"Integrity is telling myself the truth. And honesty is telling the truth to other people." Spencer Johnson

----

XI. A Little Bit of Honesty

Noah could see the genuine curiosity in Sophie's wide, brown eyes. He could also see that she was a normal person, with a normal job, normal problems, and without a hankering for Instagram followers or coveted roles.

Noah had been a little naïve, perhaps, in the past. He hadn't always realised just how influential he was in his industry. He never wielded his influence. He never demanded things of anybody. He never called in favours. He never asked favours. He formed good working relationships, and that, and a little bit of talent, had kept him employed for the last ten years.

Noah knew a lot of people. He knew casting agents. He knew talent bookers. He knew producers. And he knew a lot of very talented directors. His phone book alone was the key to a date with any beautiful, wannabe actress in Los Angeles.

What kid in their early twenties, who still had the remnants of teenage acne, wouldn't fall head over heels in love with a Marilyn Monroe look-alike who seemed to be desperately in love with him?

Only that never lasted.

Tally had pointed out that he tended to get dumped just as soon as his dates started to attend the parties that he was invited to and schmooze the people that they needed to. Before this, Noah hadn't realised that his most attractive feature was his job.

It made dating hard and telling the truth even harder. His two best friends, his only friends, really, were his sister, and her girlfriend. Tally was genetically programmed to never ditch him, and he had known Vanessa for over a decade, and since before either she or him had made a name for themselves.

He knew enough of Sophie's character to know that she was nothing like that. But he liked the anonymity he had in this bar. He liked just playing the piano and being a piano man.

There was also the small legal issue of Noah possessing a burnt copy of the unfinished film which was currently playing on his phone and through his AirPods. He had been listening to a scene and writing before Sophie had come in.

"I'm a musician," he replied. It was the truth, technically.

Sophie furrowed her eyebrows. "What exactly does a musician do? Besides play the piano for no money in a London pub."

"I get paid to write music for other people," he elaborated. Also, not a lie. He was writing this score for his director. He also wrote songs for people.

"What kind of people?" Sophie pressed.

"Talented people," he told her.

Sophie looked at him with an exasperated expression. Noah completely got it. And he knew she wasn't going to let it go. He understood how weird it might seem to someone who did rely so heavily on her pay cheques to get by. Noah knew how fortunate he was in that respect.

Noah liked the rapport he had with Sophie. He liked the back and forth between them, and he could see himself getting on really well with her. He hoped the truth wouldn't change anything.

It had changed every other friendship and relationship he had developed over the last decade.

"You can trust me, you know," Sophie said quietly. "You know an awful lot about me and my problems. And you have helped me incredibly."

Trust never even crossed his mind. He knew he could trust her. She was a good person. Noah liked Sophie, and he didn't want to be dishonest with her.

"Promise you won't see me differently," Noah asked firmly. "Please. I like you, Sophie, and I don't want your opinion of me to change. That is, if you have a good opinion of me. If it's bad, then please let it change."

Sophie looked flummoxed. "Of course, I have a good opinion of you, Noah. Unless you're about to tell me you're a serial murderer, or you keep a bag of your toenail clippings in the back of your wardrobe, I am not going to think differently of you."

Noah chuckled. "Nope, never killed anyone, and no bag of nail clippings either," he promised her. "I do write music for other people," he continued. "That is the truth. I compose music for film," he confessed. "I'm a film composer, I suppose would be my official job title. I score movies. I write the music, songs, lyrics, everything, and when I'm finished, I record it with an orchestra, and then hand it over to the editors so they can work their magic and make the movie perfect."

Sophie blinked, and her mouth opened, but no words escaped. She tucked her hair behind her ears and folded her arms across her chest as she figured out what to say.

"That's what I'm doing in London," Noah continued, feeling the need to over-explain to fill the silence. "That's what I'm doing on this piano. I'm scoring a movie. I'm writing the score on the piano, and when I'm finished, I'll go back to LA and I'll record it with an orchestra. The movie's premiering in the summer so my score needs to be completed by Christmas."

***

Sophie did not know what she had been expecting Noah to come out with. She would have thought that a semi-successful, one hit wonder pub band would seem more likely than a film composer!

But what an incredible job! How did one even get into a job like that? And how on earth did a person who worked in Hollywood end up in Pete's little London pub?

How could he possibly be writing a film score on Pete's old piano? Sophie's eyes flicked over the dozens of sheet music that he had surrounding him, and it was hard to fathom that this would all turn into a piece of music that you would hear in a film.

Noah had asked Sophie not to change her opinion of him, but it was hard not to! Noah was obviously a very successful person, and ... and she had asked a film composer to give her daughter piano lessons!

"You don't have to give Maddie piano lessons!" she managed to choke out. "You obviously have much more important things to do, and I can find someone online to teach her."

Noah shook his head. "Sophie, no," he insisted. "I told you that I love to play the piano, and I love sharing it with other people. Besides, I'll bet that Maddie is looking forward to it, and I have no intention of letting her down."

Sophie sat down on the edge of the stage, fearing that she might fall over if she continued standing. Noah sat down beside her.

"She is really looking forward to it," Sophie admitted, "but I do feel terribly guilty now."

"Why?" he asked bluntly. "Why would you feel guilty?"

Sophie pursed her lips and looked up at him. He was frowning at her. "Come on now. You're obviously a very important person, aren't you?" It was difficult not to compare herself to Noah. Despite the fact that he hadn't been taking a wage, he had just been another pub worker only moments ago, just the same as her.

Noah chuckled. "No," he said sincerely. "No more than you, or anyone else. I'm just a guy, from Napa, California, who happened to be pretty good on the piano. I'm not better than anyone else. If somebody ever makes you feel like they're better than you, Sophie, they're an asshole, not someone to be intimidated by."

Sophie appreciated what he was saying, and she could see that he was the same kind person from five minutes before he had told her the truth. "I suppose you aren't better than anyone else," Sophie said with a sly smile. "Your mum does still knit your jumpers."

Noah snorted, and his reaction made Sophie laugh. "That's very true."

"How on earth did you manage to get into that sort of career?" Sophie wondered. She had gone on several auditions during her first few weeks at university, before Beck, and before her pregnancy. She had always been in a room with a hundred other girls who were prettier, more talented, and had far more experience than her. She had never managed to get a call back, let alone a role.

"Well, I got into Julliard after high school. It's a speciality music and performing arts college in New York," he explained, and Sophie didn't let on that she knew what it was. "I've always loved music; I've always loved composing and writing and performing. As a kid, I could pick up any instrument and learn it immediately, but the piano has always been my favourite. I was a bit of a nerd, as you can tell."

"I couldn't," replied Sophie assuredly.

Noah grinned. "Well, I was. I didn't play sports or go to games, and so I spent a lot of my time when I wasn't playing watching TV and movies. And in hearing the greats, I'm talking Vangelis, Ennio Morricone, John Williams, I realised that that is what I wanted to do with my life.

"When you're inspired, you can accomplish great things," Noah said determinedly. "I worked my ass off to get into Juilliard. I wrote like crazy, and I sent demo after demo to every movie studio in the country. I think maybe I annoyed them into giving me a shot." Noah laughed at himself.

"I love Chariots of Fire," Sophie whispered.

Noah appreciated the recognition. "Vangelis is a master," Noah remarked admirably. "A producer found me at school when I was nineteen and gave me, a kid, the biggest break of my life. I scored my first movie, and ten years later, I get to wake up every morning with a job that I love. I am grateful."

Sophie could tell that Noah was grateful. He had true respect for the legends that had come before him, and he had worked hard. How lucky he was to have his dreams come true.

"My first job as a teenager was a piano teacher," Noah revealed to Sophie, "at my mom's church. I taught on the piano that I learned to play on. Every Christmas I still play for the congregation. I know what it is to have a head that can go a million miles an hour when inspired, and I truly hope that I can help Maddie find her passion."

"I think it's a dream, really, to love your work, and to share your passions. Thank you for telling me the truth," Sophie said gratefully, before she stood up. "I really ought to go and pop my bag in the backroom. Where is Pete?" she wondered, noticing that he wasn't at the bar like usual.

"Went to get a coffee as soon as my mom started yelling at me over the phone," replied Noah, smirking.

Sophie grinned, before darting across the floor and making her way into the backroom. As soon as she was alone, she could not help her curiosity. She pulled out her phone, and googled Noah's name.

Thousands of results came up, along with pictures, and articles, and videos of Noah performing. Sophie scrolled in awe, before she clicked on Noah's Wikipedia page. Before now, she had only thought that very successful, famous people had a Wikipedia page. She now realised that Noah was one of them.

"Noah John Bentley, born December 28, 1990, is an American composer, conductor, and pianist, and is regarded as one of the great modern composers of the twenty-first century. He first came to prominence when he became the youngest ever recipient of the Academy Award for Best Original Score at age twenty, for his critically acclaimed work in Forces," Sophie read in a hushed voice, needing to read it out loud to properly comprehend the information.

Sophie remembered going to see Forces in the cinema when it came out, and she had thought it was brilliant. To think that Noah had composed the music for such a film when he was only nineteen? She would have seen his name in the credits, as well!

Sophie scrolled down and continued to read.

"Bentley was born to winemaker, John (born 1954), owner and operator of Bentley Grange, and Joy Bentley (born 1958), a homemaker, in Napa, California, on December 28, 1990. He is three minutes younger than his twin sister, Hallie "Tally" Bentley, a middle school teacher. He has two older sisters, Haley, a winemaker, and the 2017 Pulitzer Prize winning photographer, Casey Bentley.

"Bentley developed an interest in music at a young age, and became proficient in several instruments, most notably the piano. He attended Jefferson High School and graduated from Juilliard School in 2012."

She felt like she was being terribly nosy, but Sophie couldn't help herself but to keep going. She read paragraph after paragraph, detailing his work on seriously brilliant films. He had worked with famous directors, and on movies with proper film stars.

And then she scrolled down to the section where it detailed his personal life.

"Bentley has been a vocal supporter of several musical, charitable organisations, such as Music For Relief, and Inner City Arts, which is a Los Angeles-focussed organisation assisting at-risk elementary and middle school students to participate in arts programs."

Sophie could not tear her eyes away as the page teased her with a section about his romantic relationships.

"Bentley dated fashion model, Alexis Kane, from 2011 – 2012. He was in a relationship with actress, Cara Lovell, from June to September 2013. Bentley dated actress, Hannah Wu, from August 2014 to February 2015."

And there was nothing after that. But those three names were of very famous, very beautiful people.

Sophie slumped down on the sofa as what she had read, and what she had learned, truly sunk in. It was enough to make even the most accomplished person feel as though they had nothing to show for their effort.

But for someone like Sophie? Sophie never aspired to be someone important, but she did have aspirations as every person did. And she was staring at the evidence of someone who had managed to achieve his.

She knew that envy was wrong, and she would never begrudge Noah his successes; he deserved them. But whatever he said about not being better than her, he still was an intimidating person all of a sudden.

Sophie clicked back to her web search and found herself on YouTube. She selected the video titled:"Youngest winner EVER of Best Original Score!"

Sophie watched the Oscars on television every year. She might have even watched this year, she didn't know. She watched as the presenters listed the nominees for Best Original Score, and the camera went to each composer.

"Noah Bentley, Forces," read the presenter. Sophie knew who she was, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it.

The camera went to Noah, and Sophie's jaw dropped and an "Aw!" escaped her mouth as she saw him. He looked so young! He looked like a skinny teenager, wearing a rented tuxedo for a school formal. He looked so nervous, and a glamourous, older woman was holding his hand. Just looking at how anxious she was for Noah, Sophie could tell she was his mum, Joy.

"And the Oscar goes to ... Noah Bentley, Forces."

The sound of applause rung out through the theatre, and Noah was immediately hugged by his mum. Oh, God, he looked so ecstatic, and in complete disbelief that his name had been read out.

"This is the first nomination and first win for Noah Bentley. This award makes him the youngest winner ever in this category. He is also nominated tonight for Best Original Song," said the voiceover.

Noah made his way down the aisle and he climbed up the stairs to get on stage. He received his statue from the actress presenter, and awkwardly kissed her on the cheek. He then came to stand in front of the microphone with the biggest smile on his face.

"Oh, God, wow," he said breathlessly. "I never thought this would happen in a million years."

Sophie had to cup her hand over her mouth to stop herself from crying out at the sweetness she saw.

"I'd like to thank Adam Wexler, and all the producers on Forces who took a chance on me. I probably annoyed you into giving me the job, but I think the score turned out okay."

There was a rumble of laughter from the audience.

"The director, George Erwin, for taking me seriously, thank you. The editors, the sound editors, the sound mixers, you guys made my work sound amazing. This was seriously the best experience of my life," Noah continued, clutching his Oscar as though it was his life support. "At the end of the day, I'm just a guy who loves to play piano, and to create melodies and songs that make people feel something is honestly a privilege." He grinned, shaking his head. "My sisters, Haley, Casey, and my twin and best friend, Tally, I adore you. My parents, John, and Joy. Mom, thanks for dragging me to my first piano lesson. Thank you, everyone." He held up his Oscar and then was led off the stage.

The video ended, and Sophie let out a breath.

"I got so drunk that night. Don't tell my mom."

Sophie jumped as she looked up to see Noah standing in the doorway. He didn't look angry, only amused, as well as searching Sophie's face for her thoughts.

"I was only twenty, but at the after party they kept shoving champagne into my hands and my virgin liver went to town." Noah laughed at himself.

"You're just a guy who loves piano?" Sophie repeated, raising her eyebrows.

Noah shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly. "I'm just a guy who loves piano," he confirmed. "Hey, you want to be really impressed, my sister won a Pulitzer for her series of photographs on the catastrophic effects of global warming in the Amazon. Compared to her, I just twinkle my fingers on a damn keyboard."

Noah held up his spirit fingers and Sophie cracked. What the hell was his mother feeding her children to have them turn out so bloody talented?

"Do you still want to be my friend?" Noah asked hopefully. "I'm nice, I promise. I can't do much else besides playing piano. Like, I can't cook, and I'm terrible with directions," he joked. "I can't do laundry. I buy new clothes, or else I'll turn everything pink. My favourite genre of TV is reality, and I've seen every episode of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, so I know that's a strike against me. I live with two girls, so I blame that on them. Um, what else do I suck at?"

"Stop, stop!" Sophie cried, giggling. "You're an idiot, but I do appreciate the sentiment. I'm sorry for snooping on you like this. You probably think that's terribly nosy."

Noah grinned. "No, I don't blame you. I'd be curious, too. And embarrassed, let's be honest, that you now know what I looked like in the best part of my awkward stage. Acne, skinny, that freaking Bieber haircut. Jesus, what were we thinking?"

Sophie covered her face as she laughed, and she mightily appreciated his efforts to make her feel better. He was a really nice person. His mum was right. "Yes, of course I'd like to be friends, Noah," replied Sophie. "You are so very talented," she added sincerely. "I really mean it."

"Likewise," he returned the compliment. "I hope you're not forgetting that I had the pleasure of playing back up for you on Friday night. I know you've got some pipes in your back pocket." Noah came and sat down beside her on the sofa and bumped her with his elbow. "Go on then," he urged.

"What?"

"Well, I crapped on myself for you. You now need to tell me all your guilty habits and personal flaws so I can decide if I want to be friends with you," he said bluntly.

"Oh, well," Sophie sucked in a breath as she thought. "I cry," she began. "I cry all the time. And not just when the situation demands it. When I'm reading, or watching a film, or even an emotional television advert, I will break down. Um, the television show I am currently binge watching with Maddie is Hannah Montana. What's sad is that I am enjoying it," Sophie admitted, laughing. "I can't drive, never learned."

"I could teach you," he offered.

"Not likely, you drive on the wrong side of the road, and in the wrong side of the car!" Sophie pointed out.

"I beg to differ."

"Agree to disagree." Sophie smirked. "What else? The only condiment I like is tomato sauce."

"Not even ranch?" gasped Noah in disbelief.

"I really have no idea what that is," Sophie confessed with a shrug.

"Well, that's it then. Can't be friends." Noah slapped his hands on top of his thighs as he stood up.

He was being silly, but he had really helped Sophie to relax. What's more is that she did think that Noah could be a really good friend. Sophie didn't have many friends, really, as Maddie was a full-time job on top of her work at the pub. So, it was nice to have a comfortable rapport with someone.

Noah turned around and pulled Sophie to her feet. "Are we good?" he asked her seriously.

"Yeah." Sophie nodded.

They walked out of the backroom together, and noticed Pete standing behind the bar. Noah continued on back up to the piano, and he promptly put his AirPods back in. Pete was smirking to himself as he unloaded the dishwasher.

"What?" Sophie snapped, feeling a blush on her cheeks.

"Nothing, nothing," Pete so obviously lied.

"What?" Sophie pressed.

"I'm just starting a betting pool with the girls and the bouncers this week. I've got twenty quid on you two shagging before the month is out."

Sophie's eyes widened so fast it hurt, and she thanked God that Noah couldn't hear them. "Oh my God! Shut up!" she hissed. "That is so inappropriate! We are just friends!"

"And I'm the bloody Queen of England." Pete winked. 

----

Hope you enjoyed it!!

Just a fair warning guys. School starts back on Tuesday. Yes, I'm going to be teaching from home and have no idea how that will work, but I'll still be working which means daily updates won't be happening. But I'll do my best!!

Happy Easter! I know Easter will look a lot different for everyone this year, but I hope you still find some way to enjoy the weekend. 

My Good Friday tradition is watching the Good Friday Appeal telethon all day for the Royal Children's Hospital. It wasn't on this year obviously, and it's just weird to have a Good Friday without it. But I still donated online, and we still managed to break last years record with $18.2 million raised for the kids! 

A lot of Australians have a connection to that hospital, myself included. Find a way to do a good deed this Easter :) 

Vote and comment!