The Man with the Guitar

Disclaimer: I don't own HSM.

It's been a while since I've written a story, and regarding my other stories, I most likely will not be continuing them. But I hope you enjoy this one!

Make sure the review when you're finished!

Love, BubbaBoom


CHAPTER ONE


Gabriella's POV

There are some things in life that you can't help yourself from doing. A habit that has been going on for so long that it hurts to go even a little off from the usual.

Whether it being waking up at an exact time, or as simple as eating the same kind of cereal for breakfast, everyone has one.

Mine was coffee. Not the bland kind you buy at the grocery store. I shiver at the thought of someone buying value brands, adding hot water, and expecting to get a jump off of it.

But no, I'm talking about the small java joint at the end of SALT Street. Till this day, I wonder why the owner chose to sell from a street that might give his customers a thought that he sold coffee that tasted like popcorn, or potato chips, or maybe the outside of a clam shell. However, that didn't stop me from walking in and ordering a cup of Joe. That moment was two years ago, and now - it's a habit.

TMWTG

The birds sang as I walked into Café et Crème.

I expected to be welcomed by the aroma of freshly ground coffee beans, but instead – I found myself a couple of steps behind, almost pushed against the door.

Before I could look up and get my mind back together, the man who almost knocked me over was out the door and almost out of sight.

"Way to apologize." I said to myself, brushing off my shirt.

I lifted my head in the direction he went. Truthfully, I was not expecting him to still be there. But, he was. He shot me an apologetic look and nodded his head in such a manner that I knew that was his hurried way of saying, "I'm sorry." After seeing me nod back at him, he took off, which led me to know that he was in a hurry. And that was the moment when I noticed something bulky in his left hand.

I didn't realize what it was until he turned the corner. Resting in his hand was a guitar case.

TMWTG

"Bye loves!" I yelled, half way to the door, "See you tomorrow." I could hear the employees behind me erupt in various responses.

"Bye Gabriella!"

"See you!"

"Go away and never come back." This one obviously coming from the immature high school bus boy who oddly, still was a bit awkward when it came to girls. But that never stopped his very big sense of humor.

"Love you too, Josh." I shot back to the bus boy. His face reddened and turned away shyly. I couldn't help but laugh at the poor fellow and his antics.

I waved farewell with my free hand, the other one holding my coffee (three sugars, two creams) and went down SALT Street. I inhaled the fresh morning air. Ever since I was little, I've always been a morning person. All my friends would think I was crazy or on something, but all I did was tell them to smell the morning air and try to go back to sleep. I found that task impossible. Once I saw the morning fog, and smelled the air, and heard the faded noise of children's laughter from the nearby park - I could never find the strength to drag myself back to bed.

So as I was enjoying my morning, I came to an abrupt stop when I heard the sound of a guitar from around the corner. I swayed to the familiar tunes that came from a woman in her 20s.

My mind suddenly flashed to the man I saw earlier. The memory of him in such a hurry kept repeating in my head. I know we were complete strangers and I didn't really have a right to know what was going on in his life.

But, the curiosity got the best of me.

Unconsciously, my feet changed direction, which I later noticed was the same path the man with the guitar took.

Two minutes later, I didn't just find him. I saw why he was in such a rush.

TMWTG

"George! Please, hear me out!"

I hid myself so I was out of sight. When I was sure he couldn't see me, I sighed. I knew this was wrong, eavesdropping and listening in; but something inside kept telling me to stay. I tried to tell myself to leave and not get into unnecessary trouble, but my body wouldn't listen. It stayed put.

"George, please!" the man with the guitar exclaimed.

"Troy, you should be grateful I even gave you a chance to play at my restaurant for no charge." I assumed this man was George.

"But – "

"No buts, Troy. I told you not to be late; I have dozens of other talented and willing-to-pay musicians who have been begging me to let them play here."

"I know, sir. But –"

"Troy! No buts."

"My landlord has been practically barking down my throat! I need to pay rent! George, please. The tips I might get will possibly stop me from being homeless!"

"Troy… I know you're struggling. But, my restaurant doesn't grow money trees either. I can't lose money on simple things like this.

The man with the guitar, who now has been identified as Troy, looked down at the ground.

George put an arm around Troy's shoulder. "Why don't you find a job, Troy? This "living off of guitar tips" career is obviously not working for you."

Troy didn't say anything. He kept his head down and his hands in his pockets.

"I'm sorry, Troy." A few seconds went by, "I need to go back to work." And then, George was no where to be seen

I was in shock. I didn't know what to do. My mind couldn't grasp what was happening at the moment. All I did was drop to my knees. The argument I just witnessed threw me off course. I definitely was not expecting it. I've never seen someone beg for a chance to maybe get a few bucks.

I was so wrapped up in my thoughts that I didn't hear footsteps behind me.

TMWTG

"You know, I bet you were terrible at hide-and-seek when you were little." I heard a deep voice behind me. I looked up and saw Troy kneeling beside me.

"What?"

"Hide-and-seek? Don't tell me you don't know what that is! The game where one person counts and the others – "

"Hey! I wasn't locked in a room growing up!" Troy chuckled at my response. "Of course I know what it is."

I felt him stare at me and I quickly grew uncomfortable. I brushed my bangs out of my face and behind my ears hoping to break his trance.

"You're the girl from salty coffee place, right?" I couldn't help but laugh at his nickname for my favorite coffee shop, obviously named after its location.

"Café et Crème?" I asked.

"Oh come on, no one actually calls it that."

TMWTG

"It was really nice talking to you." Troy told me. He stood up and brushed his jeans.

I looked at my cell phone and saw that it's been about an hour, the time just flew away.

There was something about him. He was so welcoming and friendly. He made me forget that we were complete strangers and never met before. When we talked, it was like we've been inseparable since kindergarten. But in reality, it was the complete opposite.

I got up right after he did and smiled, "You're a really great guy, Troy." I stopped for a moment before saying, "I bet you're a great musician too."

He chuckled, "At least one person thinks so." I expected him to continue on but he just shrugged it off.

"I'd love to hear you sometime." I pointed to his guitar. In my heart, I knew this was just an excuse to possibly see him one more time.

He lifted his eyebrows, thinking hard about what I just said.

"How about this. If we happen to bump into each other in the future, I'll play you a song. " He stated.

I nodded, "Sure, I guess fate will decide."

I saw Troy reach out so he could pull me closer. I expected a hug, but he surprised me with lingering kiss on the cheek.

"I'll see you later." And with that, he was gone.

For the second time today, I looked up in the direction he once was. But this time, he wasn't there.

"Bye Troy." I whispered to myself.


And that's the end of chapter one! Be sure to review, and make sure to keep the flames down.

If I get enough reviews, I'll continue the story.

Love, BubbaBoom