Sound of music (Anita)

Anita loved music, listening to it and well, wishing that she could play it. She wished that she had more time on her hands to actually come out and listen to it more often but the once every few weeks was good enough for her, well for now anyway. The young woman sat down at a table by herself as she held her camera up. She snapped some pictures of the band and then stopped. There was a man playing the piano, one she doesn’t recall ever seeing here before, or at least playing in the band. She zoomed in on him and she smiled. She snapped a few pictures. Something inside her wanted to get up and talk to him later. She never really had the nerve to talk to anyone in this sort of manner before. There was always a first time for everything, however.

Once the band was done playing, she watched him start packing up. She figured it was now or never. She let out a small sigh and let the camera hang from her neck. Anita watched as the man walked over to the coat rack and she picked hers up from the back of the chair. She stood up and walked over to him and smiled.

“You’re very talented.” She simply said, with the smile still on her face. She couldn’t think of anything else to say to him, hoping that this would strike up a conversation. She couldn’t think about anything else at the moment other than how cute the guy was up close and the fact that he was a talented piano player. She had never met a musician in person before but she had heard a ton. “when did you start playing with the band?” she then asked him curiously.

Anita looked at him when he turned around. Something had hit her like a ton of bricks. There was just something about this guy that made her want to do more than just tell him how good he was. She wanted to get to know him. There was something there that she couldn’t explain. It was a rush of emotions she had never felt for anyone before. She noticed that he was staring at her as well and when he removed his pipe she looked away giving a slight awkward chuckle.

He thanked her and admitted that he wasn’t an official member but Anita didn’t care. He then introduced himself and held out his hand for her to shake. Anita did so and smiled, showing her white teeth. “Anita Tucker.” She introduced herself. “It’s a pleasure to meet you Roger.” She blushed when she said his name. She knew that it was completely visible now and she let go of his hand, completely embarrassed. “I’m sorry, this doesn’t usually-“ She paused. “I’m not awkward or weird, I promise.” She laughed a little and shook her head. “anyway-“ she paused again and shook her head. “only a teacher?” she then asked, tilting her head to the side. “sorry, I don’t mean that in a bad way. You seem like you would be more than that, not that I mean that in a bad way either.” Anita just decided to shut up. She was rambling and that was something she always seemed to do when she was nervous or embarrassed.

"I am just sorry all around. I should probably go. It might get worse." she then said with a small smile.

He told her he didn’t think that at all about her and she was a bit relieved. That was the last thing she wanted him to think since she was making a first impression on him and those are always the ones that you have to make count.

“oh, good.” She responded, not shuffling her foot awkwardly. Even though he assured her, she still felt that she was being a complete idiot right now.

Roger had objected to her leaving. He was about to say something and just stopped. Anita just stared at him and she waited but neither of them seemed to be able to form words. “its just what?” Anita then asked wondering if he was going to say the same things she was. “Weird?” she then asked wondering if that was the word she wanted to choose. “No, I don’t know. It’s like I feel like I know you, but I have never seen you before until now.” She admitted, wondering if he was thinking the same thing.

She noticed that his face was just as red as hers. They probably looked like a couple of fools just standing there which made her a bit more embarrassed than before. “hey, if it helps any, I’m a struggling artist, kind of, so you don’t have to feel bad about being a piano teacher.” Anita chuckled to him.

Anita just stared at him. Yeah, this wasn’t going well at all in her mind. At least she wasn’t the only one that sounded so bad with words right now. He did too and that made her feel a bit better about it all. She watched as he smoked his pipe and didn’t say anything. Sure, it’s a nasty habit but it really wasn’t something that completely bothered her. She had been around smokers her whole life so it really wasn’t anything new.

Well good, he started saying the same thing she did. She started laughing though. She thought that they just sounded so funny right now. “I’m sorry.” She then apologized for her laughter. “between you stuttering and me mumbling like an idiot I think we sound like the most intelligent people out there.” She said half sarcastic and just continued to laugh it off.

“I’m a painter. I do everything from sketching to painting and everything in between.” She said, a little more relaxed now. “except sculpting. I am terrible at that.” she finished.

Anita chuckled when he said that he would have to agree. She shook her head to his apology. It was understandable and she figured that she was the one who took him by surprise and then herself too. It seemed that they had something in common, not getting out much and meeting people. she laughed at his comment about someone finding the right person for him.

“at least your friend is trying right?” she asked him with a smile. “and don’t apologize.” She added.

“if you want, you can stop by my place sometime and see some of my work. I like to take pictures and paint them.” Anita said to him. she then felt like an idiot for already inviting him over. This must go back to the feelings that she felt she knew him in some strange way. Anita let out a small sigh and wondered if she was just taking this a little too quickly.

Anita continued to just stare at him and now she didn’t even care that she was staring anymore. They really couldn’t get any more awkward than they were right now so what was the point in trying to act normal?

Anita looked at him and smiled. She wished that she had a close friend like that. She had friends but not many close ones. She was hoping to change that sometime soon and hopefully, if this going somewhere maybe she could find that friend in Roger.

He then offered to show her his place and play a song and Anita’s smile got wider. “I would love that!” she said. “maybe you could even teach me how to play a little.” She then said, followed by “I have no sense of music or rhythm whatsoever. I do like listening to it though.” she laughed.

“when did you learn how to play? And my other question is do you play anything other than piano?” Anita was curious. She knew that some musicians played more than one instrument and she wondered if Roger did as well.

Anita smiled when he said he was willing to teach others. She didn’t know how well she would be learning but at least she would be spending time with him. That was what she wanted at this point and wondered if he wanted the same thing. She smiled when he said he was going to learn. She really didn’t know what to really talk about but that didn’t matter. She just wanted to stand here with him. It was still very strange.

He mentioned that the place was closing and she nodded. “Sure, that would be great!” Anita smiled, “to both I mean, walking and you teaching me how to play piano.” Anita stated then started moving towards the door. She walked outside and waited for him to come out so that the owner could close the place.