💞 HIDDEN PAIN
💞
( Can I be your friend?)
Chapter 5
Jayson stood by the door as he watched her play the keyboard beautifully and sang along with it. He was pleased and thrilled. At that moment, he had forgotten he was there for a reason and even though he remembered, he didn't care about it. All he cared about was watching this young girl in front of him.
He listened to her for a long time and suddenly wished he could see her face, at least to know who she was if he was given the scholarship. He thought of how to get her attention and what her reaction might be if she realised someone had been watching her. She was so engrossed and drawn to the song that she hadn't noticed his presence, all so he thought.
" Didn't you see the restricted sign on the wall?" Jayson heard her ask, and was surprised, dumbfounded to say the least. He hadn't thought she was aware he was watching her. He gulped down nervously.
Then she stopped playing and suddenly turned around to face him.
Jayson couldn't believe the beauty that was before him and most especially he couldn't believe he was in front of the almighty Skyler - the diva and superstar.
It felt like a dream to him. He had heard news that no one has seen her sing and he just did, does that mean he's in trouble? He felt uneasy,not just from that thought but also because of the way she stared at him
Her expression was blank
" You haven't answered my question and I don't like repeating myself "her voice came again. Jayson couldn't tell if she was angry or not but he knew for sure what she was talking about.
He walked slowly outside and that was when he saw it, the restriction sign. It was boldly written ' RESTRICTION AREA' but he had been so carried away by her song and sweet voice that he didn't take note of the sign. After looking at it, he walked back inside and met her staring at him. He couldn't look her straight in the eyes because of the way her eyes bore holes into his.
" I'm sorry" he said nervously. She didn't reply, but instead went back to playing the keyboard, but this time around she didn't sing. She played a slow, lovely key. It was deep and emotional. She was just perfect. Jayson thought.
" Why are you here?" she asked after a while
" Ermm. I'm actually here for the contest scholarship form" he said
Skyler scoffed
" Are you kidding?. Youre here for that by this time, and aside from that you are going about involving yourself with what you're not here for" she said and stopped playing
" Do you really know what you are here for?" she asked him as she sat facing him again. Jayson swallowed hard. The girl in front of him was really intimidating. He didn't know what to do or say. He just got lost staring at her.
" Did I say something?" she asked, getting pissed with his silence.
" I was just carried away with how you sang and played. It was enchanting" he said. Skyler didn't say a word as she stared at him intensively. They both stayed that way for a few minutes.
" So?" she asked. Jayson didn't quite get her question at first but was able to figure it out earlier on.
" I was told the dean in charge was still around. I was actually on my way there before I got distracted" he explained. again, Skyler didn't say a word.
" Come with me" she said as she started walking out of the place. It was more or less like a Music studio with different instruments. She walked out, and Jayson followed.
They got outside and a car drove to where they stood. The driver came down and opened the car door for her, and she got in. Jayson stood still, confused.
Why had she asked him to follow her if she knew she was leaving?
She could've just allowed him to continue his search for the dean's office.
" Aren't you coming?" Skyler asked as she whined down the glass.
Jayson was confused. He didn't understand what she was doing or why she had asked him to get into the car
" Me?" he asked pointing to himself, even when he knew it was a stupid thing to do.
" What do you mean?. Of course it's you. Who else will I be referring to?" she said. Jayson didn't know how to react or what to say, and in his confused state, he went to the other side of the car, opened the door, then got in.
As soon as he did, the driver drove off
The car was filled with silence. Skyler had an earbud plugged to her ear
Left with no choice, Jayson resorted to looking at the environment and other things he saw. A lot of things actually caught his fancy.
"Where are you stopping at?" Skyler's voice made him stop looking out the window. He turned to stare at her and discovered her eyes were closed and she was still listening to music with the bluetooth connected to her ears.
" Actually I'll be stopping very soon. " Jayson replied. Skyler didn't say a word after that.
" I know you are confused right now, and don't know why I asked to drop you off," she said again. This time her eyes were wide open. Jayson stared at her as he paid rapt attention to what she was saying
" You know you saw me singing earlier,vand that's something no one has ever come close to doing, not even my closest friends," she said. Jayson couldn't help but wonder what she was driving at, but for some reasons he hoped and prayed he hadn't gotten himself into some kind of trouble
" Like I said no one has, and you seeing me sing is not something I will like to take lightly. So, I'm offering you a deal" she said
Jayson sat transfixed.
A deal? What's she talking about? What does she mean?
" I'll offer you anything you want, and in return you won't tell anyone what you saw today. It really means alot to me " she said. Jayson stared at her. He felt drawn to her - like he had known her all his life.
" You don't have to worry about that. No one's gonna know I saw you singing, that's if I eventually get the chance to attend this school. I promise you that and again you don't have to pay me with anything" he said. for the first time since they entered the car, Skyler turned to look at him
She had no emotion on her face.
" And why would you do that?" she asked
" Because I care about you," he replied. Skyler was amazed. She wasn't expecting that.
After staring at each other for a while, she turned her head. Jayson also took his attention back to the window.
He began reminiscing on what he had just told her.
Did he really mean it?
Was he sure of what he said?
He just met her not long ago, and yet it felt as if he has known her all his life
The rest of the journey was in silence. He directed the driver to the coffee shop and soon they were there. The driver stopped, and Jayson came down
" Thanks for the ride. I really appreciate it" he said, not taking his eyes off her.
Skyler looked at the environment and examined it
" Do you work here" she asked suddenly still surveying the place
" Yeah. Actually, we own the place. My Grandma actually" Jayson said with a smile. Skyler gave him a cranky look.
" Really, is that so?" she asked
" Yeah. You can actually stop by anytime, and you'll be welcomed" Jayson offered. Skyler looked at him
" How about now?" she said and let out a smile. Jayson smiled in return
" That would be just perfect" he said as he opened the door properly for her to get out.
Skyler took her face cap and put on her shade. After that, she came down from the car and stayed
beside Jayson. Jayson smiled at her and started walking to the coffee shop. Skyler followed him. They both went in and there were few people there. Skyler was glad for that. Although she was putting on her face cap and shade, she still didn't want to take chances.
Jayson led her to a chair at the far end of the coffee shop. It was cornered and one could hardly tell if a person was there.
" Here, have a seat," Jayson said, pointing at the chair behind her. She took the seat gladly and stared around uneasily.
" What would you like me to offer you?" Jayson asked, with a huge grin on his face. He could sense the uneasiness in her, and wanted to make her feel comfortable. She stared at him for a few seconds as if she was trying to think of the best reply to give to him.
" Anything" she finally said
" Alright then. Just a minute and I'll be right back" Jayson said and left, smiling.