Chapter Three

          A month has passed since I started attending classes.

The stares and whispers stopped… thankfully.

Apollo helped me during class if I didn’t understand something and I asked questions if I needed further explanation on the topic we were learning for that day, I still felt awkward seeing Onyx whenever she would wait for Apollo after class but she seemed to take a liking to me.

But since it was Friday, I was itching to ask them if I could hang out with them today.

“Are you alright?” Apollo asked after class.

I smiled, “Yea, thanks for helping today… again.”

“It’s fine,” he tied his hair up, “Although I am surprised you don’t already know the material.”

I sighed, “Sadly no. Daddy never taught me things subjects.”

“Ah I see,” he smiled to himself.

Onyx waved when we got to the bottom of the steps, “Are you ready?”

“Yup,” he moved to her side.

She took his arm.

I bit my lip, “Apollo, are you doing anything today?”

“Probably. Why?” he leaned in.

I blushed and walked ahead of him, “I was just wondering if I could hang out with you.”

Onyx narrowed her eyes.

“I would love that,” he beamed.

She yanked him away and hissed, “Are you serious?”

“Yea, why not?” he wondered.

She glanced back at me, “I don’t want her ruining our night.”

I can hear you… I grinned.

“Onyx relax,” he touched her head, “Besides, you were telling me you wanted a female friend to drink with.”

She grumbled, “I guess…”

“You know what, I don’t want to ruin anything so… maybe next time,” I backed up.

She smiled in victory, “Good idea…”

“No it’s fine Celesta,” Apollo held the door open for me, “You can join us.”

I hesitated, “If you're sure…”

“Yes,” he zipped up his jacket, “We would love to have you, right Onyx?”

She crossed her arms and walked away, “Sure whatever.”

“Thanks,” I texted my mom before buttoning my jacket and walked outside.

The air wasn’t too cold but it was crisp and felt as though it might cut my skin, I wrapped my scarf around my neck and followed them down the sidewalk to a waiting car. Onyx got in the front seat and Apollo sat in the back with me, as she drove off I stared out the window at the buildings and people that walked by.

“This is your first time out isn’t it?” he purred.

I blushed and nodded.

“Seriously?” Onyx stopped at the light and looked back at me, “Were you sick?”

I shook my head, “No, my parents sheltered me so they could hammer music in me… a perfect daughter.”

“Damn…” she mumbled and turned front again, “I bet that was suffocating.”

I rolled my eyes, “It was but for some reason, daddy decided to let me be a teenager for once and lifted the rules.”

“What do you have a curfew or something?” she laughed.

I crossed my arms, “Twelve actually.”

“That’s pretty late,” Apollo was surprised.

Onyx snorted, “It’s not that late. My curfew was whenever I decided to go home.”

“Oh please Onyx,” he laughed, “That’s not a curfew, you were just a rebel.”

She giggled, “Very true, but it’s good your dad lightened up on you.”

“Maybe he realized it wasn’t good to keep you sheltered,” Apollo opened his window.

I smiled, “I think so.”

Onyx took a left at the light and suddenly it was like we entered the entertainment realm, hotels and casinos were everywhere. Bright hanging lights illuminated the streets that invited people into the bars and restaurants that stayed open late, on both sides of the road cars were parked behind gated condo buildings and expensive townhouses.

“Beautiful,” I breathed.

Apollo pointed to a restaurant, “Onyx, park here.”

“You want sushi for dinner?” she pulled in a parking space.

He got out, “Sure, plus we can order some to go.”

“Is this where you usually go when you leave the theatre?” I glanced at him.

He held the door for us, “Sort of, we try not to eat out too much.”

“Yea. Money is everything,” Onyx got us a booth, “So it’s hard not to come here when we live right down the street.”

I blinked, “You guys live in this area?”

“Yup,”

He sighed, “It wasn’t easy though, I had to work my ass off for a good four years before we could afford the place we’re at.”

“Apollo is such a hard worker,” Onyx leaned on his shoulder, “And with me helping him get gigs… our life is comfy.”

Must be nice, I looked over the menu, “So… does that mean you two are together?”

“Well…” she began happily.

Apollo cut her off, “We were but not anymore.”

“So quickly you dismiss our love,” she whined.

He grinned, “Could you go up and order for us?”

“Fine,” she got up and walked over to the bar.

I played with the end of my hair, “I hope I didn’t bring up bad times…”

“No. Onyx was the one broke it off,” he shrugged but gave me a soft smile, “But I am curious as to why you asked such a thing.”

I turned away, “N-no reason…”

“You sure?” he touched my hand.

I nodded shyly.

“The food will be out soon,” Onyx came back over.

I flinched and pulled free.

“Everything ok?” she looked between us.

He sat back, “Yea, everything is fine.”

What’s wrong with me!? There’s no way I can like him… I sighed.

“Since you're out with us you might as well come over to our place,” she leaned on the table.

My eyes widened, “Really?”

“Sure. Apollo will take you home afterward,” she winked.

He smirked, “Obviously.”

She laughed and went over to get the food bag.

I stood up and walked outside with him, “Are you sure it’s ok for me to come over?”

“Yes, why wouldn’t it be?” he rested on the hood of the car.

I kicked some dirt, “Because you barely know me.”

“What’s there to know?” he raised his brow, “You’re not secretly a killer are you?”

I laughed, “No but…”

“But nothing,” he came over to me, “You're a girl who wants to make her own music and is accompanied by a handsome guy who fell in love with her determination.”

Fell in love? My heart slammed against my chest, “You sound like a poet.”

“Well thank you,” he gave me a little bow.

I blushed more, “Can I ask you something?”

“Go ahead,”

I didn’t look at him, “How did you know I would be lured to you by your music?”

“A feeling I suppose. But since then I always felt you were special,” he took my hand.

I stammered, “I’m not that special.”

“I beg to differ,” he leaned in.

He’s so close… I couldn’t help but stare into his eyes, “Listen Apollo I…”

“Got the food,” Onyx interrupted suddenly.

He pulled back, “Good, let’s go.”

“Did I interrupt something?” she glanced at me.

I shook my head and got in the car, “No… nothing.”

She got in and drove down the street, after making multiple turns and rounding the corner we came to a stop at a gated community. It was huge, the gate was brass and had plants all around it. Onyx punched in a code and waited for the gate to smoothly open, as she drove in I saw half a million and million dollar houses sitting a good distance away from each other.

“You live here?” I gaped.

Apollo gestured to the white brick condo building that came into view, “We live there actually.”

“It’s temporary,” Onyx drove into an open garage.

I looked at her, “What do you mean?”

“I mean once we save enough money, we’re moving to California,” she parked in a designated spot.

Apollo got out then came around to get my door, “That won’t happen for a while though.”

“That sounds amazing,” I got out and fixed the bottom of my dress.

I followed them up three flights of steps to the glass circle elevator, getting in we went up to the tenth floor. The layout was fairly simple for a condo, the floor was limestone and there were windows between each door. We stopped at a hardwood door with a black door-knob, Onyx pulled out a key and unlocked the door for us.

“Make yourself comfy,” she headed to the open white kitchen.

I took off my jacket and looked around, “Thanks.”

 It was similar to my house with it being a loft but other than that it was completely different.

The bottom floor was an open concept and had almost everything, a formal dining room, a lavish kitchen, spacious living room with plush couches and coffee tables, toward the back was a bedroom and bathroom.

“It’s beautiful,” I smiled.

Apollo came from behind me, “Onyx did all the decorating.”

“It was tons of fun,” she set the food up in the dining room.

As they sat at the table, I was unsure what to do with myself so I kinda just stood there awkwardly. They looked so comfortable sitting at the table together… it felt odd joining them.

Apollo glanced over, “Aren’t you going to eat with us?”

“Yea, come on over,” Onyx patted the chair, “There’s enough food for all of us, plus extra.”

I smiled shyly and sat next to her, “Thanks for having me.”

“There’s no need to be formal,” she passed me a pair of chopsticks, “We’re friends now.”

Apollo chuckled, “I was under the impression you didn’t like her.”

“Well… I changed my mind,” she grumbled.

I giggled and started eating, I’ve never had sushi before but the spicy one tasted amazing. As we ate, I watched Onyx go over the details for the hotel performance Apollo was going to be doing this weekend

“Unfortunately, we’re going second…” she sighed.

I drank some iced tea, “Is that bad?”

“No. It just means that the big check we were supposed to get will be cut in half,” she hissed.

Apollo shrugged, “It’s better than paying rent late.”

“Don’t give me that,” she jumped up, “You’re the son of the muses, show some pride.”

He rolled his eyes.

I blinked, “Are you really the son of the muses?”

“No,” he said tightly.

Onyx dismissed his response, “You might as well be since you were born with the muse’s gift.”

“What’s that?” I asked sounding a little dump.

She beamed, “It basically means he can play any musical piece just by looking at the title.”

“Wow…” I breathed out, “That’s incredible.”

She giggled, “I know right! We’d be rolling in dough if he actually used it.”

“I bet,” I nodded.

His voice suddenly hardened, “I get the point Onyx… drop it.”

Touchy topic…? I finished my sushi roll.

“Fine but if you want the client to pay us more, I suggest you go upstairs and rehearse,” she crossed her arms.

He placed his napkin on the table and got up, “I know, I know.”

“Is it ok if I watch?” I finished my lemonade.

He smiled, “Sure.”

“You two head up, I’ll clean up here,” Onyx gathered the trash and empty cups.

I went with him into the living room, he pulled down the foldable staircase and proceeded to climb them. I took off my shoes and followed behind him, upstairs was dedicated to music. There was a grand piano across from the arched window, stringed instruments were neatly hanging on the wall, flutes and clarinets were lying behind a glass table, and the cellos, violins, and violas were sitting next to the piano. A desk sat over in the corner that held music sheet paper, quill and ink pods, a schedule book, and rows of music books.

“It’s stunning up here,” I was in awe.

Apollo tied his hair and grabbed a music book off the table, “Thank you, I guess you can say this is my sanctuary.”

“It certainly is,” I sat in the vintage armchair, “So, what are you going to perform?”

He flipped through the pages, “Beethoven - Cello Sonata No. 3 in A major.”

“That’s a beautiful piece,” I crossed my arms, “But, don’t you want to wow them?”

He smiled sadly, “I don’t know, no one has asked me that before.”

“Apollo always plays by the books whenever it comes to a show,” Onyx came up the steps, “But whenever he’s alone, he likes to put his spin on the piece he’s playing.”

He flushed, “I just don’t like playing perfectly.”

“That’s amazing… I wish I could play like that,” I looked down.

They stared at me.

“Play something for us,” Onyx pulled me up and pushed me over to the piano.

I hesitated, “No it’s ok…”

“Go ahead,” Apollo placed a piano piece on the stand, “I chose a simple one for you.”

I sat on the stool and stared at the sheet music, something in my mind suddenly clicked and I placed my fingers lightly on the keys. As I played, the notes became drawn out and distant… the sound dulled and the nauseous feeling entered my stomach.

It was as if I was drowning.

Like my fingers were playing by themselves…

“Celesta… snap out of it,” Apollo grabbed my hand.

When my body went back to normal, I shook my head and stared up at him, “H-how did I do?”

“You played perfectly but…” his voice trailed off.

Onyx leaned on the piano, “Who knew you were a monochromatic musicista.”

“A what?” I tried to focus.

 She crossed her arms, “It means your musical soul has no color.”

I flinched, “Is that bad?”

“In some cases… yes,” Apollo stood me up, “It could ruin a performance.”

I stammered, “But I’ve been performing perfectly all my life.”

“Ever notice you can’t hear what you’re playing?” he tilted his head.

I nodded.

“That’s a part of it,” she shrugged, “You need to learn how to play freely.”

The thought of disappointing my father scared me, I wrapped my arms around myself and whispered, “How?”

“Easy…” she winked, “Just play what you want.”

I grinned.

Apollo took my hand, “It’s getting late… I’ll take you home.”

I said goodnight to Onyx and followed Apollo downstairs to the garage, I got in the passenger seat and strapped in. He drove down the street and towards the theatre, I couldn’t stop thinking about what Onyx said… my musical soul doesn’t have a form.

I sighed.

“Don’t let it get to you,” he touched my arm, “We’re here to help you.”

I smiled a little, “Thank you.”

He parked at the front entrance and turned to face me, “What were you going to say back at the restaurant?”

“Oh um…” I completely forgot about that! I blushed and looked out the window, “It’s nothing…”

He took my hand and leaned over in my ear, “Give me a little time.”

“You feel the same…?” my heart stopped for a second.

He nodded.

“We just met…” I mumbled.

He kissed my hand, “Good night Celesta.”

“Night,” I got out and ran up the steps.