Friday, 21 November 2008
12:36:00 AM (GMT) Prologue
Hello, my name is, well, you don’t need to know anything except that I am a mere
simple crow who has befriended a human that I came to find quite interesting. I
don’t really find the need to tell you about myself because this is a story about
a fifteen year old girl and a sixteen year old boy who met, it seems, by fate and
were meant to become best friends/It was in a small town, the willow tree was. But
not really in it, more like on the edge, where the ominous, peaceful forest meets
the small, modern, and bleak town. The tree was not very special to look at; it
wasn’t something to ponder at like a piece of art. It was just sort of there. But
it wasn’t there as nothing important, in fact, it was the very opposite. That old
willow tree was the marker, a symbol, a point in time where, a strong, and Prologue
Hello, my name is, well, you don’t need to know anything except that I am a mere
simple crow who has befriended a human that I came to find quite interesting. I
don’t really find the need to tell you about myself because this is a story about
a fifteen year old girl and a sixteen year old boy who met, it seems, by fate and
were meant to become best friends/It was in a small town, the willow tree was. But
not really in it, more like on the edge, where the ominous, peaceful forest meets
the small, modern, and bleak town. The tree was not very special to look at; it
wasn’t something to ponder at like a piece of art. It was just sort of there. But
it wasn’t there as nothing important, in fact, it was the very opposite. That old
willow tree was the marker, a symbol, a point in time where, a strong, and
long-lasting friendship, would occur.
The Story
It was cold outside right now and Emma, being her stubborn self, would not go into
town to sit in a warm store at least. No matter how many times I pecked and swooped
at her she didn’t budge. So finally I flew away leaving her alone to be depressing
by herself. I knew she hated that. She watched me with cold, icy eyes. Glaring at me
with anger, she started crying, immediately I obediently flew down to her again. She
sniffed a convincing sniff, and then almost on cue that annoying sniffle turned into
a bratty, mocking giggle. Once again I was tricked by her sarcastic little tricks
that she was so good at. I gave up on trying convincing her to go to town, and
instead sat on her lap to at least try and warm her frigid skin. That is when that
ruffled haired boy came with a funny thing on his back. He walked long steps and
seemed to be rushing to get somewhere. That is when he noticed a strange looking
girl in an old, worn willow tree, with long, brown, windswept hair. He stopped for a
moment and then moved on. The very next day he came back again, except from the other
direction, and this time he heard a girl singing a wonderful little tune, this made
him stop for a while longer than before. He stared and began to take those long
steps towards the willow tree. Emma stopped and looked down.
“You like it? My mother taught it to me when I was young. It is very simple you
know… You have a funny thing on your back, what is it?” she looked at him with
her gray-blue eyes. He stood there for a bit, I don’t know why, he looked
dumbstruck; hasn’t he ever seen a girl before? Ah, then again, she does live in a
tree.
For about thirty seconds that seemed to be three years he stood there, wordless,
then he took off the funny thing on his back and opened it. Now I knew I saw it
before. It was called a guitar. You make music with it. And as I guessed, Emma knew
that also. Being one who loved music, she also knew what this thing could do, and
make. She jumped out of the tree and sat next to him. He looked surprised, he
flinched. As he looked at her more closely, he began to notice a lot of scars on
her. Also, he could see the blue and purple starting to show up on her pale skin.
Finally he spoke.
"Are you sick?” he said. "Are you ok?” he said again. No reply. I pecked at
Emma's shoulder. "I am...ok...” Emma said, admiring the guitar…
"So, what the heck are you doing in a tree?” he asked, touching the tree. "MY
TREE!!" I squawked, but I think he only heard a squawk. Humans these days...
"You know, sitting." Emma said, petting me.
Yeah, yeah...reassure me. He played a few bars. Personally, I thought it sounded
like me on a bad day... though Emma, however, squealed. And when I say squealed, I
mean squealed like, a little piggy. A squeal of pure delight for his few measures
made her black and white world take wings and flourish into color.
He laughed, blushing as he laughed at her delight, or at least that’s what it
looked like; maybe he was cold…or maybe not…
“You like it? I wrote it myself a few years ago. And, this [he held the guitar
outward a bit] is a guitar.” He looked straight a you when he talked. Something
warned me that in the future that the strange look in his eyes would get Emma into
trouble. Emma replied to him.
“Yes I do… I really...do like it. Did you really write it yourself? And for your
refurrence, I know what a guitar is.” She looked at him with her devilish sarcastic
look I’ve seen so many times before. For some reason he laughed. Then I remembered
how funny Emma spoke, or what seemed to sound funny to educated humans.
“It’s not refurrence. It’s reference…So, anyway, what is your name? And why
are you half dressed for cold and in a tree?” He sat intently, waiting for a
reply.
"I’m not half dressed. You’re overdressed.” Emma said, folding her arms. "AND,
I'm in a tree because I like trees ok?!?” Emma said, as she jumped back into the
tree with the look again. I rolled my head since I can’t really roll my eyes as
humans can. Humans these days...
"You still never said your name.” he said, looking up.
"Emma. Emma [She didn’t know her last name, only I know], happy now?” Emma said;
seeming to be a bit ticked off.
"I have the feeling your… mad at me?” he asked.
"You’re acting like those people in suits who always ask the many questions and
correct people.” Emma said almost falling out of the tree. I grabbed her hair with
my beak, awe birdies…did she need some cleaning!
She petted me again, so nice.
"Whoa, don’t get your bunches in a… umm, bunch.” he said, scratching his head.
Emma giggled as he began playing again. Her playful personality finally returned to a
full of joy attitude; like it used to be. They laughed and teased each other for
hours until it became dark and he had to go home. Before he left he turned to us.
“By the way, my name is Aaden…and, Emma, your voice, is really beautiful.” He
smiled and then walked away. I looked at Emma she didn’t seem to realize it but I
knew it. He really liked this strange girl in a willow tree.
Music Competition
Over the next several weeks the boy with ruffled hair and brown eyes, Aaden, came
to see Emma. Each time getting closer to her and becoming more of a friend. This was
a good change for Emma, having a friend. And I could tell because every morning and
afternoon she lit up when he came. Especially when he came this one time…
He was nearly tripping over his own feet as he came running to the willow tree,
yelling to Emma and waving some paper in the air. I of course wanted to know so I
flew and snatched it from him. He looked angry, what I wanted. But it was only for a
bit of fun. I flew to Emma and dropped it into her lap. She looked at the paper.
“What is it? Is it…umm…a…a letter?” She looked puzzled. She never learned
to read and he obviously figured that out.
“Oh, well you see, its and entry form to a musical competition! We can enter with
your voice and my music!” He had a face of excitement and nervousness. He looked at
her straight on. His smile faded.
“What’s wrong? Aren’t you happy? We could get a scholarship for a music school
and have our own CD’s!” Still, Emma frowned. She looked away.
“There will be people? And people are… [She mumbled] evil…And how do you
expect me to go there, with no car or clean cloths, and no parents!? I don’t even
know what a CD is!” She looked frustrated, so did he though. He didn’t know what
to do except to try and convince her.
"Clean clothes? Parents? Bah.” Aaden consoled her.
"Aaden, we can’t do this. You have to do this. Alone, without me. You've GOT
parents, and clothing.” Emma said, staggering.
"I also have a sister.” Aaden said; his brown eyes lit up till they were
seemingly orange.
"Thanks. Rub it in why don't you.” Emma said, staring at the paper.
"M-m....myoo....mooo....” Emma tried to read the word 'Music'.
"Are you making fun of cows, Emma?” Aaden laughed.
"Oh, be quiet. I bet you couldn't read this word.” Emma pointed to 'Music'.
"Wanna bet?” Aaden asked, looking her in the eyes. He had the twitch where he
tried to look in both eyes but he couldn't stop moving his own. I didn't understand
why he looked her in the eyes…Humans these days...
"Yeah, I want to bet", Emma said. A smile found its way to Emma's face. Aaden
extended his hand. "What are you doing?” Emma asked, staring at his hand.
"You shake it when you agree with someone.” Aaden grabbed her hand and she
blushed. Though she didn’t know that it’s was a blush. He shook her hand and
said with a smile, "music." Her jaw dropped.
"How did you-?” Emma snatched her hand back. "I went to school", Aaden smiled.
"Oh. So when did u learn to play guitar then?” Emma asked as they leaned on the
willow tree. I let him lean...I was too tired to get angry at the moment. They were
up all night playing that guitar and singing the songs...I couldn't rest. I just
couldn't!
"It was a music school.” Aaden stated playing chords on the guitar as Emma sang
her DOs and MIs, warming up to sing a song.
"This is the song I wanted to perform for the competition", Aaden began playing the
song they’ve always been practicing every night. The same song that kept me woke
last night.
You're the light of my heart
When everyone's around you're the only one I see
You're the best you help us never fall apart
it feels like no one's around it's just you and me
They sang with perfect harmony, getting louder at some parts and softer at others.
Just like a Beethoven symphony.
“Wow…I like it…but I’m still not sure if I want o do it! I mean all those
people. I don’t think I can do it.” She looked down. He leaned onto her shoulder
and started to fake snore. Very loudly, and in an obnoxious way. Don’t these, kids
ever sleep anymore?
“What are you doing, stupid…” Emma said disgruntled as she attempted to push
his big head off of her shoulder. When she succeeded, he nearly landed his big fat
head on me!
“Don’t be afraid to get something because you’re afraid they won’t like it.
When I first saw you in that tree I was afraid that you were some weirdo. But the
next day when I came back, and heard your voice, I regretted not meeting you a day
earlier. Even though I still got to meet you…” he blushed so much that I could
have sworn he was an apple. Yet Emma still did not get it. She still didn’t
understand love.
“But it is really hard to. But maybe if we both go and play it together, maybe
then I will be able to do it.”
He smiled a huge smile. He got up and ran a bit and stopped, turned, and smiled
again.
“I will come get you tomorrow, for the auditions!” and that was all he said,
then left. Emma was so happy; I could feel the happiness in me to. She was opening
up, something I tried to help her with for a long time but she just wouldn’t do
it. Yet, this boy could. It amazed me.
Audition
The next morning he came to get Emma, like he said. I followed them to make sure
they got to the audition ok. Which, they did. After they went to Aaden’s house and
gave Emma a shower and clean cloths to wear. Everything seemed fine and to be going
well. But, then something happened. Nothing horrid happened like a crash. But when
we got to the audition, after they had already auditioned and won a place in the
real competition of finalists, that’s when the judges decided to look over their
applications.
"Hmm.....the team of Aaden and Emma....ages sixteen and.....fifteen? Wait,
wait...no, no, no. this won’t do. A fifteen year old? In our competition? No, no,
no, no, no. this is...this is...” the judge said reading. "DISQUALIFICATION”,
the announcer said.
“WHAT? But, it didn’t say that anywhere!” Aaden looked mad, I couldn’t see
his face from outside the window, but from how he was moving his arms, I could tell.
The judge spoke again, oh wait, no, it was another judge.
“Yes, actually it did. Did you read the fine print? It says right there that only
those above the age of sixteen may participate. I’m sorry only you, ah, Mr. Aaden
may participate. The girl may not I am sorry” the judge’s words silenced Aaden.
One again that dumbstruck face appeared.
“Well, who the heck actually reads the fine print? Aaden almost yelled. Good thing
he didn’t otherwise he would’ve gotten into trouble.
“Well, obviously we didn’t…I’ll just go Aaden you have to do this. I mean
you really love music and all.” Emma looked sad. She pushed Aaden towards the
judges and walked out of the room. She turned around.
“Don’t come after me Aaden or else I’ll run away. You enter this
competition!” Her last words to him. She ran before he had a chance to go after
her. He turned and took his entry number. He had no choice.
-The performance-
A lot of the contestants already went. Aaden’s time was near. The
nervousness finally took place like a rocket full of fireworks exploding in his
stomach.
"Next up, we have Aaden Jacobs", the announcer said. "Oh shoot I forgot to learn
Emma's part.", Aaden realized, as he walked to the microphone with his guitar slung
on him. He played with many pauses....in the pauses; there'd be an occasional
'ooooh, yeeeah' where he'd normally sing. Suddenly,
"You're the wing beneath my skin.” a female voice sang. "You're the kiss I never
had.” Aaden sang back.
"You're my happiness, when I get sad.” They sang together. Emma began walking out
from backstage.
"You're the one that I believe in.", Emma sang. "The strength that keeps me strong,
yeah" Aaden sang.
"You tell me what’s right and what's wrong. And that’s how we get along" They
sang. The judges' eyes popped out of their brains as the song concluded. The roar of
the crowd was greater than ever, so loud, I could hear it from outside. Emma and
Aaden smiled, they accomplished their dream together. The happiness was so great
that I could feel it just as much as they could. They did not win of course, but the
judges were so impressed that they got a scholarship for the music school. It was
great, but not as much as their faithful, long-to-last in the future friendship.
Last edited: 23 November 2008 | 
