a dance?

Twelve - Valerio

Twelve - Valerio

The sky turns to light pink, and I know I said Renee is one of my priorities- however, my head was filled with ideas and concepts for my next album, so I stopped by the studio. Renee became some sort of inspiration for my music that taking a detour by my second home doesn't sound so bad. I can feel her pushing me to my studio like she did before she disappeared that night. What I admire is that I am not angry at her, I am just disappointed. There's a fine line between those two emotions. Plus, I am pretty sure she has a valid reason.

My studio looks like an art museum, except it's a bit smaller. My CD's and awards are hung up on the wall, and the window looks like it needs cleaning. This entire place needs decluttering. I take note of that mentally. Papers are scattered on the floor, the guitar is plugged in however whoever was using it decided to leave it there. The computer is in sleep mode and some sort of rock tune is playing in the background. This person has left the pen open and the door was open when I came in.

"Bonjour Rio!" My manager enters the room. He's someone I look up to, my support system after my sister, and can be a bit messier than I am. He always wears professional attire and when I would tease him if there were more than just collared shirts and uncomfortable pants he would growl back at me. I find that amusing. He likes to bring out the 'French' in me, "Listen, boy, if you want to show your true colors through music, you have to dig deep into your hidden talents. I want you to believe in you, that's the only way you can find yourself in the music industry. " He once told me on my first days in the industry.

"Hey Raph," I call out, "Ah, you found my pen," He says, walking straight to the pen. "What happened here?" I ask with my eyebrows furrowed. "I was working on some papers, we are getting new talents and we are going to be holding auditions soon," Raphael says, picking up the papers on the floor. "By we, you mean us? Like you and I?" I enquire, helping him clean the floor up. "Yes, and Joan."

"So you said you had a new concept for your next album, fire away." Raphael can finally focus on what's at hand, now that the studio looks better. "Alright, so I was wondering if I could try a different genre this time," I let loose. Raphael has his eyes closed and is nodding while I speak. "It would be a mix of indie rock and alternative rock, you know like 'The Wombats' and 'Trails and Ways.' And since this is my first album, I want to make it special. Therefore, I present to you 'Inner Child," I stop there for a few seconds. "Oh, I like the sound of that-" My manager finally speaks. "Mhm, so I wanna express the child in me, and sing about how I want to be my fans safe place."

"In case you haven't noticed, you are their safe place, I just really like how considerate you are." He states. "But?" I bring out, "Huh?" Raph calls back like he just woke up, "You have a 'but' don't you?" I rephrase the sentence, "I want you to know that this is a creative risk, and I am glad you're finally listening to the artist within you." Raphael flashes a thumbs up and gives me a bro hug. "My man's finally got jams!" He sings down the hall.

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I promised Raph I would send some ideas of lyrics I have been working on within the week. Today's Saturday, that means I have six days to go through my writing book. Sounds good. I say goodbye to the receptionist and leave the studio. I check the time on my watch, it's 6:00 pm. I walk on the street like an accomplished man. This could actually work.

At the end of the street is a cafe, and my thirst kicks in. It's been a while since I drank anything, never mind eating. I ate a ham sandwich with some ice cream for dessert. That was at 3:00 pm. I enter the cafe and make myself stand in a queue. This cafe is always filled with customers, and I am not including the minute number of free tables. The number of people that come and go is limitless and everyone is in a happy mood. It's one of the perks of a Saturday.

"One hot chocolate please," I place my order, as the man at the cashier takes my name and names the amount. I give him the change and place some coins at the tip jar before waiting at the exit counter. Once I go stand there, my eyes wander around the architecture. There are three people in front of me. I start at the wood color walls, go down to the curve of the fairy lights, scroll through the faces talking and laughing, then my eyes spot a familiar face.

Her hair is in a braid that lays down on her right shoulder. She's laughing at someone, then allows the person to speak. She's nodding while she's sipping on her drink. Next to her drink is her phone, I have seen that phone before. It's a sky blue Apple phone. She gives the person a high five and checks the time on her phone. She gasps and then chuckles. These two must have been talking for quite a long time. It's when she looks up from her phone, I know that it's Jasmine.

If Jasmine's here, so must Luna. But the back of the other person doesn't resemble Luna. The person, which the light proves is a woman. She's now saying something to Jasmine, that Jasmine nods and the woman gets up from her seat. She's carrying her drink in her hand, and I watch the woman throw the empty drink on the trash can. My eyes follow Jasmine calling the woman, and the woman wheels her heels.

It's Renee.