It is the first weekend of my life that didn't feel the weekend because I have to go to school for music classes. I am eating pancakes with berries for my breakfast. Mrs. Olivia makes the best pancakes for me. She only works in the house every Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday. She was the maid of this house since I was born. But I don't remember her until I was eight years old. She always took care of me when I was a child. I felt the motherly love from her than my actual mother.
"Mrs. Olivia you can go home early. I can wash my clothes by myself and I cleaned the home yesterday so you need not do much."
"Thank you Hendrix, you have grown up considerate." Mrs. Olivia smiled at me and continued washing the dishes,
"Would your parents come home tonight?" The calm voice of Ms. Olivia was always soothing.
"I don't know." We have a big house, but it's just a waste of money and space because my parents are practically living in the music office. My parents help famous artists to produce their music. They help in composing and writing the song. They don't like hiring much staff because they were afraid of losing qualities. However, they cannot take all the responsibilities in managing a music studio.
When I finished my breakfast, I picked up my bag and leave the house for school. I took a short stroll before I go to school. Walking in the park helps me to ease my mind. I always liked the park here in this city, it's simple but refreshing. Urban is kinda tiring because of the pollution and noise. Across the bridge, an old man is singing while playing his guitar. I walked at him to see the brown placard placed in front of him. The melody of the song is kinda familiar, but I'm not sure I knew it.
"I'm blind. Help me buy food." It was written in the placard. I thought the authority helps all the elderly people scattered in the street and put them in a Home for the Elderly. The government is not great at promises. I gave him some money and walked to the nearest waiting shed.
I arrived at the school on time and our music classes are in a different building. It is a five-minute walk from the Psychology faculty. When I reached the room Carl was already there and I went to his position and sat beside him. I am getting comfortable with Carl; he is the opposite of my vibe, and I'm happy when someone is lifting my spirit. Amy and Cindy are behind us and somehow I could feel Amy is glaring at me.
Ms. Patterson arrived in the classroom and she introduces how music classes would go for four years. We have specialized lessons based on what we filled up on the form. I signed myself in vocal training and guitar lessons. Amy and Cindy took the same vocal training, so we are practically classmates in four years. Carl didn't take vocal training, so he got separated from us.
"Jean is missing all of our meetings for the group work." It worried Cindy because the presentation is coming up after this weekend.
"I saw her at the orientation earlier. We could talk to her after this class." Amy replied to Cindy.
The teacher orients us about the monthly evaluations and grading system. Then he shared the there is an upcoming competition at the university. Every department will have one representative. We could audition at the next meeting in front of the class. I can see Amy is fired up and becoming the representative.
"I can see myself singing in that stage and winning first place." Amy is jokingly bragging at us,
"Don't be too confident you have many competitors here, including me." Cindy replied to Amy.
Amy seems to forget about me. I just need to put emotions into my singing and I can easily become the representative. During high school days, I usually represent my class in the singing competition, so I am confident.
"Sorry Amy, I am the one who will go in the stage and win that first place." I tried to tease Amy and I can see her getting provoked.
"It a singing competition dude, not some lamentation." What? I should not let her get on my nerves. I would show on that audition in front of everyone.
"Okay, stop fighting, just do your best in the audition." Cindy meddled our conversation.
"Just to remind you, the group presentation is coming up and Jean doesn't even know a few our reports."
"Yeah, I think we should talk to her."
"Would you come with us, Hendrix?" Cindy asked me.
" Yeah, sure. Let's find Carl first." I agreed to go with them because my grades are affected here.
When we find Carl. we contacted Jean through her Instagram. It takes minutes before she could reply and she is in the park near the entrance gate. We hurriedly went to the park to meet her. However, the same old man appeared again, forcing Jean to get into the car. What's the matter with this old man? We waited from afar. But suddenly Jean pushes the old man away from her and ran away. Okay, we didn't expect that to happen.
"This girl is problematic." Amy said as she looked at Jean running away.
"Shh Amy, you don't know anything." Cindy patted her shoulder and gave her a look.
"Okay, sorry." Amy apologized. Cindy is like a warning bell for Amy. I am amused by Cindy's patience for Amy. She's been a friend with her for many years.
"So now what?" Carl asked us as he scratches his head.
"We should go to her..... for the project." I replied.
"Are you stupid? The girl is crying we cannot just talk to her she is being an irresponsible member." Amy said rudely and glared at me.
"I didn't say we should tell her she's irresponsible, but help her catch up on our progress." I replied and Cindy agreed with me.
"Maybe we should wait for Jean to calm down and messaged her again. She ran away from the entrance gate. So maybe she's still here." Cindy suggested and all of us agreed.
We waited in the same park for 30 minutes and Carl messaged Jean that we are already here. Thankfully, Jean replied and she would meet us in the same park.
"Sorry, guys. I am late" Jean apologized and I can see her eyes swollen from crying..
"Don't worry we are also late." Cindy lied that we waited. This girl is too kind.
"No, I know you saw me earlier pushing someone. I saw you guys when I stupidly ran away."
"Don't worry, we would just forget it." Carl assured Jean. That's the first time I heard Carl's voice becomes soft and calm.
"Thank you guys. And thank you for waiting. I'd really appreciate it." Jean said to us.
"I guess everybody needs some time to let it all out. So we decided not to bother you first. And you can see we badly need to talk to you about our group work....." Jean interrupted Cindy.
"Yeah yeah, I'm sorry I cannot go to the meetings. You can do the final revision at my house on Monday." Wow, she knew that we are completing the report.
"How did you know we're revising the report?" Amy asked.
"Because I have a friend from other groups are finalizing their reports. So I assumed you guys..."
"Ah yeah, of course haha." Cindy replied to Jean. I feel that Jean talked to us because there is now less work to do.
"You sure we can come over to your house? Your father seems strict and scary.." Cindy slapped Amy's shoulder because she is being insensitive.
"Haha my dad is fine with visitors and they always pretend everything is all right, even after a heated argument." Jean seems to want to talk about her feelings.
"Yeah, that sucks, unresolved arguments." Carl sighed as he said that. Everyone looked at Carl. That's unusual of him saying that. Yes, he's right, pretending everything is fine sucks. It is not always better left unsaid. It would kill you slowly inside.