Escape | Updated Weekly

3

The first week at uni was a breeze for me. I did my classes, kept on top of my studying, helped out with the housework and cooking duties. I had coffee dates with Chloe, who was proving to be the good friend she'd promised to be. Tom invited me along to band practice when I didn't have classes and I was so excited to see it. I'd seen Tom play his guitar before and sing in school talent shows. But I'd never heard him in his band. Whenever they wrote new songs and recorded them he kept them to himself, and I never wanted to pry too much. I was the same with my writing. Never wanting anyone to read it until it was absolutely perfect.

I made my way to the music department across campus and stood outside the practice room. From inside I could hear the sounds of drums going in a rhythmic sequence. I had a quick peek inside and for the first time saw them practicing. Tom and Dani were on guitars with a mic to share between them. Brandon on the drums and Mac lead singer. I liked it. The beat was good and the lyrics were catchy. Not that I really knew a lot about music but I did know a good song when I heard one. Brandon noticed me whilst still drumming on, I waved at him and let myself in quickly sitting down so I wouldn't disturb them. The song finished and I gave the biggest one person applause that I could manage. "Woo!" I cheered. Feeling proud of Tom. "That was amazing!" Tom set his guitar down. "That was just the warm up, '' replied Mac. He'd picked up a book and was scribbling some stuff out.

"You really liked it?" asked Tom

"Of course!"

"Maybe you could have a go" he suggested. I was almost horrified. Singing was not my thing at all. I wouldn't say I was terrible but I was definitely not on Tom's level. "Oh God please no". I may have been a writer and creative at bringing stories to life;  I was in no way a song writer.

"why not? We used to do karaoke all the time back home"

"Oh really?" even Dani was now interested.

"It's not the same thing"

"We'd love to hear it," said Brandon, still sitting at his drums.

"Come on Eve '' pleaded Tom ''We've got the instruments we can play a song" I hesitated. "Well if you're nervous you don't have to do it alone. Pick a duet with Mac '' I glanced at Mac who was now looking at me as well. I'd never felt more put on the spot in my life. I'd barely spoken to Mac since I first met him and now they want me to sing with him. Surely he doesn't wanna sing with me? I thought. But to my disappointment even he seems keen. "Sure" he said "What song do you wanna sing?" Asked Brandon as the boys got their instruments ready. I was still a little thrown off by it all to think properly. It's like I suddenly forgot every single song that I knew the lyrics to. "I think we came on too strong" joked Mac and he walked over to the piano. "Let's make it a little more simple". He started playing a few keys and I instantly recognised the song. "That's my favourite," I said. Of all the songs he could have played he managed to pick 'Vienna' by Billy Joel. I first heard it a few years ago and fell in love with it. It's been my favourite ever since. How did he know? "Yeah.. A little bird may have told me '' Mac laughed. Like he was reading my mind. I looked from Tom to Mac. Tom gestured for me to go for it. I sat down beside Mac, our shoulders nearly touching, and he started playing the song again. His fingers moving across the keys. He started singing.

'Slow down you crazy child

you're so ambitious for a juvenile

but then if you're so smart tell me

Why are you still so afraid?'

I was impressed by his singing and I didn't expect him to sound so gentle with the lyrics. I continued with the next verse.

'Where's the fire, what's the hurry about?

You better cool it of before you burn it out