Time Is Nothing (John Frusciante)

Chapter 27

"Think you're so clever
But now you must sever
You're breaking the girl
(He loves no one else)"

The lyrics coming out of Anthony's mouth were echoing in Cecilia's head as she watched him slowly sway to the music and perform the song in the comfort of the beautiful view opening from his recording space in the mansion. Her camera was gently placed between her hands as she captured such intimate moments of Anthony singing a song that sounded so personal and definitely revelaed a new side of him and not only him, but also the whole band. A softer, much vulnerable side.

"Breaking the Girl" was one of Cecilia's personal favourites from the new album, being so melodic and unique compared to their previous songs. She loved how John would always be so invested in playing his riff and how Chad smacked the drums and how the whole of them pounded on the collected junkyard debris. And she loved how much effort Anthony put into singing the song, still a but insecure regarding his abilities, but trying his best none the less.

"That was beautiful," Cecilia smiled at Anthony once the song was over and he placed his headphones on the microphone stand while acknowledging her with a look of appreciation.

"Thanks," he nodded and returned the smile, a thoughtful look then appearing on his face as he turned his eyes out the window to gaze at the view.

"Do you miss her?" Cecilia soon questioned after a moment of silence, the sad look glistening in Anthony's eyes every time he performed the song noticed by Cecilia once again.

"I do..," he breathed after letting Cecilia anticipate for an answer for some seconds, "Sometimes.. I really do."

Cecilia knew Anthony far too well and far too long for him to start coming up with some random explanations about the origins of the song, so he didn't even try. Cecilia knew that the delicate song was about Jessica and their relationship the minute she heard those lyrics and she thought that the way Anthony had written about her was absolutely beautiful.

"How is she?" he then inquired, his eyes aimed at the ground as he turned away from the window and then lifted them up again while inspecting Cecilia with sincere interest.

"She's okay," she softly smiled and placed her camera on a window ledge while moving closer to the window, "She's better.. Getting back to being herself, keeping busy with dancing and friends."

"Yeah? That's good," Cecilia noticed a sincere smile on Anthony's face while his eyes were once again turned out the window towards the view.

"She uh.. She seeing anyone?" he then hesitantly asked, fidgeting nervously with his hands for a second.

"I don't think so," Cecilia shook her head, "At least not anyone I know of."

"I did love her, you know that, right? I mean, still do and always will. But it ran its course. It just wasn't right," Anthony then whispered, his hands still nervously fidgety. A sight Cecilia had very rarely witnessed, if ever really.

"I know, Tony," she smiled warmly, "You don't have to explain."

She then gave Anthony yet another reassuring smile before retrieving her camera from the window ledge and declaring the she was about to go downstairs in order to join the others hanging out. Inviting Anthony along with her, he instead opted to stay behind for the time being and spend some time by himself in his room. Not questioning his wish for privacy, Cecilia silently left the room and Anthony into the company of his lonesome.

The recording process of the new album had been going on for a whole while now. The past few weeks in the mansion had been a lot busier than Cecilia had ever imagined and it made her happy and excited for the final outcome of everything that was going on, but at times it was also a bit difficult to comprehend — the boys putting so much energy into recording the album, the "Funky Monks" documentary being filmed and Cecilia having to adjust to having cameras around her almost all of the time, both when she was working on photographing the band and also during her downtime. There were moments, when she felt a bit lost in this whole chaos, trying to find a good middle between being a professional hired by the band in order to deliver results and also being the band's guitarist's girlfriend. John was the type of person, who needed his lover's constant support and attention and Cecilia hoped that the boys didn't think that she was around too much considering that she had not left the mansion for more than a week now.