Remember

18. Visions

Gotta find you - Joe Jonas

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-Joey's POV

"I've got to go and see a teacher for some classes I missed. I'm sorry babe," I said apologetically to Britney when I reached our usual lunch table. As soon as the words were out, every single head of the big table turned towards me.

"What?" I raised my eyebrows.

"Aren't you taking your studies a bit too seriously?" Britney asked, puzzled.

"And that's a good thing, right?" If only she knew where I was going..

"Sure but.. it's quite weird to see you like that sweetheart. I mean you never gave a damn about studies before," Britney explained while getting up to stand right in front of me.

"I'm not the same as before.." I wonder if I will ever be, I thought to myself. She kept quiet and gently squeezed my hand in a reassuring gesture. "Anyways, I've got to go. See ya." I kissed her quickly on her cheek and walk away, leaving her with a suspicious frown.

I feel a little guilty for lying to her but I can't tell her truth. Although I want to tell her, I've to respect Abby's decision... even it's a strange one.

I gently push open the door of the music room when I reach it, making as little noise as possible. It was a dimly lit room with most of the spotlights focused on a small stage at the back, on which a stood a majestic black piano. It was more like a theatre than a normal classroom with several aligned chairs facing the stage.

Abby was seated at the piano, her eyes fixed on her fingers, while she played the tune at work. The professor, which I think is called Mr. Knit, was standing at the edge of the stage, tapping his foot along with the music. Neither of them seemed to notice my presence as I got mesmerised by her music. She was damn good. The soft spotlight focused on her added a more magical effect to the show.

As the music flew in the room, voices started ringing in my mind, as if her music were reviving my mind. The voices seemed familiar and distant at the same time. It was a strange feeling, as if I was reviewing an old movie in which I was the main actor. It was almost like a... vision. Yes, a vision.. an old memory.

A girly voice was telling me to play her something. We were sitting under a tree and dried leaves scattered around us, in slow motion. It ressembled a garden.. my garden. The noises were reasoning clearly but the images were blurry. I hear someone playing a guitar. Was it me? That tune.. I feel like I knew the tune by heart. The girl was giggling and even humming I think. I could only make out the silhouette of her petite form sitting on the grass in front of me. As the beautiful memory started fading away as quickly as it had came, the tune got engraved it me. I remember it so clearly that I think I can even sing it in my sleep.

Clapping of hands and snapping of fingers.. It wasn't from the mysterious girl. It came from outside.. outside my mind. I opened my heavy eyelids. When did I close them?

The first face that I saw was of Abby. She was hovering over my face while the professor stood worriedly beside her. I realised that I was laying across three chairs, with my forehead covered in a thin layer of sweat. I hastily got up but it just resulted in a wince from the stretch of my neck. As I sat straight, I noticed a guitar leaning against the wall from the corner of my eye and the tune came back to my mind...

"Are you alright? Do you need something?" the teacher asked patiently.

"Yeah, I'm fine. C-can I.. uh.. can I play that?" I mumbled and gestured towards the instrument.