Rhythm From Within

Lara had made her way back to her apartment about twenty minutes from the campus. The entire bus ride, Lara could not get Andy out of her mind. Gabby had shared with her some serious dark things about Andy that made Lara’s heart break for the boy.
Back in the campus Library: “All through high school, Andy was different. He liked the older rock music and wasn’t afraid to show it. He had the long hair, the eye liner, and the attitude. For some people, they just couldn’t understand him. So instead, they bullied him.” Gabby explained, sipping on her chai tea latte. Lara nodded her head slowly, absorbing the information.
“That must have been tough though. All that hate directed at one person?” Lara asked, rubbing her thumb against her own cup of latte. Gabby shrugged nonchalantly.
“I suppose. He left school before senior year. Obviously he had to have graduated seeing as he’s here now. But last semester something was different about him. He ignored the taunts and comments about his style and music taste like always; but he had gotten meaner and quieter and no one really knew why. It wasn’t until a few weeks ago at the new student orientation that an older kid taunted Andy and mentioned his parents being disappointed in him that it all made sense.” Lara arched her eyebrows curiously and waited for the story.
Gabby sighed and lowered her voice so only Lara could barely hear. “Andy knocked the hell out of the kid. Andy started screaming that he wasn’t a disappointment, that his parents were proud and that he’d dedicate everything to their memory. That’s when everyone put the pieces together. The car accident we saw on the news during winter break had been Andy’s parents. He was the only one to survive.” Lara’s heart sank as Gabby’s eyes shone with sadness too. “Since then…he hasn’t been the same.”
“What was he like before?” Lara asked, her voice cracked with emotion. Gabby smirked and shook her head.
“He was fun. Always humming a tune in the hallways, always writing in a little black book. Always saw a funny side to everything. Even with the bullies, he had his friends and he had happiness. Then one day…poof.” Gabby explained, sipping her latte. Lara smiled at the thought of a happy Andy and became more determined to bring him back.
“No one deserves to be sad forever. The fact that he’s going through this alone though…that’s even worse.” Lara whispered to Gabby. Gabby set her latte down and motioned for Lara to come closer. She met her gaze and whispered to her over the table.
“I don’t know what your obsession of making him happy is all about. I saw you earlier gazing at him. Is he really worth the trouble of helping?” Lara froze at the brutal honesty of Gabby’s question.
“Everyone needs help sometimes. Even from someone you least expect.” Gabby had a million questions in her eyes for Lara and she knew that she needed to be honest with her if this friendship was going anywhere. “Okay. I went through a really bad time before I came to UCLA. I went through it alone and it was ten times harder than it should have been. He doesn’t have to be alone.” Gabby analyzed Lara’s sad eyes cautiously and waited for more of an explanation. “That’s all you’re getting from me for now.” Gabby relented slightly and continued her sipping.
Back to present: Her cell phone rang suddenly as she deposited her jacket and purse on the small couch. Unknown caller appeared on her screen, but she answered anyway. “Hello?”
“Lara?” A deep voice sounded from the other end of the phone. “This is Andy, your partner for voice.” He was quick to the point. “I got your cell number from Gabby. I saw her after you two met up for coffee in the library.”
“Ah, okay Andy, what can I help you with?” Lara asked, curious as to why Gabby would give up her number to Andy.
“I wanted to apologize for my rude behavior earlier. It’s not like me, I’ve been an asshole and angry recently and I directed it to you.” Lara’s eyes widened at his apology and said it was okay. “Anyway, sorry to disturb your night. Be ready to work tomorrow in class. Can’t wait to hear what you got.” And with that he hung up. Lara stared back at the phone and shook her head. This boy was going to be very interesting to work with.
The next morning, Dr. Feira had begun class on a high note. She had asked each one of her student what their favorite bands or artists were. Gabby had mentioned Bloc Party as her favorite among a few other people, Andy had mentioned Kiss as an inspiration and when it came to Lara, she drew a blank.
“Ms. Jewels? Any favorites?” Dr. Fiera asked. Lara looked around the room and saw expecting faces. “Lara?” Gabby elbowed Lara gently to bring her back to reality which worked.
“I cannot say that I have a favorite Dr. Fiera.” Lara managed to say.
“Oh? And why is that I dare ask?” Dr. Fiera inquired, looking over her glasses curiously. Lara sighed heavily and thought of her answer.
“Each artist is unique. I like to take inspiration from each artist and apply it to my life. My music taste is varied but my themes are similar. That is why I don’t have a favorite. There’s so much out there to learn from.” Lara thought for a moment that Dr. Feria was going to be upset at her round about answer, but she saw positive reinforcement from people nodding their heads around her; Andy and Gabby included.
“Very nicely put Ms. Jewels. I look forward to hearing your music.” Dr. Feira smiled and went on to the next student. Lara exhaled to calm her nerves but saw Andy regarding her carefully. He pulled out his phone and tapped on the screen quickly. Lara’s phone buzzed in her pocket and she read the message under her books. Now I’m really curious as to what you can do.
After class, Andy waited for Lara by the water fountain. Gabby said goodbye to Lara as Andy approached them carefully. “Wanna kill an hour?” Lara asked pulling out her iPod. Andy caught on to her idea and shrugged his shoulders. “Pick a song.” Andy narrowed his eyes and thought for a moment.
“Broken, by Seether.” Lara smirked at Andy and nodded her head. “You know it?”
“I said my music taste is varied. You take Shaun Morgan’s verses. I’ll take Amy’s and we’ll end the song together. See how our voices mesh.” The song started and Andy took the song and made it his own. He hoped that Lara could keep up. He doubted it for a second as he finished the first verse, but the moment Lara opened her lungs, his heart stopped. Her voice was perfect and deep and Andy couldn’t speak. He almost missed his mark but meshed his voice with Lara’s as the pair finished the duet. Lara blushed slightly and tucked a piece of hair behind her ear.
“That was really good. I see why the professor paired us together.” Lara smiled and pulled out her notebook. Andy had remained silent as he had no words to describe the beauty of this girl’s voice. “Maye we can meet up a few times a week and work on some different songs?” Lara asked.
Andy shook his head back into reality. “Ummm, I don’t normally hang out with school people outside of these walls.” He mumbled, seeing Lara deflate slightly.
“Too bad Andy. I’m inviting myself over. Or you can come to my apartment. It’s nothing fancy, but it’s a roof over your head.” Andy couldn’t help but smile at Lara’s eagerness to work together. “You can’t get rid of me.”
“Fine. I’ll call you after class and we’ll figure it out alright?” Lara smiled as Andy realized they were going to be late to voice. Walking to the class, Andy thought about the feeling Lara had created inside of him. It was as if her voice erased all the bad thoughts in his head and made his heart soft. He actually smiled at her too. What kind of magic did this girl have over him? Was she going to cause trouble for him? She doesn’t even realize what baggage he carries. He didn’t want to have this conversation with her, his parents, the accident, any of it. But he also didn’t want to push her away even if every fiber in his being was telling him to.
They sat down in their respective seats before class and Andy couldn’t help but look over at Lara. Her dark hair was hanging over her shoulders as she moved it out of her eyes. Her eyes shone over to him with a sparkle of excitement in her green pools. Those emerald eyes would be the death of him and he knew it, but he didn’t care.

Notes