It Started With a Song [editing]

Chapter 9 - By the River

CHAPTER 9

“Much as we think that would be wonderful for her, our answer is no.”

My dad’s statement echoed in my ears as my dreams slammed to the floor.  I couldn’t go on tour with One Direction?!  But it was my dream!  Without thinking, I blurted, “What?! But, Dad, I-” I stopped when he looked at me with a slight glare on his face.  Dejectedly I shook my head, looking at the floor.

“Lyla, your mother and I would like to talk with the boys for a few minutes, please excuse us,” he said sternly, dismissing me from the room.  Standing up, I walked out of the room with as much of a care-free attitude as I could, then sprinted for the back door. 

Stepping into the sun, I spotted my guitar sitting on a chair nearby; it was right where I had left it earlier.  I had played two songs for my mom this morning before the boys came over, and hadn’t bothered to put it away yet.  Feeling the prick of tears in my eyes, I grabbed my guitar and took off toward the river that ran through the edge of our yard.  There was a secluded spot right on the edge that I liked to go to relax, read, or write songs.  It was my special spot, and I headed there now, grasping my guitar cautiously so it wouldn’t slip from my hands.

Sitting down in the grass on the edge of the river, I started playing my guitar, dangling my bare feet in the cool water.  As I strummed some random chords, tears started falling down my face.  I thought for sure that my parents would let me go with One Direction, not because they don’t care about me but because they know how important that would be to me.  They know that I’m close friends with the boys.  They know how much I want to be a professional singer.  They know that Grace and Casey would be with me the whole time.  So why can’t I go? I thought to myself, annoyed at how bratty that sounded.  I guess my parents have a reason, but still.  I was sobbing now, unable to stop the tears, clutching my guitar as if my life depended on it. 

I was overreacting, I know.  I mean, it was just the chance to go on tour with one of the world’s most famous bands, nothing huge.  If the boys had asked me to go on tour with them a few days ago, before I had actually experienced performing, and my parents said no, chances are I would not be reacting like that.  But I couldn’t get out of my head the exhilaration of opening in front of a sold out crowd for one of my favorite bands.  I couldn’t forget the rush of excitement when the audience cheered after I finished a song.  Now I couldn’t believe that I wouldn’t have the chance to experience something exactly like last night again.  If only the boys had asked me sooner...

Eventually my tears slowed, and I reached into the river to splash some water on my face, which I knew was red and blotchy from crying.  Staring up at the sky, I continued to play some chords, and suddenly a melody appeared in my head.  I played that melody for a few minutes, thinking about everything.  Lost in thought, I barely noticed when my hands began to play the chords of Dreamer, my favorite of the songs I had written.  I began to quietly sing to myself, stopping only when I heard a slight rustle in the bushes behind me.

*Scott's P.O.V.*

I had been sitting behind these bushes for so long that my leg fell asleep, so I moved slightly to get more comfortable.  I winced as the bushes rustled a bit, not wanting to interrupt Lyla’s singing.  Suddenly she stopped and whirled around, looking surprised to see me standing there.  Why wouldn’t she be?  I smiled sheepishly and gave a tiny wave, stepping out from behind the bushes.

“Scott!  What are you doing here?” she asked.  She looked as if she had been crying, and that pretty much told me exactly what her parents had said about going on tour.