Stormy

Chapter 22

After a while, Watse and Steven have to go to another meeting in the city center and Mrs. Verholen has to get back to our school, so it is just Martijn and I left in the building. Just as I promised him, I stay a little longer. "I didn't know you owned all this.", I say. Martijn smiles: "I don't like to brag about it. But yeah, this is the headquarters of STMPD records, my music label. We have all out offices upstairs and 6 recording studios downstairs and in the basement. But not all of the studios are finished yet, we just recently took over this place." "It's beautiful here.", I compliment the place, "I'm sure you spend all your free time here, don't you?" "Absolutely!", he laughs, "Can I show you around?" "Sure.", I agree and we both get up. All excited, Martijn shows me around the offices. We pass by a shelf with different award trophies and I ask: "Wow. Have you won all of these?" "Yes I have.", Martijn says proudly, "This one is my most recent one. It's a Buma award and it was to recognize the best national artist for this year. I'm so proud of this one to be honest." "You definitely deserve it, Martijn.", I answer with a smile. "Thank you, Julie.", he answers and then goes on to show me the rest of the studios. We sit down in the largest one of them and he plays me some of his unreleased music. It is always inspiring to listen to him talk about all the little details in his melodies and about how to structure a track. About an hour later, I have enough of it though and tell him: "Alright, I've really enjoyed this but I think it's time for me to go back home now." "Sure thing. But Julie, you really don't want to celebrate your birthday today? I mean, it's a special day and you deserve to be celebrated. What's the matter?", he asks. I sigh: "I don't like celebrating my birthday." "But why is that? Everyone I know loves to celebrate their birthdays.", he wants to know. I roll my eyes: "It's because of my parents. They are currently somewhere in China and they didn't even bother to call me for my birthday. They have rarely been there to celebrate with me. That's why I don't like celebrating it at all." Martijn gives me a hug and says: "I'm sorry, I didn't know that. Then I get why you don't like it too much. But just know that you're special and you deserve to be happy, okay?" I give him a little smile: "Thank you. Means a lot." "Can I at least walk you home?", he wants to know. "Sure. I'd like that.", I accept his offer. He just quickly grabs his backpack and soon, we are on our way back to campus. As always, we find so many things to talk about during the way. It seems like Martijn has met every single person and knows a story to tell from so many different countries. He just finishes telling me about the first show he ever played in Australia, as we reach the campus grounds. We walk across the school yard over to the dorm buildings, as Martijn suddenly stops me: "Hey Julie. Wait a second." "What is up?", I ask. "Close your eyes and give me your hand. I know you didn't want to celebrate today, but I have a little surprise for you tonight." "No, Martijn, what are you up to?", I protest. "Julie, just trust me, girl. I promise it's nothing bad.", he tries to convince me. "Stubborn idiot.", I mumble and reach for his hand as I close my eyes. "Finally!", I hear him laugh and he squeezes my hand, "Come on and follow me." Martijn twirls me a few times and then leads me a few steps on what I believe is around the dorm building. Soon he says: "Alright, now stop." Then he lets go of my hand and walks away: "Martijn, you idiot, don't you dare walk away now and leave me he...", I protest but can't finish my sentence, because I am interrupted by a loud: "SURPRISE!!!!!" I open my eyes and see all my friends stand in front of me in the decorated garden of the dorm building. There are all the girls from my class, a few other friends from different departments, then there's Martijn, Julian as well as Emma, who has a big smile on her face. "I'm so sorry. I couldn't resist but throw a party for you girl! You just deserve to be celebrated!", she says and comes to hug me. Everyone cheers and Julian starts the music on his DJ set. People start to dance and enjoy the party while I still haven't moved from my spot, still in awe of what my friends have organized for me. Martijn comes back to my side and says: "I hope you like what we have put together for you. We all agreed that there is no way you are gonna spend your birthday alone. You mean a lot to all of us, Julie!" "You knew all this, right?", I ask. "Yep, Emma has involved me in all the preparations. I'm sorry for pretending I didn't know it was your birthday this morning. I knew it all along. The studio tour was also meant as a distraction so that everything could be set up. And actually.... I do have a present for you." He opens his backpack and gets out a blue box with a ribbon on it. "I hope you like it.", he says. "Aww, thank you Martijn. Can I open it now?", I ask. "Of course! It's been a secret for way too long.", he laughs. I open the gift to find a pair of beautiful white headphones in it. "Okay so let me explain.", Martijn says, "I saw you're still using this super old pair of headphones and I thought you could use a new pair. Sound-wise, these are the absolute best headphones I know. And believe me, DJs know their stuff when it comes to headphones. I think it's the best gift we can give to other musicians. I really hope you like them." "Thank you so much!", I answer, "They are amazing. Like honestly, I would've never expected all this. You don't even know how much this means to me. I'm so glad I can call you my friend. Like why do you care so much?" "Because you're one hell of an awesome person, I guess.", he smirks, "And now come on, let's go and dance with the others and enjoy your birthday party!!!"