AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Okay,” she says, releasing her death grip on her guitar and tucking her hair behind her ears as she takes a deep breath. “It has a four-bar intro and then goes into the first verse.”
“Got it,” I nod, pulling out a blank page of sheet music and finding a pencil to make notations of what she’s playing as she plays. “Whenever you’re ready.”
She looks at the page warily but then steels herself and starts playing.
The first time she plays it through, I’m so busy reading along and writing down what notes I can catch at the same time that I hardly pay attention to the song as a whole.
“That was dumb of me,” I say, looking at the mess I made of the notations while trying to do everything at once. Transcription has never been my strong suit, but this further proves that point.
“What was dumb?”
“Focusing on so many things at one time. Or, at least, trying to. I ended up not focusing on anything.
“I can play it again if you want.”
“Okay, but let’s do it section by section this time. We’ll start with your intro and verses, cool?”
She nods with an excited smile I can’t help but mirror back to her. She’s really got something special with this song, and I want nothing more than to help her make it the best it can be.
As she plays through, I stop her in the middle of the verse. “Wait. Let’s put some separation between the verse sections. Not a bridge, but more of a break down, to give it a little more flavor. Otherwise, they kind of run together like one big verse, you know what I mean?”
Biting her lip, she nods slightly, unsure. “I think so.”
“Here. Let me show you.” I grab my guitar and play out my idea for her. The grin I get in response is incandescent. I can almost see the lightbulb go off in her brain at the possibilities this might open for the song.
“That changes everything.”
“Well, not everything…” I shrug, trying to stay humble, even though I know the entire mood of the song just shifted for the better. “Play it again a few more times. Add your own finesse to it. Make it yours.”
She does, and somehow, in a few minutes, finds a way to improve it more. This girl is a genius.
“Sloane’s going to love this,” she says as she starts packing her gear at the end of the lesson.
“Oh yeah? Do you think so? Why’s that?” I try to hide my extreme interest in her statement, but I’m not sure I’m pulling it off. I’m not great at covering my emotions.
Penny shrugs a little, smiling to herself. “I don’t know. She just will. I think this is something she would do if she were writing the song.”
“What makes you say that?” I turn to face her, my interest now apparent and intense.
Her demeanor shifts, and she closes herself off as she realizes she let her guard down for a second. I hate to see the pride and happiness disappear so quickly like that. And I hate thinking I may have said something to cause it. Is it because I want to learn something about Sloane? I’m not sure I got a jealous vibe from Penny, but I guess anything’s possible with teenage girls. I have no clue what makes them tick. Never did.
“Because her writing is perfection. I can only dream about writing songs like her. She’s so good at it.”
“Penny. This is your song. All we’re doing is guiding you and making suggestions. Ultimately, what you do with any of them is up to you. This is all you. And it’s great. Don’t forget that.”
The blush is back in full force as she backs away toward the door, but all she says is, “See you Monday,” as she gives a slight wave before heading down the hall.
I stand in the doorway and watch her go, eventually turning my attention to Sloane’s room across the hall. Surprisingly, she’s there watching Penny leave as well. After our first-day clash, she’s made a point not to meet me in the hallway between classes. She looks different today than usual. Jeans and heeled boots, but instead of a blouse like she usually wears, she’s wearing a t-shirt with a leather vest. It suits her immensely, this casual, no-frills version of Sloane.
She must notice me studying her as her body stiffens under my intense gaze. I can’t help it. When Sloane Castle is in my vicinity, all rational thought runs away from me. I try to pull myself together and salvage the situation while I still have her in sight.
“Penny’s song is freaking amazing, by the way. Nice work,” I say, trying to keep her engaged somehow and hoping I don’t look or sound too pathetic.
A smile that lights up her entire face spreads as she says, “It’s all Penny. I’m just along for the ride with that talent.”
I nod in understanding and agreement. “She’s definitely got that. Hopefully, our work on it today doesn’t mess it up too much for you.”
“What did you change?” There’s interest in the question but also wariness, as if she’s afraid I ruined the song.
