Mel's Music. My nose scrunched in contemplation as I stood across the street from the dingy storefront. Through the large glass windows I could see the copious amount of guitars that hung on the walls and drum kits in a smaller section near the back left corner.

My eyes narrowed as they followed the blonde haired boy as he moved around the store animatedly. A smirk tugged at my lips as my gaze turned to the black man that stood lazily behind the counter, also staring at the boy with eyes full of partial annoyance, but mostly amusement. I took a deep breath before I stepped out into the road, my eyes darting from left to right out of reflex.

I hadn't brought my - Noah's - guitar along with me because I didn't want to give Michael a reason for us to play. Though I didn't think it helped that he asked me to meet him at a music retail store.

The loud electronic ding made me cringe as I pulled open the door. There was no one here, besides Michael of course and the worker. Big sale signs hung around the store as though the owner was trying to sell everything as quickly as possible. I eyed a beautiful dark mahogany acoustic guitar that stood out between all the others resting on stands, but the sound of someone clearing their throat had me turning in the opposite direction.

The look on Michael's face made me anxious as I glanced over at the store worker who had his eyebrows raised in question.

"This is the girl!" Michael bounced excitedly as he turned to the older man behind counter.

The man's chocolate brown eyes matched his skin perfectly and as he turned to me with a look that matched mine the few times I had spoken to Michael, I could tell we would hit it off.

"I can't believe you actually showed up!" Michael continued on before once again turning to the man in his late 30's, maybe early 40's. "This girl is the one I've been waiting for."

The man chuckled, his deep voice catching me off guard for a moment. "By the way he's been talking about you the past couple of days, I just assumed he was in love."

It was Michael's turn to laugh this time, a cute high-pitched giggle that lasted only a few seconds. "Oh no, I'm just in love with the songs she has written."

My eyebrows had been raised in slight shock and awe as the two conversed back and forth like I wasn't even standing there. I took note of the fact that Michael had used the word 'songs' and grimaced already knowing that he was never going to give up on the idea. And since I had shown up here today, it was obvious that there were actually other songs.

I cleared my throat awkwardly, giving the man behind the counter a slight wave. "Hi, I'm Kennedy Laine."

The man stuck his hand out for me to shake and I quickly stepped closer to grasp his hand in mine. "Mel. I'm the owner of this- Michael!"

He cut off his words abruptly and I turned to see the tall boy who stood there looking jokingly ashamed. Mel shook his head at him. "What did I say about touching the merchandise?"

"Break it, you buy it," Michael mumbled in response as he rolled his eyes.

"Exactly."

I held back a laugh. The relationship between the two was a brotherly one, even with the large age difference. Michael acted as the younger brother who annoyed the older with his constant questions and energy.

"Good luck with him." Mel let out a hardy laugh as he looked back at me. "He can be a handful."

I glanced to Michael and for what felt like the first time, I gave him a genuine smile. "So I've noticed."

Michael's cheeks turned a light shade of pink as he scratched the back of his neck nervously. "Okay, let's all stop staring at me now."

Though Michael obviously was confident enough to speak his own opinion, it seemed as though he didn't like being the center of attention. I tilted my head in thought as I followed him over to the guitar section of the store, the boy actually quiet for once. Maybe there were some similarities between us.

"You didn't bring your guitar." Michael noted as he looked over at me, his hand hovering over the neck of a metallic green guitar.

I shrugged in response. "Didn't want to make you think you actually had a chance in hearing those songs."

His eyes wrinkled a little at the ends as he smiled at me. "Pick any guitar, Kennedy. I want to hear what you can do."

I hesitated slightly before I reached out and picked up the guitar that had caught my eye the second I walked into the store. My entire body was tense as I stood there staring down at the dark wooded instrument clutched in my hands, the same manufacturer as Noah's guitar. I could feel a strange range of emotions run through me as the beautiful new guitar felt like a replacement for Noah's dinged up Martin.

I set it back down on the stand I had picked it up from, rubbing my sweaty palms over the front of my jeans. Michael watched from next to me with curiosity, but said nothing about my conflicted actions. He would never understand if I told him.

I shook off the sad feeling and quickly replaced it with the snarky confidence I always seemed to talk to Michael in. "Actually I'd much prefer to hear what you've got. We already know I can play, but so far all you've done is talk."

I cocked my head to the side and crossed my arms over my chest, the smug smirk that grew on Michael's face threw me slightly as he picked up his choice guitar without a word and headed over to the couch that was set out against the wall on the other side of the room. He sniffled a little and ran a hand through his hair as he got ready. Michael then looked up at me as I took a seat on one of the fold out chairs placed across from the couch.

And just like before he kept right up with my sarcastic tone as he spoke with conviction, but with a jokey tone to his voice that made yet another smile to grace my lips. "Prepare yourself for the greatest musical experience of your life."

"Go on then," I spoke and leaned back against the cool metal in preparation. "Wow me and I'll play you another song."

Michael smirked and nodded once before he placed his fingers against the fret board and strummed the guitar. A slight excited chill ran up my spine as he then opened his mouth and began to sing.