Antagonist

2

When I walked out onto the platform I could hear music and the distant smell of

McDonalds spilling in from overground. Since they're two of my favourite things, I had no problem following it through the complicated maze called the underground. As I stepped on the escalators my eyes grazed over the posters of the west end musicals that I'd always dreamed of being in.

The morning rush was over and now there was only a small stream of people wondering through the station. I found a spot that was slightly tucked away and I set up all of my equipment. Well I say equipment, I got out my guitar and opened up my case and slung it on the ground in front of me. I made sure that each string was tuned even though I had already checked a thousand times before. Attached my capo onto second fret and... oh fuck me I'd left my collection of picks in the scattered pile on my bed.

I tried not to panic too much over something so small, but I was really frustrated because I swear I had spend months ensuring that today was perfect. After taking a couple of deep breaths I reassured myself that it would be fine I'd just have to change what songs I was gonna do and improvise a little.

I decided to start with a song that I was comfortable in singing- Little lion man by Mumford and sons. After getting through the initial song I felt so much more relaxed. The shape of the corridor and the projection of my voice made me sound I've never done before. Although after about four songs I looked down and realised no one had put any money in my case. However I didn't really mind because I wasn't doing it for the money.

I decided that I would try out the song that I had been practicing for a couple of weeks, Cimorellis cover of Strong originally by London Grammar. I absolutely adore Cimorelli but their covers are so hard to master because their riffs are so awesomely difficult. But I thought, fuck it, seen as there's not many people here I might as well give it a try, right?

I moved my capo up a fret and brought all my hair over to one side with my hand before starting. I have a horrible habit if closing my eyes when I sing but I decided just to go with it because I find it easier to concentrate. "With a stare caught right in the middle". I slowly opened my eyes to reveal three agitated youths towering over me. One woman and two men.

My eyes were immediately drawn to the girl, tall and lean with a gorgeous turquoise dip dye in her deep brunette hair. Me only being 5"1 immediately felt intimidated and hoped that someone would break the awkward silence between us. However my anxiety became to much and I had to turn to pack away my stuff. Not noticing an icy patch on the floor, I slipped. Going butt first onto the floor.

Fucking shit what do I do. The girl had her unforgiving eyes locked on me. My body froze and I felt unable to move. Fortunately the blonde boy that stood behind the girl stepped forward and offered out his hand. I gladly took it and he heaved me up back on my feet.

'Hey, you new here?' he said in his dense Irish accent.

'Yeah' I mumbled, slightly cocking my head to one side.

'You sounded great, I didn't know they were still giving out busking licenses' my eyes wandered to his lips and I watched them dance as he spoke 'you must have been really lucky to get one'

'Err..license?'

The girl sniggered to herself and the brown haired boy behind gave her a playful shove 'Shh Immy'. I scowled in their direction and fixed my eyes back on the blonde boy who them introduced himself as Niall, his sister Imogen and friend Harry.

'So, Im Sonia, do you guys busk too?'

'Well actually yes we do, in this exact spot every week so please move your shit before we move it for you' said Imogen pouting her lips and creasing her forehead. From the tone in her voice I knew that I didn't move she would devour me like a flock of eagles would a hare.

"Shut the fuck up Imogen, I know you're my sister but you're so annoying" said Niall defending me. I felt like a child caught it a parents argument.

"Look" said Harry, obviously agitated by the siblings bickering "You can join us, busk for a couple of hours and later on we're meeting up with a group of friends, just a little get together. You're welcome to come, I can tell by the colour of his checks that Niall would love the pleasure of your company"

I was in a do it don't do it predicament. One of those situations where you've got the angel and devil sitting on either shoulder. Ok, maybe I was over-reacting, but the last time I was invited to a party I was 11 and was sent home half way through because I started throwing up on my best friends cat. I suppose you could say I wasn't the best when I came to social situations.

"Alright, sounds great" the words escaped my mouth before I had the time to stop them. And with that all three advanced towards be and began setting up.