"Giddyup Moon," my drummer chimed, "You've got a train to catch."
We were standing at the platform, in front of our train, which had a stop of twenty minutes. It was some five in the morning. The most annoying time of the day. And I never woke up this early. Call me grumpy pants for all I care.
I groaned dramatically, "Why Chuck?! Here I am, an International popstar, using public transport?"
"Moon," he stated, "It's your fault, you have to use the train."
"What did I do?" I asked, exasperated.
"Didn't I remind you clearly that tomorrow is your meeting with your songwriter? In Fact, I've been making that reference for a month now."
"But why use the train? Why not the tour bus?"
"Broke down."
"Private jet?"
"Too expensive."
"Airplane?"
"Too late."
"Taxi?"
"Long distance."
"Why not be fashionably late? I mean it's music biz after all, right?" I suggested, sighing.
"Considering how it's your first time meeting our song writer and how the rest of us are perfectly capable of using the train, you're on your own, bud," he teased
"Well," I stated matter-of-factly, "I am a popstar, so why can't he wait?"
Chuck laughed. He had the audacity to laugh at my despair! The perks of hiring your best friend's best enemy in your band.
"SHE is a professional songwriter and is working with 27 different artists, occupying the top of the Billboard, currently," Chuck quoted.
"But still," I whined, "Am I not the most promising one?" I proudly asked.
Chuck smirked in return, "Do you know Trish Dela Rosa? The one who put us in last place on BATTLE OF THE BANDS last month with her band OUT OF SPACE? You know the one you insisted on writing your own song for?"
"Yes, I do," I grumbled, " Why do you have to bring that up?"
"Why darling," he teased, " She happens to be the best friend to our songwriter, who also happened to write her the song A BILLION HITS and organise the band."
I smiled thinking about the song. It was a very deserving song to occupy BILLBOARD #1, but I would never say it out loud. But man! That song was super-catchy.
"Why didn't she participate in the band?" I asked curiously.
"She is a songwriter, not a singer. At least that's what she says," he mentioned, "And trust me, on this, the second you meet her, you are going to love her. She is dorky and sweet and pretty comfortable to be around."
"Wait, you've met her before?" I questioned him, with raised eyebrows.
"Of course I have," he agreed, "In fact, you're the only one in the band who hasn't met her. She is like the most amazing person ever. Very kind and considerate."
I crossed my arms and pouted, "Even Dez?"
"Even Dez," he agreed, "We've been a band since we were 19 and she's been our song writer ever since."
"Why haven't I met her?" I enquired once again.
"Because you were too stubborn to join us everytime we asked you to," he mentioned.
I let out a confused frown.
"Moon, you are 22 right now. Everytime the band keeps a meeting to meet her, you cancel out. Either a hangover or some cheap date," he replied angrily.
"Then why should I come with you guys?" I asked, raising my voice slightly.
"It's sad, Moon," he sympathised, "It's very sad, considering that you entered this biz at the tender age of 16 and you were struggling till you formed the band. Do you know whose idea it was to form the band? Do you know who suggested having you as the lead singer?"
I shook my head.
"This girl did," he answered, " She is Jimmy's right hand. The girl had so much faith in my bass skills, Dez's drumming, Dallas's keyboard, Elliot's vocals and your performing. Without her, there would be no MUSIC FREAKS. Without her there would be no Austin Moon."
His rant was followed by silence. I nodded my head solemnly, finally agreeing to what he was trying to convince me.
"Where are the others?" I asked, once their absence came to my notice.
"They're all inside. We have always used the Public compartment and since it's your first time, we've booked you in the First Class Compartment. It's a more VIP setup," he stated.
I smiled and nodded in acknowledgement, "Thanks Chuck!"
Then, he smiled for the first time today. "That's the compartment," he pointed to the front.
Stuffing a ticket into my hand, he swiftly said a goodbye.I carried my guitar case to the front and entered and turned back to wave at Chuck, who smiled before disappearing to the last carriage.
I entered my compartment or room or whatever to find it empty. Hey! Don't judge me! I do come from a humble background. Humble being the owners of a mattress store, but I used to cycle or catch a bus….never a train! But unlike a first flight experience where there is always a lingering fear of crashing, what's the worst that could happen, right? Wrong!
There could be a severe case of derailment….a terrorist attack...a case of kidnapping… social awkwardness or what if I lose my guitar. AHHHHH! My guitar is my life!
Get yourself together, Austin! It's just a train journey. It'll get over before you know it.
I was so caught up in the conversation in my head that I did not realize the moving train.
I sat down on the maroon seat, taking in the new sensations from my first train journey.
I looked at the now crumbled ticket in my hand and shrieked on realizing that the journey would take a good four hours. Sighing slightly, I looked out the window, watching the beautiful scenery disappear behind me, as the train moved ahead.
It was quite the scene! Lush green fields and birds flying against the morning sun brightened my already growing smile. My phone was tucked in my pocket safely. But I didn't find the need to use it for distraction.
Before I knew it, an hour had passed and the train pulled to its first stop: The Crimson Valley Platform.
Suddenly, my phone received a message with a ding. I looked over to see Elliot's smiling face flash across my screen.
Remember to get down at Verndale Platform….Good luck bro!
DND...we'll be sleeping ;)
Great! Just great! Now I really had no one to talk to. I shifted my gaze from my phone screen to the window. The time was 6:11 am.
Meaning around three hours more. Well, it was not that bad! Just a couple more hours of peace and we'll be there.
I started to slowly drum my fingers across the windows,in hopes of getting a rhythm. I was going to meet my songwriter after all. I'd rather impress her than make her feel I was a bad choice.
As a rhythm flowed through my mind, I started to think of my song writer and realized that I didn't know her name. Immediately, I took out my phone and shot a text to Elliot, slumping in defeat on realizing that he was in DND mode.
Frustrated, I started to come up with a tune using my fingers, to get rid of my anger.
"Hello," a voice called out, interrupting his music session.
I silenced myself, trying to give the person the idea that I was in no mood to talk.
"It's a nice tune you got there!" The voice commented and on instinct I replied, "Thank you."
I facepalmed at that. Replying to compliments meant that I was ready for conversation and I was definitely not prepared for that.
I finally turned to see the owner of the sweet voice. It was a girl, which I had obviously guessed, but she was much prettier than I imagined. A simple brunette in a black top and jeans with red converse made her way to sit, in front of me….Facing me.
The fact that she chose to sit in front of me bugged me, considering that the entire carriage was empty.
Finally, settling on the decision to ignore her presence, I turned away from her. Thinking of lyrics to fit the tune I came up with I pulled out my notebook from the guitar case pocket, along with my lucky pencil, which was currently no longer than my pinky finger.
After a good five minutes of breaking my head for lyrics, I started feeling uncomfortable as I felt her stare, crawling through my skin. I raised my eyes from the notebook to meet her gaze.
But her chocolate brown eyes remained trained on my chest. This was something I would call disrespectful. Any ideal person would turn their gaze away, blushing on being caught staring, but not this girl. She was probably my age. And she probably recognised me from some tabloid, but she didn't turn away and thus frustrated me.
For me there are many ways to respond. One is to flirt, but I refrained from it due to the fact that her stare made me feel that flirting would be like giving her an invitation to date me. The next is to snap rudely and seeing as she was looking at me like a hungry wolf, I snapped, "Don't you know that it's rude to stare?"
"Oh! I'm sorry," she replied with genuine apology in her eyes, "I was just thinking." Hearing her sweet voice calmed me down. I relaxed my tense shoulders as she turned to look out the window.
I could tell that she was a perky person and by her fidgeting fingers, I could feel that the silence was killing her. I remained silent.
Finally, her tolerance snapped as she smiled at me and asked, "What is your name?"
I froze with a dumbfounded expression settling on my face. She was staring at me all this while and still couldn't pinpoint the international celebrity I was. Was she really that dumb? Does she live under a rock? Not to sound like a jerk or anything, but I am one of the best artists at Starr Records. I was signed at 16, back then it was all about struggles and pity on me because 'poor thing is too young for biz', but somehow I made it, but I think I have every right to be proud.
Taking my silence as a bad sign, she continued to gaze outside the window, while I continued with the debate in my head.
The silence was broken by a soft humming. It was a very familiar tune. Soon the hums were followed by words that left me even more baffled than before. She had the voice of an angel. I was so lost in her voice that the words caught me off guard.
"Boy you could be mine
My once in a lifetime
So open up your heart
And show me who u r," she sang paying no attention to my antics. To say, I was mesmerised is an understatement. But then again, I always hated it when people pretend not to know me to befriend me. Another thing I despise is how people take the liberty to change lyrics of previously written songs to match their preference. That thought snapped me out of my daze.
"So you know my songs but not my name?" I questioned, raising my eyebrow.
She paused for a second, as her nose scrunched up in slight confusion. Dare I say it,but she looked adorable.
Then as if I had solved the mystery of human existence, her face lit up.
"Austin Moon?" She asked.
I nodded at her prediction.
"Sorry, I didn't recognize you ," she apologized, "Wait, why are you here?" She questioned.
"Why? Am I not allowed to be on a public train? Sorry I didn't get the memo," I retorted.
She bit her lip in thought, " But aren't you a little too high profile for public transport? I bet it's your first train journey," she responded, her voice losing its initial sweetness.
That had me silenced. " My thoughts exactly," she mumbled before turning to the window once again and humming.
I was now agitated. No one had ever silenced the Austin Moon, only my mother did. Not even my ex-girlfriends had that control over me and I couldn't stop myself, before the words tumbled out, "Well, dear, who gave you the right to change the lyrics of a song? It's 'girl' not 'boy'. There'll copyright issues," I stated.
I looked over at her to see her try to stifle her giggles. Once she regained her composure, she continued, "Blondie, your song is from a guy point of view and I happen to be a girlie," she smiled.
"Well, it's not funny. It's not exactly fair to the person who wrote the song that you change the lyrics however you like it," I stated firmly.
She looked at me with an expression which I couldn't decipher. Then she nodded, "OK. I couldn't agree more," she agreed.
Finally happy at putting her in her place, I let out a happy sigh, "So, what's your name?" I asked the girl.
"Ally Dawson," she smiled and thrust her hand to my face for a handshake. Laughing at her misjudged position, I placed my hand in hers and shook firmly.
"Austin Moon," I smiled.
"So, how old are you?" She asked, as I let go of her hand.
"Shouldn't you know that? I mean all you eighteen year olds are supposed to worship me right?" I asked cockily.
She smacked my hand, " I'll have you know that I'm a twenty two year old woman and I am definitely not a fangirl," she huffed.
I stared at her in awe. She was my age.
"Judging from your silence, I presume, you genuinely thought I was some shallow sixteen year old," she scoffed and I laughed.
"OK. I'm sorry I did, but-"
"Is the great Austin Moon apologising to me?" She asked smugly.
"OK. I take that back-"
"You can't take back what you say," she interrupted, "There are silences harder to take back than words."
"Ha ha," I deadpanned.
She snorted in the most unlady-like manner. But somehow, I still found it adorable! Curse her cuteness…
"So, which cursed day did you choose to make an appearance on Earth?" she asked in a much more dramatic way.
"December 29th," I replied.
"Booya!" she flung her hand in my face once again, almost hitting me this time, "I'm older than you. November 29th. Now move your butt so I can rest, kid," she warned.
I shook my head, laughing at her immaturity. "How old are you again?" I asked rhetorically. Only to be stunned when a pair of legs found its way onto my lap.
"Don't tell me I didn't warn you," she smirked and I couldn't help the giggle that escaped my lips.
As easy as it was to push her off my lap, I was very comfortable this way. I had no idea how a loner like me could warm up so easily to a stranger.
"So, where are you going, Ally?" I asked.
"Oh, just some journey to meet my clients, but before that I had to schedule an emergency charity event for a friend ," she answered, "What about you? Why are you on a train, despite your obvious fear of them?" she asked teasingly.
"Hey!" I protested, "I'm not scared of them. Anyways, this train journey is to meet my songwriter for the first time. I mean, she has been writing songs for me for years now and I was never responsible enough to make an opportunity to meet her. My bandmates say that she is an amazing person."
"Oo," she teased, "Looks like someone's got a crush."
"I've never even met her," I protested.
"Let me rephrase," she pretended to think for a moment, "Looks like someone's got a crush on a person they've never met," she grinned in triumph, while I blushed.
Ignoring my blush, which I have no idea why she did, considering it was the perfect opportunity to tease me, she continued, "So once again, why train?"
"Man, you're persistent,"I grumbled under my breath.
"Woman," she pointed at herself, while I groaned.
"All the other means of transportation were non-feasible. I was planning to use the excuse of 'fashionably late', but thought against it," I stated.
"Bus?" she asked
"No."
"Cab?"
"Nuh huh."
"Airplane?"
"Unavailable."
"Boat?"
"What?"
"Ship?"
"Um, no."
"RMS Titanic?"
"What is wrong with you?"
"Rocket?"
"God!" I groaned and then my groans reduced to full-blown laughter, the kind that left your sides aching. Never once, since I became popular did I laugh like that and the worst part is I couldn't control the tears flowing down.
From the corner of my eye, I could see her smile. And once again, I felt like it lit up my day.
Once I was calm enough, we talked. Genuinely talked. About pretty much any topic. Literally any topic. She was so comfortable to talk to!
We talked about favourite colours, favourite hobbies, best friends, school life, family, though it was super-touchy for me to speak, place of birth, TV shows, favourite tooth.
Yes, we went there. We talked about how we lost our first milk teeth. It was hilarious. I didn't even realize how time had passed till she asked me.
"It's 8:20 am," I said, "I didn't even realize."
"Oh, where do you get off?" she asked me.
"Verndale," I answered.
"Could you alert me when we reach Guliver's Point Platform?" she requested.
"Sure," I replied.
"So, you told me, it's 8:30, right?" she asked and I nodded.
"Ok, so look to the right in five seconds," she commanded.
And when I turned as per her request, I was stunned to see a waterfall, not the movie kind or anything, just a natural beauty.
"That is the Joy Falls," Ally stated, "It kinda developed, recently after a thunderstorm. The Quinn River, which flows in this region, changed its course and fell over this ledge and that is how it formed."
I was mesmerised by the flowing river. It was beautiful! I was never a nature enthusiast and admiring these sorts of things have never been in my luck. I looked at the fair brunette, looking out the window with a smile on her face. For a second, I envied her for being able to find joy in small things, but that's when I saw her flawless skin, when the sun rays radiated on her.
"It's beautiful," I commented, looking at her. As cliche as it sounds, she didn't turn to look at me as she replied, "I know."
"I wish I could see it again," I heard her mutter.
"Yes you can," I told her confused, "In our next train journey, of course."
She nodded silently with a hint of sadness in her eyes.
Before I could ask her about it,"Our?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Um" I spluttered out, "Like when we meet coincidentally again… or..if we plan it or something."
Ally laughed heartily, her brunette curls bouncing on her shoulders as she asked, "So, about the tune I heard you hum, earlier, got any lyrics?"
My eyes drooped in sadness, "I can sing, dance, play any instrument in existence, but I can't write to save a life. I mean, I can write but not that great."
"Oh! Like your song in Battle of the Bands? That was hilarious," she laughed.
I glared at her mockingly, but that did nothing to stop her laugh.
"So, you do research about me, you stalker," I smirked at her flustered expression.
"I..I um," she stuttered, "It was telecasted all over the world, of course, I know. I'm no stalker." She cleared her throat, "besides my friend was part of it too."
"Uh huh," I agreed sarcastically, "I believe you," I said mocking her.
"You better," she retorted, "Anyways, could you form the beat again?"
I hesitated, but then obliged.
"OK, now try this," she looked thoughtful for a moment,
"Sometimes love's a scary place
It's like standing in the dark," she paused as I strummed my guitar to go with the music.
"Flying through the universe
Trying to fix your broken heart?" she asked, as I started noting it down.
"Oh my God! Are you some God's send miracle worker? That was amazing!"I complimented.
"Thank you," she blushed.
And from there on for the next half an hour, we threw around lyrics to come up with words.
"OK, now all that's left is the chorus, so any ideas?" she asked.
"I swear, I can't write. I'm a fun person, writing is not my forte," I pleaded.
"Then what is your forte?" she asked, crunching her eyebrows. So cu-
Anyways, "I like beaches, fun, music, of course, superheroes, cause I'm that great! And-" I stopped when I saw her beaming face staring intently at me, "What?" I asked, suddenly self conscious.
"We have our song title, idiot!" she exclaimed, "Superhero," she sighed.
Suddenly, inspiration struck me, as I sang,
"Let me be your superhero
There isn't a place I won't go
Whenever you need me by your side
I'll be there, be there.
Never be afraid if you fall
I'll carry you away from it all
Let me be your superhero
Let me be your superhero."
As I strummed my guitar to the last note, I heard a round of applause.
I looked up to see Ally, clapping frantically.
"I knew you could do it!" she said excitedly, "Fist-bump?" she asked, extending her fist.
But never before had I been encouraged like this and to show her the gratitude, I pulled her in for a hug, while she choked at first, but then quickly returned it.
"Thank you!" I whispered into her ear.
"No problem," she muttered back, "Hey Austin, are you crying?"
Only then did I realize the wetness on my cheeks that soaked into her shirt, "No there's something in my eye," I replied.
"Ya," she retorted, "Tears."
And just like that I let her go and started laughing again.
But my mood dropped, when I looked outside the window and saw a big white board which read: Guliver's Point.
"Your stop's here, " I said dryly.
"Oh!" she said, slight amusement coating her features.
"Thank you Austin. Thanks a lot for today," Ally said as she hugged me.
"We'll meet again," I reassured, "Wait! Let's take a picture in memory of this amazing day."
She then handed me her phone to feed my number and we parted ways, after getting a few cute photos together. Before she left, she turned back and gave me a timid wave and smile that probably etched itself in my heart, I did the same as I watched her leave.
The next hour was absolutely boring. Here I was, the guy who initially refused company, dying to have a companion, more specifically a brunette haired, brown eyed female companion.
I spent the rest of my time practicing my song.
After another agonizing hour or so, we reached the destination and I hurried out the train, carrying my guitar case.
I spotted Dez and the gang at the end of the train.
Right after Dez and I did our signature 'Whaddup', Dallas asked, "So, how was your first train journey, bro?"
I smiled, thinking of the experience, or mostly about the girl.
"Oo, looks like he had a good dream," Chick commented.
"No, you idiot, that's his signature I-have-a-crush-on-her smile," Dez argued, while I simply shook my head.
"Let's go, guys," Elliot ushered, "We have to be there for the charity event as well."
We all collected our bags and caught a cab to the Starr Records studio.
We were greeted by Jimmy and the staff.
"So, is she here?" Elliot asked. From his goofy smile, I figured that he had a crush on our song writer. Well, if she was just as amazing as they say, I may probably set them up.
"Oh," Jimmy smirked, "She told me to inform you guys that she would be fashionably late."
"Huh?" I asked confused and then glared at Chuck, "Why did you rush us,then?"
"Actually," Jimmy said, "You were called here because she was supposed to meet you, but got held up at a charity event. But she has a song prepared for you, it's in the music room."
"But, she was supposed to be here. I was pretty excited," I whined like a child.
"Austin," he said in amusement, "Have some courtesy. She is my best investment and despite being blind she does an amazing job at everything."
"Blind?" I asked.
"Yes," Dez explained, "She had a genetic disorder that caused gradual vision loss."
"She is beautiful, like a blooming flower in a drought," Elliot sighed dreamily.
"Ya ya, lover boy," Dallas teased, "She lost her vision completely when she turned nineteen. I knew her from school, actually and we were pretty close. Now, she behaves like a normal person."
"Wait, would someone tell me her name?" I asked confused.
"Ally Dawson," Dez said as my face paled drastically.
"Austin," Elliot shook me, "Breathe!"
"What's wrong, goldentoes?" Dez asked.
After regaining my composure, I whipped out my phone and showed them the picture, "This Ally Dawson?" I asked.
And they nodded, simultaneously.
"Where did you meet her?" Chuck asked.
"On the train," I said.
And then I excused myself to go to the music room.
At this point, my thoughts kicked in.
The whole time she stared at me.
She didn't know she was doing it.
She didn't recognize me, because she didn't see me.
She smirked at my comment on my music, because she had written it.
She wanted to see the waterfall again, because she hadn't seen it in years.
And I was too blind to notice.
I walked to my music room, disappointed at myself. On top of the piano, lay a stack of printed paper. The first was a song titled, 'Stuck on You'.
I read through the lyrics:
"Okay maybe I'm shy
But usually I speak my mind
But by your side, I'm tongue tied
Sweaty palms, I turn red
You think I have no confidence
But I do, just not with you
Now... I'm singing all the words I'm scared to say
Yeah...
So forgive me
If I'm doing this all wrong
I'm trying my best in this song to tell you
What can I do?
I'm stuck on you
I'm hoping you feel what I do
Cause I told Mom about you, I told her
What can I do?
I'm stuck on you
And like the night sticks to the moon...
Boy... I'm stuck on you
Ooh... Ooh... Yeah..."
It was a beautiful song just like her. I grimaced at the word 'boy', when I remembered the comment I made.
I flipped the page to see a note behind it.
Dear Austin
Don't worry about it. I didn't want you to know. Hope you enjoyed the train journey as much as I did.
This is your new song. Don't change a word.(Remember the copyright issues)
I'm sorry that I'm 'fashionably late'. I had an important charity event to attend. Meet you again at the afterparty, kid.
Smiles
Ally
I laughed at the end of the note. It was so like her to keep tabs over every word I said. I acknowledged the more than subtle crush that I have developed on her. I knew that at the after party today, I would track her down, come what may.
Elliot was right, she is amazing. Speaking of Elliot, I was going to set up my girl with my friend?!
Hey guys! Hope you like my story. Thought about this at home. Do submit reviews to give me a feedback of my writing. Thanks a million - ARchiac