Music To My Ear
Melissa Allen

 

The day Ryan Keegan walked into my fourth period English class I new he would be trouble and change my life with his cheeky grin and what other girls call good looks. My bestfriend Julia was a way that day so I had a spear seat next to me and that just happened to be where he sat. I could feel his eyes starring at me as I ignored him and went on with my work after eyeing me up and down he spoke
"Hi I am Ryan Keegan and you are?"
"Katerina" I replied uneasily
"Well nice to met you Kat"
"It's Katerina!" I said loudly and a few people looked at me
"Yeah right whatever, so do you come with a last name?"
"Stiles" I said quietly
Then the bell rang and I don't think I had ever been so glad to get out of class. This guy got under my skin and I didn't like it. When I got home that day I rang Julia and told her about the new guy Ryan, she laughed and promised she would be at school tomorrow.
In the morning I remembered I had band practise our band was called Sanity and there were five of us David and I were the lead singers, James was the drummer and we practised in his garage. Julia sometimes comes and listens to us, she has this crush on James but personally I think he is a bit wild. Then there's Larissa and her boyfriend Brian they are the guitarists.
The next day when I went to English Ryan wasn't there but just before the class started he raced through the door and I watched all the girls hearts flutter including Julia's.
"I hope that's not the Ryan the most enoying person in the world" She said looking at him
"You got it right"
"Well he's cute"
He sat next to Bianca the blonde bombshell who any guy would give their right arm to go on a date with. She looked as if she had been saving the seat it for him.
"Please give me a break" Julia said looking at her flirting with him
"Well they make a great couple"
"Well he doesn't seam interested in her he is staring at you and we both know Bianca is the typical dumb blonde"
I turned around and he smirked at me I could feel him getting under my skin again
"He's looking at you Katerina" Julia said
When class finished he walked over to us and I thought why me.
"So we meet again Kat" He said leaning on my desk
"It's Katerina"
"I don't believe we have met" He said turning to Julia
"I 'm Ryan" he said shaking her hand
"I'm Katerina's best friends Julia she told me a lot about you yesterday"
"She did now, did she" he said turning back to me
I nudged Julia and she smiled her innocent smile.
"Yes I told her how you are the most enoring person in the world" I said gathering up my stuff and walking out of the classroom Julia followed me then I gave he a lecture on embarrassing me especially on front of him she continued to go on how nice he was and couldn't understand why I hated him so much.
The day went really fast and then I had band practice today Julia wasn't coming because she had to much homework to do. When I arrived they were all discussing something and then they turned to me.
"Hi Katerina" James said
"Hi guys what's up?"
"Nothing just David's quit" Larissa said sulking
"What?" I yelled
"He has moved to be with his girlfriend in California" Brian said
"I cant believe this now what are we going to do?, I mean I cant sing by myself" I said
"I know that's why I want to give my cousin a chance, he's pretty new at this but he sure can sing" James said
"Well I guess what have we got to lose" I said
"And another thing we are thinking of changing our music a bit just doing some slow songs" Brain said
"Yeah love song's" Larissa said kissing Brian
"What do you think Katerina?" James asked
"Sounds like a good idea, Anyway when do I met my singing partner?"
"He should be here any minute" James said as I car pulled up
I then continued to get my microphone in place
"This is Ryan Keegan" James said and I turned around
"What! you didn't tell me it was him" I moaned
"Hi kat" he said smirking
"I gather you two know each other?" James said
"Yeah" Ryan said
"James I am not singing with him" I said firmly
"Well sorry Katerina he is in" James said and Ryan stood there with a big grin
I thought why did I have to sing with him of all people and now we were going to do love songs that meant singing like I liked him or something this was going to be hell. We all got set up and I went through a song with Ryan and I dare say it he was good really good. I kept thinking this is for the band. After practise he started talking to me.
"You're pretty good but I wouldn't have pictured you as a singer" He said
"What's that suppose to mean?" I said defensively
"Nothing"
Then James got us together and we all talked about the new songs he had written one already it was something about a girl falling in love for the first time. We all wanted to go home but he instated we try it out and there is no arguing with James. When we runed through it the first time it was a little edgy but the second time it sounded really good I had the first section and Ryan and I both did the chorus, and I must say our voices sounded perfect together but I still didn't want to sing with that creep. I had to put up with him in English and now band practice too, how was I going to live. Just before I was going James turned to me
"Katerina I think you and Ryan should practise together a little more since you are not used to singing with with each other"
"Isn't that what practice is for?"
"Yeah but just you two together with out the rest of the band" He continued
"If you think that I am going to do any extra practise alone with him then you have got to be kidding"
"It's for the band"
"No" I said and I began to walk home then it started to rain great I thought just what I needed
Someone then tooted the horn at me I jumped around to find Ryan in his car.
"Want a lift?"
"Not with you" I said and kept walking
"You're going to get drenched" He said pretending he cared
"Well I would much rather get wet than ride with you any day" I said and the rain got heavier
"Why do you have to be so stubborn I was only asking you if you wanted a lift"
I looked around and the rain looked like it wasn't going to stop so reucently got into his car and he had one of those told you so smiles on his face. Which made me really mad. Ryan's car wasn't nothing flash the normal teenagers car a few bits of paper her and there. I thought I would start a conversation since it was a little way to my house.
"So why did you decide to come here?"
"You want to talk now do you?
"Fine I was just asking"
"No sorry, my Dad just got a job here so we had to move, So where do you live anyway?"
'12 Capeside Drive"
"Cool I know where that is" He sounded excited as if he deserved a medal for knowing where my street was
"So do you like it here so far?"
"It's all right, So did James tell you about how we are going to do some extra practice"
"he told me but I don't have time sorry to disappoint you but I have a life apart from the band"
"Could have fooled me" He said as he turned the corner to my drive
"Right there thanks" I said trying to sound appreciate
"So this is where the famous Kat lives"
"Yeah and would you stop calling me Kat"
"What's wrong with Kat I think it's cute" He said
"You would" I said hopping out
"Well I will see you tomorrow"
"Don't remind me and once again thanks" I said sarcastically
"No problem" he said as he drove away
That night when I spoke to Julia and told her about Ryan being part of the band she laughed again I didn't think it was funny but she did and said she couldn't wait to here us sing love songs together. Then we talked about the school dance coming up and Julia said she was going to ask James I laughed at that one because James had never gone to a high school dance and I don't think he was about to start now. She was planning on asking him when I had band practise next. I knew there was no way he would say yes. Nothing against Julia she is one of the prettiest girls at school with her long blonde curly hair and model figure, I knew she would be asked to the dance or she probulary already had but she wont go out with any one she doesn't have a slight interest in. She suggested I ask this guy Raymond I've liked him for ages but he is out of my range, one of those football guys so I knew only the cheerleaders got those guys.
The next few days I avoided Ryan as much as I could which worked out pretty good but Saturday the band had organized this outing thing, we were going ice skating nothing thrilling but I had nothing better to do and of course Julia was coming, so I would have to see Ryan and I wasn't excited. Julia came over my house wearing her Jeans and her favorite jumper even it that she looked beautiful.
"Well that's going to get James attention" I said
"Well I was going to wear my little black dress but I thought it might not be appropriate" She said joking around
"Well you look great like always"
"I know" She said flopping onto my bed
One thing about Julia was that she would always agree when you said she looked great something about keeping her self esteem up, which I never understood. Anyhow James was picking us up in five minutes and I wasn't exactly jumping with joy like Julia she had planned to ask James to the dance even though I tried to talk her out of it. Then James totted the horn
"Right on time that's my man" She said
James had bowed his dads van so all of us could fit in Julia and I sat in the back with Larissa and Brains in front of us and Ryan was in the passages seat which was fine with me I wanted to be as far away from him as I could. Julia greeted everyone with smiles and winked at James but I don't think he was looking. Ryan hadn't said a word to me, maybe he got the message that I didn't like him finally.
When we got there we all hired skates and Julia, James, Brian and Larissa hit the ice first so I was left with Ryan.
"So have you skated before?" He said
"Yeah a couple of times"
"I'm a pro" He said
"I bet" I said sarcastically
"Well nice chatting but the ice awaits" he said heading toward the rink
I watched all of them Ryan was really good was there nothing he couldn't do, Julia was flirting with James and he seamed interested why Larissa and Brian we going around holding hands and kissing every now and then. Out of the corner I noticed Raymond and my heart jumped what was he doing here? I thought, he was with a group of guys from school he's so cute I thought dreaming then Ryan interrupted me
"So is this what you come here for to watch other people skate, You know what I don't even think you can skate"
"I can skate"
"Well lets see it kat"
I had finally given up on the Kat name because I got sick of reminding him. I got up and nearly feel over Ryan laughed and I shot him a look then he stopped
"Need a hand" he said holding out his
"Not from you!" I yelled
"No need to get angry I was just offering"
I had skated around a few times and Ryan kept by my side which made me nervous and I didn't like it then I saw Raymond hit the ice and I was so caught up in looking at him I nearly fell over but Ryan stopped me, I pushed him away after I got my balance back.
"I thought you were the pro skater" he said
"That's you remember"
Raymond then skated right past me and I couldn't help but stair he was so perfect.
"Earth to Kat" He said in a sarcastic tone
"Be quite and leave me alone" I said and skated off
I met up with Julia and James who looked like they were having heaps of fun together.
"Hi Katerina" they said
"Julia look who's here" I said looking at Raymond
"Sorry James girl business" She said leading me to the seats
Then she went on about how I should talk to him but soon switched subjects to her and James, he still hadn't asked him but I knew by the end she would. Then she talked about Ryan not the most interesting subject in the world. James then came and asked her to come skating with him again and I started to think maybe he liked her.
I stepped back onto the ice then I tripped right in front of Raymond how embarrassing but he helped me up and smiled one of his dreamy smiles
"Your in my Maths class aren't you" He said and I couldn't believe he knew who I was
"Yeah Katerina Stiles"
"Hi Katerina" he said
Heres my chance I thought go for it
"So you going to the dance?" I said but before he could answer Ryan came up.
"Ray mate how's it going?" he yelled
"Ryan what's up" Raymond said
Great trust Ryan to spoil my chance I was really angry with him I wished he would just go away and the fact he knew Raymond was bad enough. After I listened to them talk about football Raymond said
"Sorry guys gotta run we have a game tonight and I've got to practice"
"Bye" I said ready to blast Ryan
When he was out of sight I started yelling at Ryan but he wasn't taking any notice of me just laughing
"What's so funny?"
"Look at my cousin and you're bestfriend"
I looked around to se them holding hands finally they had got together.
"What's funny about that?"
"Nothing I was just laughing at you"
Well I spent the rest of the night skating by myself and watching Julia and James. When we got into the Van Julia sat up front and since the was no way getting Larissa and Brian apart I was tuck with James and his ways of ice skating. While on the way home James brang up the idea of us playing at the school dance which I thought was fantastic but when he suggested we all go together as a group my face dropped Everyone thought it was a great idea except me.
"What's wrong with the idea? "Ryan said glaring at me
"I just thought if we were going to play then it would be a good idea" James said
"What happens to us who have dates"
"Well there's Julia and I going together then there's Larissa and Brain so that leaves you two" James said
"There is no way I am going with that loser" I said
"You have a date?" Ryan said not aware of what James had just suggested
"Yeah" I said but as soon as I said it I wished I had never had now I had to find a date less than two weeks
"You have a date?" Ryan said
"What's the matter with that" I said
"You go girl" Larissa said
When James dropped us off I knew what Julia was going to say and she did
"What were you thinking you don't have a date?"
"I don't know I just said it"
"Why don't you just go with Ryan I mean what's so bad about that?" Julia said as we entered my room
"Are you joking he's the last person I want to go with"
"Well now we have to find you s date"
"I know believe me I know and it's not going to be easy" I said
Then I told her about Raymond and we talked about her and James turned out he was the one to ask her to the dance and he has liked her for a long time as happy I was for her I didn't know what I was going to do about this Date. I thought maybe I just shouldn't go but then I couldn't give up on Sanity. The next day I planned to say that my date came from somewhere not around here and couldn't make it, I didn't think anyone would believe it but It was better than admitting I didn't have a date.
All week we practiced for the dance and Julia came every day to watch James play his drums. We started working on the new songs which were coming together perfectly and I had decided to go to the dance as a group but I was not going as Ryan's date. When I told them the story they all didn't say anything but they all knew I was lying. In some parts of different songs Ryan and I had to put our arm around each other and stair into each others eyes which wasn't my idea but it made the song look better well that's what Larissa said anyway. We practised so hard for a week and I was so tired and so was the rest of the band. There was a DJ going to be there so we didn't have to play the whole night. James and Julia became really close and they were what Julia called a official coupe now. Ryan and I actually got on really well and hardly ever fought, he was being really nice a side I had never seen before we spent extra time on the songs at his house so it would be just right and it made James happy too. I was actually getting excited about this dance. A couple of days before the dance Ryan got sick and we all started to get worried but he was back on his feet in no time.
"Well this is it" Julia said while we were getting ready in my room
"First performance" I said
"No I mean me going out on my first date with James" She said
"OK what ever you say Julia"
"What do you think?" she said priding around my room in her little black dress and flipping he curly blonde hair side to side
"Very stylish" I said
"That blue suits you Katerina" Julia said
I had brought a blue velvet slit dress a couple of days before and some black strappy sandals. Julia instated I leave my hair down and she did my make-up. We both looked pretty good and I couldn't wait to see James face when he saw Julia. We all got there earlier to set up and when Ryan walked in late he looked actually gorgeous I couldn't believe it. We both then set up our microphones.
"You look really nice" He said shyly
"You too" I said replying the compliment
"That's the first time you have ever given me a compliment" he said
"Don't get to use to it" I said
"So who's the lucky girl?" I said I guessed that he had a date since he had been asked a million times
"You will have to wait and see" He said smiling
Two hour's later we were ready waiting in position.
"Good luck Ryan"
"You too"
Then the curtain went up and we started with a fast song and only a few people danced but when we started a slow song more people danced and I was envious of all the couples. Ryan kept smiling at me and I smiled back it was really fun playing in front of people. Then before we did Be Mine a song about two people who were meant to be together but didn't realize it Ryan wrote it and it was one of my favorites. Ryan the said into the microphone
"This song is for the person I love the most in the world, she knows who she is"
I thought how sweet he was to dedicate this song to his date I wish I had a song dedicated to me especially this song. When we had finished playing this song we got a break while the DJ played songs. when we got out back James started with the how well that went speech while Julia stood there hanging off him they looked so cute together. He finished with now lets hit the dance floor. James, Julia, Larissa and Brian went to dance and I was left there with Ryan but I didn't mind.
"You want a drink?" he said
"Sure" I said
I watched as Julia and James dance and kiss it was so romantic. Then Ryan came back with two cokes
"Thanks" I said opening mine
"Here's to Sanity" He said holding his can to mine
"Sanity"
"So where's this famous girl you got all dress up for" I said
"I am looking at her" he said and I turned around to see Bianca waving at him and he waved back
"Look at James and Julia" I said as a slow song came on
"They make a good couple almost as good as my date and I "he said
"So why isn't she coming over here?" I turned to Bianca who was talking to Raymond
"Want to dance?" he said avoiding the question and holding out his arm
"Very funny"
"Well if you had you're heart set on watching James and Julia make out on the dance floor be my guest"
Ryan Still stood there with a smile on his face
"I wont hurt you if that's what you're afraid of" He said
"OK only because I don't have anything better to do"
"Yeah right" He said as he wrapped my arms around me and we move slowly to the music he leaned towards me and I felt this strange feeling it was like I felt comfortable with having him so close to me. He leaned towards me and at the same time our lips touched we were kissing and it was amazing it was better than anything I had ever imagined. I felt like we were the only two people in the whole world. Then I realized who I was kissing this was Ryan the most enoying person in the world or was he? but all I know at that moment I felt as if we were meant for each other, I pulled back and blushed
"What was that for?" I said
"You kissed me to don't deny it"
"But what about your date?" I said avoiding the question
"You are my date at least I hoped you would be"
"What I thought Bianca was"
"Bianca I would never go out with that air head and plus she's with Raymond"
We both still swayed to the song and I tried to get it together that Ryan liked me and it was possible I felt the same way.
"You did know that song was for you" He said
"For me" I said thinking how sweet he was
"I've like you from the first time we met in English class but you seem to hate me so much and I didn't even do anything wrong"
"I just thought you were out to get me"
"So let me get this right Kat likes me" He said smiling
"Hang on a minute am I to believe that Ryan likes me" I said smiling and then we kissed and another song came on
Then James came over and told us we had to get ready for another few songs singing wasn't important anymore all I wanted to do was be in Ryan's arms forever but it once again was for sanity.
"OK guys ready for another one lets go for the first love song" James said Ryan stood holding our microphones and then just before the curtains went up he kissed me on the cheek. When we sang this song it had a lot more meaning than before maybe because I realized I had my first love. Who would have thought Ryan and I together as a couple. Well who would have thought James would ever go to a school dance. There we both were singing and we didn't have to pretend any more that we were in love because we really were. The next couple of song went really well and at the last song Kiss Me Ryan decided it to me I saw Julia smiling at me as to say I told you so. There where so many questions I wanted to ask Ryan and I had all the time in the world. We finished up and packed the equipment the we all went out and danced again this time the songs were faster and supriseingly Ryan was a good dance like I said is there anything he isn't good at. I looked at Raymond who couldn't dance at all and thought why did I ever like that guy. I got a ride home with Ryan but before he took me home we went to this look out, where we sat on his car bonnet looking out to the city arms in arms.
"I love you" I said leaning against him
"I love you too" he said and then we sealed it with a perfect kiss
Well that's how Ryan changed my life and I was glad he did who knew that we were meant for each other.

 

 

Copyright © 1999 Melissa Allen
Published on the World Wide Web by "www.storymania.com"