Touch and Go

02 • Epiphone Guitar

October 21, 2010
Wednesday

     Wednesday was Music day. I figured that Ford was as in love with Wednesdays as he was with strawberries, because Wednesdays meant he'd be strumming his sleek Epiphone guitar, polishing his barre chords, playing his sweet instrument.

     I, on the other hand, couldn't even lay a finger on a single string of a guitar, albeit I have developed a strong interest for the instrument after bombarding my playlists with Ed Sheeran's ballads.

     Accordingly, the guitar was the only instrument in which I was fascinated with, since I played awful pianoforte, had a self-proclaimed terrible singing harmony, and just plain flunked at drums and beats.

     "Trish," I approached Trisha Bennet. "I can't play," I said. Trisha was this girl with blonde pixie cut hair and purple highlights. She grew up in Brisbane, so she has an Australian accent that quickly defines her voice from the rest. "Do you mind teaching me though?" I said. Trisha's older sister also happens to be my older brother's on-again-off-again girlfriend. They seem to be on right now though. Yesterday lunch, I saw them making out at the backseat of my brother's car. How do Trisha and I manage to remain silent about it like nothing is going on? I don't know.

     Trisha laughed. "Me? Teach?" She laughed again. "Sure about that? I'm not exactly the person for the job, but I'm sure Sir Jay could help you with that."

     That was exactly what I didn't want to hear. Sir Jay, to put it nicely, was not a very patient teacher. He'd mark me down, overlook me. I did not want that.

     I looked at the rest of the class. Tristan Finley was joking around with the basketball varsity team. Ford was talking to Christine in a manner that in my eyes suggested flirtation. Everybody else was just chatting.

     I debated internally and approached Sir Jay anyways.

     "Sir Jay..." I started, knowing he'd be looking at me with disappointment as I  continue my sentence. " I kind of need help with the chords..." I trailed off shyly. To be completely frank, I excelled in academics, I had a knack for the arts, I could draw... but asking me to play an instrument is like telling the boy I like to kiss me. Impossible.

     Sir Jay raised an eyebrow. Quizzically. "You can't play?" Sir Jay announced quite loudly. Some students snickered at this. I shook my head. "Then why are you even in this class?" Sir Jay laughed with a sarcastic tone, being followed by Tristan Finley's arrogant chuckles, and Daisy McKellin's snarky giggles.

    I narrowed my eyes. I was beyond annoyed. I saw this coming, and to those who truly know me, I don't like being stepped on. I may have not been skillful in the guitar, but that doesn't deprive me of the right to try it. "Sir, I'm in your class to learn, but in the course of this Music period you have not even lifted up a single guitar."

    I shook my head. Words were flowing out of me like a waterfall. "Now," I continued. "I might as well ask what you're doing in this class if you're not teaching us." 

    I, Holly Williams, the new girl from God knows what school, has silenced the class and its teacher. I could feel the stares of the class pierce through my head.

    I returned to my seat next to Trisha. "Wow," Trisha said, awe evident in her tone. I'm satisfied with how I defended myself. "Wow Holly," Trisha repeated. I laughed quietly and shrugged. "Just wanted to learn," I said.