Music to the Max

4 - "Feels So Good"

The next day was Saturday. Leah was prepared to hide in her shared room all day reading comic books and listening to music, but at seven a-m someone started knocking on her door. She groaned and burrowed deeper under her covers, having just woken from a weird dream. "Whaizit," she mumbled unintelligibly. Koko opened the door, "Hey, honey, I was thinking we should spend the day together! Have some fun out in the big city."

"Uuuugh."

"Oh, you'll wake up in a few minutes. Lloyd's out with Cole, so it's just us."

Leah tumbled out of bed and onto the floor from her top bunk, moaning in pain before managing to stand up. She'd cried herself to sleep the night before- quietly, as so Lloyd wouldn't hear- and was so, so tired. Changing into a fluttery purple dress with black leggings and her black leather jacket, she grabbed her purse and marched out into the front room where her mother waited. Her black short heels made a satisfying click-clack as she walked. You had to be well dressed if you were going into the city for tourism. Of course, her earbuds were tucked into her ears; her IPod zipped safely in her purse.

"You look nice!" Koko smiled at her. Leah shrugged, but still felt a slight pride at her fashion sense. Koko herself was also in a very nice outfit; a short light green dress with a golden dragon on the front, with a brown jacket covering her bare shoulders and brown boots.

The two exited the apartment and took the elevator down. Once out of the complex, Leah took in a deep breath. Maybe this will be a good day. Nobody telling me I should die, nobody bullying me, nothing to remind me of Nya, just me and Mom having a good time together. Cars, buses, tuk-tuks, and every other vehicle imaginable zoomed down the highways and roads beside them as they walked on the sidewalk, pointing out cool shops. After a couple minutes Leah spotted an old vinyl shop and dragged Koko inside, as she needed a present for Cole's upcoming birthday and this was the perfect place to get it.

The sounds of the outdoors were muted once inside. A strange quiet filled the room. There was nobody inside, except for an old man who was seated at the glass counter. What seemed to be thousands of records filled the bookshelves that lined the walls and the rest of the room. All the physical music Cole could possibly get. I gotta tell him about this place. Leah went to the counter and cleared her throat to get the old man's attention. "Excuse me, sir?"

The old man was sitting on a stool that was against the wall, slouched with a hat over his eyes. He snorted awake- he must've been asleep- and took his hat off, revealing a bald head. "Need help lookin' for something, young miss?" he asked kindly.

"Um," Leah gulped, as she was nervous about talking to any employee ever. "I would be thankful if you could show me the, uh, classic rock section please, uh, sir."

He smiled understandingly and made his way out from behind the counter. "'Course, miss- if you'll follow me."

Suddenly the earth shook and there was a loud crash outside. The old TV in the corner of room was displaying the news channel and a frightened news reporter. "Breaking news; Garmadon is attacking the city in a never-before-seen mech! The ninja are going to have their hands full with this thing!"

"Lloyd!" Koko and Leah cried out at the same time. Koko pulled out her phone and started pressing buttons on it, "I'll text him! Oh gosh, I hope he's okay. Those Shark Army troops could hurt him, or worse..."

Leah put a hand to her temple. The whole ninja team was in trouble; they needed her. But how could she just leave Koko without giving away the fact that she was one of the ninja? And even if she did tell Koko, Koko would never let her leave. "Mom, I think I know where Lloyd is- he and Cole always go there when they hang out. I'm pretty sure I saw Lloyd's phone at home, so I'll go get him myself."