moment, lost in thought, and looked at the clock. 11:43. "It's totally time for bed," I said aloud. I opened the door to my room and took my shoes and pants off, then crawled into bed.
And waited.
Is she all right?
She didn't look all right..
So? What can you do?
I turned onto my stomach and covered my head with my pillow, grunting. "SHHHHH," I told myself out loud. "SHUT UP." I closed my eyes and thought about Erin. I thought about her long, almost-but-not-quite-straight dirty blond hair. I thought about her Muse tickets. The thought made me smile, and I relaxed enough to fall asleep.
