The Music

I walked to the café, wondering if I'd see her today.

I walked into the building, inhaled the rich scent of coffee.

And there she was.

Her golden hair, the same shade as mine, sweeping around her shoulders while her head slightly bobbed up and down, the white bow positioned just so on her head, like rabbit ears, moved slightly with her movements. Her eyes closed, focusing, I guess, on the music.

Music only she could hear.

I tried to imagine what kind of music she heard made her move like she was.

Oh, how I longed to talk to her, to learn of the music.

I willed myself to move, but I couldn't. It was as if I was rooted to my spot, like a small tree, a tree whose leaves changed to a yellow long before autumn.

I finally uprooted myself from my spot and made my way towards her, wondering all the while how I'd get her attention.

Just as I was about to reach her, her eyes snapped open. She looked around, locking eyes with me. It's then I notice how amazing her eyes are. They're a blue that it seemed you could get lost in.

I continued to hold her deep blue eyes as I continued my course towards her.

When I get to the table, she begins to look me over, as if she was studying me. She looked so pretty like that.

Finally looking away she says, "You can sit if you want."

I decide to take the seat across from her, "Hi. I'm Len." I extend my hand.

Looking at me, she says "Rin." I retract my hand after it seems she won't participate in a handshake.

"Hey, what were you listening to?" I ask, not wanting to sound like a creep.

Rin looks at me like I have a giant octopus that built a nest out of leeks and cherry stems on my head, "What are you talking about?"

I say, "You were bobbing your head and it looked like you were listening to music."

She nods, "Oh. I was listening to 'S my D' by Blood On The Dance Floor."

"But you don't have any headphones."

Rin smiles, it's just a small smile, "I don't need them."

My brow furrows "What are you talking about?"

She explains, "I hear the music. In my head, I mean."

I nod, trying to understand, "Basically, music that only you can hear?"

Rin looks up at me, giving me a bit of a smile, "Right."

I respond with confusion, "And you're not at all concerned about hearing music in you head?"

Rin shrugs "I guess it's unusual. I mean, not many people run around advertizing that they hear songs in their head like their brain is a freaking radio. My brain isn't like a radio," She shakes her head, "It's like an iPod, I can control the song choice."

I nod slowly, trying to process the information.

Rin continues on, "Sure, most people would be like 'you should talk to someone about that'. In reality, I seem less, I don't know, alone." She looks down at the table; her thick eyelashes hide her captivating, blue eyes from me.

Only then does the reality of her words set in, "Why do you feel alone?"

"I don't exactly know. Music, though, has kinda been my savior. It speaks out to me, it helps me get through the tough stuff." Rin rolls her eyes, "God, that was so cheesy."

She looks at me quizzically when I stand, "What are you doing?" she asks.

I smile, "I wanna show you something." Holding out my hand, praying she'll take it.

Rin understands my invitation and takes hold of my hand, as if it were the only thing that would keep her from falling off the world.

I lead her to it.

It's a smooth, shiny black. The lid's open, revealing the white teeth-like keys with the black keys that formed a nice pattern.

It's the piano the store's owner lets me use.

I sit on the piano bench, leaving room for Rin. I pat the empty space next to me, signaling Rin to sit next to me.

Rin fills the space next to me, she looks at the piano, "Why are we sitting in front of a piano?"

I grin as I put my hands in the familiar position, and I begin playing the beginning of a song I'm sure Rin will know.

Rin gasps softly, "That's 'Almost Lover'."

I stop playing and nod "Do you know the words?"

She nods.

"Ready to sing?" I ask, a small smile forming on my face, as I start playing from the beginning.

Rin starts singing; her voice is amazing. I have to focus to not get distracted.

After Rin sings the last note, we sit there for a moment.

I break the silence with, "You have such an amazing voice, Rin."

She smiles, "Thanks," then playfully adds, "You're not half bad yourself."

We spent the day talking and laughing, singing and playing the piano.

Rin leads me to the stoop of her apartment building.

Standing on the second of three gray stone steps, Rin asks teasingly, "Are you gonna ask for my number?"

I pause a moment, "I think I will. Hey, Rin, can I have your number?"

She says in a dramatic voice, "But of course," reaching out her hand she says, "Your phone."

I hand her the black, flip phone without a moment's hesitation, "Give me your phone."

Without looking up, she flips open the phone while saying, "Why?"

I explain with, "So I can give you my number."

Still without looking up, she digs in her back pocket and produces a yellow phone, similar in design to mine.

I program my number into her contacts, after I'm done, I wait for her close my phone.

Snapping the phone shut, she utters a victorious "Hah!" before handing back my phone.

I take back my phone and put it in my front pocket, hold out Rin's phone so she can get it back.

When she reaches for it, I say with a wink, "If you get lonely, call me."

Rin smiles as she returns her phone to her back pocket, "Sounds like a plan," and disappears into her apartment building.

I start on my way home.

My mind immediately wanders to Rin.

On her singing, her golden hair, her blue eyes.

The way she that reminded me of my high school girlfriend, Akita Neru when she was adding her number to my phone.

The relationship with Neru didn't last long, Neru was always glued to her phone and it kinda got in the way of things, so I ended up breaking up with her.

I guess other things about Rin reminded me of Neru. They both had golden hair, but Rin's was far prettier, and, now that I think about it, Rin's much more conversational. She also looked at me when I talked to her.

I walk into my apartment, going to the kitchen to get something to eat.

I was about to heat up some water for a cup ramen when I heard my cell's ringtone.

Picking up the phone, I flip it open and read the contact, my eyes widen at the name.

Neru.

A/N: What's this? A new story? I know I should be working on the stories that I've already started buut, is one just kinda sprung out at me and I just had to write it!