SOUL DORM

25

I'm... coming... out...

***

CHAPTER 25:

TEMPORARY WORK RELATIONSHIP

I opened my eyes. Before my brain could process colors and shapes, it had already picked up the scent. Sugar... Then, details emerged from the pink haze. The note-stand nearby, the drum-set in the corner, guitars hanging on the wall, other guitars on stands, the piano against the opposite wall, mixer beside it, amplifiers, papers scattered on the floor, and in the middle of those papers...

Mars.

I sat up abruptly. Being a smart girl, I swiftly summarized the situation in my mind, on a mental A4 sheet. I was still in the studio. Mars was still in the studio. The last thing I remembered was helping him write his song. At some point, I must have fallen asleep, whereas he was still working on his composition. Judging by his disheveled hair, tired eyes, and crumpled shirt, a considerable amount of time had passed. Maybe all night... There was a pink cigarette between his lips. The plate I had brought was on the floor next to him, half-eaten.

I dangled my feet off the couch. Mars hadn't noticed that I had woken up; he was playing the melody of the chorus on the acoustic guitar in his lap. Luck, his cat, lying right behind him, perked up its ears and fixed its gaze on me instantly. Just like Trouble, curled up with joy at the other end of the couch... But neither cat paid much attention to me. Trouble stretched her chubby body and turned his back, while Luck closed her eyes and rested her head on his paw.

Mars played the chorus from the beginning a few times. Then, he put out his cigarette in the ashtray and started singing along with the guitar. I was surprised. The lyrics were there now, and it definitely sounded like a finished song. While I dozed off, Mars had managed to complete it. I had already discovered how good his voice was on stage. But without a microphone, in its raw state, it was even more impressive. I realized I had been holding my breath until Mars and I made eye contact. He had finally noticed that I had woken up.

For a moment, neither of us could find words. The strangeness of the situation had wiped my usually vast vocabulary clean. I had stayed overnight in the studio with Mars. I had helped him. Now, my suggested lyrics were in his song. I hadn't done anything wrong, but when I imagined Davon or my family seeing me like this, my voice completely got lost. I had never even stayed overnight at a friend's house before...

Luckily, Mars was experienced enough in spending nights with girls. My presence probably wasn't surprising to him. Taking a drag from his cigarette, he said, "So... What do you think now? Is the chorus okay?"

It wasn't a real question. He already knew his composition was good. That's why the corner of his mouth was proudly turned up. Despite his exhaustion, stars were now shining in the shadows that had settled in his eyes for days.

"Not bad," I said, trying not to let him get too carried away, but I couldn't suppress my smile. His damn smirk was contagious. And the song had really, truly turned out great. All with my contribution... I wasn't going to celebrate Mars' success or anything, but it was normal to be a little happy about my own success, right?

He grinned even wider in response and leaned back, pressing his palms against the floor. "Wow, Oliver. You were right; hanging out with your soulmate isn't so bad after all."

"Olive," I corrected, though I knew it wouldn't make a difference. I stood up. "And let me correct you, I'm not hanging out with you. Ours is a mandatory and temporary work relationship. Until I get out of here..."