Break The Cycle (Chris Motionless' Daughter)

Chapter 32

Riley's POV

The next day.

I'm sitting in music class. This class might actually be really good if my teacher wasn't such a tight ass. And there's also the fact that Emily is in this class as well. On the bright side though, she's got a nice green bruise on her jaw from where Max punched her, and a fading pink scar from Max's ring.

"If you ask my opinion," My teacher starts, "Musical talent truly is a gift. Sure, anyone can sing or play an instrument, even; but no one is naturally musically talented. It takes lots of practice. All those talented musicians we know today weren't always that way. They had to start somewhere. They had to learn and they had to practice for years before they got to make the great music we know of them today."

Someone raises their hand.

"Yes, Emily?"

"So what you're saying is, even if you come from a musical family, it isn't in your genes; you may not be talented like them?"

"That's correct."

"So say you're, oh I don't know - a musician's daughter."

I roll my eyes. Here we go again.

Emily continues, "Even though music is practically all over your family and your life, and is probably expected of you as a career choice, you may just be a talentless waste of space."

I stand, pissed, "First of all, my dad doesn't expect me to do anything with my life unless it makes me happy. And second of all -"

"Riley -"

"And second of all, I bet I've got more 'musical talent' in my little finger than you've got in your whole body."

"Miss Cerulli!" My teacher snaps, "Since you've decided to be so vocal today, why don't you come up to the front of the class and show the entire class just how 'talented' you are."

I lock my jaw, "Fine." I mutter, walking up to the front of the room. A few people snicker. Emily smirks. A few people actually look sort of interested.

I face everyone in the room. My teacher crosses her arms and raises her eyebrows at me, expectantly. Finally, I start.

Encapsulating
Mutilated our malice
Our intoxicated, advocating
Lust for a cause...
You walked away that night
Instilled virtue
A fatal kiss, my muse
There's nothing I can do for you...

Emily practically has steam coming out of her ears. Three or four people clap their hands. My teacher looks genuinely surprised.

"Riley, that was...Well it was certainly unexpected. Who wrote that?"

"My dad and his friend Ricky." I answer, "See? My dad isn't just some mindless freak after all, is he?"

"Please be seated."

I roll my eyes, then head back to my seat.

x

I grab my things out of my locker for my next class, then shut my locker. I look and see someone walking up to me. He was in a Knicks jersey, jeans, high-tops, and his hair was gelled up pretty high...

"Hey." He greets with a smile, "You're Riley, right?"

I sigh, "For the last time, I can't get anyone an autograph from anyone in the band."

He laughs, "That's not what I -"

"Or concert tickets or merch or pictures or -"

"This isn't about your dad's band!"