Chapter 10
It was finally Saturday; the day the entire band had been waiting for. We agreed to meet at 10am that morning in the recording studio Zack directed us to. Holding a tray of coffee mugs, Vincent helped Zack open the door. It seemed the material of the door must have expended from some source of moisture, making it difficult to swing open. With no coffee wasted, we were finally in. A small puddle of water which leaked from an overhead pipe confirmed our suspicions of the door's condition. Zack hit the lights to his left which illuminated a long room with white walls and the same carpet that was in our band room. The far right corner was taken up by a small booth with a long window facing a large mixing desk. Nearer to the door were a couple of couches, guitar racks and a small table.
"The mic's already in the booth," Zack explained as he stood aside to let everyone else through the door. "I said I'd help Cloud move the drum kit in here, do you reckon you guys can move the couches?"
Yuffie, Vincent and myself all nodded as we inspected the room. As the two boys left the, Yuffie and I made our way to the mixing desk as Vincent settled the tray of coffees on the small table.
"Dude, this is next to new," Yuffie said ogling at the complicated-looking desk, blowing away the dust, which only made her sneeze. "Almost."
Before moving the couches and the small table into the corner beside the door, I stepped inside the booth to inspect the microphone. Unfortunately, it seemed that the light globe had blown, which only made the small room more intimidating, I was just glad I wasn't claustrophobic.
Cloud came in carrying the bass drum first, while Zack carried the stool, high and mid-tom. Deciding to settle it across from the couches, Zack then stretched and faced me.
"Any word if Aerith is coming today?" He asked, trying his hardest to sound casual.
"Ah, yeah, she said she'd come up during her break at 11am-12am," I answered giving a glance toward Cloud.
"Ah, good," Zack said retreating for the door.
"Oh god, the class-clown has it in for the honour student," Yuffie piped up behind me when Zack was out of earshot. "Like that's not going to be a disaster."
Cloud and I shrugged at each other before he followed Zack for the last pieces to his kit.
As I practised in the booth by myself, listening to the songs one last time on my iPod, Yuffie settled next to Vincent as he tuned his bass guitar. He seemed to tune that thing constantly. However, as I took small breaks to sip my water, I found myself observing them. Vincent seemed so different in his mannerisms. I still didn't know him well myself, but I could tell he was being a lot more talkative and open with Yuffie of late. It was then that the two other boys finally came in with the last pieces to the puzzle that was Cloud's kit. Taking out my headphones, I exited the booth and headed over towards the rest of the band.
"So how are we actually going about recording all this?" I questioned Zack.
"Ah," Zack said taking a sip from his own mug of coffee. "I was thinking of bringing the mic over here in this corner and recording Cloud first. The audio won't be as good out here compared to if we did it in the booth, but I don't think it'll fit. Then I think we'll put Vincent in the booth next, followed by me and then you. We'll then combine the layers in post-production, the recording will sound professional that way."
It was then that Aerith burst through the door, and I really mean burst. It had seemed that she too struggled with the swollen door and using excessive force, she had crashed into the back of Zack when it finally gave in.
Pushing her curls out of her face, she straightened, "sorry."
"Now that's what I call an entry," Zack said with a laugh. "About time you rocked up."
"What did I miss?" she asked as she attempted to close the door without success.
"We're just about to record Cloud," Yuffie answered. "He'll be followed by Vincent, Zack and then Tifa in the booth."
"Oh good, not much then," she smiled as she took a seat beside Yuffie who passed her a mug of coffee.
"Alright!" Zack exclaimed. "Let's get this show on the road!"
With that, Zack unhooked the condenser microphone from the booth, gathering the cord and unreeling it out the door before setting it up on a stand in front of Cloud's kit. As Vincent made his way toward the mixing desk, Cloud took a seat on his stool with his drum sticks in hand and headphones plugged into his phone, ready to play "Hoops". Making the final adjustments on the mic, Zack made his way to the desk beside Vincent, slipping the bulky looking headphones over his head and gesturing for the rest of us girls to head for the corridor.
Listening through the door, we listened to Cloud effortlessly beat through each of the songs, twice, just to ensure, Vincent would have at least one good recording for post-production.
When we were sure Cloud was completely finished recording us three girls broke out into a loud applause as we re-entered the room.
"Good job," I said placing my hand on Cloud's shoulder. "Sounded bad ass."
He smiled in reply taking his head phones out and placing his sticks on the snare drum, "you think?"
"Oh, I know so," I mimicked him from last night, which made him laugh.
As Zack placed the mic back in the booth, Vincent then entered with his guitar and headphones. This time Cloud sat next to Zack giving some help when needed with the controls. Zack played the recording only through his and Cloud's headphones which was agonising. We couldn't hear a single thing. It seemed that Vincent did basically the same amount of recordings as Cloud before he exited the booth and swapped places with Zack. Again, Zack played two silent recordings of each song before he gestured to me to enter the booth. Taking a shaky breath, it seemed the butterflies emerged from their cocoon. As I entered the booth, I slipped in my headphones and adjusted the volume of my iPod to low like Zack recommended, ensuring no sound would be picked up, other than my voice. Zack then swapped places with Cloud who then stood behind them, staring at me.
"Alright, Tifa can you hear me?" Zack's voice sounded through the speaker in my booth as he pushed a small button on the desk and spoke into a small microphone.
I nodded in response.
"Okay, you give me a nod, when you want to start," he said giving me a thumbs up.
I had never, ever felt so terrified in my entire life. It must have shown on my face because Cloud gave a small nod as if to say, 'relax, you can do this'.
Giving another small nod, I pressed play on "Hoops" and gave it my all.
But alas, the nerves got the better of me, and I missed the timing into the first verse. What?! How?! "Hoops" is my easier song, I thought to myself, pausing.
"Yo, Tifa, you okay?" Zack asked, pressing the small button again. "We'll go again, just give me the signal."
The second run was no better, as I messed up the words in the third verse.
"Shit," I muttered. "What's going on with me?"
"You want to try again?" Zack asked.
It was at this point that I was glad no one could hear me as it seemed, everyone else had noticed I was having trouble and decided to swarm around the desk. Like that was going to help.
It was then that Cloud tapped Zack on the shoulder, I couldn't understand what they were discussing until Zack passed the headphones to Cloud. Slipping them over his ears and bending over the desk to speak into the microphone, he looked at me.
"Remember to have fun, Tifa," he said. "Run through it like we did on Tuesday, just with me listening, okay?"
I nodded, bitting my lip.
"Give me the signal," Cloud said with his finger hovering above the red button.
Inhaling, I gave a nod and pressed play on my iPod. Training my eyes on Cloud's and only Cloud's, this time was better, in fact it could have been the best run through I did of "Hoops". I did another two recording to be sure, but neither of them bet my first. After each everyone applauded, which only made me blush.
"Good, Tifa," Cloud said with his crooked smile I liked so much. "Now just do the same with "Twilight Driving", okay? Give me the signal when you're ready."
With another nod, I pressed play on the next song and belted it out, again locking my eyes on Cloud's. Hell, I even noticed myself swaying to the song, finally having fun with it. I did another two recordings with Cloud listening intently to me.
Upon exiting the booth, feeling relieved that I succeeded in what I feared so much, Aerith jumped on me, followed by Zack and Yuffie.
"Alright guys," I struggled. "I can't breathe."
Laughing they all stepped back, giving me air.
"I actual, can't wait to hear that," Zack said sincerely.
"I can assure you," Cloud began, slipping the headphones off. "It's going to sound amazing."
"Damn, girl, who knew those hips could sway like that," Yuffie exclaimed, followed by a collective laugh.
"I reckon we'll call that a day," Zack concluded looking at the clock on his phone. "Wow, it's only 12pm. We got through that surprisingly fast."
"Ah, I guess I have to get going," Aerith said, giving me one last hug. "Good work!"
After Aerith left, we decided we'd go and all grab lunch together at a small café down the main street of Midgar. We chatted among ourselves as we ate, enthusing about how much fun we'd just had. Even Vincent seemed happy which was a rare sight.
When we returned to the main campus, I bumped into Shera who was making her way out to her car after what looked like collecting assignments from third year piano students.
"Ah Tifa," she said. "I'm glad I bumped into you."
I paused letting the rest of the crew enter the building, "yes?"
"How are you going with your end of term recital piece?" she asked. "I'm looking forward to hearing it."
I froze in shock. I'd forgotten! End of term recitals were in less than a week! I decided to lie rather than hop into her bad books. "Oh, really well actually."
"Splendid, what piece did you decided on?" She questioned.
"Moonlight sonata," was the first thing that entered my mind. I prayed to god that it was actually an eligible piece to play in the recital. When she smiled I instantly felt relieved. That shouldn't be too bad, I already know it pretty well, reassured myself.
"Good, good, I'll see you Monday, then," she said with a final warm smile. "Enjoy the rest of your weekend, won't you."
"Yeah, you too," I said as she returned to her car.
Feeling extremely guilty, I raced up to the band room and began to practise what I remembered of Moonlight Sonata. I easily completed the entire piece, with only minor errors and finger slips, however I continued to practise until I was satisfied, I'd be given the best mark possible when recitals came along.
"Moonlight Sonata?" A voice startled me.
As I whirled around on the wooden crate, I found Cloud leaning on the door way, with arms crossed, "yeah, you know it?"
"Of course it's a classic, isn't it?" He said crossing the room and seating himself on the other crate beside me. "Beethoven, yeah?"
"Mmm," I answered with a nod. "You want to play?"
He frowned, "I don't know how."
"I'll teach you," I said shuffling my crate aside so he could sit beside me. "I'll teach you how to play 'Heart and Soul'."
"Alright," he smiled taking the lower end of the piano, and I taking the higher.
I began teaching him the repeated melody, which he slowly grasped. I found it extremely cute as every time he hit the wrong key, he'd scrunch up his nose. Once he'd finally played the first few loops, I began to play the harmony. It took a few tries at first, but eventually we made it through the entire song. He was a fast learner, who definitely stuck at something, which was something I admired about him.
"Again?" He suggested, and with a laugh, we began again.
However, this time, I screwed up, becoming distracted by the way his eyes were so focused on each of the keys as he played. He was mesmorising.
"I'm just too good, aren't I?" he chuckled, bumping his shoulder to mine.
"Yeah right, Spikey," I laughed receiving a poke in the ribs, making me flinch.
"Spikey, huh?" he laughed as he continued jabbing me. "That's a new one."
"Alright, alright, I surrender!" I said, holding my hands up in defeat as he began the song one more time.
This time we only just made it through without any mistakes, unable to stop laughing. Glancing at his wrist watch, Cloud sighed, "as if it's already 6pm. Are you hungry?"
I nodded only just aware of my rumbling stomach.
"Why don't we grab sushi and head up to The Hill?" he suggested.
I couldn't think of anything better. I was thrilled that I was able to ride on the back of his bike again, let alone have the excuse to wrap my arms around him too. It was slightly cooler on the hill that night, with a light breeze. We ate our sushi in silence, again watching the city from above, as if we were on our own cloud in the sky. We must have stayed up there for a good hour, before we decided to head back to the academy. As per usual, we walked back to our corridor like every other night.
"See," He said as he unlocked his door and turned toward me. "Today wasn't that scary, was it?"
"No it wasn't," I laughed. "Thank you again, for what you did today, you really saved my ass."
With a slight chuckle, Cloud pulled me into a warm embrace, "anytime."
Parting, he opened his door, "Night'."
"Night'" I replied, still numb from his embrace.