One in a million...or in three - A Matthew Sturniolo Fanfiction

Chapter 2

Feeling the rain soak through my shirt more and more, I wrap my arms around myself and hold onto my arms in order to try and keep my warmth to my body.
I hurry through the busy streets, my heart racing not only from the thought of making it to the job interview in time, but also from the unexpected encounter with the intriguing brunette. His gaze lingered in my mind, and, despite the shortness of our meeting, refused to fade away.

Stop, you can dream of your rom-com encounter later! You need to be on time.

I quickened my pace, weaving through the, surprisingly crowded sidewalk until I finally saw my destination; a retro looking music shop with an old neon sign which immediately catches one's eye. Stopping to take a deep breath and steady my nerves, I straighten my, unfortunately wet shirt, before pushing the door open and stepping inside.

Strains of old sounding music filled the air, as well as the sound of a bell. I let my gaze wander around the shop, mouth slightly agape at the sight of the collection of instruments, records and CD filled shelves. Pulling my eyes away from the mesmerising sight in front of me, I spot the counter, behind which stood a rather short man.
He was dressed in an interesting formal attire which seemingly belonged to another era, possibly the 70s; a paisley printed blouse with a pointy cutout at the collar. Draped over his shoulders was a brown-orange blazer with different buttons sewn into it, suggesting that the jacket had to be repaired by hand.

The eyes of the man seemed to sparkle with an inviting gleam as he waved me forward with a warm smile. „Ah, you must be here for the interview," he said, his voice almost sounding like he was singing. „I have been expecting you. This way please!"

Hm, weird guy...

The man walked from behind the counter to what seemed like his office, revealing his flared trousers and white cowboy-like boots. I followed the man to the room at the back of the shop, my curiosity peaked by his demeanor.

Holding the door open for me, he welcomed me in his office, which almost looked like a repurposed cleaning closet. His desk was dainty, the paint peeling off and with a mismatched leg, which was shorter than the other three legs and had to be supported by a stack of old books. Scattered across the desk were several stacks of paper, mostly empty mail as it seemed. In the middle stood an old typewriter with ink stains all over it.

We settled into our seats and the man wasted no time by throwing questions at me, asking strange and quite unusual questions about my relationship with music and stuff like that, such as „If you were a note, which one would you be and why?," or „What was the first song you remember hearing?,"

Obviously, I had an initial confusion, but still tried to answer the questions as honest and heartfelt as possible. Music has helped me through tough times and I know, it does sound stupid, but when you have nothing else to hold on to, music can be your most loyal friend. Answering the strange man's questions, it felt as if he could look straight into my soul, unraveling exactly what was so important about music for me.

After what felt like an eternity, but at the same time only a short moment, the interview came to an end and the man rose from the chair with a satisfied smile.

Fingers crossed I didn't say anything too stupid!

„I'm pleased to say that you're perfect for the job." he declared happily, extending his hand to seal the deal.

A smile spread on my cheeks, glad that I finally got the job. Obviously, I accepted his offer and got up to shake his hand, but as I pulled away after the handshake with him, my breath caught in my throat. In my hand was a nametag with my name, neatly printed in an elegant font—a name I hadn't uttered a single time during this interview.

Ayo what the-

Before I could actually voice my surprise, I looked up to find that the man had vanished into thin air, the only thing left where he was being a single golden brass key. Reaching over the desk, I pick it up and clutch it tightly in my hand before looking around the room again, the only thing left of the man being a seeming echo of his words.

I gazed down at the key, a warm feeling washing over me, as if I was meant to be here, like the universe wanted it that way. Never thought I'd actually believe that.Walking out his office, I just stood in the middle of the store, not really believing what happened as I nodded my head to the music in the background.

The doorbell pulls me out of my trance as I turn my head to the door, an elderly woman with white curls and a walking cane entering the store and looking around for an employee.

Rightttt, IM an employee!

Stuffing the key into my pocket, I quickly walk over to the entrance, trying to clip the name tag onto my shirt. „Good morning, ma'am," I greeted, coming to a halt in front of her. „How can I help you?"

She approached me, her walking cane clicking against the hardwood floor. „Oh hello, dear. I'm looking for something for my granddaughter. She's starting piano lessons," she said in a crisp but gentle voice.

„Piano?" I repeated, already turning around and nervously fumbling around in a shelf across from me which stood in the same isle as a piano. „Um, we have sheet music...somewhere...and beginner books, I think." I mumbled about.

I turned too quickly bumbling into said piano and just managing to hold onto something to prevent myself from falling, knocking over a display of guitar picks in the process. They clattered to the floor in a mix of colours and I let out an awkward laugh, mentally facepalming myself in the process. „Terribly sorry, ma'am. One second."

The woman raised an eyebrow but didn't seem as if she was in a hurry. I crouched to pick up the scattered guitar picks, cheeks burning, as I hurried to place them back on the display. Finally, I spotted a shelf labeled 'Piano basics', letting out a relieved sigh and quickly walking towards it. My fingers traced the spines until I found a book with cheerful illustrations and simple sheet music. 

„How about this one?" I asked, holding it up, relieved that I'm at least able to find a book at my new job.

I handed it to the woman, which went on to inspect it, flipping through the pages slowly. „This might do," she said with a small nod. Her eyes softened. „Thank you, dear. It's nice to see someone so...eager to help."

I wasn't sure if she meant that kindly or as a polite way to excuse my clumsiness, but either way, I smiled and rang up her purchase. She handed me a worn leather wallet, paid in cash and tucked the book into her bag.

As the bell jingled again and the doors closed behind her, I let out a sigh of relief, rubbing my sore elbow, with which I had knocked over the display earlier.

Phew, who knew that a single sale would cost me so much of my physical wellbeing.

The shop quietened again and I took the moment to explore the shelves behind the counter, finding an old rotary phone. I shot a quick glance at the battery of my phone which showed 1% before turning off completely, before deciding to use the phone I had just discovered. Before I could dial the number though, I heard the shops bell jingle again, starling me and I quickly turned to face the door.

Two young men walked in, one slightly shorter than me in a grey tracksuit, the other tall with dark brown hair and a familiar face; the guy I bumped into!

But he was wearing different clothes

Had shorter hair and a nose piercing

And...different tattoos?

What. The fuck?

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1456 words

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Okay okay I know I was gone for almost a year and this chapter is shorter than the first one, don't come for me! I had a lot of shit going on and somehow the A03 curse hit me, even tho I only publish on Wattpad, like what??
Anyways, here is a little something for while you wait for the next chapter, this time hopefully still this year🤞