Chapter Twenty One

"I'm best at nothing."

A wave of silence swept through the air. I only said the truth anyways, so I wasn't bothered.

"That's not true" Damien said. "Maybe I didn't ask well. What can you do? What do you like? C'mon Paige."

"Swears."I murmured. "I have none. I don't like... Anything. Can't do... Anything."

"Pf..."Liam hissed. "Rich kids."

"That was inappropriate Liam."Damien warned. I wasn't hurt though.

"Paige, you can do something. You just..."

"Don't mock me. I can't!"I yelled at him. "It's the truth. You can go on with what you can do. I'll do other things but art? I know nothing. Don't make things harder than it seems. We had little time."

Damien thought for a while.

"Liam, you go get some pictures. Leave us. Please."

Liam smiled. "Okay boss."He left.

Damien change position to the piano set and began to play. I felt like I was being left out. He's doing music definitely. I just sat there, listening to his angelic rhythm. He wasn't saying anything but the melody touched my soul. I felt dazed, or rather dizzy. I felt safe. Music -- his music, I love it.

When I thought of the idea of falling asleep while he sat there, I realized it would be so nice -- it'd be awkward so I had to ask him what to do. I can't just sit there.

"Damien. Am I supposed to sit and stare?"

"Sit and listen."He hummed.

"Your song will get me sleeping."

"I'm glad it will."

"I can't just sit still."

"You said you wouldn't do anything."

"So?"I said. "What do you think? I can't do art doesn't mean I can't do anything."

He didn't stop playing and I had to shout on the top of my voice for him to here.

"Sit and listen. That's all I ask."

"That's not a good task."

"What the...!"He exclaimed, pausing so suddenly that he startled me. He had a big smile on his face which reason I can't decipher. 

"What?"I had to ask.

"You can do something Paige!"

"What are you saying?"

He turned his chair to face me, so he'd be sitting in a comfortable position.

"Let's drop that for now."

I nodded.

"You have PTSD."

"I wouldn't want to talk about it."

"Fine. But do you know how talented you are. I've always seen it in you. You're smart. Do you know that?"

I tried not to blush.

"You are mocking me again. Are you always this arrogant?!"

"You just made perfect lines. I'm damn serious!"He shrieked. 

Perfect lines? I was lost.

"I'll remind you of your lines. You made a rythm. Listen, sleeping... Hmmm... Ask, task. Will, still. Anything, thing. Meh!

You are a super duper songwriter!"

He's joking. I've never written songs in my entire life.

"You're really different. Different from the Paige I think I knew. I should have have the honor of introducting myself again..."

"You're crazy!"I spat, perplexed.

"I know."He laughed, extended his hand for a shake. "Hi, I'm Damien Smith, a songwriter."He winked.

"So..."I ignored his hand.

"If may ask without sounding rude, who are you?"

"Are you...high on something?"

"I don't drink. I don't take drugs. Ma'am I'm just seventeen."

You don't look it. 

"Just cooperate with me. I'm getting somewhere with this."

I swallowed.

"Fine."I shook his hands." Paige Kam. I love your music."I smiled but it faded as time passed. He wasn't letting go of my hand and his stare...

"Stop staring at me. You said..."

He came back to his senses.

"Yeah! You didn't tell me what you do."

"I'm a student of course."

"And..."

"What do you want to know?"

"You're a songwriter too. Seems like destiny."He grinned.

"Jerk!"I spat.

"I swear. You would write better than me sooner than later."

"Was that your song?"

"Yeah."He smiled. "I'm glad you liked it. Who's you favorite musician? Or what type of music do you like?"

"I don't know. I seriously don't have any. Don't ask me why."

"What do you like?"

"I..."That was a tough one. "I've probably never liked anything. I just don't do anything so I don't have a chance to like. "

"But you just said you loved my song "

"I was playing along!"I lied.

"Paige Kam. Look around this room. There are all kinds of musical instrument in it. Which would you go for the most."

"The guitar. I've always craved."For some reason I was being raw with him, being unusually truthful and spilling out too much. I just could not control it.

"Perfect!"He got two guitars, one for himself and another for me. I still couldn't fathom what he was up to but I trusted him. I knew whatever it was, it'd be fun and I won't get hurt.

"Watch me play a random song and tell me what you think. What me closely. You might have to sing again and I bet you I won't remember the song once I've spilled it out. You must be attentive.

I play only two instruments. The guitar and that piano. Thank goodness you chose what I knew or I'd have to fetch you a music teacher."

"Are you trying to force me into doing music with you?"

"I'm not forcing you!"He said. "If you're interested you can leave, the door is open. If you like it then stay. I know it's best for you. And I'd advice you give it a try. You're really good at it. You should figure out that for yourself."

Then he played:

"Maybe I don't feel good

Maybe you wouldn't understand

While watched you slip away 

Maybe you had told me to stay

Maybe we are one, better together.

I'll give all my heart can render

Maybe, she'd love me back."

I've never been so attentive. That song...

"What was that about?"

"I swear, I just sang anything that came to mind. I can even remember again. I told you before."

"I can remember..."

"Good student. Will you sing while I play?"

"If never sing that awful song."

"But you love it."

"How did you know?"

"Your eyes. I saw it."

"It's a love song. The lyrics is a bunch of mess. Who were you thinking of? Who's the "she"?"

He was quiet.

"I'd never sing that with you. Tsk..."