AN: Once again here is another story and unfortunately I am stealing the story line from the masterpiece that was 'August Rush'. I will insert things that I wish had happened or things that needed to be covered to provide consolation. Also I will change some dialogue…considering some of it was unbearably cheesy.
Hey, it's not mine!
She was calm; she was always calm before any performance. Regardless of what it was. Gracefully she took a brush through her short blonde hair, allowing all the stray strands to fall into place. She stared at her reflection in the well-lit mirror without moving. Her hands lay still, holding the cello that layin her lap, she had no desire to move or do anything.
Music was a significant part of her life, and it was very precious to her but she had never felt as though the music was being played for any fulfilling purpose, just to please those who commanded it.
Her mascara was well done; accenting her green eyes nicely, her blush highlighted her cheeks and her lips invited people to her smile. A knock at the door took her gaze from the mirror to the door as her father stepped in. At first they exchanged a smile then he approached her and gave her shoulders a tight squeeze.
"You ready to go, baby? They're waiting for us," he asked, excitement in his tone.
She nodded.
"Nervous? Of course not, you're my girl; you were born for the limelight," he concluded.
He always assumed everything would go exceptionally well, and never bothered to let her answer.
"Smile for me now, sit up straight, and relax." He dictated.
She fixed her posture slightly and beamed a radiant smile.
"Okay, not that relaxed," he contradicted.
"Dad, I'm fine, everything will be fine," she said.
"Oh it'll be better than that 'Tomi, right?"
It wasn't really a question, more of a demand. There was no choice in the matter; it would be nothing short of perfect.
"We're on soon, so get your stuff," he always liked to include himself in the performance, even though he never was.
Giving a small smile she took a little tub from the vanity and removed the chunk of Rosin and applied it to the hair of her bow. After replacing it back in the tub, she picked up the mahogany cello and followed her father backstage.
She could hear the audience applauding; she had to wait for the conductor's cue for her to enter on the stage. Finally it came, and she gracefully walked on stage, taking her seat. As she was the featured artist in the concerto, she was up front next to the conductor.
Finally the Emcee introduced the piece, 'cello concerto no.1 in A minor by Camille Saint-Saens.'
Splashing water onto his face he tried to calm his nerves, they always got to him, it had come to the point where he almost expected it. Slowly dragging his wet fingers down his face he stared at himself in the tarnished glass. He straightened up and ran a hand through his black hair, letting out a burst of air. He wasn't in the mood to do anything; he was too pissed off to want to please people.
A muffled yell came in through the paint-chipped door, "Van! You're pretty enough I think the crowd will forgive you for not putting on lip-stick."
A smug grin took a hold of his features as he wiped the water from his chin. After a few more seconds of silence he emerged from the washroom.
"I'm out, now let's get this over with," he said.
"Aww muffin, don' t say it like that, or we'll think you like it," his brother teased.
The same grin appeared again. Even though he wasn't in the mood to play there was always an overwhelming feeling of excitement and thrill. Everyone was there for the music, not to make fun or judge; they just wanted to be a part of something that had no restrictions.
'Now get your ass out there Elvis,' his brother said, pushing his brother up the small back staircase, shoving his guitar into his hands.
Van took it, strapping it quickly around his neck and racing onto the strobe lit stage. Within seconds the rest of the band were stage with him, finishing tuning as the crowd raved. Van couldn't help but smile, he had long since forgotten his stage fright and reluctance to perform.
"Gaddes, ready?" Van called back to his dedicated drummer.
Gaddes beat his drumsticks over his head as an indication.
'Folken?" he asked his brother, who nodded.
He gave a quick glance at the remainder of his band, Allen and Dilandau. Dilandau offered thumbs up, while Allen merely fixed his electric violin in the crook of his neck, preparing his bow.
The blue strobe lights fixed on Van and Folken as the performance began. The lights and crowd danced wildly around as the song progressed, the energy was immense, Van had never had a crowd this excited. Folken would often jab him with wry smiles just to connect that he knew exactly what was going through his brother's head.
When they finished playing the crowd erupted with cheers and shouts, 'I don't think they liked us." Folken stated sarcastically.
While the rest of his band mates laughed, Van supplied a smug smile and left the stage.
Folken continued to make the others laugh by mocking his brother, 'oh the diva doesn't like attention.'
Finally the others left the stage and began mingling with the fans around the concert hall. Van noticed, but had no intention of staying; he had just wanted to get away for a while rather than forcing himself to interact with some stranger.
Pushing his way through the crowd to the exit, he could hear Folken calling his name, but he only continued ignoring his brother's calls. Finally he was outside into the cool March air. It felt as if someone had muted the city; a remote ringing was the only thing he could hear clearly, aside from distant cars and the dull roar of the music being played in the club.
He wasn't completely familiar with the area, considering he had just moved in with his brother, in order to play their music easily. Finding his way to their flat, he became aware that there was definitely a party happening. He wasn't really surprised, considering the landlord had given him a stoner vibe right off the bat. He shook his head letting out a slight scoff. Luckily he managed to slip in without getting too mauled by drunken women or men at that. Making his way through the gyrating crowd of dancing people and blaring bad music, he was able to get up the stairs to the roof. He was fairly confident that no one would be up there, what with free booze and warmth inside. It was like high school all over again, except he actually had girls dying to sleep with him.
His theory was right. The only things that were on the roof were outdoor furniture and a long string of fairy lights decorating the perimeter. Letting out a sigh of relief he climbed up the ladder of the chimney wall.
He loved music and it was incredibly important to him, however recently he had continual feelings that he wasn't connecting with anyone. He didn't like the feeling but he couldn't shake it off. Fixing his position so that one leg was over each side of the wall, he took out a cigarette taking a long drag as if to relieve himself somewhat.
'Hitomi, bow! They're clapping for you!' the first violinist across from her, Yukari, said as the audience applauded wildly.
'Oh,' she said snapping out of her trance and standing up.
Smiling she bowed and stepped back for the curtain to close.
"That was amazing Tomi! I guess all that practicing wasn't for nothing; we are so going to a party tonight!" Yukari exclaimed after putting her instrument to bed.
"Uh… we are?' Hitomi stammered.
'Yes! Now come on!" Yukari said grabbing her friend's hand pulling her outside to get a cab.
'Yukari, I don't know, I'm hardly dressed for a party," Hitomi protested, playing with the skirt of the white satin dress she was wearing.
'Who cares! Now come on!" she urged as a cab pulled over for them.
--
Finally they arrived at a middle-class triplex, with a nagging beat pulsating through all the openings. Hitomi merely stared out the cab's window as Yukari paid the fare, 'let's go biatch!'
Hitomi obliged her friend and opened the yellow, steel door.
'You scared?" Yukari asked, waiting to go over.
Hitomi lifted an eyebrow, 'why would I be scared?'
'Exactly!' Yukari said, running over to the building, Hitomi following slowly behind her.
Yukari was a huge party girl, and it was almost smotheringly so, but Hitomi didn't mind that much, it wasn't as if she didn't have her faults. She ended up entering the house a few minutes after Yukari, finding her dancing in the middle of several people.
'Hitomi!' Yukari called to her friend.
Hitomi just waved shyly and began to wander around the complex full of people. As she found the stair way she relished the fact that the consistent music became slightly muted. A few random couples lingered in the stairwell, either talking or making-out. Hitomi carefully passed each couple careful not to disturb them as she made her way to the roof.
The door opened easily, and a cool breeze greeted her as the door swung open. A small smile graced her features as she stared onto the vacant roof.The sound of a distant harmonicawas compelling her to look over the edge at thefountain across the street. An elaboratesculptureof an angel stood solitarily in the cool night. It madeHitomi shiver, as she looked at the light sleeveless gown the stone woman was wearing.
'Beautiful isn't it?' came a voice from above her.
Startled she turned around searching for the source of which the sound came from.
'The fountain,' he supplied.
'Oh, yeah…what are you doing?" she responded.
'Listening," he answered, indicating the distant music, "and you?"
'I just…' she started.
'Wanted to get away?" he offered.
She gave a side smile and nodded.
'come on up," he offered, and at the response of her reluctant smile, he persisted, "oh come on, be brave!'
Hitomi smiled shyly and walked over to the short iron ladder that provided transport to the ledge he was sitting on. Gracefully she made her way up the six rungs and sat down slowly on the brick surface beside him. He smiled at her after she had fixed her position.
Gradually a newtune floated into their earshot as the faint whine of a harmonica changed. The soft jazzy tune danced on the wind providing the beautiful acoustics.
'Hear that?' he asked, throwing the butt of his cigarette away.
She paused for a second, nodding through her answer, 'I used to know it."
'Ah… you still do, music like that doesn't just leave you," he said.
'What makes you say that?" she asked.
'Experience…" he mused, looking away from her.
Hitomi just stared at him as he looked at the sky.
'You know, when I was little I used to believe that there was another planet out there, just beyond the moon, and only those who didn't care to see it, could…" he said still looking away, " and I had some connection to it, like in some way I was the link between each world."
'Did anyone believe you?" she asked softly.
'No, just a bunch of shit,' he laughed.
'Maybe not,' she said causing him to bring his focus down to her.
" When you grow up you learn to accept the fact that you're talking bull, and you end up sitting alone of a roof talking to yourself," he laughed.
"Well... I'm here," she offered.
He looked at her again, his face serious, "yes you are... What about you, what's your story?"
She looked down for a second, knowing his eyes wouldn't move, 'I don't know… I'm just… I'm a cellist, who shouldn't talk to strangers."
They looked at each other in silence for a moment before anyone said anything. Then slowly, almost hesitantly, he reached for her hand taking a gentle hold of it.
'I'm Van."
Hitomi smiled softly, 'Hitomi."
Once again they sat in silence. Her focus was fixed on his eyes, his garnet colored eyes, they would be burned into her memory whether she wanted it or not. Finally she spoke, her fear taking over, 'what are you looking at?"
'You," he answered simply.
Finally he followed his instincts and leaned in, his head tilting gently to accommodate her. Their lips met in a gentle electric kiss that gradually progressed.
Her mouth was soft and supple, her innocence was very apparent but somehow neither one seemed to care.
Her body was soft, and untouched. He touched her carefully not wanting to hurt her, but she bared no sign that he was. Her touch was delicate and sensitive; her body was cool against his. The coolness of the night seemed to have no affect on them at all; there was enough warmth for them.Each of them had become a factor inthe most memorable night of their lives.
Done, so far, don't shoot me I just loved the story!