Once upon a Music Sheet

[Syrrus]

The beautiful lake where he and his father had gone fishing during his childhood years. Great, it was going to be one of those years, wasn't it? He sighed and continued to stare, bored at the road in front of him, gripping the wheel of his car even tighter, causing his knuckles to go white. The road was getting closer, the road which was going to bring out all the wrong emotions in him. Why did he move back? He had even bothered spending his hard earned money on the same house his family had once lived in. He had bought it and he had made some builders tear it apart.


If he wasn't going to get a new story then he might as well create a new beginning for the one he already knew the ending off.


"Great. Here we go." Steven muttered as he turned in on the tiny road that lead to the town where he had been born. He hadn't been there in what felt like forever and as his car slowly moved between the buildings on the main street, he felt as if his heart was going to burst with... excitement? No, frustration. He was back to where he had started, it was painful, annoying and damn right upsetting.


The people outside his car window was doing whatever they were always doing. The sleepy town seemed to have been stuck in time but at the same time it had changed, just a little. The old milkshake bar at the corner of the library was still there, but looking fashionable and so American that he wanted to throw up. Why did they have to use the tourist tropes?! Who the heck went on holiday to this shitty little village?! He had to calm himself down by turning the music on his stereo up even louder. The speakers were almost shouting out Walkabout by Augustines. It didn't make him feel better about the situation, however.


He continued to drive, noticing that the old toy shop where he used to buy those stupid trading cards had closed down and instead there was a boring looking coffee place where some punks were sitting with their MACs, looking pretentious with glasses far to big for their heads.


The young man turned away from the main streets and towards the neighborhood when he used to live. The drive way stood empty, the house that he had remembered was still there. Where the heck were the builders? Parking his car he noticed a note on the mailbox. He stepped out of the car, pulled out his bags and guitar case from the back and locked it neatly before ripping the note off. 'Will work after the Holiday, have a nice weekend - Smiths and Co'.


Steve frowned with his whole face. He kicked his car and caused the alarm to start beeping loudly. Of course, no one seemed to notice. There was a few feet between each neighbor. Unlocking and relocking the car, Steven put his bags into the back again but as he went to pick up hit guitar he merely stared at it, thinking. He then slammed the car door shut and grabbed is instrument and started walking down the street. Before he deiced to bale on the idea of reliving a story he didn't want to remember, he decided to at least relive the memories he didn't want to remember.


He walked down the long road and entered the main street, guitar case on his back and a frown on his face. Some children ran past him, shouting and playing some stupid game he recalled himself playing once upon a time.


Once upon a time...

 

[JustSmile]

The flower shop was slow, like it always was. Elana ranged the flowers and then decided to go help her grandma with the resturarunt, which was probalay slow as well. She got a sticky note and wrote to her boss. 'To slow, gonna close early. Take it of my pay check.' Her boss was pretty laid back. The store was slow all the time. The kids these days didn't care for them unless it was for a gift. She grabbed a daisy and put it in her hair. She smiled and walked out. She walked to the main road. She hummed as she walked to the restaurant. When she got there she saw her grandma at the counter falling asleep. Elana walked in the building, making the bell ring, and her grandma up awake.


"H-hello welcome to The Sunny Ca'fe" grandma was still somewhat asleep.


"It's me grandma, calm down. Ill takeover go to sleep." Elana lead her grandma to her room upstairs from the diner. Her grandma fighting not wanting her to work, but she gave up and laid in her bed. Elana walked back down stairs. She sat at the counter humming to herself. Waiting for someone to come.

 

[Syrrus]

Steve decided after getting frustrated over nothing that he could at least give the place a try, if he didn't like it, he'd always be able to move again. Entering a cafe, which he couldn't remember if it had always been there or not. He didn't look at the lady behind the counter, he was dusting himself off, peering up at the bell by the door. Apparently these were still in fashion, at least some things hadn't changed. He walked towards the counter, still not looking at whoever was going to serve him. Figuring that whoever it was wasn't going to give a inch about him. "I can't even read the menu." He said, out loud. Used to the cities loudness, where you had to speak up and state your business quickly or someone would trample you. "Latte. Big, no sugar." He said, trying to find his valet in his back pocket.


He then looked up, figuring he could at least give the lady some eye contact when he was offering her his hard earned money. He stopped for a second. Flinching. There was something about those eyes, he had seen this girl before. Eyeing her up and down with confusion.

 

[JustSmile]

Then a man came up he struck her as familiar, but she knew mostly everyone in this town. "Hello welcome to sunny cafe." He was quite rude. No eye contact and just shouted his order at her. A latte? She learned how to make it once, but everyone around her order just coffee. He then looked up at her an he's expression was confused. She didn't want to bother him. So she didn't ask. "Coming up." She went to the coffee machine.

 

[Syrrus]

He started snapping his fingers in thought, like he did and always had done when trying to remember a word or a name or a song. Something hit him a name, but at the same time he didn't wish to say anything. In case he was wrong. He didn't want to look like a fool, especially in a town this small. Everyone would know about him. He therefore decided to try his theory but sitting down in the corner. No one was around and if this girl wasn't the one he thought. That strange little girl who used to hang around him when he was a kid, well... then she probably just would tell him to put the guitar away, the same guitar which he now had started playing on. He tried to remember the song... that song that he used to play every day back then. It slowly came back to him, a memory that didn't at all frustrate him.

 

[JustSmile]

She hummed as she made the coffee. She tried to remember who he was. He looked like her friend from when she was little. She finished the latte and walked over to him setting it on the table. "You play the guitar?" She looked at the guitar. She smiled "I'm sorry ill leave if I'm bothering you. It's non of my business if you play." She was usually was shy around people, but she felt like he was a friend. She watched him snapped his fingers. He was quiet odd, but so was she. So she wasn't judging. She smiled again as he was about to reply.

 

[Syrrus]

She didn't seem to remember him. He was wrong then. Steve put down the guitar to place a hand around the coffee cup, peering into the liquid that he had grown to love. "Mhm. Yes, been playing nothing but for what seems like a eternity. How about you, do you play?" He asked his question without looking at her. He didn't usually look people in the eyes, unless he was suing them, or otherwise. He was a high standing lawyer now and he spent very little time socializing.


Last time he had interacted with a woman it had been his ex-girlfriend and he rather didn't remember a single thing about her, money digging bimbo... He muttered something to himself as he sipped his coffee, peering out the window to his right.

 

[JustSmile]

She smiled she loved music. "Can you play a song right now. I would love to her one. Only if you want to of course." She decided to ask his name "what's your name? If you don't mind me asking." She smiled again hoping he would tell her. He was being more nice now. Her eyes lock with his. She looked away somewhat blushing. His eyes were beautiful. They made her heart skip a beat. She then smiled again waiting to see if he would play a song.

 

[Syrrus]

Peering at her with green eyes he put the cup down. He assumed that he could play something for her, it wasn't like he had never done something like it before. He used to play music at the clubs in the city all night, before he moved that is. "Steve." He said shortly as he picked up the guitar and started playing.


As the young man played, he hummed a tone to himself as well, trying to keep up to imaginary beat. He was good, good enough to be someone big if he only had the courage to try. His voice wasn't too bad either.

 

[JustSmile]

Steve, that name could it be..."did you move away from this town when you were young?" Then he started to play her heart skip a beat. He was amazing. She smiled "Your amazing, I mean like seriously your really good!" She smiled again as he sung and played for her. "You should become perfessional you could become a hit so fast."

 

[Syrrus]

Laughing, her comment about his music was hilarious. But it reminded him, once again, of a very little girl he once knew. "You know, Elana." He said, taking a risk to assume he knew her. He probably didn't and as soon as he made the guess he almost lost the beat of the song he was playing. Frowning to himself, he redid it and started the whole song over again. "That's the exact reason as to why I became a lawyer. That sort of thing doesn't happen so simple men like me." He peered up through his fringe which now had fallen down over his eyes, attempting to blow it out of his face he accidently looked her straight in the eyes.

 

[JustSmile]

She smiled looking into his eyes "Oh but your not a simple man if you have a talent like that." She laughed "it's nice to see you again after what...10 years." She smiled again. She was truly happy to see him again. So many qeustion she had about him. "But have you always had this gift with guitar? I don't remember we were so little."

 

[Syrrus]

"Probably not." She said, slowly as he put the guitar away so he could finish his coffee before it got cold. "At least, I don't think I did. If I recall my ma' always tried to force me to play the piano. That went well, I suppose." He shrugged slightly and then looked back up at the young lady he used to know. "What about you? Are you stalking some other poor guy around town or did you grow out of that habit after I left." He teased, but with his expressionless face it was hard to tell.

 

[JustSmile]

She laughed "I'm sure you could play any instrument perfectly." She laughed. He then talked about the past and made a joke. Or at least she hope it was a joke. He looked awfully serious. "Yea the only guy I will ever follow around is you." She laughed again. "Is that okay with you or shall I go stalk more." She looked at him seriously trying to match his face. "What happen to you, have you always been this serious, or was I just to stupid to noticed."

 

[Syrrus]

Shaking his head slowly, no she didn't need to start stalking someone else, when she looked like this. She looked so young though, was it even legal? Steve felt a bit taken back by her question. Had he always looked this serious? He put down the coffee cup and touched his face with a confused expression, or maybe he didn't look confused at all because his facial muscles didn't seem to be moving. "I suppose not. Maybe? I don't rightfully know. And nothing really happened." He placed his hands on the table, pondering. He assumed it was because he felt rather resentful towards life. Looking for happiness wasn't easy, and by happiness he of course meant bliss. He wasn't unhappy now, but he could have his bad days. He wanted a life when those bad days didn't happen.

 

[JustSmile]

"It was a joke calm down." She laughed. He looked somewhat confused. She hope she didn't hurt his feelings. She heard the bell ring. "Sorry excuse me." She smiled "we should chat somemore soon." She then stood up and walk to the old people that needed help to get to a set. She got there order and went in the back of the counter. She walked into the kitchen to Cook the food. She hummed in the back. Her life was slow, but she loved every day of it. She loved the town, the people. Her life may not be sunshine and rainbows all the time, but she enjoyed every minute of it.

 

[Syrrus]

Bored out of his mind, already. He finished his coffee and put a small dollar bill upon the table before getting up. He left the store silently, one hand in his pocket and the other holding the guitar case. Where would he go now? It frustrated him to no end that the town hadn't changed at all. Walking along the street, past the library he stopped suddenly, standing in front a black painted door. 'Back shortly' it said on it. He remember that it always said that, always before seven o'clock every evening. It was the club, the club where his older brother used to play guitar and sing during the weekend, it was his part time job... if Steven's memory didn't lie to him.


Steven stroke a hand over his face, wondering for a moment what else his memory was hiding from him. He had a weak feeling there was something big, a reason perhaps as to why his family moved away from the town originally, because it couldn't all have been about his choice of study. That made little if no sense.

 

[JustSmile]

She walked out of the kitchen seeing that he had left. She sighed wanting to catch up some more. She walked and gave the couple there food, which they happily enjoyed. Then she walked over to the table were he sat. She grab the dollar bill and started to clean up. She wonder if she would ever see him again. Yes he was a pretty serious guy, but she felt like he made her smile a bigger smile. He also made her heart skip beats from time to time. She smiled and clean the table. She then went and started to was the dishes.

 

[Syrrus]

Walking back home he peered at the big house, he had grown up in there. Not too long ago in fact. For some reason, without thinking about it, he had placed his bags in the hallway, watching the house which was still decorated with the same furniture that he had remember since he was a little boy. Sighing heavily he walked around the house, checking things out. The bedrooms were different, the previous owner had clearly changed the things that they didn't enjoy about the furniture and decoration and replaced it. Made sense, he would have done the same. His mother sucked at home decoration.


Some of the wallpaper had been changed as well. He opened the door to his and his big brothers room, strangely felling a loss in his heart. He knew exactly why and it wasn't so strange. His brother was no more, after all but Steve couldn't remember how it all had happened. Trauma, he assumed. His father had told him that it had been an accident so it was all the adult he had become knew, but it felt like there was something more to it than that.


Walking back down the stairs he noticed the spot where his mothers piano had used to stand, now replaced by a small circular table and two chairs. Memories were painful, sometimes. He walked into the kitchen, looking upon the fridge which used to be cluttered with shitty drawings and badly taken photos of the family, it was empty now, of course.


He noticed the wings, hanging from the tree in the back garden through the window. Pulling away the yellow curtain that was covering the view he stared upon it silently. Remember a little girl sitting upon it every morning and how he used to tease her. He also remembered his older brother, who was the one who had put the swing up. He had said that swings and skirts were a gift from God, not that Steve had understood a word of what he had said then. He understood it perfectly know though and didn't even blame him. Chuckling to himself he peered around the room, taking a deep breath and then hurrying towards the door. He couldn't stay there any longer.


Running outside the accidently kicked something that had been leaning against the wall beside the door. Listening to the bell and the sounds of the wheels as it got kicked down the short stairs into the garden.


A bike.

 

[JustSmile]

The costumers left after they finished there meal. She smiled and showed them to the door. She started to clean up when she heard her grandma cough and wheeze. She set everything down quickly and ran up the stairs.


"Grandma are you okay." she partially ran and sat next to her. Her grandma was very old and sick. She didn't want to lose her not yet. Her grandma had been everything for her. The the grand said in a shaky voice "C-call the doctor." she did just that pulling out her phone and calling 911. She squeezed her hand, instill jerk the sirens. She rushed down and let them in. They pick her grandma up and put her on a stretcher. She followed the ambulance to the hospital. She had to stay in the waiting room. They had to examine her. She paced back and forth. Her grandma was all she had. She didn't want to be alone. Tears stung her eyes. The doctor came out and she practically ran to him.


"I-is she okay?" the doctor sighed.


"We don't know yet... you have to go home or at least you should. She has to stay the night. She nodded reluclently "Okay ,but please call me if anything happens. Right away." she sighed and walked out of the hospital. She then got into her car. She drove home so many thoughts were crossing her mind. She was home. It was a small town everyone probably heard the sirens. She then sat in her car tears falling from her face. She sighed and got out. She walk up to the porch an unlock the door slowly. Its was difficult because of her tears. She got in ad forgot to remove the open sign. She then sat at a table letting the teas stop flowing.

 

[Syrrus]

Riding down the beautiful plains, breathing in the air of a hot summer evening. The man leaned back, still holding the wheel as he went down the country road. He was surprised to see the houses that had not been there when he was young, or at least he thought they hadn't.


Children was playing in the yard, riding swings and playing catch with their dad. He watched them as he ride by. Two of the younger kids, perhaps not older than six, would run out on the side of the road, wave high above their heads and greet him as he went by. He looked over his shoulder at them, confused that they even cared. Perhaps the place had changed it looks but the inside had still stayed the same?


He continued a long, riding quickly with his dogtags clicking together behind him. His brothers old tags, he had never taken them off. As he went by a ambulance came driving up behind him and passed quickly, sirens singing loudly. It caused him to lose balance and as he lost his grip on the road he went flying down the ditch.


Cursing and spitting grass the man slowly got back up on his legs, his palms cut and bruised by rocks and rubble. Damn bikes. He looked at the rusty old thing which had taken him this far. It was a good way of transport in a place small as this, he was considering making it a common occurrence, to use one that was.


He jumped back on, cursing under his breath at the pain in his knees and hands before he continued back into town.


He wasn't very good at the whole riding a bike thing, which was why he accidently hit a car, parked outside the cafe and went tumbling over the front and landed on his head by the door. Cursing loudly and feeling slightly embarrassed he picked himself up and entered. Holding his hand over his bleeding nose. "Sorry, but I think I hit someone's car. Could I please have some pa- Why are you crying?" She was crying, the tears were obvious and it made him feel awfully uncomfortable.


Damned Bike.

 

[JustSmile]

She heard the bell ring. She wiped her tears off quickly "I-I'm sorry were not open" she then saw who it was. She saw his bloody nose. She quickly got up and rushed and grabbed him paper towels. "You hit a car! Are you okay? Should I take you to the doctors?"


She was completely worried. She didn't realize she was still somewhat crying. She noticed he wasn't holding his tissues wrong. She adjusted it slightly. "Do you need anything? Hold on stay there." she may have been over reacting ,but she had always been like that.


She lead him to a booth. "Stay here" She rushed up stairs, and quickly came back down. She had a large first aid kit. She fumbled through it. She kept this for her grandma. There was many pills, liquids, inhalers. She finally got to cleaning stuff.


She started to clean is cuts. She kneeled down still in a panic. She clean them up and bandage most of them. "hopefully that will help heal them. Hopefully the owner won't e to mad. Did you damaged the car in any way?" she was 100% still worried about him. Like she always was.

 

[Syrrus]

Steve watched her roam about in the cafe. She seemed awfully on edge. He grabbed the bridge of his nose with two fingers, bent his head slightly backwards and peered around the room. Had something happened? He couldn't see any sign of it, perhaps she was just tired? For some reason he doubted it.


As he peered out the window he realized that the sun was slowly going down, it threw read and dying beams of light towards him, hitting him slightly in the face. Looking away, the young man signed slightly but quickly stopped looking like a wreck, or attempted to stop looking like a wreck when the girl came back up and towards him. "I don't think I need a hospital, no. It's just some bruises, I'll be fine you don- Tsss---!" He hissed slightly as she started to apply whatever that was against his cuts and bruises. Silly girl, she didn't need to make such a fuss! He was alright after all.


Still grabbing his nose the man pointed towards the exit and the car that stood parked out there, her car, a fact that he didn't know. "Not sure. The car out there is the one, but I got no clue who owns it." He looked back down at her. "You didn't answer my question, by the way."


Steven didn't think that she ever would answer his question, for some reason he had a small feeling it was something bad and something he had nothing to do with. If she ignored him one more time he'd just drop it and instead perhaps ask her out for dinner, or a drink... Whichever fell into his general interest the most. To make her feel better.

 

[JustSmile]

She sighed as she saw it was her car. "well I don't care about my car that much. So your okay?" She stood up and sat next to him she sighed again. She didn't want to talk about her grandma, but she didn't want him to get mad at her. She rested her head on the table. "M-my grandma, she's in the hospital. The doctor said it was bad..."


She felt herself choke up. She didn't want her to die. She fled her tears back not wanting him to see her cry. She lifted her head back up "I'm just worried, I'm fine though." she smiled slightly still not wanting to cry. "S-so where were you going on that rusty bike." she laughed a bit "is that your old bike or something."

 

[Syrrus]

Steven twitched when she mentioned it being her car that he had hit previously. It made him feel rather bad, it not terrible. Peering outside, hoping to a god or two that it was alright, he would have hate to have bumped it. She then mention that something was wrong and he instantly turned towards her again, still holding his nose; waiting for it to stop bleeding. "Oh." Was all he said for a good while. It was one of those bad news, was it? He recalled that such news were often horrible to handle and to say the truth - he knew nothing about handling one.


Looking around the room, trying his hardest, at least he tried, to come up with a way to show is support. It was awful that these sort of things had to happen to anyone but he couldn't say that he knew how to make it any better.


"Would you like to go out for a drink?" He then asked, first thought that jumped into his head. Drinking always helped him to feel better. He had completely forgot to explain about the stupid bike that he probably was going to lose somewhere why 'accident'.