thirteen → jade west

Chapter 13

Jade sat at the piano in the music room, her fingers hesitantly hovering over the keys. Andre stood beside her, his enthusiasm for music infectious.

"Okay, Jade, let's try something new today. Ever heard of Alicia Keys?" Andre asked, his eyes lighting up.

Jade nodded her head. "One or two songs on the radio."

Andre's smile widened. "You're in for a treat. She's amazing on the piano. Let's start with 'Fallin'.'"

As Andre played the opening chords, Jade listened intently, her interest piqued. "Wow, that's beautiful," she admitted, impressed.

"Yeah, she's got soul. Now, give it a try," Andre encouraged, stepping aside.

Jade began to play, her fingers stumbling at first, but Andre's patient guidance helped her find the rhythm.

*

"Today, let's switch it up. How about some hip-hop? Ever listened to Tupac?" Andre asked, scrolling through his music library.

Jade laughed, a bit surprised. "Hip-hop on the piano?"

Andre nodded, playing a few chords from 'Changes.' "Music's got no boundaries, Jade."

As they explored the song, Jade found herself enjoying the challenge, her respect for Andre's musical versatility growing.

*

Their latest session had them diving into rock music. "Ever tried playing anything by Green Day?" Andre asked, his fingers tapping a rhythm on the piano lid.

"No, but Beck's been getting me into their music," Jade replied, a hint of excitement in her voice.

"Perfect. Let's start with 'Boulevard of Broken Dreams.' It's got a great melody," Andre suggested, demonstrating the intro.

Jade followed along, her confidence growing with each note. She was starting to see the piano in a whole new light, thanks to Andre.

Throughout their sessions, Jade was unaware of Andre's growing crush on her. His feelings made things a bit complicated for him, but their friendship continued to strengthen. Jade appreciated his support and guidance, finding in Andre a friend who shared her passion for music.

As they wrapped up another successful session, Andre couldn't help but feel a mix of admiration and affection for Jade. "You're doing great, Jade. You've got a real talent," he said sincerely.

Jade smiled, feeling a sense of achievement. "Thanks, Andre. Couldn't have done it without you."

Their friendship was on the path to becoming one of the strongest in their lives, a bond built on music, laughter, and mutual respect.

*

Jade and Beck were sitting on the steps outside the school, enjoying a rare moment of quiet. The sun was setting, casting a warm glow around them. Jade glanced at Beck, noticing a thoughtful expression on his face.

"Hey, Beck," Jade started hesitantly, "I've been wondering... how's your citizenship process going?"

Beck looked up, a bit surprised by the question. "Oh, it's... it's a long process. We only moved here less than a year ago, so it's going to take a while. I'm hoping to get it sorted before I turn 20," he explained, his voice tinged with a mix of hope and uncertainty.

Jade nodded, sensing the importance of this to him. "That must be tough, waiting and not knowing," she said softly.

"Yeah, it is. But it's crucial for me. I want to be an actor here in LA, and being a citizen... it's a big part of making that dream a reality," Beck shared, his gaze drifting off into the distance.