The Blind Drummer

Chapter 1.

They were all so discouraging. No one thought I was able to learn because I couldn't see. They said it would be "too hard" and it would "just get you down". Honestly I didn't care about them. I bet they were just ugly and talentless, too lazy to actually get up and try to learn. I needed to show them who was better. To show them who could defeat any challenge. My doctor says I'm too stubborn and should just stop. I like him, but he gets me really angry sometimes. He gives off this vibe that... I dont know.

My parents are complete opposites on this subject. My dad says to go for it, for me to prove everyone wrong. My mom hates the idea. She says it'll get me depressed, that there is no band who would want a blind drummer, or a blind guitarist. I haven't chosen what I would like to continue or learn yet.

I've changed since I went blind. Most people would be so happy and thankful that they lived through the sickness I did. I'm snarky and cold, rude and sarcastic, and most people I meet learn to hate me and just leave me alone. The only one I've learned to live with is my cousin, Kate, only because without her I wouldn't be able to do anything. I'm really thankful for her and only her.

Kate lives with my family and is my full time helper. I think of her more like a sister than a cousin though. She's had a rough past that included her brother's cancertastic death, her dad's death by car, and her mother leaving her by stopping the car and jumping off of a bridge. It was right in front of her too. When the police finally got to her, there was a very, very short trial on who would take custody of her and our family won.

By the time she was in our hands, I was already blind. I am sixteen years old right now, and I started to loose my eye sight when I was eight years old. Fully loosing my sight when I was ten, I have been blind for almost seven years, now.

"Excuse me, Asher, but if you could pay attention to this and answer my questions you could leave quicker," my doctor sighed. His name is Jace but I love to call him Jessy.

"Well, ask interesting questions then, Jessy. You know how easily I get bored," I said with a grin. "You ask the same questions almost every time I come here."

"You know what? I was actually going to help you with this music thing. So unless you cooperate, it's all off," Jace said. That threw me off guard quite a bit.

"What are you saying?" I said.

"I'm saying that it would be a huge achievement for you to get into a band, especially under your circumstances. Plus, if you learn while blind, your chances are even better!" he said. "I did some research and I talked to some people and I have it all set up. What do you say?"

"Mate, I don't know. This is so sudden? You didn't even agree with this in the first place." I was in a small state of shock. I wanted to smack him and hug him at the same time.

I could hear him get out of his chair and walk around.

"Hey, I've found this idea awesome since the beginning. I've been talking to your dad the whole time," he sighed. "There's a reason why I didn't let Kate or your mom into the room today. It was so we could talk about this. Ready to hear the plan?" I nodded lazily.

"My friend Josh is a drummer. He plays for a famous band, One Direction? Have you heard of them?" Jace asked.

"Yeah, sure. Five Seconds of Summer were opening for them. What does this have to do with that band though? I mean, I know that he plays for them and all, but spare me the details that have nothing to do with drumming." I sighed again. This might be a long conversation, better get comfy.

Jessy laughed. "This will all come together alright? Just listen. Okay, so he is the drummer and we've been friends for a couple of years now. I told him about you and how dedicated you would be about this. He would really like to meet you.

"Josh's mother is getting really sick and he is the only one she has left. And, he was asked to join another band. That band isnt as famous, but being right in the spotlight isnt something he wants all of the time. His contract is ending. He was told he could have another contact but he declined the offer. One Direction's Take Me Home tour is coming to a close in about two weeks and after that, he is quitting the band. All of the tour crew know about him leaving and they have put it in the hand of Josh to find a new drummer. He thinks that if you can learn to play the drums and the songs before the start of the Where We Are tour, you could be the new drummer.

"He is offering to take you over to London to teach you. It would be for maybe four to four and a half months and then you would come to see your family for maybe, half a month? I don't know the full details about how long it would be until tour actually starts. You would be-"

"Wait. Hold on, how famous is One Direction actually?" I questioned. It had been bothering me since the beginning of the conversation.

"Oh, only the biggest boy band on the planet at the moment. WWA, the abbreviation for Where We Are, is a stadium tour almost all around the world. We've predicted that the stadiums would be sold out for each date. Does this bother you in any way? You don't need to agree to this, I can always find a store who has lessons if you don't want to, you know, want to get into this situation."

I moved around in my chair, staying silent. Did I really want to do this? Would people think I was some charity case, or would they understand how bad I wanted this? My face was getting hot and my eyes were not getting watery. If they could though, I bet they would be.

"Jace," I paused. "You could possibly be my best friend. You-" I stopped.

"Come here and give me a hug, man."

I could hear shuffling and there were suddenly a pair of arms around my back. I hugged back for what felt like an hour but I knew it had only been a minute.

"I hope you accept this offer and before you interrupt again," he cut me off before I could get out a single word. "I would like you to think this through. When you come back next week you can tell me how you feel about it.

"You can tell your mom about this, but don't let her change your decision. I know you won't even keep one of her ideas in your head, but go with your gut feeling."

I pulled away from Jace and reached up to ruffle his hair. I noticed that he wasn't much taller than me.

"How tall are you? And how tall am I?" I questioned curiously. I was either really tall or he was really short.

"I'm 6' and you're 5'10". Pretty tall for being a girl too. You arent even done growing." Jace chuckled and grabbed my hand. As we walked out to the waiting room I could help but ask a question.

"Why are you doing this for me?"

"Because I've never seen someone with the amount of courage that you have. You're a special person, Ash. Stay special. And just think if it as a birthday gift, you're turning seventeen in four days. And then in what, six days maybe? It marks the date you lost sight. Seven years, wow." I could hear the smile in his voice. "And, we are here. Hey Kate, come take Snowflake off of me."

"My name is Ash," I groaned. "And Jace? Thank you so much for this opportunity."

"No problem, Snowflake. Remember what I told you, dont let anyone sway your choice. Now get off me and go to your cousin." He let go of my hand and another arm quickly wrapped around my left. "See yah next week."

"Hey there Kate, did you miss me? Boy, do I have some important information to tell you when we get home. Is mom in the car?" I said as we walked, most likely to the place I had just mentioned.

"No, she got mad at me because I said I supported your decision on wanting to play the drums. She said we have to walk home now, is that okay?" She confessed. I sighed and nodded my head. "Okay, well we should go fast then, the skys are really dark and there is a severe storm headed this way. Maybe I should have called someone to pick us up."

"It'll be okay Katie. We'll get home before the storm."