Sing Sweet Nightingale

Nova’s POV 

 It’s finally Friday. I say “finally” because ever since Sidney invited me to see her adoptive brother perform I find myself excited about going out with friends as my true self, and without sneaking out at that! Also, having to hear Adia gush over her sexy coworker is getting on my nerves. My big sister can be so annoying when she likes a guy, but it sounds like this guy is playing it cool. She did go on and on about some flirty comments, but both baristas were throwing those at her according to what she was saying. It’s just a small coffee shop near her school, there are two full time baristas, two part timers other than herself and the manager. Today is her second day on the job and I plan on being out of here before she gets home from work. 

    I glance at Shawn’s obituary that is plastered on the corner of my vanity mirror and apply my eyeliner and some lipstain. Before dabbing some watermelon lip gloss on full lips. The phone rings and any other day I would be thrilled to hear from Cassie, but I am waiting for Jace to call telling me that he and Chantelle are downstairs. “Hey, Cas! ‘Sup, girl?” I answer while placing her on speaker so that I can curl my lashes and apply mascara while we talk.

    “This place sucks without you, Nova! All day for the last 3 days Davis Geary has been asking where Shawn is and I finally said ‘Fuck off, Shawn is dead!’ but now people are all talking about how they are so sorry that my other half died, like I am not my own person!”Cassie huffs.

    “Cas, don’t let their shit get to you! You know how they all can be.” I sigh. She really has been struggling there without me and while Shawn is dead Nova is here now and Nova is so much more than Shawn was able to be. I will never regret my transformation into my true self or killing off Shawn.  I fluff my hair as I nonchalantly ask Cassie what news she has from the base. She knows what I mean. While I refuse to talk to my father right now I do still like to know that he is at least doing okay. 

     “Well, a few things. First, your father is doing fine, but being transferred to Louisiana, the base is just outside of New Orleans, so I won’t be able to keep tabs for you, which brings me to the other thing. I wouldn’t be able to keep tabs much longer..BEEP…My dad in…BEEP,” Cassie is interrupted by Jace’s call.

   “Sorry, Cas! I gotta go, I am on my way out and They are here to get me! I will call you tomorrow, Love you always!” I rush her off the phone…yeah I may have been a bit rude and abrupt, but it’s not like she hasn’t done the same to me.

    “Hey, Jace! Are you here? I’ll be right down and we’ll catch an Uber!” I excitedly exclaim in a rush.

     “Nova, are you a bit excited?” Jace giggles before continuing “We can call the Uber while we wait for you.See you in a minute.” 

      “Yup, I’ll be right down,sweetie!” I laugh at myself calling my new friend “sweetie”, but it is something that I have heard Grace, Chantelle and Sidney all do. The boys don’t usually, except for when Neville is feeling extra spunky.

     I slip my silver leather jacket over my purple satin, sleeveless blouse and take a last look in my full-length mirror, checking my booty and ensuring that there is no noticeable bulge in the front of my black skinny jeans. Abuelita is in the doorway of her apartment as I close the door to ours. “Baby, are you going out like that?Just be careful, those thugs they…they are not always good to people like you. God knows your Uncle Mateo had his run-ins with them.”

     “Si, Abuelita! I will be careful, and we will stay with our group. Jace and Chantelle are downstairs and already called for a car for us. I love you!” I call as I head down the stairs. My mother has gone to dinner with an old friend from high school and Abuelita likes to keep an extra close eye on me.

    Just as I reach the bottom of the stairs the door opens and Adia comes in with a huff. “What’s up sis?” I greet cheerfully.

    “He wasn’t working today and I got stuck with this mega bitchy girl who quit mid shift and Tom layed on  the flirting extra thickly. He’s a nice enough guy, but not really my type.” she rolls her eyes before stomping up the stairs, then turns. “Where are you going looking so fabulous?”

     I chuckle, “Out with friends. We are going to an acoustic Cafe near Sidney’s house, where her brother is going to be performing and before you ask, mom already knows.”

    “Whatever, just be careful and call if you are in a jam!” she shakes her head before continuing up to our apartment.

     I get outside and greet my friends just as the Uber pulls up. “It looks like just 5 of us tonight since Grace got dragged into babysitting her niece and Evan was grounded for something he refuses to reveal and Eddie has to go to his father’s place this weekend. “ Chantelle informs. She always knows what is going on with everyone.

     The Nightingale Cafe is in a brick building much like many of the buildings in the area, however the inside has a warmth, with wooden tables and vintage velvet sofas and small stage with a single stool and a pair of microphones. The lighting is dim, but not so dark as to not be able to easily make out the features of those around us. Jace grabs us each a cappuccino and chocolate biscotti before we make our way towards Sidney and Neville. “We save the place of honor, just for you, Nova!” chimes Sidney with a flirtatious smile. 

     I ignore the implications of her flirting and accept the seat she offers gracefully. “Thank you, Sidney! That is quite kind of you.” While the live music has yet to start, the music piped through their audio system is mellow and romantic and while there is not a proper dance floor, some couples sway where they stand.

    I sip my cappuccino and enjoy the conversation with my new friends for the next few minutes, then my attention is drawn to the stage as I hear a clear baritone voice resounding “Good evening everyone! How are we all doing this evening?” He pauses briefly and I can't help but applaud with the rest, a few people whistle and I swear a girl just behind me just said something rather explicit  for which I can’t blame her. “In case you don’t know me yet, as I see some new faces in the audience I am Aldo Reed and I will be performing for your acoustic pleasure tonight.” Looking at him I can’t miss how long his legs are, or how his white button down shirt hugs the muscles on his chest or arms, he is not some bulky jock, but perfectly toned while still lean. His face is angelic and framed with ash blond curls, but what really gets me are his intense green eyes that have just locked with mine. Oh sweet Madre de Dios! I don’t know what saint to pray to for this, but maybe I need to get Auntie Rosa to teach me more about Santeria, because I might need all of the saints…if by some miracle this man could be mine I would do whatever it would take to hold on to him. He is divine and he hasn’t even started singing yet. 

    He sticks to cover songs, I recognize a few being from Ed Sheeran and Shawn Mendez, even an old John Lennon tune. His voice is as clear and beautiful as I would expect from someone with such incredible looks. I can’t take my eyes off of him for his whole set. It is over all too soon and another musician takes the stage before long, a girl about our age, who is pretty and has a good voice. Her songs have a little faster pace and less romantic feel, but that doesn’t matter when he approaches our table, smiling wide. Sidney jumps up hugging him and congratulating him on a great set. “Thanks Sid, but aren’t you going to introduce me to your new friend? I Already know the rest of your crew, though your numbers are low tonight.” 

    Sidney releases him and beams “Aldo, this is my gorgeous new friend, Nova. Nova, this is my talented older brother, Aldo!” 

    Aldo and I reach out to shake hands

    “It’s a pleasure…”

    “Nice to…”

  We start at the same time, stopping and giggling lightly. “I can see that Nova is gorgeous! Now, I know what you mean ,Sid.” He lifts my hand kissing the top of my knuckles without breaking eye contact and I feel myself flush. “And you have musician’s hands. Do you play?” 

    “No, I have never had the talent or the opportunity, but I do love listening and dancing.” I softly state and can’t help biting my lower lip as I look at him through my long lashes.

    “If you ever want to learn I could teach you, I play a few instruments.” He slowly makes his way closer, still holding my hand, only letting go to sit next to me in the chair that Neville smoothly vacated, switching to a seat on the other side of Sidney. A pretty girl in an apron brings a glass of something over placing it in front of him with a wink. He shakes his head, rolling his eyes, then mumbles,” you would think she would know by now.”

     Sidney laughs ,”Well, brother you shouldn’t have gone on that date with her in 10th grade if you weren’t into her.”

      Shaking his head “it wasn’t that I wasn’t into her at the time, it was that the date went down like a plane crash and then she acted clingy. Heck, she still is clingy for someone I have barely spoken to in over 6 years.” 

      Chantelle chuckles “Now this is something I wanna hear, that girl was always bitchy to my cousin!”

      Aldo sighs “It’s ancient history, but yeah, her nasty attitude certainly played a part.” He takes a long swig of his drink,then slides his hand that is closest to me close to mine, touching his pinky to mine subtly as he glances at me out of the corner of his eye and my heart skips a beat. Is he flirting with me? Is he trying to subtly get my attention? Because it is working if that is so. 

    “Of course, her overly slobbery kisses and grabbing your cock during the movie didn’t make the date any better.” Laughs Sidney, shamelessly. “He was still flustered when he got home far earlier than expected and took the longest, hottest shower ! I think he used ALL of the hot water.” 

    Aldo’s pinky now wrapped around mine as he smirked in my direction. He softly intones “Like I said, ancient history. Now let’s talk about something more pleasant. Nova, since you are new to the area, would you like to tell us about yourself?”

    “There isn’t much to tell. I am a senior in High School, I love to dance and my parents are recently divorced.” I say softly.

    “Quit being humble!”Sidney laughs. “Nova is an artist and poet , though they are shy about sharing their talents, however I have seen some of Nova’s work while assisting Ms Delucca.”

    “It isn’t that I am shy about my art or poetry, it is that it is profoundly personal and intimate. I have only really shared any of it with one person and she is the person who knows me even better than my own family.” I softly state. Aldo’s hand is gradually inching it’s way over mine as he gently caresses my fingers with his.

     “Oh, you mean Cassie?” Jace says, before blushing once he realizes that he spoke up. “Um, I mean, I have heard you mention her a few times and that is who I would assume you mean.” 

    “Yeah, Cassie and I have been friends for over a decade. We met when we were just 7 years old and were inseparable in the last 3 years.” I can’t help the smile on my face as I think about my best friend. Aldo’s  hand leaves mine hesitantly as he takes another long draught of his drink. He is no longer smirking but his eyes seem to be studying me.

     “Nova, When is your birthday?” Neville finally speaks up. Neville is quiet, not shy as much as he is thoughtful and observant.

    “What are you going to throw me a party? Well, you better start planning, you only have 5 weeks until I turn 18,” I chuckle while sassing Nevile, but Neville seems to be calculating something.