Guitar Lessons

06.

N O T E 

Wow. Where have I been? I know, I haven't updated this story in like MONTHS, and I'm so mad at myself for not doing so. My world has been so crazily busy; school work, commitments etc. But I didn't put effort to even commit to this story it's so horrible of me to do so. But here I am, trying to make up for the time, chapters and everything that is lost. I'll try harder. 

I wrote this a while back and edited a few bits here and there, and now I'm ready to put it up. Like I said, it may not be perfect but nothing ever is. 

Thank you for those who've stayed and for those who've joined. It's amazing and I appreciate it so much. 

A.

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L . T 

Wildfire - Seafret

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"There is only one happiness in this life, to love and be loved."

-George Sand

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C H A P T E R S I X

"Down up down- down up down, down up down- down up down." He repeats as I strum the guitar, trying my best to follow his rhythm. Before teaching me the strumming methods, he told me that every song has their own different ways of strumming. I've learnt that you can use the same chords for two songs, but differentiate it from strumming differently.

We always learn something new every day eh?

It's been the third week since I've came over for the guitar lessons, and I push back the thought of the bribery since he seems to not think about it and I don't want to bother him any further. So, I decide to do the same, pushing away the thought and carry on with life. As long as he's still willing to teach me genuinely, I'm fine with it.

With my occasional visits to his house, I've grown fonder of his siblings, which they too start to break their shell around me. Whenever I came over, they'll come running to me, shouting my name (which they still haven't learnt yet) and begs me to play with them. Of course, although Martin was fond of the idea, he often has to tell them that I have to learn the guitar first then I can head over to play with them. So, whenever we end early, I'd spend a little extra time playing with them while Martin gets ready for work. Sometimes he'll even spare some time to join us play.

Of course, me being me, I tend to over observe Martin (mostly because I'm a wee bit obsessed with him). I watch him as he plays with his siblings, mostly agreeing to everything they say and even sometimes allows Pat to put make up on his face. I end up taking pictures of his pretty makeover and smile at it before I go to bed as if it gives me peace. Although he does go with the flow at most times, he doesn't always agree to whatever they say. He'd either correct them or tell them the real side of things. When I asked him why he'd do that because it can ruin their hopes at times, he told me, "It's to prepare them for the future. We can't always let them stay in Neverland because that never happens." It took me a night to fully indulge his sayings because honestly, it applies to me too.

I tend to overlook and over appreciate everything in a book, thinking that hopefully, maybe this world that I'm living in could turn out the same way as it is in a book. But it's not always true. There's always flaws and terrible things that happens in the world that books could not show. Of course, many books out there signify the flaws of the world, but there are some that also completely changes the idea of it- adding storylines of magic and sci-fi just for entertainments' sake.

I could never open a closet and enter Narnia or ride a broom in the air, waving a wand and turn people into frogs.

Martin, on the other hand is a realist. Sure, he has his own imaginations, believing that there's always heroes at the end of the day. But he also believes that heroes are within us; human beings without superpowers such as transportation or flying. I would have found him boring, but the way he thinks about such matters intrigues me that he thinks of such ways. Powers for him is the ability to make someone's frown turn upside down into a smile.

Instantly, it grew a smile on my face (hmm, maybe he is a hero after all).

Hence, on the prospect of reality, I still can't grasp the idea that being in the same room with Martin is actually a reality. It always feels like a never-ending dream that I can never wake up from no matter how many times I remind myself to. It's amazing really, to get the chance to know him better. That I, Louisiana Johnson, is the girl, who is able to get to know this mysterious handsome young fella better.

With that being said, I got to know that he's just a year older than me, he likes the colour white because it signifies purity, he likes homemade food cooked by his dad and his favourite animal is dogs because well, dogs are a man's best friend. He also told me that if playing the guitar and singing isn't his virtue, he'd probably take up a job as a chef in the future.

We all know now who's going to be cooking if we end up dating.

Anyways, going back to the point where I was talking about how overly obsessed I was with Martin to observe him almost every minute. I got to know that he's a careful person. He tends to take some time to think before he let the words slip out of his mouth because once he let the words out without thinking, then that'll be a table turned. I guess it's a way to protect both his and the other person's feelings. And I appreciate that, appreciate how he handles a person with care as if he or she were a delicate fragile vase. One wrong move and you'll have that vase smashing onto the white marble floor into sharp tiny pieces which could not only hurt you, but hurt many other people as well.

He's someone who cares a lot for another person. Always putting others first before himself. Giving the last bit of candy to his siblings instead of himself, making sure his siblings are comfortable with an extra blanket to keep warm while he lays down with nothing to cover him from the chill except his clothes. He even offered to walk me home even though he had a shift shortly right after. It's an admiring sight to see, how one would jump in front of a moving train to save his loved one.

So, as I've expected, I grew fonder and more attracted to him. Like the opposite end of a positive magnet attracting the negative end of another magnet, except I don't know if it's the same the other way around for him. He's too perfect of a man, and his flaws just makes him even better.

"There, you got it! You're going to rock your test." He cheers as he gives a slight friendly nudge to me. We've gotten closer to not mind minimal physical contact. Key word: minimal. Hell, I would go straight up for a hug right now if it wasn't too awkward.

Feeling the heat creep up to my face, I managed to mumble a thank you to him. "Um anyways, I'd like to ask you something?" I ask, fiddling with my hands in nervousness.

"Sure, go ahead." He said ever so simply. If only he was in my position.

Taking a deep breath, I say, "Well, I was going to ask if you'd like to go dinner with me sometime. I mean, a friendly dinner as a gratitude of thanks for all this."

"Lou, you know you don't have to." He starts but I quickly jump right in before he starts to disagree.

"I know, but it'll be rude. I don't feel right taking 'free' guitar lessons from you. At least let me buy you dinner for once. It'll be a nice change that I'll be the one giving back to you now."

He thought of an answer, like he usually does before answering. "Okay, I'll go. But, I'm buying you dinner the next time we go out for one." He defended. Frowning at his idea, I decided to let it pass since he's already agreed to let me pay for our first dinner.

"Great, then I'll meet you at the Steak House on Saturday at 7pm. Is that cool with you?"

"It's a date."  

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