Rocking Music Imperfectly

Rocking Music Imperfectly1

(When I am dead and over me bright April
shakes out her rain-drenched hair,
Though you should lean above me broken-hearted,
I shall not care.)2

My hands flew easily over the strings of my viola as I concentrated on the music. The throbbing tempo from the deep bass behind me just spurred my music on as I tried to make my instrument heard over the loud violins. A scowl made its way on my face as I reached a particularly difficult part of the song and I solely concentrated on it. 3

The light, upbeat melody swelled in the room as we all got into it. The only noise was the occasional shuffling of paper and the music. This was my heaven, the sweet smell of rosin, fresh paper, and of wood. I innocently grinned at Terrie, the girl who sat across from me in the first violin seat, who looked up and smirked at me as we caught eyes. 4

Though our attention shouldn’t stray from the music, Terrie and I had played this song enough to know the notes by heart, we didn’t care. Screw the rules.5

The song ended, cutting our melody; now the only noise was the panting breath. This song had easily sucked all of our will power as the twenty-seven of us prepared for the annual Orchestra Festival. Dorky, but the winning orchestra takes home pride, money for their school, and gloating privileges over our rivals. In the small town of Johnson any awards or winning of any festival meant pride.6

“Great kids!” An enthusiastic Mr. Carol grinned at the orchestra, he looked positively happy, and that made Terrie and I crack up. Mr. Carol was a cool orchestra teacher, slightly dull and over enthusiastic, maybe even dorky, but definitely weird. 7

“I think we’re ready to kick some serious ass!” Paul yelled from the back where the other half of the basses played. We all cracked up as Mr. Carol attempted to shush us.8

“As Paul so wittily put it, I think we’ll give Sheen and Hill a run for their money.” Sheen and Hill are our biggest rivals, unlike our small orchestra theirs was almost at fifty students. We’ll be hard put to kick “ass”. “That’s all for today, enjoy your weekend!” And he clapped twice, our signal to pack up.9

Terrie, Kylie, and Amanda strode up to me as I carefully placed my viola back into its case. “Ready?” They sang together as they yanked me up off the floor. “We’re off to go look for some good guy prospects!” Terrie giggled as Paul linked arms with her.10

“You guys can, I think I’ve already found mine.” We all “ewwed” on time and turned our back to the “love birds” as Amanda so wisely put it.11

“Hey! I can’t help it if I’ve already got a cutie!” She scolded us. “Now Ms. Juliet here, if she was to lighten up and hang loose, she could get some more guys pinning after her.”12

“No! She’s already stolen all the good prospects! I mean really, Danny, Kevin, Mike! Who’s left?” Wailed the duo idiots—Amanda and Kylie—as they skipped down the hallway.13

“Just because I don’t want to end up with a guy who just likes me for my bra size doesn’t mean I’m weird!” I yelped back at the two as Terrie yanked me along. Paul looked at me and lazily grinned,14

“If you took of that sweatshirt more then you might have more guys falling over their feet for you.” He joked as Terrie punched him lightly on the arm. I grinned at the couple; they were really made for each other. After what happened to both of them, I’m glad they ended up together. But, I still resented the sweatshirt comment. 15

“It’s not like I’ll keep the guy, I’m off to college next year so it’ll be hard!” I tried to argue with them. Kylie and Amanda were already around the corner and still singing on the top of their lungs. Thank goodness that school had ended an hour ago or else we might get in trouble. 16

“Well, as long as you get some experience, then I think you’ll be good.” Terrie called to me over her shoulder as I lagged behind. My eyes had already wandered off to the closed band door as I heard the beginning of some familiar tune. 17

“Wait, what’s that?” I called to Terrie and Paul and they backed over to where I was standing. We all peered into the door, it would have been a comical sight if anyone had seen us, but thank goodness no one did. 18

“Paul, you’re our resident band geek, what is it?” Terrie hit me for that comment, Paul just so happened to play the bass in orchestra and the guitar in the band Free Fallers. 19

“Can’t tell, door muffles it too much.” And almost as if it was timed, someone yanked to door open to allow the three of us to stumble in.20

“Who the hell are you?” Growled an angry voice from above us. I glanced up and blinked innocently up at the angry man. A pretty—I wasn’t really good on telling what a good guitar looked like, but this one sure looked pretty—guitar hung from his thin body as he looked down at us.21

“Uh, perverts?” I tried, hoping to get a laugh out of this guy. He just scowled down at us. Well, there goes that plan! He roughly yanked my up by my arm and spun me around.22

“No time for this little meaningless chitchat. Who the hell are you?” Can you say paranoid. Paranoid. 23

Sighing, I finally gave him the truth, seeing that Terrie and Paul were preoccupied checking if Terrie or my instrument had been hurt by the tumble. “We’re from the orchestra down the hall. Heard you playing, or someone playing, and decided to see what the tune was.” I sheepishly grinned up at him. 24

“Dead on Arrival,” He glowered at me, now that I was standing I realized he wasn’t quiet as imposing as he had seemed. Dark brown, almost black, hair framed his tan face, some of the thin locks fell into his blue eyes—that were currently shooting daggers out of them—and a crooked nose seemed to be proudly stuck on. Typical guy band look, oh so wonderful and hot. Oh how I hated stuck up jerks like him; I pulled my gaze off of his face and calmed the boiling pit of anger inside of me. He hadn’t really done anything wrong, just pushed my buttons in the wrong way.25

I nodded and tried to look around him, to see if it was really this evil looking guy playing those notes. “Now if you would mind…?” He began to shove us out, but before he could successfully slam to door on our face, another face popped out from around the corner.26

“Oi! Romei, you ready? We need to finish this song? The stupid judges want a song that we didn’t write for the first round. Idiots.” The short brown headed boy yelled, two drum sticks were shoved into the low jeans that seemed to almost fall off of his waist. I turned my face in disgust at his choice of clothing.27

“Coming Van, just trying to get rid of some orchestra geeks.” At that I stood up and snapped at him.28

“Well excuse me you band jerk! All you selfish people think that your Rock and Roll is the only good music out there and you plainly dismiss the more common music that came from the devoted orchestra! I’m shocked that this society hasn’t killed off impertinent, rude, ignorant jerks like you!” My face had turned bright red in anger as I stared down the gapping Romei and laughing Van. Terrie and Paul were flabbergasted by what I had yelled at Romei. I basked in my triumph for a moment before I shook off Romei’s hand and stormed out to door.29

“Girl! Wait!” It was Van. I turned around, my viola case tightly clutched in my white hand. 30

“What?” I snapped at the short Van, he grinned up at me and loudly clapped me on the back. 31

“I think that’s the first time that someone’s gotten the best of Romei! Congrats, I think he needed to be knocked down a few pegs form his high pedestal. Jerks like him take a while to realize things, but you just came around and smacked him on the head!” I stared down at him, his happy grin slapped onto his face. 32

“Um… yeah?” 33

“What’s your name?” 34

“Juliet. Juliet Brann.” He grinned up at me and I just realized what I had pretty much told him. My name was Juliet and that jerk’s name was Romei. Damn the author.35

“Isn’t that a coincident?” He grinned at me.36

“No, just a stupid typo.” I sarcastically shot back, I was tired of this little talk and I wanted to get home, far far away from Romei.37

“Come, watch us play for awhile! I’m sure it’ll get under Romei’s skin!” He offered, and I found myself grinning. Van dragged me back into the band room and beckoned the stunned Terrie and Paul into the room. 38

Everyone else in the room glanced back up at us. A tall, lanky redhead who sat behind the keyboard nodded his head in a greeting, a blonde girl standing behind the microphone, a stout boy with a lollipop sticking out of his mouth had a bass strapped around his large form, and then there was Romei. He was glowing at me and quickly strode to where I was standing.39

“Sorry. Maybe I was a little harsh to judge, I didn’t mean the orchestra geek part.” Romei seemed so awkward and he uncomfortably strummed his guitar once or twice, waiting for my response.40

“Accepted. Now play.” I ordered, and the blonde girl snorted from her place by the microphone. “I want to see if you can stand up to your implied statement that you’re better than any of us.” I made a shooing motion with my hands and Van wittily banged a couple times on the drums, as if to congratulate me for putting him off balance once again.41

Terrie and Paul sat next to me as we watched the band get ready, Van constantly shot us grins and the redhead was eyeing me from behind the keyboard. I rolled my eyes his way and leaned on the wall. 42

“Wait.” Van cried out right before the first note was strummed out. Romei glowered at him as he paused, his hand a mere inch away from the strings. “How ‘bout the orchestra people play for us after this. So we can see who has the real skills?” Romei grinned at him but the redhead broke in.43

“I don’t give a damn, but let’s try not to waste too much of our time on them.” Terrie and I just shot him looks; I made a mental note to kick his ass later. 44

“Deal.” Terrie called out before Paul or I could stop her, from the glare she shot both of us, I guess she wanted to shut up the bastards before it got too out of hand. Paul and I would probably like to settle this the good old way, fists, but Terrie would rather battle it out using music. I shrugged, it’s not like we can show them what real music sounds like. It was a dead cause. 45

And they started, I had to admit, they were better than your average band that played at clubs. Way better, I think I underestimated them; I just sat back and enjoyed the music for once. This time I didn’t have to concentrate on getting the perfect sound, or watch where I had to rest or slow down.46

My gaze drifted over to where Romei was swaying. His eyes were closed and a small pang of regret for the fact that I couldn’t see those pretty eyes--. I mentally smacked myself for even thinking that something on that ass could look cute.47

The music swelled up and for once I liked the twang-y voice coming from the over-rated musicians. Abruptly the sweet melody was cut off with a bang (coming from Van’s area on the stage) and I was left in a daze. 48

“How did you like it?” Van excitedly waved his drumsticks in the air. “I think we rock!”49

Romei scoffed and shoved his hands into his pockets. “It’s a given that we would be amazing. We didn’t need to impress these people.” The arrogance that rolled off of him could drown someone. How could music come from his vile little brain? The only explanation could be magic.50

I growled and stood up, yanking Amanda up with me. “It’s on Pansy-Boy.” We exchanged scowls that could shoot lightning. It’s war. 51

“What are we playing?” Amanda already had her violin out. Oh, how I love this girl.52

“Mrs. Potter’s Lullaby, our version.” Music slowly started to engrave itself in the air as Amanda and Terrie kicked the shit out of the intro. I knew that we had already won from the expressions on Van and the blonde chick’s face.53

Our rendition of this song spiked the beat faster and I found my heart beating along with it. This music sent a high through my body that brought me to new levels.54

We finished with an explosion that rocked the music room.
“So…” Amanda smirked, “How were we Romei and Co.?” Van grinned and excitedly clapped.55

“Now, that was hot.” I felt my grin widen and I shot a look at Romei.56

He… he was packing up. His guitar was in hand and his music in the other. How dare that selfish little git to just disrespect our music?57

“Hey, asshole.” He continued to pack up. “Yeah, you with the stick up your ass. Don’t you dare turn away from me! We graced you with our presence. And you just---“ 58

“What?” Romei’s eyes flashed dangerously when they met mine. A storm rumbled. “You play decently, yes. But your music lacks realism. It doesn’t speak. It’s so damn perfect.”59

“And you think that yours does? Your music is about the same thing, sex, women, and drugs!” and with that I walked out of the room.60

[x]
“Bye Amanda! I’ll call you later!” I waved from under the save canopy of the school roof. Amanda scurried to her car, violin case hidden under a bulky coat. It’s true, April showers might bring May flowers.61

“Great, I’m alone.” After I stormed out with Paul, Amanda, Robin, and Terrie the rain began to pour. I was soaked.62

“At least my viola isn’t—“ my mutterings were cut off by the fact that my viola case wasn’t in my hand. “Shit!” I wailed before turning on my heel and running back inside.63

I neared the music room, soaked and a little peeved. Let’s hope my deadbeat father wouldn’t come right now. A sweet melody filled the air, just like earlier except the music seemed more familiar. Familiar as in the music sounded like the secret song I had been writing…64

“Oh my god!” I erupted into the room and snatched the papers away from whoever was playing. And by the luck of any omnipotent gods it was Romei. Damn.65

We stood there, or more correctly ‘I’ stood there why Romei sat. “What are you—“ we both yelped while trying to regain our composure. 66

“What are you doing with my music?” my voice turned small as I stuffed the papers into my crammed bag. “It’s kind of…”67

“…private. Yeah, I know.” He sighed and showed more emotion in one glance than he had when we were arguing at each other. “I know. I was… well, playing it because I thought there could be some changes on the third stanza…”68

I wordlessly handed over my music and saw a flash of surprise enter his face. What did he expect? I wasn’t going to murder him for getting a peak at my music.69

“I think that the notes here are too erratic for the type of song you’re going for. You’re going for the light, early classic sound, right?” I nodded; at this point there wasn’t a lot of things to say.70

Our heads bent close over the music. Green, peaceful handwriting (mine) elegantly noted some changes while some red scrawls (his) made major points across my paper.71

[x]
Sometimes I would wonder why music made such an effect on people’s lives. People blindly sought the love of famous rock stars (though it maybe the fact that their famous). Teenagers changed their looks based on what some singer is wearing and they change their moods on some depressing song about blood and losing a loved one. 72

Maybe I’m too cynical of the boy bands or just annoyed at all the hallway chatter of the cutest band out. And I came up with the idea that either people just automatically follow someone who looks like they have everything or they don’t have a life. I, being absolutely brilliant, came to this conclusion when I was kicking the vending machine when it ate my money. 73

“Damn it!” I angrily cursed the vending machine and hopped on one foot. “I really do not need this type of drama right now.”74

“Drama?” Van appeared out of no-where. A knowing smirk entered his face. “Does any of this have to revolve around your mysterious music?” I growled at him before ditching the vending machine.75

“Who told you that?”76

“Aw, come on. Romei has some close friends, i.e. me. Of course he would tell me about your stunningly wonderful music.” That shut me up.77

“Stunningly wonderful?” I raised an eyebrow, something that I had perfected over the years. 78

“Yeah, he said there was some mistakes that could be cleared up but none of it was too bad.” He shrugged and threw a bottle of water at me. “Here, you’ve got rehearsals later, you might want the energy.” Van began to walk off, a saunter in his short slouch. “Oh, yeah. He’ll be practicing it later. In the music room.”79

[x]80

Practice had ended and Mr. Carol dismissed us with his normal cheer. The music room’s door was ajar and I idly wandered closer.81

“Hey, you guys, I’ve got to do something really quick.” Amanda nodded and thoughtfully yanked everyone else away before they could protest. I smirked; I’d have to pay Amanda for all the help she had given me over the past few days.82

My viola was out and tuned before I realized what exactly I was doing. I guess I was taking that leap and trying to cross the border that separated Romei and me. It was almost as if the Capulets and Montagues were fighting all over again.83

The door was easy to squeeze past but sneakily pouncing into the music while Romei played was the hard part. I stood in the background, hiding behind a couple of music stands while I waited for the perfect moment to jump in.84

There. My viola was on my shoulder and my bow was on the string before I knew it. Romei faltered for a moment before continuing how he was playing. We played together and without us arguing. That was the best part. 85

A smile wormed it’s way on my lips by the time we had finished the last line. “Woah, now that sounded sick.” Romei tried a smile. It was a pathetic attempt but it was getting somewhere. 86

“We sounded good.” And it was true. The mix between rock and roll and my classical sense added a new vibe to the once stale notes. I leaned over and stuck my fist out as a peace offering.87

“I’m sorry—“ once again we cut each other off. A sheepish smile entered his face and he leaned over to pound fists. 88

“I… I added some lyrics to a little bit of it.” I threw the sheet of paper his way and laughed when he fumbled for it. 89

“You added lyrics to a classical piece? That’s going to kill your music teacher.” His joking tone indicated that he didn’t actually mind that I had possibly ruined my peace to make it less ‘stale’. 90

“I promise that these lyrics don’t have to do with drugs, sex, or girls.” 91

“Let’s play it from the top.” He nodded my way and we both struck up the opening notes.92

“I shall not have peace, as leafy trees are peaceful
When rain bends down the bough,
And I shall be more silent and cold-hearted
Than you are now.”93

The Montagues and the Capulets finally made peace between the two.