Chereads / My Time To Shine / Chapter 8 - Old Guitar

Chapter 8 - Old Guitar

Solana

"Hey where are you taking me?" I said, with my arms folded in annoyance.

Aaron said "Almost there!"

The car suddenly stopped; Aaron reversed parked the car. He got out of the car and closed the door behind him. He went to my side and opened the door for me.

I didn't budge from my seat, I just sat still. Why should I go with him? He literally kidnapped me.

He showed me his cute dimple smile, he gently held my hand. He said "Come on! I want to show you something"

In the end, I fell for his enticing words, maybe it was something else.

He led me to a small store in the corner of the street, his hands felt so warm, I really didn't want to let go. The door chimed when we entered the shop.

When I walked inside, I was surprised. My eyes sparkled. The wall was lined and arranged with all kinds of music instruments, full of guitars, violins and cellos.

It was beautiful, I wanted to touch them, to play with them. I looked around and couldn't find the piano, I tugged at Aaron's sleeves. He just ignored me, that dummy.

I saw Aaron talking to an old shopkeeper, he put his case on the table and opened it. I took a peek. It was a caramel Les Paul guitar. It was so sparkly, I wanted to touch it.

Aaron said "So, how long will you take to fix it?"

The shopkeeper said "an hour or two, I guess"

Before I went touching the instruments, someone took my hand, I turned and saw Aaron's bright smile.

He led me to the next floor, I walked up and saw drums, keyboards, flutes and trumpets on the shelves. Aaron let go, he picked a black and white stratocaster from the corner of the room. I watched him attach a long cable to the amplifier. He grinned,he turned the knobs on.

He strummed his guitar, his fingers danced across the fretboard. I heard some strange sound. Maybe, he was trying to impress me anyway.

While he was busy, I went and grabbed a trumpet from the shelf and blew. 'pooppht'

Corner of my eyes, I saw Aaron sitting on the stoll, his head resting on his hand. He stared at me as I played the trumpet. He stood and walked to a keyboard, and the next thing I heard was the beautiful piano. Oh how much have I missed that sound? I don't know.

We kept playing until I did my big finish. He glided his hands and tapped the keys super fast. When I stopped, Aaron started clapping. I just held my skirt in my hand and bowed down.

Aaron said "Wow! that was amazing Solana! I didn't know you could play"

I smirked, said "I never told you 'that I could!'"

Aaron placed his arm around my shoulder, he said "I wanted to show you my new song but I kinda got carried away trying to... show off" he started laughing.

"Wait! What? Can I hear it?" I said.

Aaron said "Yes, one minute"

Aaron shouted "Mr. Glenn can I use your studio room for a minute?"

I heard Mr. Glenn's voice, he said "Sure, just remember to lock it when you finished."

Aaron guided me to the next floor, he opened the door and shut it. He locked the door. I sat on one of the stools. Aaron pulled out a CD from his jacket. With a wide smile, he inserted it in one of the machines.

Aaron pushed his bouncy hair back while he was pressing a few buttons, he said "It is an original, I made this one, last night!"

Aaron shook his head to the beats, he tapped a few keys. He stopped playing, but I kept on hearing the same keys.

And strummed his guitar, he played a few riffs. Aaron hummed.

He started singing,

He looked into my eyes, he started strumming his guitar.

"You are the one

(The lucky girl oh yeah) said, sending a wink.

"I tried to sleep

All I could think was

You-oh~"

(the tempo started increasing)

His hands slammed against the keys, he sang.

"Your pretty smile,

Your spirited eyes.

Keep me up at night"

You are are a force of nature"

(You are~)

Aaron smirked, snapping his alluring lips, a heat rushed up to my cheeks. .

"Pulling on my heartstrings

Setting it on fire.

My mind is set on you

On you

on you"

"ONNN YOOOU~" he suddenly sang climbing a high note

"I can't forget

the haughty look in your eyes

burning me up

(buring me up)

with passion"

"OOH"

"Baby

you are the one

The only one"

"you are the force of nature.

Only You

Are the one"

(the beat descended.)

"for me"

"for me"

"for me"

"one for me" softly said.

"wow" I was speechless, was that a confession... nah, it was just a song.

Aaron stared at me, he said "So, how was it?"

I just nodded, said "yeah, it's great"

Aaron chuckled, he put the instruments back in their stands. He said "Well, that's what I wanted to show you! I have a gig next week. And"

"Oh, so are you a preformer?"

He walked closer to me, he said "Yeah, I am in a band and I wondering if you are free Saturday night 9:30 at George's club"

I said "I will think about it"

'brrr' I picked up my phone, it was Dad.

Aaron smirked, took my phone and answered it. He said "Yo, Pops, I hope you don't mind if I borrow your daughter"

I blinked, said "Give it back" he teased me with his height. I couldn't reach the phone. I heard Dad's voice.

"You, punk! Pass the phone back to Solana.... and"

Aaron said "No worries, I will take good care of her"

He switched it off and put the phone in his back pocket. Aaron said "Come let's go"

Mr. Glenn said "Here, it done" Aaron paid the bill and we walked to his car.

He strapped my seatbelt on and started the car's engine. He steered the car.

Aaron said "So, what would you like for lunch?"

"Burgers, pizza, nuggets or tacos"

"Anything is fine" said, avoiding his gaze.

Aaron smacked his lips, he said "Well lucky you I know a nice taco joint just a few miles away from here!"

===

After we had tacos together, Aaron dropped me home, well actually I forced him. haha

I walked through the door, Dad ran and hugged me.

"Oh Solana, my baby. where were you? I couldn't reach you!"

I tapped his back, ahh Too tight!

"Dad, I can't breathe" I struggled to speak.

"I'm sorry" he said and let me go.

He went to the kitchen, from the kitchen he said "You must be starving"

I said "No, Dad I already had something outside"

"Ok, don't you want some cake" He came out of the kitchen with a plate of chocolate cake in his hands, he put it down on the living room coffee table.

I walked down from the stairs, I repeated "Cake" Come on who doesn't love a good slice of cake.

I rushed down, he cut the cake into six slices and before he passed me a slice.

He said "Did you wash your hands?"

I ran and washed my hands quickly. I came back and said "Give me!! Give me!!"

Dad chuckled, he handed me a slice and sat on the couch.

"Come sit down" He said, he patted the seat next to him.

I sat, he wrapped his arms around me and switched the T.V on.

"So... there is anything you want to tell me?" he said.

I said "Well, it was Aaron he took me to a music shop!"

"Aaron who??" he said.

"The guy you met in the hospital"

"Oh, you mean that kid.... so how is he?" He said.

"I think he is ok"

"That's good... " he said.

"Dad, I have been thinking and... I want to be a musician"

"I already told you. If you want to do it then go ahead and give it a try! I think you will do fine but...."

He turned towards me, he said "Honey, I don't think you have an instrument... wait"

He got up and ran upstairs. wow, I guess he can still run.

'clunk' 'clunk' 'clang'

I heard sounds from upstairs. I just continued watching 'Freaky Friday' that movie.

An hour later, Dad walked in the living room, covered in dust, he drly coughed. He was carrying a box in his hand. He said "I found it" "I found it"

I turned around and said "What did you find?"

Dad smiled wrly, he said "I think it would be best if we open it outside"

He streched his hand out, he said "I am already dirty... wait a minute"

He stopped and shifted his eyes to me. He said "Solana you still didn't change out of your uniform"

"Oh sorry Dad, I totally forgot" when I climbed up the stairs.

He said "Then, I will be in the garage if you need me!"

I switched on the water heater and prepared the tub.

I dipped myself into the tub, "Ah" I sighed.

The world have come so far, before it was me, giving relaxing baths to the royals and today I am having bath like a princess... though not literally, because if I remember correctly they had a huge bathhouse with fountains and statues.

I'm not complaining... another thing to be thankful for!

I wonder what did Dad find?

I closed my eyes, let the water submerge me. I sighed and fell asleep.

===

'ding-dong' 'ding-dong'

I woke up, heard rushed feet.

"Coming"

Curious, I quickly changed into a pink blouse and short skirt and sneakily down.

I heard Dad talking to the guest.

"Solana!! we have guests"

Dad wore a clean shirt and dark pants. He was chatting with Mr. John Coleman. I guess the others were Coleman's family.

The moment I stepped into the living room carpet, Dad introduced me to Mrs. Coleman.

and his son, Jacob.

He had a short buzz haircut, blue T-shirt and dark jeans.

We shared plesentries, sat on the table and talked. While Dad lined the table with food.

Jacob said "Solana what do you think about rap?"

uh, what is rap???

"I don't know"

Jacob said "Are you kidding me? You have no idea what is rap?" "It is the most coolest thing in the world"

Mrs. Coleman said "Oh please, there is plenty of music better than that piece of junk"

Jacob said "Mom, if it was a piece of junk it wouldn't have been popular"

Jacob whispered to me "Pss, Solana I am a rapper"

"Oh really"

Mr. Coleman said "Solana, which university are going to apply for?"

Dad said "My girl is applying for a music Major"

Jacob said "Where? Boston Music Academy"

I said "Oh, I haven't decided yet"

Dad served everyone the main course, beef roast.

After dessert, we sent them off and Dad thanked them for coming over.

Mrs. Coleman said "We should do this more often. Next time I will invite you guys over"

Dad said "Sure, I heard you make the best cookies from John"

John said "Well, it doesn't hurt to brag sometimes, haha"

Dad "Alright, Goodnight, Bye"

Dad locked the door, he whipped his forehead against his sleeves and sighed.

I went to kitchen, to have whatever was left of the pecan pie. I grabbed a spoon from the drawer and dig in.

"Solana, come to the living room"

When I walked in, I saw an old acoustic guitar in Dad's hands.

"This was my old guitar" Dad said.

"I used to play when I was younger"

"Then, why did you stop? Dad"

"Oh, you know life got in the way" "I used to play all the time for your mom when we were young haha... Good Times!"

He smiled and handed me the old guitar, he said "My time is over, now it's yours"

Excited, I wanted to play it like Aaron.

"dong" ugh it sounded nothing like a guitar.

Dad took the guitar back, he said "before that I think I should send it for repairs and find a music teacher for you"

"Ok, then Goodnight Solana" he kissed my cheek.

"Goodnight Dad" I said and sauntered to my bedroom.