Tangled in Notes

Chapter Two

I just finished my shift at Toy Empire, and I was on my way to Diamond Dust next. It was the same routine I do every now and then. The cycle seemed endless but I knew I had to stop someday.

I was shocked when someone suddenly pulled me to the side. Irritated by the act, I shove the hand away turning to face the person to blame.

Armin.

"You know I still have a job to do, Min. I’m not a king like you, who gets to call two lady servants with a ring by the bell. What are you doing?" I frowned at him when he couldn’t stop making me walk with him. His steps were far longer than mine. I’d guess each step he took was two for me.

“Shush. You’re annoying!” He shook his head.

“Wow,” I mumbled, displeased.

When he stopped, he didn’t turn to me. He was just rocking back and forth with his heel and toe. I frowned, crossing my arms, waiting for him to say something, or explain, at least.

I heaved a sigh and took a step to walk back to the restaurant but he grabbed me by the arms again. "Time is gold. You can’t just take me away during my shift, Min. You know that. Chef Kwon would fire me if he found out I’m secretly skipping hours during—”

"I know. Let's talk."

"What do you call this?" I arched a brow at him in confusion.

“k********g?”

I turned to him unsure if I should laugh or if I should feel more annoyed. Maybe Armin just was close to me that I don’t find anything he does annoying.

"Let’s talk somewhere more un-public."

My shoulders sagged. “I have work.”

"I already excused you from your boss, chef Kwon, okay? Come on. Let’s go to a café!" He pulled my wrist this time, and I was still confused. Less irritated now that he said he excused me from work, though. “Don’t make this harder than it already is.”

"Wait, what do you mean excused, first of—”

"Are you that stupid?"

I frowned. “I am not stupid.” He kept walking and now we stopped in front of this nearby café just around the block. "Thanks for dragging me around like a dog, Min." I fixed myself and stood straight wandering around the area.

He smiled. “You’re welcome! Let's go inside.”

I shook my head in dismay.

He pulled me again, and now I was extremely tired. I was panting really hard. We weren’t even running but I was so tired. Maybe it was a part of having asthma. “Are you trying to talk or pull the soul out of me?”

“Both.” He laughed, pushing me inside the café after he opened the door for me. “You’re very much welcome.” He sat down an empty table and I lazily sat across him. "Two hot chocolate please."

The waiter left with a bow after. Armin turned to me, and I raised a brow. Give me a good explanation for this act, Min. I looked at him with eyes that screamed, ‘I’m annoyed’.

"Okay. I know you're mad right now—”

“Very.” I corrected.

“But…” He paused. “I just really need to tell you something."

“Something so important for you to drag me in your so called un-public area, and excuse me in the middle of my work? You better pay me for every minute I spend here with you, Min, in exchange for the hourly pay I won’t get for being here.”

He nodded, squinting his eyes impatiently. “Yes, yes! I’ll pay you for talking to me!”

“One dollar per minute.”

“Whatever.”

“Start.” I checked my clock upon saying that. 6:38 PM. Maybe I should try my best to prolong this conversation just to have him pay me more. Then again, I’d be wasting my time if he ends up not really paying me. “So, what’s so important that you’re willing to pay me a dollar per minute for a talk?”

"I wanted to give you this." He scanned through his bag, and pulled out a rolled paper.

I took it from his hands, confused. I slowly unrolled the piece of paper he gave me, scanning the words printed in it.

Certificate of Scholarship.

I glanced back up to Armin with a shocked expression. "A scholarship?!" My eyes widened in surprise. I was not expecting this. I was expecting a troll drawing from him of me.

“See? I knew you’d like it.” He crossed his arms with an arrogant smirk.

That didn’t matter though. “Oh my God.”

“Okay. Okay. I know. You love me. You’re very thankful. Blah blah blah.” He rolled his eyes while I couldn’t stop staring at the certificate. I couldn’t believe it was real. I almost wanted to burn it just to make sure it wouldn’t reappear as a new piece.

I frowned a little. “I didn’t say I love you though.” I exclaimed gripping the paper in my hands. It was too good to be true. Almost as if it was a dream. Somebody pinch me now please. “Wow…”

"Yeah. I got that last spot for MESPA High scholars. You weren’t even going to try and claim one, so I did it in your accord. Of course, dad helped out a little. I might have even begged him to save one scholarship position for you."

I looked at the certificate once again, and it was addressed to me. My name was actually printed there. I can’t believe it. My hands are shaking for how nervous and excited I feel right now.

Congratulations, Ms. Julia Burton! We are pleased to inform you that you are invited to be a part of the scholarship program for MESPA (Music and Entertainment School or Performing Arts) High! Upon applying for the scholarship, may we ask that you pass the following requirements for the enrolment on August 4. We are looking forward to your great achievements with MESPA High!

"I don't know what to say." I remained dazed by the sudden changes of my luck in life. First, the apartment Aunt Sue and Uncle Dave had for me. Now, this. I don’t know how I got myself people like them, who sincerely cared for me more than I cared for myself.

"A thank you would be appreciated, Ms. Burton."

I turned to Armin with a smile. "Thanks for this. But I'm still not sure if I could make it there though. I don't think my money's enough to shoulder all of my needs."

"What?! I personally got that from the deepest oceans and you're not taking the opportunity?!” He yelled, catching everyone’s attention inside the café. “You’re just gonna ignore it and throw it over the bin? For what? Your—"

I laughed. "You sound granny. Careful with your temper. You wouldn’t want wrinkles all over your forehead.” I wiggled my fingers in the air in an attempt to scare the giant. “Oh, but I think I’m already seeing a few hints of—” I paused, covering my mouth, before I end up laughing too hard.

“W-Wrinkles? WHAT?” he touched his forehead, and frantically looked around. “DO I? NO! I can’t have wrinkles! I’m too young! Dr. Yu can help me. I’ll make an appointment,” He pulled out his phone, typing. There wasn’t even a single line of wrinkle in his forehead yet he believed me so quickly.

“But anyway, I'll see what I can do."

He rolled his eyes lightly. “Even so, I’ll do something if your money’s still not enough. I could add some of my earnings—”

I chuckled. “Thank you.” I looked at his brown eyes. “Really.”

He smirked and posed an arrogant facade. “So, you won’t be mad at me for pulling you out from your shift today, right?”

"You said you excused me from my boss today. I guess it’s fine." I replied still staring at the paper he handed me. I never wish to let it go. I was worried I’d wake up and this was all just a dream.

He did not say a single word.

"I mean, you did excuse me right?" I glared at him, but he was avoiding my gaze. I frowned when I felt a hint of anxiety. “Oh no you didn’t.”

"Actually," he paused and slowly turned to me. "I didn’t excuse you."

“Armin Hannes Zeiger.”

He grinned nervously. He knew too well once I utter his complete name, I was mad. “I didn’t think it would matter once I give you my gift so…”

“So you decided to have me skip my shift?!”

He scratched his head, laughing like a kid.

“I can’t believe you! You’re such a fraud!” My jaws dropped as I stood, and was about to leave when he stopped me again.

"I was kidding!” He burst out laughing. “Don't worry. I did excuse you. Your chef Kwon was pretty fond of you."

I stared at him, still wearing a frown in disbelief.

"Not."

My eyes widened. “ARMIN ZEIGER—”

"But seriously. I did." He laughed harder. He loved making fun of me. I was gullible after all. People can walk up to me and say I won a thousand dollars, and I’d believe them, no hesitation.

I rolled my eyes and left anyway. I still need to talk to Aunt Sue about my plans of taking up school in MESPA High. Just when I stepped back inside Diamond Dust, my phone vibrated.

Armpit

6:58 PM

Meet u when u finalize ur answer ;) wooot~

I rolled my eyes and sighed pushing my phone back in my bag. "Aunt Sue?" I called and heard her response from the living room.

"Yes, dear?"

I walked towards her over the couch, and sat next to her leaning my head to her shoulders. She held my hands tightly, squeezing them in assurance. "I was thinking of studying to where Armin goes."

"That's good, dear!"

"I still think it's too expensive for a music school." I frowned, looking down the carpet where the couch laid. “I’m not even sure if I’ll do well there, and I’d only end up wasting money.”

Aunt Sue squeezed my hands tighter. “You will do absolutely amazing there, dear.”

I smiled.

“Regarding the fess, we can always help you pay for your expenses. You don’t have to think about it yourself. We’re your family now."

I gulped guiltity. "You had us for too long now and I can't afford to live life thinking of the debts I couldn't repay you."

Auntie smiled. "You can rely on us, dear. That’s what makes us a family. Remember that, okay?"

I smiled and nodded.

"Go and change your clothes. You've been tired, and you smell sweaty."

I pouted, standing away from her. “I’ll be back downstairs to help prepare dinner.”

Aunt smiled, nodding.

I headed upstairs, and saw Jaimee on the bed, sitting down, coloring something from her paper. She didn’t seem to notice me, so I spoke to catch her attention as I planted my bag down my desk.

"What's that Jaimee?" I asked and sat next to her by the edge of the bed.

She raised the paper, and I could see a little girl next to a tall man that had brown colored hair. Next to them was a girl with brown curly hair with a pi— "This is me." She pointed out the little girl who was blonde.

"You're not blonde." I looked at her and she giggled.

"I will be blonde. In the future." She exclaimed, pointing a finger up to the ceiling.

"Is this Min standing next to you?" I asked pointing at her stick drawing.

She nodded and blushed a little bit. "I'll marry him someday." She grinned, hugging the drawing she made while I was out.

I laughed at this. Such bold imaginations for a five-year-old. “You are too young for Min,” I shook my head in disbelief. I took the drawing she made and pointed at the figure that seemed to be me. "Is this me?" She nodded. "Why am I with a pink haired guy?"

She pouted and started bending her body down to the end of the bed. She went back up and I stared at her. "I lost my black crayon and I didn’t want same colors."

I laughed and pulled her to my arms to cuddle. "You crazy little girl." I mumbled, but she pushed me away. I stared at her with a frown. “Why are you pushing your sister away?” I asked.

"Ew. I need to act like a grown woman now. I'm already five!"

I laughed when she raised only four of her fingers.

"Look at this girl. Boys are problems, Jaimee. They're a waste of time." I declared and stood removing my jacket.

"So dad was a waste of time?"

I froze and remained silent. So dad was a waste of time? I sighed and slipped a sweat shirt through my head. "Let’s go." I smiled. “Dinner’s ready.”

She ran out of the room and I turned to see an empty space in the room. I sat down next to the side table of our bed. I brought the snow ball to my hand and shook it. I watched as the glitters go back down to its surface. Dad.

The next day, I went out of Diamond Dust after my last shift. I stretched my back and my phone rang out of nowhere so I hastened to grab my phone from my bag. "Hey!"

"So? What’s Ms. Burton’s decision?"

"I already told aunt Sue."

"And?"

"She said it was fine but only if I really want to do it. I'm actually having doubts if I should or not. I don't think I can handle music. I think it's more complicated than I thought."

"What?! I thought you wanted to join a music school to improve your skills?"

I nodded as if he was in front of me. "Yes. I did say that but—"

"Please tell me you'll accept it anyway."

"I will" I paused.

"Okay.” He cut me off. “I see no problem after all.”

“But there’s a condition."

"Your conditions are never good. Do tell."

I smirked. "Help me fix my apartment after we go submit enrolment requirements. I signed a leave for two days starting tomorrow, Friday."

"Fine. Just don't make the apartment extra messy."

"I don't think so. Aunt said it was a new unit."

"Okay. See you tomorrow then."

"Okay."

"Didn't you say we were going to fix your apartment?"

"Likewise."

My jaws were hanging as we reached the unit. I did not expect the place to look like this. I didn’t even expect anything, to be honest.

“This doesn’t look like a location that apartments need to be fixed.”

My jaws remained dropped as we both stopped in front of the address aunt gave me. It was a not so tall building, but it had like over ten apartments? It was kind of unique because I could see from my position that each door to every apartment had different colors. I saw a white painted one, pink, yellow, green, blue, lavender. It was cute.

"Let's go." I pulled Armin’s jacket inside the apartelle and the counter lady immediately stopped us from proceeding.

"Good day ma'am. Sir. Are you a resident here or a visitor? Are you here to apply for a unit?"

I shook my head and landed my hands over the counter table looking directly at the lady. I pulled the key auntie and uncle gave me, and flashed it up. "Julia Burton."

“One moment,” The desk lady started typing in my name and turned back to me. "Your apartment number is Silver B, ma'am. Floor 3."

I nodded and turned to Armin. I grinned at him, and pulled him towards the elevator with me. My stomach were slowly filled with butterflies. Excitement was building inside my system.

I shot up when the elevator beeped. I stepped out and noticed that this floor had two apartments. The two doors were both silver too but the labels weren't the same.

The right door was labeled A, and the left, B. Min and I stood in front of the B one which the lady said. and brought my shaking hands to the knob. I could feel sweat running over my palms.

Nervously, I inserted the key over the keyhole and it unlocked. This is really intense. Is the place empty? I didn’t really know what to expect because I got so used to our house. I turned the knob and quickly pushed the door.

I closed my eyes in fright. I didn’t want to see it for some reason, and be disappointed. It’s better I picture this place with broken walls, and just a raw—

"Wow." Armin whispered to himself.

I slowly opened my eyes - heart pounding fast.

The walls were painted light pink neatly. It was not that big. In fact, I could see the small kitchen as I enter the apartment with the dining area. To the left were the double mini sofa and a flat screen across it. There were shelves too and picture frames hanging. One was the lucky seven horses and the other was a painting of a basket of fruits.

I walked around and it was perfect! I'm already loving it. I ran to the two doors at the end of the apartment and when I opened the middle door, it was the bathroom. It was small but simple and decent. It had a shower and some curtain. The flooring was white and also the wallpaper.

I closed it back and opened the door which I think leads to the last room I expect — my room.

I opened the door and I jumped in glee when I saw the room. The wall paint was a darker shade of pink that had flowers with colors perfectly combined with the wall. It was nice. The bed was for a single person. I was more amazed because above it was a drawing of the moon and some stars with a saying 'Tomorrow is another day'. Next to it wasn't a side table but a study table. A cabinet was at the edge of the room. An air-conditioner was in there too.

"I wouldn't doubt if someone called you Barbie in the dollhouse." Armin commented as we both walked around the unit. “It’s so girly in here.”

I turned and glared at Min. "Whatever. I like it."

He laughed. "What do you need to fix then? I don't think you need to disarrange this piece of work. You'd only make it unsatisfying."

My eyes dropped. "Quit giving harsh comments there, will you? It's really getting on my nerves." I frowned, rolling my eyes away from him.

"Your boxes are in my car. Why don't we start putting your things in before the school closes and you won't be able to enroll?"

"You should drink your PMS pills, Min. You sound so grumpy today."

He frowned. "Since when did I become grumpy? For I know, it’s you who’s always on her period." He said with an insulting chuckle.

"In your voice, obviously."

"My voice?"

"No. Your nose. I said your nose." I rolled my eyes, crossing my arms furiously. This guy is sometimes really slow which makes him look stupid.

"I personally like my voice. It's deep and I can rap better than those other lame rappers out there.”

I looked at him in disbelief. "Really? You love everything about yourself. You compliment yourself even if it’s a bluff."

"Precisely." He wiggled his brows with a playful grin. “As they say, how will you learn how to love others when you can't even love yourself?"

"Armin Hannes reads. That's surprising." I laughed and he laughed along with me. I could tell that he was somehow hurt but he managed to hide his pain. I was sure it wasn’t pain-pain. We were both used to roasting each other, after all.

"Let's get this over with, shall we?"

"Agreed." I nodded. This feels so good. I feel like I'm starting a new life. A new chapter in my book. I could feel good vibes about to come my way. I can really feel the positive energy. Now, all that’s left is MESPA High.