Chapter 8: Lyrics and Moments

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~Perfect Harmony [Julie and the Phantoms]~

"You set me free
You and me together is more than chemistry
Love me as I am
I'll hold your music here inside my hands
We say we're friends, we play pretend
You're more to me, we're everything
Our voices rise and soar so high

******

"Writing is tethering words together." I hummed, my pen dragged along the page in a swirly border. "You think of new and inspiring ways of looking at the world then place it in a song."

Cole frowned up at the sky, a tiny wrinkle forming in between his eyebrows as he thought. "That cloud...looks like Jay....if someone stomped on him."

I rolled my eyes, casting my gaze to where he lay in the grass. I had suggested that we try working at the park today. It was getting closer to the deadline and we still hadn't thought up anything. Nature was one of the most famous poet's inspirations so I thought it might jog something in Cole. So far he was just hungry.

I reached in my purse and tossed him one of the chocolate cupcakes I had made the other night. I had been feeling bored and lonely so I baked like any loser would instead of going to a party or smoking on the streets. The coolness factor can't stop rising.

Cole brightened as soon as the plastic container plopped next to him. He sat up and immodestly tore off the lid. A stupid grin spread across his face as he shoved the whole thing into his mouth.

"Wow," Cole mumbled contently. "You're officially my favourite person."

I scoffed, kicking him in the side, which didn't do anything but he pretended to fall over for me. It was weird, usually face-to-face interaction with people- especially if they were attractive teenage boys- made me nervous. But it felt easy when I was around Cole. I was jogged out of my thoughts when I felt eyes on me. I gave an unimpressed look at the boy sprawled in the grass. He laid on his stomach, tearing off orange and yellow-hued leaves off their stems and blowing them at me.

"Hey!" I snapped my fingers in his face. "Focus!"

"Well, what gets you writing?" Cole asked. "Any favourite spots?"

"I have a few," I said. I flicked the pieces of the plant off my pants.

Cole sat up. "Let's go then!"

I frowned and gave him an incredulous look. "What?"

"To get some inspiration!" Suddenly was being yanked to my feet, I shook my head quickly.

"No, no, no." Not today peer pressure! "I'm not taking you to them."

Cole's brow furrowed. "Why not?"

"It's embarrassing! And private!" His big huge eyes looked sad. I tried to ignore it, avoiding his face at all costs and busying myself with adjusting the hem of my sweater.

There was a beat of silence. Was he still doing it? I looked at him through the corner of my eye. Big mistake. I felt like I had kicked a puppy.

With a groan I relented. "Fine."

Cole pumped his fist in the air proudly at first but then his face fell and his eyes widened with panic. "You don't have to if you don't want to! I don't want to pressure you or anything!"

Aw. "It's okay," I assured him. "I want to share these places with you."

Cole smiled at that, another boyish grin that made my heart turn to mush. I waited until he started towards the subway station before I gave my cheeks a light slap. Some kids playing soccer in the autumn leaves gave me weird looks but I ignored them and ran with my short legs to catch up.

We made it onto the train, Cole being a tall teenage boy could easily grip the silver metal bars in the subway while I had to use the post. Like a child. I tried not to appear annoyed by it. Cole's proud smirk told me how well I was doing.

When we made it to our stop and I poked Cole to let him know. We pushed our way off. Cole is a strong guy so he was able to clear a path like it was nothing.

I darted through the subway, pausing every few minutes to make sure Cole was with me. He was of course. I led him towards the quiet little garden that was beside one of the little coffee shops downtown. It was simple with a couple of bushes, trees, and flowers. There was a circular patio with benches for people to sit on. But what inspired me the most was the beautiful mural that was painted on the wall of the shop. There was so much going on, patterns, shapes, colours, animals, landscapes, and even people. Just staring at the magnificent masterpiece made me inspired and set on a writing spree.

It was quiet at the coffee shop. In the summers the outdoor sitting was packed full and everyone was in the garden. But the cool fall mornings brought most of the customers to the warm, toasty fireplace they had set up.

Cole turned slowly in a circle and observed the area with a smile on his face. Sure, most of the plants were getting scraggly and their leaves were falling off of the winter but the trees were a magnificent rainbow of orange and yellow. The burning bushes earning their name by turning a vibrant red.

"This place is amazing." Cole breathed, glancing at me.

I smiled, tucking my book under my elbow as I walked in. "It's one of my favourite places to go when I need to clear my head."

Cole blinked as he looked up at the mural. "I've been around this area so many times but I've never been able to truly appreciate this spot."

I sat down on one of the benches and took out my pencil. Cole turned and sat down beside me. I tried to ignore the close proximity by focusing on writing the words very slowly.

"I got an idea for a theme but I need some good lines," I said to Cole, carefully scribbling what I thought.

"Okay, " Cole nodded along, propping an elbow on the back of the bench. "What kind of lines would we write?"

"It's always good to make deep views on life. Or comparing something in life to another thing." I told him with a smile. I leaned back and racked my brain for an example. "Like how friendships are like a river. Sometimes they flow smoothly but there will be rocks and droughts that make it harder. That river can run dry but there's always a mark where it used to be. Things happen for a reason."

Cole just stared at me. For a moment I wondered if I said too much or got too deep into things. I didn't want him to be freaked out by me. But Cole just shook his head in awe and smiled the most beautiful smile at me.

"Wow. You are so... smart." He said breathlessly.

I blinked, my cheeks flushing as I coughed awkwardly. "Oh... no... I'm not smart."

"Seriously, I'm pretty sure no one thinks as deeply as you do and it's so beautiful. More people should look at life from your perspective." Cole told me sincerely.

I found myself lost in his eyes, the tender expression making my stomach do backflips. "Thank you, Cole."

For a moment. Just a shred of a moment. I considered kissing him. It was weird and scary and totally was an out-of-this-world idea but my eyes involuntarily flicked to his lips. I wondered what it would be like if I kissed him. What would happen if he kissed back? Unfortunately, I never got to find out as the moment passed and we both sat back.

Swallowing back the odd feeling inside of me I gave him a teasing glare. "You better not be buttering me up for food."

"Nah. That's what Zane's for." Cole didn't miss a beat. He gave me a side-glance. "I wouldn't mind a nice baked treat though."

I rolled my eyes and stood. "Let's get something from the coffee shop and then we have to get working."

"Ugh. What a spoilsport. Ruining a nice meal with work." Cole sighed dramatically.

I shrugged. "Fine. Then we'll skip the snack then."

"Wait, no-"

~ 🎶 - 📝 - 🎶 ~

I closed my eyes. The usual terror seemed muted. For the first time in forever... I felt like I was ready to perform. I had clapped along with the others as everyone went on, I had set up my guitar and adjusted the strap so I could play it while standing, I had answered the billions of texts of encouragement, and not once during that whole routine did I ever consider barfing, fainting, or every running away.

I could do this.

I can do this.

I am doing this.

Cole waited for me patiently, his calm eyes searching for any signs of distress as he readied his hand on the frets. I smiled and nodded to him. With a deep breath, Cole began to pluck at the first few notes.

"This is a letter to heaven, I hope it gets there soon. This little letter to heaven, is one I wrote for you." Cole began, I smiled as he drew out the soft words, the love seeping into his tone. "I wrote a thousand copies but my mind just went blank. I want to say I love you but those can get so hard."

I carefully brushed my fingers along the strings, waiting for my cue and letting myself be carried away by the gentle tune. "But eventually it came to me and I picked up my guitar. My name scribbled on the front, a stamp planted in place. I wrote this serenade, for this love you left to me is one that can't erase."

The strums sped up and I licked my lips before I joined into the chorus.

"Dearest loved one, written in red pen. My dearest love one I wish I could see you again. But the line between us is one I cannot cross. For fate has me tethered down until my life is lost." Though Cole wasn't used to singing a melody he got the hang of it very well. Our voices seemed to mix as I glanced at him out of the corner of my eye. His eyes were glassy but he just kept on singing, a smile on his lips.

"There's a thousand, million things I wish to tell you. But this paper's far too small. But the most important one to hear is that I still love you through it all."

Cole quieted and switched chords, turning to me as I began my verse.

"There's a gaping place in my heart. A void of empty space. I'll always save it for you. It can never be replaced. My memories are tinted blue and I think they're becoming grey. I store them in a shoebox and hide them away."

"They keep on trying to pull them out and tell me to move on." Cole's voice joined mine once more, soothing and giving me the confidence to continue. "But they make me feel vulnerable and I want to be strong..."

"Dearest loved one, my pen's running dry. I've ruined so many letters from the tears that I cry. My dearest love one, I wish I could let go. My fingertips are blistering and the pain will only grow."

"There's a thousand, million things I wish to tell you. But this paper's far too small. But the most important one to hear is that I still love you through it all."

I slowed my playing and allowed Cole to song the last few lines. He was crying silently, eyes glistening, but he seemed to continue smiling.

"This is a letter to heaven. I know it's been a while. I've found the light and do what's right, so that will make you smile. This is my last letter to you, the ink has already dried. I'm finally myself again, and I hadn't been since you died."

"I'm ready to release my hold, the once fresh scars have faded with the old, I have to move on for me but I'll always love you for eternity."

I've always loved helping people. I love the feeling of being able to do something to make their lives easier. But there was nothing like this feeling. I couldn't describe it. But all I know is that Cole wasn't the only one with tears in their eyes.

I looked at him with a smile... for a second I was back at the coffee shop. The same tender feeling. The same look in his eye.

But in a blink, it was gone.

authors note****

*cough* sorry that it's been...oh wow- pretty much a month. I've been having some writer's block with this book but I'm still chipping slowly away at it!

Sorry, this chapter isn't that long... it feels more like a filler and I wish I gave you something better. Nevertheless, I hope you liked it! I'll try and update soon but I don't want to give you an empty promise so it may be a tiny bit.

For those who read Fractured, I'm almost done with the next chapter and for those who read PAL I'm starting on the next chapter as I write!

I'm also taking part in Nya_ninjago_fangirl's Marchters of Spinjitzu in my Dreamscape One-Shots book. I already have an OC story in there and hopefully, you'll find some Coliena!

Hope you all have a great day!

LuckyBugBooks 🐞

Art credit to: @ _a.ng_ on Instagram