Chapter 28: Chapter 28

Isabella's pov;

In the college,

While I was on the way to the library to pick up the book which Mr Davis referred to for tomorrow's quiz, someone closed my eyes from behind suddenly and made me walk somewhere. Since it was a familiar smell I didn't struggle to remove the hands.

After that person removed their hands, I saw their faces.

"Don't you know how to talk? Why are you always closing my eyes?"

"Why didn't you come to the club?"

"Did you go to the club?"

He struggled to answer and said, "I… I had somewhere to go."

"Then why are you asking me?"

I started walking into the library and he followed me behind.

"Hey, what are you doing in the library?"

I took one of the books in the rack and hit him on his head and said, "To take the book of course." And kept back the book into the rack again and continued walking along the bookshelves.

I came to the section where Mr Davis said and started looking for the book one by one. I knew where the first one was from when he told me about it, but I still had a few others so I continued searching through them.

A few moments later I found something that looked exactly like what I was looking for but it was not them.

"Are you free tomorrow?"

"Not really, I have essay due tomorrow."

"What about weekend? Do you have any plans for the weekend?"

"No."

He jumped in front of me and asked, "Then, let's go out."

"Why are you so persistent in calling me? Tell me, do ya like me?"

He let out a sigh and gave a flick on my forehead.

"Ouch! What's that for?"

He said, "What are you going to do if we graduate?"

"Um… I think I'll start going to the house without being drunk."

"Okay, fine. You don't have to come. Enjoy looking at the books."

When he tried to leave, I said, "See ya."

He gave a stare and left.

After some time, I picked the book I wanted and went to the counter. When I'm done, I walked out of the library with the book. It was a good book by a well known author, it seemed to have all the elements for tomorrow's quiz. That's what my mind decided to focus on as I stepped out of the library. On my way to the class, I saw walking towards the library.

Gia came in front of me, "Bella! What are you doing here?" She looked like she was surprised to see me.

"Do I look like someone who doesn't visit the library? Why is everyone shocked to see me in the library?"

She laughed and said, "Are you headed for the class now?"

"Yes, what about you?"

"The librarian asked for me."

I nodded.

When she was about to leave, "Wait!"

"What?"

"Did you go to the club last night?"

"Nope. I was tired so I didn't go. Carlos asked me about this weekend but I rejected since I have plans with my boyfriend. What about you? Are you going?"

"I didn't give a thought about it."

"Anyways, if you want to go message Carlos about it." She walked into the library as I walked out.

In the class,

Tracy, "Did you get the book?"

I showed the book in my hand and said, "I don't know if I can pass the test tomorrow."

She laughed and said, "Did you submit the report of Ms Greta's lecture?"

"That was the first thing I did when I stepped into the college."

"I can't believe you become more punctual than before. How did this happen?"

"Mr Martinez has been asking me about my performance in academics since I came to second year so I'm working hard on it. I don't know why he became so interested in my studies all of a sudden." I leaned on the desk and said, "It's so difficult. I can't do this anymore. By looking at this, high school was so much better than this."

Mike stood in front of me and asked for my hand.

"What?"

"Just give me."

I let out a sigh and gave my hand. He shook my hand while saying, "You have become suitable to be my deskmate. Keep it up." And left.

I smacked my head while Tracy was laughing at me.

Jose sat beside us being upset with something.

Tracy asked him, "What happened to honeybun?"

"We're having a competition this friday, we practised really hard for this but suddenly one of our group members got sick. Now, we're lacking a person with a string instrument."

While Tracy consoling him, Jose looked at me. He stood up and grabbed my hand and took me out of the class.

"Hey, where are you taking me?"

He let go of my hand when we came to the hallway and asked, "You have to do this."

"Did you forget when I said that I stopped playing it?"

"You know how to play guitar. This is your chance. You can do this."

"Yes, I know how to play guitar but I never did competitions."

"It's not a solo performance. You're not the only one who's going to be on the stage. We'll be there too. It's a group performance. Even if you did something wrong, it's fine. We'll manage it for you."

"Wait, I haven't accepted your proposal yet so why are you talking about confidence to me? You said, flaws can be accepted then find someone around your music club. Why are you asking me?"

"So you're not going to do it?"

"Yes. I'm not. Go and find someone else and leave me out of this. I don't play anymore." And walked into the class. Jose entered the class after me and went to his desks.

Tracy, "Hey, where did you go?"

"He asked me if I know anyone who plays string instruments since I know some seniors."

"Do you know anyone?" She asked me worried.

I shook my head and said, "No." And walked to my desk.

After Ms Greta's class over, Mr Davis asked me to come to his office. I bet he's going to give another assignment topic for this week.

When i stepped into his office, he signalled me to come forward.

"I'm going to ask you a favor. Can you do that?"

He asked, his voice a bit hoarse and scratchy but still as clear as ever.

"Sure, sir. What is it?"

"Okay, I'll write your name then." He wrote my name on some paper and continued, "Don't worry. It's an easy job for you."

What is he talking about?

"You may leave now to your class."

I stood being confused.

"Why are you still here?"

"You didn't say what was the favour yet, sir."

"Why do you want to know that?"

"How can I help you if i didn't know what to do, Sir?"

"Come with me." He stood up from his place and took me out of the office.

When we came out, i saw Jose standing in front of his office.

Mr Davis continued, "You'll be joining the competition along with his team."

"Sir…"

"You agreed to do a favour for me. I wrote your name with your concern. Remember that." And returned to his office.

When i looked at Jose, he shrugged his shoulders and said, "Don't look at me like that. I didn't say anything. I just came to inform him that i didn't find a person for the group yet. He said he'll take care of it and brought you here. Seeing you is a surprise to me too."

"Listen, i really don't know how to play for competitions. Don't risk it."

"We'll take care of it. Don't worry."

After classes got over,

Jose asked me to come to music club after my classes are over. This is my first time being in a music club. The moment i stepped in, it felt different. The surrounding, the music instruments, it made me feel relaxed and happy like nothing could ruin it.

A guy walked towards me while holding drum sticks in his hands, "Hi! You must be Isabella! We are very excited you could join us today! Everyone will love you! Please take your time to look around before starting the practice, okay?" He smiled at me warmly and left.

I nodded and looked around the place.

A girl exclaimed, "You must be the new girl! Nice to meet you. My name’s Maria." She introduced herself as she extended her hand towards me.

I took her hand and shook it gently, “I am Isabella Garcia from business administration."

The guy who welcomed me earlier gave me a sheet music and said, "This is the song we're performing for the competition. Jose said you know how to play guitar so you can learn it on your own, right? Or do you need any assistance?"

"It's fine. I'll do it. If i had a doubt, then I'll bother you."

He smiled and said, "Your welcome."

Maria asked me, "Do you have any experience in competing?"

I shook my head and said, "This is my first time."

"Don't worry about the competition, we'll take care of it even if you go wrong but do practice well."

I nodded at her and asked, "Do we have practice today?"

"Yes, others will come in ten minutes. Since you came today. We don't have to rush it. Go home and practice. We'll practice together tomorrow."

"Okay."

I walked out of the college and got into Mateo's car.

"Did you have extra class today?"

"No. I joined the competition."

"Competition for what?"

"Music diva."

"Really? All the best. I wish your team wins."

"Thank you, Mateo."

In Mr Martinez's house,

After getting refresh, i took the guitar from the stand and started cleaning it for the competition. While i was cleaning, i accidentally made sound when i touched the strings. I slowly cleaned the guitar and placed it on the bed.

I opened the room and peeked through a little space and looked outside. I let out a relief sigh when i didn't see anyone.

"Are you looking for someone?"

I saw Mr Martinez standing on the left side of the door leaning onto the wall like he was looking at me since i opened the door. He smiled and I just gave him a nervous smile back.

I let out a nervous laugh and asked, "Mr Martinez, when did you come?"

"Five minutes ago."

"You came early today."

"There wasn't any meetings today so i came early. What about you? What are you doing inbetween the door like a rat?"

Rat? Can't he think of any cute animals to refer to? Why did he pick rat among so many different rodents?

"Nothing."

When i was about to close the door, he asked, "Why are you closing your door like you're hiding something from me?"

"I… i… I'm not hiding anything from you."

"You're definitely hiding something."

He pushed the door and walked into my door.

"How can you barge into a girl's room like that? That's an offense."

He saw the guitar and picked it up saying, "It free of dust. Were you cleaning this?"

I nodded and said, "Yes."

He sat on the bed holding the guitar and asked, "Why now?"

"Mr Davis made me join the music competition since one of the members fell sick."

"Are you saying that you're going to play the guitar?"

"Yes."

He placed the guitar on the bed and rushed over to me and gave a quick hug.

He shook my hand while saying, "Give your best. You're going to win this competition for sure."

"I got the music sheet today and didn't even started practicing the song yet. But you're already saying that I'm going to win this competition. What if i didn't?"

"No, you'll definitely win."

"For your information, it's not a solo performance. I'm going to play along with others. Guitar is one of the string instruments which they're going to perform."

"Whatever do your best." And left the room.

I took the guitar and placed it beside the table and took the assignment which is due tomorrow. Let's finish this first.

After sometime, i finished my assignment. I felt sleepy. Wait, i didn't practiced the music sheet yet. My eyes were getting heavy as sleep got away from me. I could barely keep them open any longer. The only way to stay awake, is to try playing the music sheet.

I took the guitar and looked at the music sheet. It was blurry since i felt sleepy. I rubbed my eyes and looked at the music sheet again. This time I could read it well enough to know what to do. After taking a deep breath I started playing. My fingers moving like they knew how to play.

Okay. First this… And this... I started playing the music little by little. Since it was a standard notation music notes, it was easy for me to learn it quick. It made me stuck here and there since it's been years but i didn't let it go and continued playing it. Wow… I'm picking it up. I still got it.

When i finished playing, i heard someone's clapping for me. When i took a look, it's Mr Martinez.

"Mr Martinez, you're stil awake?"

He stood with his hands in his pockets, staring at me and said, "It's good."

"Yeah, i had the same thought too. They did a really good job on composing it "

"You played well too."

"But i made a lot of mistakes."

"Really? But it didn't look like you did."

I smiled and said, "Do you like music, Mr Martinez?"

"Not a big fan."

"Oh…"

He took a seat beside me on the bed and said, "But i would like to learn it. Will you teach me?"

"Is that a new pickup line? Where did you read it?"

"I created it on my own."

I gave a stare and said, "I'm glad to have a student but I'm very bad when comes to teaching."

"It's fine. I will be a good student."

I gave the guitar to him and said, "There are many types of guitar. Classical, electric, acoustic, semi acoustic, bass, jazz, steel…"

He interuppted by asking, "Do i have to remember all those names?"

I laughed and said, "No, you don't have to. By the way, let's forgot those names. The guitar you're holding onto was called a acoustic guitar. Beginners usually chose this type of guitar because it sounds great and easier to learn. What do you want to learn on guitar?"

"How to play…"

"No, i mean we have to learn a clear idea of what we're going to learn otherwise it'll be waste of time."

"I don't have any idea."

"Do you want to learn basics where I'll be teaching you how to play the musical notes or a song where you'll learn to play that song directly?"

He thought for a moment and said, "A song sounds easier."

"Okay. Let's Start from tomorrow. Choose a song on your own and let me what it is. I'll teach you how to play it."

He nodded and said, "Deal." He gave me back the guitar and said, "I'll then leave to my room. Good night."

After he left the room, i continued practicing the song. I didn't feel sleepy at all.