The Day the Music Died

Their first encounter is not exactly an encounter. She saw him first. At school, on a late afternoon, in a quiet and dusty room. As she was walking past a room to go home, a soft melody caught her attention. She could not see where it was coming from, but then a curtain swished out of her vision and let her see a mesmerizing sight. There, she saw a beautiful boy carefully caressing the keys of a piano, playing it while his eyes were closed. As she was about to leave, because it was already so late, he suddenly sang with a sweet honey-like voice, “A long, long time ago, I can still remember how that music used to make me smile. And I knew if I had my chance, that I could make those people dance. And, maybe, they’d be happy for a while. But February made me shiver, with every paper I’d deliver. Bad news on the doorstep, I couldn’t take one more step. I can’t remember if I cried,” he suddenly stopped. He stood up from his seat and took a guitar from its case. He sat down on a taller chair, and started strumming the strings softly and continued to sing, “And they were singin’, bye-bye miss American pie. Drove my Chevy to the Levee, but the Levee was dry. And them good old boys were drinking whiskey ‘n rye, singing, this’ll be the day that I die, this’ll be the day that I die”. ‘Wow’, she thought. “I can’t believe someone can sound so sad and beautiful at the same time”, she whispered to herself all while looking down feeling a hot surface of her face with her palm. And as she looked back up inside the room, she saw that same boy now bowing down his head and little by little tears started pouring down from the catastrophe that covered his face, which was his bangs. As much as she wanted to go to him and ask what was wrong, she realized that she was not that kind of person. All she will ever be is a person who is untouchable and cannot mingle with anyone other than herself. She can’t talk to other people, let alone comfort them. She decided to give him some space, and left the place in an awfully quiet way. Morning came. She can’t help but remember that boy singing yesterday and his sweet and soft melody. ‘And a face like that’. She thought again. As she was reminiscing about what happened, she was startled by her alarm going off. “Ah, is it 7:00 already? Ugh, why am I like this suddenly?” After saying that to herself, she sprung up from her messy bed, and her messy hair was a jump scare even for her when she gazed in the mirror. “Well, I better get ready then.” Contrast to how messy and unorganized her bedroom is, Cleotha is fast at getting ready and what normally is a 1hour routine for most people, is just 30minutes for her. The results of that 30 minute preparation will astound you though. Cleotha has this ‘title’ in school, in which she is highly regarded as, “The Ice-Cold Queen”. Despite being in the arts club and being a wonderful painter, she has such a cold demeanor that even teachers are reluctant and sometimes afraid of approaching her. But this is all shaken off by people because of how beautiful and elegant she is. She looks like a true queen, hence the title. The only person who can freely approach and talk to Cleotha is her one and only best friend, Asami Eiko. Who happens to be a Japanese immigrant. “Soooooo, what are you doing today, Cleo??” Eiko excitedly asked. “Nothing in particular. Why?” “I was wondering if you’re willing to come with me to a party later? Hmm? Please?” Her eyes seemed to sparkle even in broad daylight. Cleotha gave her a disgusted look. “Oh, come on! I know you hate those kinds of things, but I’m asking you this for only one reason.” She looked like she wanted to cry. “Hey, what is it? And this had better be reasonable or else,” She said as she crossed her arms. “U-umm, ahh.. I knew it, I can’t tell you.” Eiko said, looking defeated. “What? Let me ask you something Ei, am I really your friend?” As cold as ever. “Why would you say that?! Of course you are!” Tears started to come out of her thin-shaped almond eyes. “Then don’t cry, and listen to me. When you feel like you can’t talk to me about anything, then don’t. I will respect your decision and privacy. But, if it’s something important, then won’t you eventually regret it if you just keep it to yourself and not tell me anything?” She said, while holding Eiko’s shoulders with both hands. “But if I tell you the real reason why I want to go to this party, you will just think it’s dumb and that I’m just wasting my time.” Looking even more sad than before. *sigh* “Is that really what you think of me? I’m not a bad friend, you know.” “I-I know… ok fine. It’s about this guy-“ Cleotha stops her by raising her hand in front of Eiko’s face. “Stop. Don’t say any more. I should’ve known this was coming. “ *sigh* She sighed while shaking her head. But she can’t help but feel sorry for her dear best friend, so she decides to just go along with it. “Alright. But why do I need to come with you? Are you too afraid of your crush perhaps?” She snickered. “UGH! Stop teasing me, Cleo! Just- just come, okay? I’ll really need you there.” She said as her voice turned serious. “Geez, okay okay. I’ll go with you. What time is it?” She feels a headache coming in. “Great! It’s at 8 o'clock! And don’t be late, okay?” She said as she happily hugged Cleo and left. “Oh, that kid. Always using her tears against me.” She continues walking and arrives at her homeroom. Another normal and boring day passed. And Cleo was getting ready to go to the Arts Club room. Along the way, many people greeted her, even the teachers. And she replied with a simple smile and a wave. Typical Ice Queen and her habits. She passed the room where she saw the boy yesterday. But he’s nowhere to be found. ‘Huh. I guess all that crying must’ve made him quit school or something’ or so she thought. Not until someone slightly tapped her shoulder. Her instincts kicked in and she suddenly turned while kicking the feet of the tapper. Like a kung fu pro. When she looked at who it was, a sudden shiver ran down her spine and a flush of redness overpowered her ice-cold poker face. It was that boy who she saw yesterday in that dusty room.