She plays on the corner of St. Monica Boulevard and Ocean Avenue every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday afternoon. She captures the attention of many beach dwellers and those who stumble across The Georgian Hotel. I happened to be the latter.
At first...
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Niall Horan;
The Museum of Art, no matter its location, was always one of my favourite places to be. Not only was it a place to stare at beautiful art work but it was also a place to indulge yourself in peacefulness, which was something I needed.
After last night's events, I pulled up a word document and typed up the songs Piper had sung on that corner. I stared at the list of four songs for quite some time before deciding my next step; listening to the song and determining its meaning. My mind was swirling as I read over my interpretations, immediately realising that I was sh*t at finding the deeper meaning to every song. I mean sure, her first song talked about waiting for a lost loved one where they first met, the second one being about something about being scared for a relationship with a certain someone (maybe something about it not being all that it could be?), the third wanting to be with someone, and the fourth being a first date.
I was a bit rusty but at least I got the gist of the beginning of her story. (I guess.)
Shaking my head, I forced myself to not think about it again and focused on the art work instead. This girl was going to give me a migraine.
- - - - -
It was luck really, that by the time I was done looking at the art work and had arrived to my hotel that it was already three; the time Piper sings. (Honestly, I didn't once look at my watch nor my mobile to check the time and calculate how long the trip would be to get back. Pffft, that'd be pathetic.)
"You're picture perfect blue, sunbathing on the moon, stars shining as your bones illuminate. First kiss just like a drug, under your influence. You take me over you're the magic in my veins - this must be love," she starts the song slower than what I'm used to hearing.
As she continued the chorus I wondered if she had noticed that I wasn't there like I usually am. Did she even notice me listen and then leave? I frowned, what if she hadn't? Or worse - what if she didn't care? Despite not knowing anything about this girl, the thought made me sad. Piper Robinson, a girl who had captured my attention couldn't even spare a smidgen of hers for me.
This time, I nudged myself into the audience with the firm intention of having her see me and then walking away. I knew I could get to her - I will get to her because despite my annoying antics, I was someone who you couldn't not miss.
(Another thing that I quite enjoyed was double negatives and assuring myself that I was not some a**hole for doing so.)
"No silver or no gold, could dress up so good; you're the glitter in the darkness of my world, just tell me what to do, I'll fall right into you. Going under cast a spell just say the word, I feel your love." She sings this line with no guitar to be her guide, making chills rise up my arm to my ears. I bite my lip at this, God, it's hard to make myself ignore her because all I wanted to do was hoot and holler about how amazing she was.
"Boom! Clap! The sound of my heart, the beat goes on and on and on and on and - Boom! Clap! You make me feel good, come on to me, come on to me now. Boom! Clap! The sound of my heart, the beat goes on and on and on and on and - Boom! Clap! You make me feel good come on to me, come on to me now - " during her performance she scanned the audience, something she hasn't done before, and next thing I knew we had locked eyes " - You are the light and I will follow. You let me lose my shadow. You are the sun, the glowing halo, and you keep burning me up with all your love."
Only when the audience claps do I snap out of the trance she has put me in. I shake my head and quickly force myself out of the crowd, ignoring my increased heart rate especially when I hear my name being called - yes, my f*cking name, not "blondie".
"What?" I turn around and face her, determined to keep up the facade of being upset with her. (Which reigned a tad true but...)
She pursed her lips at me, hand moving the guitar so it now hung from her back. "You know, I'd appreciate a tip once in a while."
"Didn't think you wanted the money," I comment, recalling the first time I saw her perform and how she disregarded the green and silver by placing her guitar over it. I fold my arms and take her in, a black tank top, jean shorts that revealed nice California-tanned legs, and black Converse - even in the simplest things she looked stunning. "And I didn't think you'd want to talk to me either since I'm a creep and all."
She rolled her eyes. "Don't be such a baby."
To be honest, I expected nothing less than this response. I narrow my eyes, "Says the one who just rolled her eyes at me."
"Listen, I was being a b*tch yesterday but if anything, it's your fault. You brought it upon yourself."
"Oh, did I?" I challenge whilst taking two steps toward her.
Noticing this, she narrows her eyes and takes a step back. "Yeah."
"Enlighten me then."
"Gladly," she says smugly before turning around and walking back to the corner so she could put her guitar down. I follow right behind her. "First, you're a persistent little f*cker and unlike everyone else, I don't like persistence. Second, most of the things that come out of your mouth are greatly annoying - "
"Hey - "
"Third, you interrupt me." She shoots me a glare before closing her guitar case. "Fourth, you want to know more about me."
"Is that a bad thing?" I question as she stands up and picks up her case.
She locked gazes with me. "It's a very bad thing because you won't get what you're looking for."
And just like every past moment, she turned and walked away.
