Anna Sophia Bennett
Student
Bank Account[M:1000]
"Hey Sam, who do you think is the hotter psychic? Patricia Arquette, Jennifer Love Hewitt, or you?"
Posts: 427
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Post by Anna Sophia Bennett on Apr 9, 2007 9:27:43 GMT 7
The melodic sounds of an acoustic guitar vibrated down the hallway, catching Anna's attention and making her look up from her script. Pale blue eyes looked down the corridors as she reached a small, slender finger up to brush a strand of blonde hair behind her ear. She was on her way back from the university theatre where she had been assigned a two-page monologue to memorize in two days time. When class started Friday morning, Anna would need to be prepared to present her monologue to the eighteen-student class.
She had been scanning the paper the entire time she was walking back to her dorm. She was dressed quite comfortably -- in blue jeans, a colorful hoodie, and white tennis shoes. Her long blonde hair was down, falling over her shoulders and cascading down her back. She had not bothered to put on any make-up, seeing as theatre was her only class of the day. Her intent was to come back, change clothes, and go for a run around the track. Her day was free and wide.
However, the sound of the music floating out of another room made her curious. She slowed her pace and lowered her paper. Her feet followed the sound until she found the classroom it was coming from. A man was sitting in the room, strumming on an acoustic guitar. From the back, Anna didn't recognize him. Rather than interrupt, however, she leaned against the framing of the door and just listened.
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Post by Teddy Winborne on Apr 9, 2007 11:05:14 GMT 7
When his guitar in his hands, his fingers moving freely over the strings, it seems like a high all of it's own. Especially with Mustang, his own acoustic guitar. It's like Mustang is a real creature, and it knows how to respond when Teddy plays it. When he sings along with it, it brings him to a different high, but equal in intensity. It's amazing really, how much satisfaction he can get from it.
This moment in time, he did have Mustang with him. He was using a pick this time, and letting himself play loudly. He didn't much care if anyone had a problem with it. He was just doing his own thing on his own terms. He was singing along with it, but in low whispers. It was a new song actually, and he was trying out the words that fit into it. It was a slow tune, that could be made pretty much into two different types of songs: romantic or sad. This one he was making into a sad song. This is how he got out all of his sadness and frustrations: writing songs about it. Teddy had a huge book of either fully written or half-written songs, and mostly telling of his life.
This morning, he'd woken up and his fingers had that itch to dance over the strings and play out the chords. So he'd thrown on a random outfit, grabbed his guitar, and headed towards the room he always played. His outfit consisted of a black t-shirt that stated in bold white lettering, 'Have You Hugged My T-Shirt Today?'; along with blue jeans and a pair of gray vans. The room was usually empty, unless someone came to do exactly what he was doing. Whether to practice for theater, play music, just talk or even makeout. He'd caught a couple one time, doing something he'd rather not have seen. But today it was empty, and he decided to take full advantage of it.
"Ah, fuck." he mumbled to himself, and stopped playing. He straightened his back; for the first time realizing he was slightly hunched over his guitar. "Why can't I get those words?" he added, speaking out loud to the four walls of the room. He stuck the plastic pick in his mouth, and used his now freed hand to rub at his eyes tiredly. He'd been working at those particular lines for this particular song for weeks now, and couldn't seem to get them.
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Anna Sophia Bennett
Student
Bank Account[M:1000]
"Hey Sam, who do you think is the hotter psychic? Patricia Arquette, Jennifer Love Hewitt, or you?"
Posts: 427
|
Post by Anna Sophia Bennett on Apr 9, 2007 11:42:30 GMT 7
Anna had been engrossed in the sound, her eyes open and staring but her mind traveling elsewhere. Music was soothing for the teenager, even though she couldn't boast a drop of talent or ability when she picked an instrument up. It took her ages to learn the simplest tune on the acoustic guitar, and that was with the utmost persistance and an open mind. Now, rather than attempt to create music, she filled her iPod with other artists' creations.
She jumped a little in surprise when the music suddenly stopped. A sharp pain snagged her arm when she leapt from the sudden snap back to reality. Her elbow extended reflexively, smashing into the cement doorframe and making her drop her papers on the floor. A small, but clearly genuine, gasp fell from her lips as she instictively grabbed her elbow, cradling it against her body while she dropped to the ground to begin picking up her papers with her good hand.
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Post by Teddy Winborne on Apr 9, 2007 11:51:30 GMT 7
"No...this just isn't working..." he whispered to himself. He kept running different lines and words he could use, and none of it matched. It didn't go with any of the rest of it, and he didn't know why this was so hard for him. "Well, before I drive myself insane...why don't I just play something else?"
Yeah, that was Teddy for you. He talked himself through his actions when he was alone. He'd gotten into that habit when he had no one else talking to him at all. The only socializing he did in Regina for those long years was with himself, or his family. He pulled his pick out of his mouth, and began drying it on his pants. He put the pick to the strings once more, before he heard a loud bang echo within the room. 'What the...?' he asked himself, this time in his head. He turned around in his chair, a bewildered expression on his face. He jumped up, holding the guitar in one hand as he took three large strides to the door. He opened it, ready to step out and look for the culprit.
He was shocked to find that she was kneeling in front of the door. "Oh. Hey Anna." he said, still a little confused. 'Had she been listening? If she had...did she hear my lyrics? Or did the door block those out to here?' He set his guitar down on the floor, and held the door open with one foot, as he kneeled as well. He picked up some of the papers for her, as he spoke again, "Umm...so did you hear my lyrics? Did you hear anything?" Curiousity had gotten the better of him, and he had to ask. It wasn't the music he cared about, it was the lyrics. He usually never shared his own lyrics with anyone.
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Anna Sophia Bennett
Student
Bank Account[M:1000]
"Hey Sam, who do you think is the hotter psychic? Patricia Arquette, Jennifer Love Hewitt, or you?"
Posts: 427
|
Post by Anna Sophia Bennett on Apr 9, 2007 12:11:55 GMT 7
Colour quickly drained from Anna's face when she slowly lifted her eyes to see who was standing above her. Of all the people that could possibly know how to play guitar, how did it manage to be Teddy? They were acquaintances, and though they had seemed to take tiny steps toward developing a friendship, Anna still felt a trace of unease. The memory of him snapping at another person was still freshly imprinted in her mind. Anna hated confrontation and avoided it whenever possible.
Now that he stood above her, she suddenly felt like an eavesdropper. A small sting crept into her chest as she closed her eyes and let out a long breath. The pain in her arm numbed her embarassment, though only a little, and she kept tight hold on her elbow as she spoke. "Um... no. I mean, I... I don't think so." Anna cringed a little as she picked up one of her stray papers.
With flushed cheeks and a rattled grimace, Anna extended her hand to take the papers the other student had picked up. "I shouldn't have been listening," she said a bit quickly, her nerves unsettled - a rare sight. "I'm sorry." Clearing her throat, she tightened her grip on her papers and concentrated on checking the paper in her hand for any tears or wrinkles.
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Post by Teddy Winborne on Apr 9, 2007 12:19:32 GMT 7
Teddy claimed the rest of the loose papers, and held them out for her. He was actually kind of flattered that she was listening, now that he knew she'd heard. But it was still bothering him, 'Had she heard the lyrics, or not?' He let her speak though, to see if she'd answer his question. "Umm, no. It's fine. Really. Just, did you hear the lyrics?" he asked. He looked at her, with a serious but not menacing expression on his face.
He liked keeping his lyrics locked up and shut tight within his head, and within his dorm. If anyone heard them, he usually scrapped the song that they heard. He really didn't want to just throw it away though, since he'd been working on it for so long. It was important to him too; to know whether she had or not. He didn't even know why, but he had to find out.
Teddy remembered back to the first time he'd noticed Anna. When he was verbally abusing the guy in the hallway; and he figured she looked scared. He let his muscles and expression relax, hoping not to look scary to her. 'Oh my gosh ... if she thinks I'm menacing, than she could tell other people. And what happened in Regina could happen here. No..I don't want that to happen.' He was almost pleading inside of his head. If that happened again, he probably would just quit school, move, and get a job somewhere far away.
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Anna Sophia Bennett
Student
Bank Account[M:1000]
"Hey Sam, who do you think is the hotter psychic? Patricia Arquette, Jennifer Love Hewitt, or you?"
Posts: 427
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Post by Anna Sophia Bennett on Apr 9, 2007 12:39:15 GMT 7
Anna shook her head in response to his question. "No, I didn't. Why? Is it some kind of secret?" Her submissive nature was tinged with an underlying defense when he queried her again. She had not heard the lyrics, or at least she didn't think she did. Normally when someone hears something, they are generally capable of remembering it for a few minutes at best.
Reaching out her hand, Anna took the papers with a small thanks. Without getting up, she slowly let go of her elbow and began to rearrange the papers in the correct order. There were only five of them, but organization was key. These few papers were going to be Anna's life for the evening and following day between classes. For the next forty-eight hours, they were like her children.
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Post by Teddy Winborne on Apr 9, 2007 12:51:40 GMT 7
Teddy took his lyrics very seriously, and most people didn't know why. Well, he did, and that's for sure. In his songs, he wrote about his life; problems, frustrations, things he had to overcome. So if he let people hear them, it's like giving himself away. It may not make sense to anyone but him, but that's what mattered. As long as it made sense to him, he went with it. "Sorry...it's just--Well, it's hard to explain. I just--let's just say that my lyrics are important to me. And I only share them with people I know really good."
He knew that comment may have been a little harsh, but it was true. They didn't know each other very well at all yet. Unless you counted one conversation that didn't last very long. "Again, I'm sorry...yeah, I guess you could say they're a secret." Wow, she had him feeling bad. How'd she manage that? He played absentmindedly with his lower lip, watching her organize her papers again. He found this a rather awkward point, and he hated awkwardness. "And I don't mind that you were listening. I mean, I'll even play for you. But it'll be a song already famous."
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Anna Sophia Bennett
Student
Bank Account[M:1000]
"Hey Sam, who do you think is the hotter psychic? Patricia Arquette, Jennifer Love Hewitt, or you?"
Posts: 427
|
Post by Anna Sophia Bennett on Apr 9, 2007 13:12:13 GMT 7
Her small head bobbed in a nod at his words. She was not offended in the least by his words. His tone, a little too strong for her liking, but what was she to do? She had walked in on him and she admitted being in the wrong. Even so, she couldn't help but feel the awkward silence that seemed to follow.
Once her papers were in order, Anna rose to her feet, putting one hand on the wall to keep her balance. Her elbow still managed to ache: she had definitely hit it pretty hard. It didn't even require her eyes to know there was a small bruise forming on her light skin. Anna coughed quietly, clearing her throat as though it might somehow make the situation less intimidating and make the pain in her arm disappear.
His offer made her frown a little - more to herself than to him. Her eyes had been on the guitars sitting in the opposite corner of the room, but his words brought her attention back to him. "Um..." she hesitated, not sure how to take the offer. Her first impression was sliding, colliding with this new social encounter and making Anna question her original assumptions. Teddy didn't seem to be jumping down any throats or even initiating rude conversation. With a wary smile, she brought her papers closer to her chest and nodded gently. "Ok," she said in agreement.
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Post by Teddy Winborne on Apr 9, 2007 13:46:39 GMT 7
Teddy noticed Anna standing up, and he did too almost too quickly. He wanted to move past this awkward phase, or just walk away from it. Either one worked for him really, as long as it was something. 'Wait..whoa. You just offered to play for her? Oh god.' he thought to himself. He picked Mustang off of the floor, and let it hang at his side.
He walked back into the room, leaving the door open. It was an invitation; to either go or follow him in. Teddy just hoped she understood that, but most people did. He set the guitar up against the wall, and turned back to Anna. He buried his hands in his front pockets, and watched her.
"Mm, alright. Well come on in then." he said, and shrugged. 'So now..which song should I play for her?' he asked himself. He let himself ponder it for a moment, before deciding on the most obvious one; Smoke on the Water. He knew for sure he wouldn't mess up with that one.
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Anna Sophia Bennett
Student
Bank Account[M:1000]
"Hey Sam, who do you think is the hotter psychic? Patricia Arquette, Jennifer Love Hewitt, or you?"
Posts: 427
|
Post by Anna Sophia Bennett on Apr 9, 2007 21:48:41 GMT 7
The music student walked through the door, leaving it ajar with Anna standing in the framing. She bit her lip, hesitating and wondering if the invitation was still open. When he turned around to look at her, she released her lip, not wanting to seem like she was nervous around him. Too late for that, she reminded herself. But even so, the less anxiety involved the better.
She took a few more steps forward until she was almost standing beside him. There were several chairs scattered around the room, a great number particularly close to the two students. Anna glanced up at Teddy, making sure he wouldn't be offended if she sat down, and eased herself slowly into one of the chairs. She brought her legs up close to her chest, pressing her papers between her chest and her knees.
"Are you sure?" she asked. This time her tone was not nervous and did not contain fright. She was beginning to wonder if he really was as frightening as he appeared that day. So far he seemed about as awkward as Anna - at least in this scenario.
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Post by Teddy Winborne on Apr 10, 2007 0:56:21 GMT 7
He waited patiently, one of his hands playing with the lint he found in one of the pockets. He wondered for a mere second if she was going to come in, but then pushed it out of his mind. 'If she comes in or not, I don't care.' he thought to himself. She answered that question for him though, when she walked in and took a seat. He grabbed the chair he was in earlier, and turned it around to face Anna.
He lowered himself into the chair, making sure to not hit the guitar on anything else. Now that would be a shame, to dent his most prized possession. "Okay. So..." He knew it was still slightly uncomfortable. That was understandable though, since he knew what Anna's first impression was of him. He only wished he could close the door, but he stayed where he was. What would that look like to Anna, if he was to close the door? 'No. Don't do that. Just suck it up and play with it open.'
He cleared his throat, since he was prepared to sing along with his playing. He always did in cases like these. He had for Evelyn and Madison, so why not for Anna? He pulled the pick out of his mouth once more, which had been placed there when he helped her with the papers. Teddy dried it once more, before looking up at Anna. Seeing as she seemed to be ready, he started plucking out the strings. Not playing yet, just getting into it again.
A couple seconds later, he began playing the first chords of Smoke on the Water. He cleared his throat once more, so he'd be ready to sing. But this song in particular had quite a long guitar intro.
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