To The States

part six: new boy

annie say readily in mrs conner's office. this morning, she had got up early, got time for a big breakfast and caught the bus, she sat with morley and ashley, who were the only ones in the group who got on annie's bus, logan was also there but he sat nearer the back with his basketball friends.

annie was wearing a light blue shirt, covered by a grey blazer. she had straightened her hair, she had let go of her braid. mrs connor opened the door and saw annie sitting in the lounge chair,

"wow, miss anderson" she said smiling, in an impressed voice, "you are very alert this morning aren't you" annie smiled and giggled, her chubby cheeks blushed once again. mrs connor joined annie on a lounge chair which were dark blue. they both faced a glass coffee table and sofa with matching blue fabric,

"ok annie, we have four candidates and the first one should be here in about ten minutes" mrs connor explained.

mrs connor and annie made small talk for at least fifteen minutes before mrs connor become uncomfortable and inpatient,

"should i go to the administration office to see if they have arrived?" annie suggested,

"would you dear?" mrs connor became more relaxed,

"absolutely miss!" annie exclaimed. annie walked out of the room and made her way to the administration office. she walked past the gymnasium and saw the girls playing netball. pheonix enthusiastically waved at her to which annie waved back.

annie entered the office to see rosa, the administration manager, arguing with an old man,

"no, no, no! are you listening to me at all" but soon all the sound as she lay her eyes on something else. someone else. first she heard the delightful sound coming from the waiting area. she glanced her eyes to see a young boy sitting there.

he had tanned skin and light auburn hair. his eyes were a perfect hazel and his nose had a special shine on the tip, he was wearing a leather jacket on top of a red t-shirt. he wore ripped jeans and was playing guitar. he was playing a melody that annie hadn't heard,

"is that an original?" annie asked him. he looked up and made eye contact with annie for the first time. annie felt a heavy feeling deep within,

"yes, i've been working on it for a few weeks now" his voice was extremely deep, it made annie stumble.

"what genre?" annie questioned,

"it's a wild combination of jazz, pop and a small piece of rock" he put it down. he raised from his chair and raised a hand,

"my names aidan, london girl" he introduced himself, annie gladly shook his hand. his grasp was strong and firm,

"it's annie, pleasure to meet you aidan, are you starting here?" aidan shrugged.

"well, it depends if my dad gets a job here. he's applying for the music teacher position here"

"oh wow, i'm helping hire him, what's his name i could put in a good word" aidan shaked  his head,

"no, i don't want my dad to get it just because of me"

"well, ok. fair enough, i hope i'll see you soon, if not within school, around the streets?"

"sure thing annie." he sat back down and continued playing his unique tune.

annie wandered back to rose who had walked over to a sink and got a glass of water,

"i'm here to get one of the interviewees" she said timidly,

"oh hey new kid, hey dumbo, follow the british girl" a man stood up and gave a snarling look at rosa.

annie took the man into the office. annie took a seat next to mrs connor and the man threw himself onto the sofa and put his feet up on the coffee table. annie was given a notepad and pen and immediately wrote down 'unprofessional'

"the names steven, steven kicks i wanna get this job coz i like music and i gotta pay my rent" the man said. annie and mrs connor shared a look.

the rest of his interview was a total disaster, he spilt coffee on the floor and spoke terribly the entire time. at the end all he said was

"ok, that's it. i'm bored call me when you're ready to tell me the good news. is the girl gonna take me back or what"

"no mr kicks, annabelle shall not be escorting you back, goodbye." mrs connor said through her teeth. steven shrugged and left, "it's safe to say that we're not going to be hiring him any time soon" mrs connor reassured annie.

annie sat there quietly, praying that he wasn't aidans father, a woman quickly entered,

"carrie wilson, i have a degree in music history and my S.A.T scores are perfect and i excelled in music studies" she spreader out sheets all over the coffee table and sat down on the sofa, a perfect posture.

annie and mrs connor took a while reading all the paper,

"well, mrs wilson. you seem like the perfect candidate for this position" mrs connor said,

"actually, could you play guitar, i'm really interested in you" annie asked her, carrie hesitated,

"um of course" she reluctantly took the guitar out of annie's hand and placed it the wrong way on her knee,

"no, you hold it the other way, mrs wilson"

"of course, sorry" she replaces the guitar, "no, actually. i don't think i need-"

"you can't play any instruments can you?"annie said. carrie grabbed all the paperwork and walked out.

"how did you know?" mrs connor asked,

"the paper had nothing about actual playing" they were quickly interrupted by a beautiful noise coming from the room next door, "what's that?" annie and mrs connor followed the noise to the old music room.

inside was a man behind the piano, he was incredible. he was mixed race and was completely bald,

"emilio rogers" the man said, he nodded towards paper on the piano. annie paid attention to the music where mrs connor read all the paperwork.

the song finally ended and there was nothing to say but

"you're hired!" mrs connor exclaimed and shook his hand,

"thank you so much, my son aidan is gonna be so proud" he exclaimed.

annie did nothing but grin, so very widely.