100 ways to escape you

Chapter 24

-A music store?

Adrian nods his head while I stare at him.

-Let's go in, shall we?- he opens the door for me and I step in carefully.

-Did you want me to help you pick a new guitar or what?...- I ask dumbfounded. Well I wasn't expecting anything, but surely if I would have, this wouldn't have crossed my mind.

We walk a little past the various instruments and come near the register, where a freckled dark skinned girl with a cute disheveled hairdo greets us.

She opens her mouth to say hello, but then immediately runs from her post and hugs Adrian as if her life depended on it. She pushes me away by accident as she lunges at him, so I take a moment to catch my balance again.

She looks extremely young, maybe thirteen at most. I look curiously at the two as he ruffles her hair affectionately, pulling away.

-You're finally back! I missed you so much Adriri! Ruben has been nagging non stop since you...

-Ehem. –Adrian coughs.- I didn't come alone.

She turns her head towards me and her face turns red immediately.

-I am very sorry... I was absolutely impolite to you. Hi, I am Zina. I work here, nice to meet you.-she extends a hand towards me awkwardly and I take it to shake.

-Hi, I'm Hannah. I'm Adrian's friend. Let me guess... Ruben is your... brother...?-I say and she her eyes go wide.- You have the same nose. – I wink.

-Yeah we supposedly do...You're Hannah? THE Hannah?-she walks closer to look me over.

-Am I famous or something?- I laugh.

-Yeah you are.- she says. Adrian narrows his eyes at her and she stops whatever she was going to say.- Your brother is in the BAND', right?

-Oh, yeah. You've heard them play?

-Not live. I'm a bit too young to go to clubs... well, my mom thinks so, maybe next year. But I've watched them on youtube and you also. Hey, can I have an autograph?- she searches for a piece of paper in her pocket and I just stare dumbfounded.

-All right, that's enough now Zina. I didn't bring her here for you to gawk at. Can we just borrow a piano for a bit?

-Do you want the black one? It's in the storage room, it needs to be polished a bit. It should sound okay though. I just tuned it yesterday.

-That's fine, thanks small bean. We'll just be a moment.

-You know Ruben is going to come soon and if he sees you're back here...

-I know. Don't stall him, I have everything with me.- and he puts an arm around my shoulder to gently push me to the storage room.

It has shelves and spaces where various instruments are packed neatly in boxes or bags. I see a few electric guitars sticking out, some drum sticks. It's very neat inside here for a storage space.

-Their father used to be a jazz musician, but after a while he started to sell musical instruments. So Ruben and his sister have been taking care of the store now that he isn't here anymore.

-Oh, I'm sorry.- I say sadly and he exhales softly.

-I know you're not the sort of person to pry, but just in case.. so you don't ask why they work here, okay? Don't bring this up in front of either of them. It's still quite fresh.