"We're out of drinks." I told them after checking the mini-fridge inside our club. It was a silver one, a gift from Simone's mom. After closing it, I chugged down the water from the last water bottle.
"Really? The juniors must have used it all yesterday when we were out." August shrugged his shoulders and went to play the keyboard.
We all went inside the studio room to practice the piece that we will perform at the competition.
The event is called 'Piece for Peace' if I was not mistaken. Each team or band has to perform something related to the topic or concept that is given. It is up to their understanding, but whoever relays their message best would win the competition.
And that is our forte, especially me because I always wanted to perform with a soul.
Flying High. It was what they told us after the orientation with the bands. That was the concept we need to follow if we want to win. But for us, win or lose the only thing that would matter is the message we have.
Music is all about the appreciation of different sounds we make that all make a beautiful piece. What's the use of making music if no one understands it, right?
We don't care about the prize or fame that would come after this, it's only an extra part of this journey.
This is our life and our experiences are the foundation of these notes.
I smiled a bit- remembering the concept because it matches our situation. This would be an easy win but nothing comes easy, right?
Almost done with my thing, I glanced at my bandmates while they were busy arranging and tuning their instruments.
"What song are we playing again?" They all gave me a questioning look like I just grew a pimple out of nowhere.
"No one should give her a drink again, like ever!" August said while playing Do-re-mi notes.
"You should have stopped me, guys."
"How could we? You looked-"
"Enough." Ali cut off August. We all looked at him and before answering he cleared his throat. "What? That's the title I came up with."
"Oh I thought you're stopping the two of them," Simone said and laughed after.
"That was one thing too." Ali shrugged then Simone tapped Ali's shoulder twice before going back to his place.
When all of us are positioned in front of our instruments, we all looked at Ali waiting for his usual mini-speech before practice-- that would be Simone's cue to start.
"We will never drink until we finish this competition, okay?"
"OKAY!"
We went five rounds for the whole morning, three for the competition song piece and two for just jamming. It was fun, it made me feel something indescribable- and this is what music is all about.
After arranging and putting our stuff back, we went out of the club room to get our lunch. I was walking nonchalantly when my eye caught someone. A familiar build. A familiar style.
Oh no, I think I know where this is going.
Out of a reflex that I didn't know I have, I shifted my body's direction to where I saw him. He's walking casually while I faced his back.
"Do you know that guy?" I asked the three of them who also stopped walking. As if on cue, they all turned in his direction.
"No."
"There's a guy like that in our school?"
"I think not, he's not wearing our uniform."
They bickered a lot, not until Ali cleared his opinion. "Maybe, he's an alumna? A fresh graduate?" he asked then looked at me, "Why do you ask?"
"Nothing."
"Oh, guess who's red as an apple right now?" August teased. I touched my cheeks and I feel like burning. Am I blushing?
Why am I even blushing?
"Let's go guys. I'm hungry." I changed the topic but still, my mind is filled with that guy and the urge to create another art.
I should be moving on; I am in my healing process, I can't mess up, right? Am I still making sense when my whole self is rebelling and wanting to do it?
Argh! Questions. I hate questions. It only gets piled up and gets more the longer I think about it.
I first saw him at Xam's restaurant...
"Aya, have you checked Lander's demo? He's been texting me like a madman since last night."
Xam's restaurant is owned by...
"Yami, can you pass me the sauce."
It is owned by Xelo's family! That's it!
"Ayako, can I have your extra chicken?"
It means, he knows the band that performs there!
"Yes!" I shouted after the sudden realization. I should have thought of it before.
"Really? You don't usually give your chicken to others." That was when I snapped back. I looked at the three of them while they looked at me with confusing looks.
"Were you guys talking to me?" I innocently asked. As if on cue, they put their hands on the top of their chest and gasped dramatically.
"Oh my gosh, I am so offended. Like right now." August even acted like one.
"What were you thinking? You're so off ever since you asked us if we know the guy you saw earlier." Simone just went back to eating when Ali said that.
"Uhm.." I was thinking of a possible excuse, not until I saw Xelo entering the cafeteria. "That was nothing, I was thinking of a... a song, yeah! Now, I have someone to talk to. See ya!"
I awkwardly left the table and walked to Xelo. He took a step back when he saw me- obviously got shocked.
"Oh, it's you. You got me there." He laughed... normally. I guess.
"Yeah, it's me, Ayako." he nodded while smiling. "By the way, I have a question." I said while we were moving forward, as he was still in line.
"A question? If it's about math, you may now leave me alone." he pointed in the other direction, telling me to leave.
I laughed at that because who knows that he has this side too? Has anyone seen him like this- I think I'm the first one. BUT that's not what I came here for.
"Your family's restaurant invite bands to perform, right?"
"Yes, we do. Now that you said it, you can perform there too- anytime!" My mouth was hung open, he decided it that fast. "Actually, I was getting tired of some old songs, but don't get me wrong. They're all nice but the generation is changing, we need new songs for the customers to listen." he added.
I think this is the longest statement he said that I have heard. What in the world?
"Really? but there's something that I would like to ask you." he gestured for me to go on so I cleared my throat. "Do you know the band who performed when our research group went there for dinner?"
"Wait... yes! I remember them, I love their band because it's very new and pleasing to my ears."
"I know right? Do you know the band's name?"
"Actually, I don't know. I also asked my mom about it because I wanted them to perform again, but she didn't know who the band was. Apparently it was a suggestion of a part-time server in our restaurant."
"But don't you have any performer's information sheet or whatever?"
We stepped forward again and there were two more people before Xelo.
"We do. It was them who didn't want to put their band's name. They just perform for fun, I guess."
"Okay, what about the part-time server? Can't we ask him?" I smiled because of my idea.
"That's another problem. It was also the server's last day as a part-time." Oh how fast my smile faded. "Why do you ask?"
"Ah nothing, their band looks cool. I think it would be nice to have a collab." He nodded and told me he would contact me if he gets even the smallest information.
I thanked Xelo for his time and went back to our table.
"I didn't know you are close with Xelo."
"He's my groupmate."
"Yeah, he's smart too!"
They were talking about Xelo and his achievements while I'm stuck thinking about that guy.
His voice is really soulful I would cry the moment he would sing.
I just want to hear him sing. His voice is so powerful, everyone would stop to listen.
Are we not meant to meet?