Part 2 : Light

Chapter Eight

"Happiness is contagious, it spreads like a disease."

My legs are burning after sitting in the meditating position for so long. I peek to see grandma doing the same, except that she's humming under her breath. Grandma is wearing the traditional green dress since she never wears anything modern. I may have been the only family to accompany her in the woods to pray but it does not mean I have to be as religious as her. Nuts is in my lap, sleeping like a baby. I glower at the furry brown squirrel.

He's lucky that he gets to fall asleep whereas I can't. Grandma would lecture me if she catches me sleeping in this holy place again.

I look down at my watch to see that I have another five minutes before the performance starts. I jump to my feet instantly, dropping Nuts in the process. He wakes up and let out a complaining whine which I ignore.

"I'm late, Grandma," I tell her apologetically, picking up my guitar case.

"Go ahead, darling," she says without opening her eyes.

I kneel down to kiss her cheek. "I love you, grandma."

"I love you too. Now go and make beautiful music." She smiles sadly. My passion for music has reminded her of her late husband. My heart breaks as I remember grandpa who was the one who taught me to play the guitar. He's the reason why I'm into music, unlike the rest of my family.

Nuts climb up to my shoulder, nudging me with his head. He knows that I'm sad and he's showing his concern through our bond and little gestures.

I give my little friend a grateful smile and make my way out of the woods, towards town. Just like any other Wednesdays, many people are heading for the Point. The Point is the stage in front of the Mayor's building where local bands can perform. My band performs every Wednesdays and at seven in the evening.

It is six fifty-seven and I'm running late. Nuts holds onto my shoulder as I sprint. Being the clumsiest person in Brightsbury, I knock into someone when I was trying to dodge a kid. I catch myself from falling face first but it is difficult since I'm carrying a guitar.

"Are you alright?"

I got on my feet and adjust my guitar case a little. I look up to see an unfamiliar face. I stare at him whether or not I recognize him. This town has never had any newcomers for many years, for your information. Everyone knows each other well and I'm pretty sure I would have remembered a unique face like his.

His hair is a blonde, like any other Light. He is slightly taller than guys that I know and I have to look up to see his face. He looks like an ordinary Light, which is striking since every person I know either has different colour hair or weird sense of style. Well, everyone except for grandma. She's the most traditional Light I've ever met. I consider myself and others the 'modern' Light people. My eyes wander to the luggage in his hand and confirm my suspicions; he's new here.

His black eyes stare back into my green ones.

"Are you alright?" he repeats.

That is when I realize the situation I put myself into. I just made a fool out of myself in front of a complete stranger.

You're such a weirdo, Nixie, my consciousness remarks.

I can't help the spreading of warmth in my cheeks. "I'm okay. I'm sorry." With that, I take a step back to create space in between us and hoping that he didn't see me blushing. I feel a little self-conscious when he studies my appearance. "It's not your fault that I'm clumsy enough to knock into every person I try to avoid instead. It must be my curse or something. Don't forget the special addition of my curse of always being late. Oh no, I'm babbling again like an idiot. I should shut up and just get a life."

The boy stares at me like he's waiting for me to finish my rant. I'm surprised that he didn't look awkward like my friends did when I babble in front of them. This is the first time I've seen someone not reacting awkwardly to my embarrassing trait of talking a little too much.

I take a deep breath and then say, "I'm really sorry."

He gives me a short nod. "It's okay. No harm is done."

The boy's voice is soothing and controlled. I wonder if he can sing because with a voice like his, he sounds like he can sing opera. Although he looks far from an opera singer. The boy has the looks of a typical surfer because of his messy hair and his body built. Then again, he looks more like an introvert rather than an extrovert.

What am I doing? I'm late and I embarrassed myself further.

Unaware of my body movements, I place my hand on my right shoulder in attempt to seek comfort from Nuts. Instead of feeling his soft fur, I don't feel him at all. In a matter of fact, my shoulder feels lighter than usual. I do the same with my left in case Nuts is on my left.

My eyes widen when I can't find him. The Point is full with people and it scares me to bits just to know that he could be anywhere. The force could have sent him flying all the way on stage, for all I know.

"Oh no. I'm late and I lost him. That's just marvellous. Where is he?" I grumble, annoyed with myself. It's my fault that I accidentally bump into a stranger and lost my furry friend. This isn't the first time I lost Nuts.

Using little physics knowledge, I make my way towards the possible landing area for Nuts. Good thing Nuts didn't hit anyone or else I would have heard a shout of surprise. I may be clumsy but I'm certainly aware of my surroundings. Well, most of the time.

"Umm... what are you looking for?" the boy asks, trailing after me.

Absentmindedly, I reply, "My friend."

I can see my bandmates waving for me to hurry up. Ignoring them, I continue to search for Nuts. A part of me prays that he is not hurt.

"Your ... friend?"

The boy does not understand and I don't blame him. Not many Light has their own Guardian. Grandma said that only those who deserve are given a Guardian. I just suspect that people who are close to nature like Grandma will be gifted a Guardian because they have a bond with the trees and animals.

I am one of the very few fortunate ones to have a Guardian.

I am about to elaborate when I catch sight of a blur. Nuts familiar skinny body launch into my already waiting hands.

"Thank goodness! I thought I lost you, Nuts," I tell him.

He is very angry at me. I'm not surprised since this incident happens at least once a day.

I make my way up on stage, feeling many eyes on me. To show how sorry I was, I give Nuts some raisins and let him sit on the pile of instrument cases. My friends stop fiddling around with their instruments when I take my guitar out of its case.

"Nixie Lanster, where the hell have you been?" my friend and bandmate Clover exclaims, walking towards me. Her short red hair swifts left and right as she shakes her head in disapproval.

"Yeah, Lanster. You're late," Desmond sneers, sticking his drumsticks into his back pocket.

I put my hands in front of me as if my hands are a shield. "I'm so sorry, okay? I lost track of time when I was with grandma."

Desmond rolls his eyes. "What's new?"

I narrow my eyes at him. Clenching my fist, I lift it threateningly. "What's new is when I poke your eyes out with those drumsticks of yours and then I'll – "

Dylan interrupts me by touching my bare forearm, stopping me from finishing my threat. He sends me waves of calmness. The perks of practising an olden Light gift with grandma.

"Thanks," I whisper to him.

Clover hits her boyfriend lightly. "Can't you two ever be nice to each other? For once?"

The two of us look at each other for a moment, turn to Clover and simultaneously say, "No."

The redhead scowls at the both of us.

"I hate to break it up to you, but we have a gig to perform," Dylan speaks up. "You two can continue your bickering later."

As usual, Dylan is right. I have kept the audience waiting long enough.

"Alright, so you all know the sequence since we've practised until our fingers can drop. Let's do what we do best and share it to the world," I tell them, keeping eye contact at each and every one of them including Desmond. The four of us smile at each other and get back to our positions. Mine is at the front where the microphone is.

"Good evening, people of Brightsbury. We're The Penny Band. Our first song is an original called 'Secret Admirer'," I say. The song starts with the sound of my guitar strings and Clover's keyboard playing. We played seven songs and each of us has our own solo performance. The audience is made up of people we know. Neighbours, teachers, classmates. Even my ex-babysitter is in the crowd. Some sway to our music, some just listen, and the rest are chatting or sleeping. My band is the only band that plays soothing music, especially with Dylan's saxophone so it isn't really a surprise to find a few snoring.

Just like every other Wednesdays, the performance ends before we know it. Desmond and Clover disappears right after they packed up. Dylan, being a gentleman he is, offers to walk me back home.

"I really hope that a music producer magically pops up during our performance and offer us a contract or something. We've been playing for about seven years!" Dylan rants. He accidentally makes skin contact with me when he throws his hand up. I flinch at the intensity of his frustration.

"I'm sorry, Nixie. That was an accident," he apologizes after noticing my distance from him.

I smile reassuringly at him. "It's okay, Dy. I understand your frustration. Just be a little more patient. One day, that miracle might happen."

"Might," he mumbles under his breath. "What if it doesn't? We have few more months before we leave high school."

I'm not lying when I say that I understand. Dylan comes from a large family and his single father is working as a carpenter. As the eldest, Dylan feels like it is his duty to help his father and support the family. Dylan is a nice guy, but he just does not do well when there is a paper full of questions in front of him. I really hope that he gets a scholarship for music or something similar.

"You know," he continues. "You're going to have to teach me one day. I feel kind of bad that I can't use the gift we inherited."

I give him a look. "Liar, you want to learn just to get your own Guardian."

Dylan grins without a hint of sheepishness. A breeze hits us. "I want my very own Nuts."

The both of us instinctively glance at the squirrel that is sitting on my shoulder. We laugh when Nuts glare at Dylan.

"Look at that, we're here," Dylan announces. We are right at the steps to my house. The front light is on which tells me that my family came back from our performance before us. "I guess I'll see you at school tomorrow, Nixie."

"You too, Dy. Don't worry, you'll do fine during finals."

He gives me a tight smile. "I hope you do too. Tell your grandma to perform some kind of ritual for good luck."

With that, he laughs and walks off towards his own house not far away from mine.

"Ha ha, very funny," I call out to him. He merely salutes me without turning, making me shake my head at him.

Nuts instantly run in once I open the unlocked door away from the coolness of the night. The two people to first greet me are my younger brothers with a gigantic hug. Actually, more like each clinging onto my leg.

"Nixie! Livie didn't want to take us to Zeno's Art Festival," Dome says with a pout.

"And we need an adult to accompany us," Dime continues for his twin.

Together, the both say, "Can you please take us?"

I'm about to reply 'no' since I want to see Grandma tomorrow, but the twins cast me a pitiful face. It almost makes me feel like I just kicked two adorable puppies. The twins know that I won't refuse them since they're my favourite siblings.

"Please, Nixie?" Dome pleads.

Dime tightens his hold around my right leg. "You're our favourite sister."

"And Zeno might be there! He's the greatest painter in the state."

"We need to meet him. This is our only chance to see a great artist live."

I narrow my eyes at them. Dome and Dime would do anything to go for any art festivals. They love art like how I love music. I wouldn't be surprised if they will be artists one day.

"First thing is first; let go off my legs," I command. Immediately they do. "Okay, why couldn't mum or dad send you instead?"

Dome and Dime look at each other with similar expressions. If I hadn't known them all my life, I couldn't tell them apart. Dome always wear blue coloured clothes since he loves the colour of the ocean whereas Dime is more of a green person. Dome has a mole on his temple whilst Dime has a habit of biting his lips when he is nervous.

Right now, Dime is biting his lips.

"We don't want them to come. They'll just distract us. At least if you come, you wouldn't ask us any questions for details about the painting," Dome answers confidently. "They'll just ruin the atmosphere of art."

I smile a little. Dome is right about that. My parents are great dancers and therefore, they don't know anything about art. They can be a little annoying asking all kinds of silly questions about my music and the twin's art. That's one reason why I understand the twins better than any of my family members. Art needs to be seen with critical eyes. Music needs to be heard with critical ears. Dance is just . . . well, dance.

"When is this art festival, how long will it be, and where is it?"

It is Dime who answers, "At four in the afternoon on the day after tomorrow. It'll last for about an hour and it is at the Hall of Brightsbury. Will you come with us?"

I take a deep breath, pretending to think deeply about it although I have already made up my mind. Dome and Dime showers me with compliments which amuse me. They can be so adorable sometimes. Other times, they can be a pair of devils.

"Okay," I tell them.

The ten-year-old boys whoop in happiness.

"Boys! Is Nixie home yet?" mum yells. The twins hush instantly, not wanting to make mum suspicious about why they look so happy.

"Yeah," they exclaim simultaneously. Dome vanishes off to the living room.

Dime grabs my hand and tells me, "Come on, everyone's at the living room watching some dancing stuff on TV."

My parents are sitting on the couch right in front of the TV. My older sister Livie sits on the ground. The three of them are silently watching the dancer on TV with awe. Livie is a dancer, just like our parents. Livie is the only person who inherits the dancing gene, unlike my siblings and I. Dome and Dime waltzes to the large coffee table where my other younger brother Olie is.

"How is your grandma?" mum asks me, yet her eyes are set on the TV. I can tell she is trying so hard to give me some attention, but the dancing is an eye-magnet to all dancers.

"She's okay," I reply curtly and staying put in the hallway. The twins are busy drawing something on their papers and Olie is probably watching a football game on his tablet.

Olie is the only sporty family member. He plays football for our school and once he is senior, he might become captain of the football team. My family attend his weekly match like how they attend my Wednesday concerts. My parents are very supportive of their children despite the fact that they don't know anything about music, art or football. Olie, Dome, Dime and I also support my parents and Livie by attending their performances which is held once every two weeks. We may have different interests, but that doesn't stop us from being happy and supportive for each other.

"I'm off to bed. See you guys tomorrow," I announce with a yawn.

Everyone mumbles a goodnight. Nuts follow me to my room where I can finally get some shut eye after a usual long Wednesday.

Author's Note

Finally, the story is in the perspective of a Light. What do you think about the contrast in both Marcus and Nixie?

Comment.

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-M.