Chapter Thirty

I walk straight over to the stool near the piano and pick the guitar up while Alex settles behind the piano.

"I sort of wrote this a while ago, and it needs tweaking." I look down at the ground, then back at his eyes, "but I really want the song on the album."

"Okay." He nods his head, "I want to hear your voice."

"Promise you won't laugh?" I feel a little heated with his heavy gaze on me.

"I promise I won't, Sienna."

My fingers brush over the strings and I take a deep breath. I want to get myself into the moment so that the song sounds amazing. I let the thoughts and voices consume my mind. I open my heart and let it feel.

"I'm trying to justify your actions with the words you've said,
they all, mean nothing to me." My fingertips burn against the steel strings, I haven't had the chance to play in a while.

"Finally, I'm reaching out for something more,
So don't! Don't hold me back...
I'm finally going for what I want."

"Take me as I am.
I'm the only person I'll ever be.
If you don't want me,
why are you still calling' me...
Take me as I am." The sound of the piano makes me jump, but I see Alex pressing keys trying out different melodies to fit the song. You'd think I'd be used to the intrusion.

"You're trying to justify your actions,
with a feeling of love.
What do you know about, anything?
What do you even know about me?" I sing my heart out.

When I suddenly stop playing, I look up at Alex and he smiles brightly.

"She's a worked, but a good base," he says.

"Do you really think so?"

"I think the song would reach its potential with an acoustic set, maybe an external voice to aid your vocals." Alex comes to life as he explains all his ideas and thoughts for the song, which internally brings me to life.

"Do you know what happens next?" I ask.

"What?" asks a confused Alex.

"I get the pleasure of hearing a song from you, an original too." I grin.

Alex opens his mouth to protest, but I shake my head and hand him the guitar. Instead of saying anything, he takes the guitar and puts the strap over his head.

"It's just something off the top of my head," he warns, "can't promise it'll be any good."

"Just get to the song." I nod my head, "everything doesn't need to be perfect, you just need to try."

Alex plays a few strings and turns the tuning keys on the end of the guitar to tune the string.  After the strings are fixed and sound crisp, he plays a few chords here and there before falling into a catchy melody. 

"Can you stay with me tonight,
I heard you like the starry skies,
I could show you were not so different after all," he holds the ending note.                         

One of the things I enjoy about watching someone sing, is seeing them come alive. The swirl of emotion in their voice, their physical reaction and how they tell the story but look so lost in the story as well.

"We can be together,
I heard you like the stars,
So tonight,
Can you be my shining star?" The song leaves me with an overall chilled feeling creeping up my spine. The song is so emotional and adorable at the same time, I'm glad he decided to take the challenge and sing something new and original. I feel inspired.

"You just came up with that?" I ask.

"Sort of." He nods his head.

"It's really cute." I shiver, "who is that about?" I ask.

"You." The hair on my arms stand on ends. Nobody's ever taken the time to write something like that for me, it's exciting.

"Nobody's ever taken the time to write me a song before," I whisper.

"Then I'll write more about you." He smiles, "You're worth more than you think you deserve. On the outside, sometimes you look a little tough, sassy even. But deep down, I know there's still the girl who was first scared to post her music on YouTube. The world changes people, but don't let people change you."

Alex removes the guitar from his body and leans it against another instrument. He slowly gets up from his seat and moves towards me. My insides start buzzing, and I come alive with anticipation.

"Sienna?" he whisper.

"Yes, Alex?" I try to sound confident, but I can the trembles in my own voice.

"Can I kiss you?" he asks.

Taking a step back, I try to find a shred of confidence by stalling time. But my ankle gives out on me, and I go crashing to the ground in a messy heap. I thank the heavens for choosing to wear shorts today - but that's not enough to stop myself from going bright red in humiliation.

Alex bursts out laughing and almost lands on the ground himself. After he recovers from the shock, he moves to help me off the ground.

"I must have had you trembling really bad." He offers me his hand.

"Yes." I blush.

Grabbing a hold of his hand, I yank him onto the ground next to me. In return, I watch as his body flies through the air and crashes against the floor. Alex's reaction was quick enough to allow him to place his hands out and avoid face planting the ground.

Alex pouts up at me, but the payback is so worth the consequence.

"What was that for?" he asks.

"For playing tricks on my mind! I really thought you wanted to kiss me," I confess.

The confidence goes, and I look away from his face. I don't want to see him laugh at me, my dignity is all but hanging on by a single, fragile thread.

"Sienna, look at me," he orders.

A part of me still wants to make a run for it, but the undertone of authority and sincerity makes me roll on my side and gaze into his soft compelling blue eyes. His look makes my heart soften to the point of melting out my chest.

"I'm not trying to play with your head. I really -" He launches his body at me, and in a blurred sequence of motion, I feel a pair of soft lips crash against my own. Gasping in surprise, I jerk backwards. But his hands tangle through my hair, bring my lips back to his.

Alex pushes his body on top of mine, and buries his hands into my hair. His rough movement but gentle kiss makes my heart swoon and my body warm up.

I want, I need more of Alex Bray.

His lips press against the skin on my cheek and slowly trails down to my jaw line. He hovers his lips near mine and the anticipation begins to eat me alive. I want to reconnect our lips, but he suddenly moves away, leaving me wanting more.

"Don't you pout at me," he teases.

My pouty lips change to a cute glare – which makes Alex roll his eyes and kiss me once more. I run my hands down his back and I slip one hand into his back pocket and squeeze his butt. He yelps in surprise, which makes me laugh at his adorably cute reaction. I'm stopped in my tracks when I feel something poke my hand.

Pulling the object out, I peek over his shoulder to see that it's Melanie's business card. My cute mood is shattered at the sights of her face. Pushing Alex off my, I sit up and hand him the business card.

"What's wrong?" he asks.

"That." I point to his hand.

"Are you jealous of her?" Amusement flood his voices and embarrassment heats my cheeks. Of course I'm embarrassed of a beautiful, stunning girl who obviously really likes him! I'm nothing compared to her.

"No." I stare at the ground, "why should I be?" But I don't sound very convincing.

"I think it's sexy you're jealous," says Alex, matter of fact.

"Well, I don't like this feeling. It's toxic."

"Here, watch this." I look up at Alex to see him rip her business card into little pieces before throwing it up in the air. As the ripped pieces of card fall to the ground, it makes me feel slightly better about it.

"Why did you do that?" I ask.

"Because I don't want you to be jealous of her, okay? I only accepted the card because I didn't want to upset her feelings or humiliate her if I said no," explains Alex.

"Oh." I pout, "That sounds nice actually."

He leans in and kisses me, "I only want you."

A coughing sound comes over the speakers and then followed by the sound of Mr. Carter's awkward voice, "We've only got a couple more hours for writing," he explains.

Alex is reluctant to pull away, but he does and climbs to his feet quickly so that he can help me. I gratefully accept the offer and climb off the floor and straighten out my outfit.

"We can finish this later," he whispers near my ear.

Giggling, I nod my head and say, "You won't find me objecting."

We sit down at the desk and I open my notebook to the page I'd last been scribbling on. I quickly read over my notes before picking up on our previous conversation.

"We need add a chorus in there," I point to the page, "and then you two can go over the music before I add the vocals to it."

"What are you going to write for the chorus?"

I frown, "I was hoping you'd have some ideas," I confess.

"Good think I have some ideas then," Alex teases.

"I can't wait to be finished," I declare, "laying the vocals seems like such an easy process right now."

"You'd be surprised."

I wish he'd lie for once and just say things get better from here on out. Reality can be suspended for a few more days – I have no complaints there. The idea of seeing my family soon is going to be enough to keep me motivated and on track. I have a feeling Alex is going to be more distraction than good.