Drummer

8

I walked down the streets of Manchester and went into this tiny café called "La Coupe du Petit". If my French is correct I believe that translates to "The Small Cup". God, I hope I'm right. And if it's not, all you French readers can kiss my ass.

I ordered a caramel macchiato and sat over by a window. I took out my small poem notebook and started writing some random crap that came to mind. 

The place was really pretty. It had blue and pink decorated chairs. The walls were blue. There were a lot of different kinds of flowers like roses, daisies, dandelions, etc.. The tables were oak wood and shiny. Places like this made me actually think and relax. But then it was ruined by a lot of guys with tattoos and stupid arguments entered the place.

"I just want regular coffee. Lots of cream and sugar." I heard one of them say and then turn towards me and I just averted my eyes to look out the window. "Hey, Phil!" I heard someone exclaim and I sighed and turned, fake smiling.

"Hi, Chris." I said and he sat across from me.

"How are you, mate? I didn't see you at the party last night." He stated and I nodded.

"Parties are not my thing." I said and then another guy with tattoos and piercings approached us.

"Chris, here's your damn coffee." The other guy said and places the cup on the table.

"You're so polite, Joe." Chris said and I just sipped on my own cup. "Oh Phil, this is Joe. Joe, Phil." He pointed and we fist bumped.

"Nice to meet you, buddy." He said and I nodded in agreement. "Well we need to go. We have rehearsal. Wanna join us?" Joe asked and I just looked at him confused.

"Me?" I asked in disbelief.

"No, the shadow next to you." Chris said sarcastically and stood up. "Yes you. Come on." Chris grabbed my arm and dragged me with him as I grabbed my coat and backpack. 

As we arrived to Joe's mansion, I helped them set up their equipment in the living room. Then I looked towards the dinning room and saw Dan there, eating a taco. He saw me and just nodded as a hello. I went towards him and sat next to him.

"Hello, Lester." He said, taking a sip of his red drink.

"Hi." I simply said.

"What brings you to this place?" He asked, sitting back.

"Chris and his friend, Joe." I pointed out and he nodded. 

"Oh, the dummy and dumbass." He explained and I smiled. "So I guess you're staying for rehearsal?" He asked and I just raised my shoulders and then slumped.

"I don't know. If it bothers you I'll just leave." I said kind of embarrassed and he smiled.

"I don't mind, i***t. Just asking." He said, got up, ruffled my hair, and went off to the back.

I got up and followed Dan to the giant garage. There were sound systems, the instruments were placed and the guys were at the corner talking. Dan just sat with me in some beach chairs.

"So, where you from?" Dan asked and I looked at him confused. "What? I have to pass the time somehow." He excused himself and I laughed.

"Well I'm actually from here, Manchester." I said and he smiled.

"That's cool." He said cooly. "I'm from Wokingham." He explained.

"Cool." I said. "Do you play any other instruments?" I asked curious.

"The piano actually." He answered. "Do you?" 

"Nope. I'm a talentless hack." I laughed out and he looked at me smiling.

"Your writing doesn't agree with you." He explained and I narrowed my eyes at him. "What? Don't look at me like that." 

"Screw you, Howell." I said and he stood up, dragging me with him. "Where are we going?" I asked and we made it to a room filled with equipment and a piano.

"I need your opinion. I've been learning this song for a while now and I want your opinion on it." He said and sat over at the piano.

"Um, why don't you ask someone who's known you longer than me. I mean I don't mind but why me?" 

"Because you can write and this song actually means a lot to me." He said and I just nodded sitting next to him.

I felt weird because Dan felt tense. He felt nervous. I was scared but O just brushed it off as he started playing the piano. Then when he started singing, I froze.

"Open the slits in your face and start your day

You don't have much time to make your slits look just right

I'm in your mind

I'm singing

I'm in your mind

I'm singing la-da la-da la-da la-da la-da la-da da

Look in the mirror and ask your soul if you're alright

Put out the glitter that your soul hides behind

You're in my mind

I'm singing

You're in my mind

I'm singing la-da la-da la-da la-da la-da la-da da

Nowhere were they holy

Open up your eyes and see

The clouds above will hold you

The clouds above will sing

And in your mind

You're singing la-da la-da la-da la-da la-da la-da da"

When he finished he sighed, looking down. He was sad. I know he wanted to cry and I didn't dare to ask him why. I just took his hand and he looked at me. 

He genuinely smiled at me for the first time.