2 WEEKS EARLIER

 

 

 

 

Jessica POV

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I slide open my balcony door and step outside, thankful that the sun has already dipped behind the building next door, cooling the air to a perfect fall temperature.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Almost on cue, the sound of her guitar floats across the courtyard as I take a seat and lean back into the patio lounger.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I tell Dara I come out here to get homework done, because I don’t want to admit that the guitar is the only reason I’m outside every night at 8, like clockwork.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For weeks now, the girl in the apartment across the courtyard has sat on her balcony and played for at least an hour.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Every night, I sit outside and listen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’ve noticed a few other neighbors come out to their balconies when she’s playing, but no one is as loyal as I am.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I don’t understand how someone could hear these songs and not crave them day after day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then again, music has always been a passion of mine, so maybe I’m just a little more infatuated with her sound than other people are.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’ve played the piano for as long as I can remember, and although I’ve never shared it with anyone, I love writing music.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I even switched my major to music education 2 years ago.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My plan is to be an elementary music teacher, although if my father had his way, I’d still be prelaw.

 

 

 

 

 

 

“A life of mediocrity is a waste of a life,” he said when I informed him that I was changing my major.

 

 

 

 

 

 

A life of mediocrity. I find that more amusing than insulting, since he seems to be the most dissatisfied person I’ve ever known.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And he’s a lawyer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Go figure.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One of the familiar songs ends and the girl with the guitar begins to play something she’s never played before.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’ve grown accustomed to her unofficial playlist since she seems to practice the same songs in the same order night after night.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

However, I’ve never heard her play this particular song before.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The way she’s repeating the same chords makes me think she’s creating the song right here on the spot.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I like that I’m witnessing this, especially since after only a few chords, it’s already my new favorite.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All her songs sound like originals. I wonder if she performs them locally or if she just writes them for fun.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I lean forward in the chair, rest my arms on the edge of the balcony, and watch her.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Her balcony is directly across the courtyard, far enough away that I don’t feel weird when I watch her but close enough that I make sure I’m never watching her when Jun’s around.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I don’t think Jun would like the fact that I’ve developed a tiny crush on this girl’s talent.

 

 

 

 

 

I can’t deny it, though.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Anyone who watches how passionately this girl plays would crush on her talent.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The way she keeps her eyes closed the entire time, focusing intently on every against every guitar string.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I like it best when she sits cross-legged with the guitar upright between her legs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

She pulls it against her chest and plays it like a stand-up bass, keeping her eyes closed the whole time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It’s so mesmerizing to watch her that sometimes I catch myself holding my breath, and I don’t even realize I’m doing it until I’m gasping for air.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It also doesn’t help that she’s cute. At least, she seems cute from here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Her light brown fringe is unruly and moves with her, falling across her forehead every time she looks down at her guitar.

 

 

 

 

 

 

She’s too far away to distinguish distinct features, but the details don’t matter when coupled with the passion she has for her music. There’s a confidence to her that I find compelling.

 

 

 

 

 

I’ve always admired musicians who are able to tune out everyone and everything around them and pour all of their focus into their music.

 

 

 

 

 

 

To be able to shut the world off and allow yourself to be completely swept away is something I’ve always wanted the confidence to do, but I just don’t have it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This girl has it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

She’s confident and talented. I’ve always been a er for musicians, but more in a fantasy way.

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