Chapter 4

"You okay, you seem to be on edge?"

Her head was slightly skewed, her hair hanging loosely in her face. Scratching the back of my head I let out an awkward chuckle.

"Evelynn sure is terrifying, I could feel her aura from across the room."

"She can be like that sometimes. She only gets like that with us though, she is the big sister of the group everything goes through her first. She looks out for all of us."

I nod watching the elevator number tick down, "She cares a lot. Then I will make sure not to hurt you."

She responds with a giggle, "Hurt me? In what way would you hurt me?"

Glancing back at her I could tell she was quite toned despite the clothes she was wearing. But I won't say I am not curious myself. Clearing her throat I notice her gaze.

Warmth spreads over my cheeks, I blurt out, "I wouldn't."

She bursts out laughing, "I'm sure you wouldn't." Nudging against me, in a hushed tone, "Don't be so submissive, confidence is really attractive you might just get a girl to be interested in you."

"Confident?"

"Well, yes! If your confidence in your work reflected in your social life then you would be perfect."

Perfect huh, is it really that simple? I guess it must be if she says so, she is a woman... one of very high caliber if anything I should listen to any advice she gives.

"Let's get going then yeah?"

"Where we headed?"

"Your place, get some of your equipment then we just got to find a place where we can make some noise."

As the doors slide open, I suggest, "We should rather go to the club I work. It only opens up in a few hours but Brian will already be there. Besides my last shift is tonight," I smile widely, "It's going to be wild."

"Good idea!"

Driving through the streets, I cycle through the radio. Maybe hoping for some news about two new artists tackling the industry or just news in general but that is just wishful thinking, I don't think they would hit the radio's this soon at least. Miracles happen though

"This the place?"

"Yeah let's get inside." Gesturing for her to follow me, "We have to enter through the back, don't wanna risk anyone that they can have an early night."

"I take it that it can get quite busy?"

"It does have its fair share of regular customers but other days there are just more people. Whether it is for celebration or escaping something," humming to herself wondering about something.

"Something on your mind?"

"You like music right, I know that much. But is there another reason for it? Is it that you took up music to run away?"

Thinking about it I don't recall there being a specific reason to it. Music... I just always loved it and my abilities just made it so much more obvious that I should follow the music industry.

Shaking my head I unlock the back door, leading her inside, "No. The reason I took music is because everything pointed towards it. My interests, my dreams. I decided to follow them despite what others said. But I didn't come this far without problems. There are people that hated my choices."

"Family?"

"Yeah."

She slows her pace, glancing over her shoulder I could see a faint smile, "I understand. Then let us prove them wrong."

Finally, in the main building, Brian is already behind the bar, walking to him we jump onto the chairs.

He smiles at me shaking his head, "You know the rules." He gives me his hand, "You aren't allowed to bring girls in to impress them on your dates. Breaking all the rules on your last day are you?"

I laugh, shaking his hand, "I was thinking of that exact thing. Also, it might just make the next few hours bearable for you, you know?"

"Sure, sure." He turns to Akali, "And you miss?"

Shaking his hand, "Akali."

He glances back at me, "Moving up in the world I see. Well, it is a pleasure to meet you Akali. Do you need a drink at all?"

"You want anything?"

Shaking her head, "I am good." Leaning in closer, "I'm going to check the setup, be back in flash."

"Sure, go ahead."

Watching her leave, Brian clears his throat. Turning around to face him, his eyebrow raised at me, "So... you mind explaining why someone like yourself is seen with such a rare and beautiful find?"

"Hah, I don't know what to say that will please you but hang on what do mean someone like me?"

He points to the booth, "I have only ever seen you go wild behind there... when the music starts you are chaotic, wild, and vibrant. Outside of it, however, you are calm, dull, and conserved. To see you with Akali is not something I would have ever imagined but nevertheless, I will support you in your endeavors."

Groaning I sink into my arms, "Thank you for the vote of confidence."

"Why are the two of you here anyway?"

"We closed our studio and the other two are pursuing a career within the industry. So I am just working with her and she pretty much wants to see what I can do, I rate this would be easier as it is already plugged in."

Rubbing his chin he nods, "Then you did come to break the rules." He then laughs winking at me, "This is the last day so feel to break them, just don't cost me any money."

"I only make you money," a smile spreads across my face.

"(Y/N), let's get started!"

"That's me," pushing myself off of the counter I wave him goodbye, closer to the booth I can see her already behind the board, "What are you doing up there?"

"Messing around. Get up here so that we can get started."

Nodding I climb up the stage, walking up behind her she spins around to face me. Leaning back it almost looks like she belongs behind here. Smiling I shake my head, grabbing a chair I sit myself down beside her.

"So where do you wanna start?"

She pulls a paper off the wall, "Can't believe you actually have to stipulate all these rules. Drink, food, personal belongings. Even sex is forbidden behind here."

"I mean it is the last day so breaking the rules shouldn't be a problem."

She stares at me blankly, raising her eyebrow she breaks into a giggle, "I am sure, but unfortunately for you after hearing you bringing up business this entire day we kinda have to work first play later."

And they say productivity pays.

"Alright-alright, so then how do you wanna do this?"

She thinks long, rubbing the back of her head she fixes her hair behind her ear. Grabbing the headphones she starts adding notes and sounds onto the program on the laptop. Selecting a sequence she creates an easy beat. We both grab the headphones, she gently bobs her head to the repeating beat.

"Alright, this is your canvas. I will give you the lyrics to work with then I want you to produce the verse in any way shape or form so that it suits you. If I like it then... we will see where to go from there."

I nod at her, sliding into the booth. On the laptop, to my left, I visualize the already possible cords, instruments, and effects to add. She is known for rapping if I am not wrong so it shouldn't be that hard. Add some voice effects at the end of the verse with some simple autotune maybe?

She takes the mic, chuckling she sings, "Still and silent, calm before the storm."

Caught off guard I lean backward narrowing my eyes. No definitely did not expect her to actually sing. A truly astounding singing voice, but I shouldn't have expected anything less from her or her group.

Adding the sample to the line, I add another set of notes only adding them in eight seconds after the start. Adding her vocals to the bar I create replicas of it changing the pitch of each then combine them into a chord, creating a harmonious effect, creating a soft echo behind the vocals.

"Gold and diamond, jewels behind the throne."

Keeping the beat run through the new vocal, each note harder and louder than the last. Not as much noticeable until the next verse ends. Creating a new beat with the same tempo but a different, more bass-like sound.

"Into the night, out of the dark. Take to the sky, chasing the stars."

Adding it to the rest of the verses, I pull off my headset playing it through speakers in the building. Mouthing the words with the song I bob my sway my head along with the beat.

Brian screams from behind the counter, "It sounds pretty amazing!"

She has a wide smile on her face, turning to me almost giggling, "That is really cool. I am very impressed with what you did in so little time." She then points to the screen, "Adding all these small almost noiseless notes, you can hear them?"

Nodding, "I have some sonar abilities. Almost like a siren, I can hear sounds you wouldn't usually hear mixed with others. I can also manipulate it, however, I want to."

"A real interesting power... I can see it helping you with the work that you do as well." Patting me on the back she scoots in closer, "Come we still got some work to do and so far you got me hooked."

Both sharing a smile, we continue building the song. Maybe this is what I needed, to make me fall in love with music again.

(The lyrics are from the song, TheFatRat - The Calling feat. Laura Brehm)