Turning Point (A.I.)

chapter 16- great way to start

the thing about starting school the next year is you need to make impressions. if your teacher doesn't like you on the first day, chances are they're not going to like you on the last.

so when i start class in ten minutes at a different college from last year, i might die. i've never really been the one to fit in right away, i have four friends and that's all. i've been told i'm too intimidating and i can't wear that much black. this morning, i only got black jeans and shoes with a blue shirt. I let my hair fall loosely around my face and i'm just hoping this year won't be too bad.

school has never been my favorite thing since people loved to pick on me. i've been the target as long as i can remember which happens to be third grade. a small who was a grade or two older than me told me i looked like a lesbian. i didn't know what that meant since i was around 7, but even since then i am the one who gets bullied.

"hello class, i'm professor parkin and welcome to sound producing. this semester will only be fun if you listen to me and earn my trust which isn't difficult." the middle aged woman explains as she sets thing down on her desk. she doesn't seem too bad which i guess is a good thing, this could be a safe place where only good thoughts could be.

i look around the class just see who i could possibly be paired up with during assignments. there is a decent amount of girls, but mainly guys who look like they shouldn't be in here. i know i don't have much room to judge, but they just give off that sort of vibe like they were up to nothing that could be beneficial.

"this class is going to blow," i hear a boy whisper to someone else.  i almost whip my head around to say something snarky, but the teachers calls me out of my thoughts.

"we're going to pair up now and this won't be any high school bull.  create a song with someone you barely know and i expect it to be good.  at the end of the semester, you'll re-create the song with the equipment you learn to use.  i'll tell you your partners in just a moment and also you can use anything in this room that you can figure out how to use."  she explains and then starts reading names.  once i hear mine, i realize that i'm with the douche kid from behind me, tyler.  

everyone separates to find the partner and i have to act like i'm happy to be working with him.  we sit in front of each other and just stare, he looks like the typical washed up jock who's mom made him go to community college since he wasn't talented enough to get a scholarship.  this was was my third year in college since i just turned twenty one months ago.  i was younger for the grade, but i managed to look older than i was.  

"tyler and i'm guessing your ashton."  he puts out his hand to shake and i slowly grab it.

"yup, that's me."  i say, quoting that's so raven.  

"you look like a homeless guy, by the way.  your hair needs to be cut, shave your stubble, and black in the australian summer?  time for you to reevaluate your life."  he finishes off saying with a straight face.

"you're a dick."  i mumble, not really wanting to fight.

"and you probably like dick."  he taunts back.

"really?  you couldn't have had a better insult at least?"  i plead.

"they'll hurt your feelings and i don't want to do that."  he jokes around in a baby voice.

"it's nothing i haven't heard so go ahead."  i say unimpressed with his attempt of crude jokes.

"well, you see, you have to give it time.  i'll get you so good."  he stammers, yet promises.

"i'll be expecting a bunch of your mom jokes before i actually hear one that will hurt my feelings so good luck with that."  i almost laugh at him.  at this point, i've realized that my whole life going to be a joke.  

"so about this song?"  he questions and we start.

at the end, we have a really beautiful song, but it just needs to be recorded.  i also learned that tyler has some mad skills on guitars and bass.  he can't really sing so that'll be up to me when we go to do that.  he already recorded everything except vocals and drums, but the drums were done and all i had to do was some singing.  the song is called close as strangers and it was sort of like a ballad with a little bit of an edge.  while writing it, all i could think of was brin and i don't want to think about her right now.  

"you ready to record these vocals?"  tyler asks with a slight smile.  he really wasn't all that bad and i might have a new friend by the end of this.

"as ready as i'll ever be," i admit with a small shrug.

i sit down and tyler takes care of the controls while i place headphones on to sing and be able to hear myself and the music.  i start to hear the beginning notes and take a look at the lyrics on front of me before starting to belt out the notes.  no one else could hear except tyler and me which was good since i don't want to be in front of the whole class. as i continue to sing, i feel a warm tear go down my cheek and i wipe it away quickly.  i finish singing it completely, but having to go back and fix some quick things which weren't a big deal.  i exit the booth and sit next to tyler so we can hear the whole song from start to finish.

"your vocals are so strong and everything sounds so good.  i'm really proud of us!"  he goes for a high five while i blush madly.

"thanks, it all sounds so well.  we work well together."  i smile.

"okay, but what about that tear i saw?  who were you thinking of?"  he pesters.

"just this girl."  i smile sadly.

god i miss her.      

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this was sort of a filler because a lot goes down in the next chapter and im starting to write so much ahead because i've got this all planned out and its ecxiting!!!! i also want to start a new story soon, but no promises but if i do!!!!!!

anywho, hope you enjoyed and until next time.