Radio Overhead - Chapter 2

This is only a draft so there might be some typo or grammatical error. And the story might change later.

Chapter 2

Nick

When I woke up, the very first thing I saw is the white ceiling of the hospital room. I remembered what happened. So I didn’t die.

“Oh my god you’re finally awake.” My little sister said beside me. That’s supposed to be mom’s place. Ah, that’s right I forgot. She died.

“Is he mad?” I asked and she already knew who I’m talking about.

“He visited once and it’s really hard to tell but I think he’s worried.” She shrugged.

“I’m sorry.” I apologized for being a jerk. I can’t disappear right now, this family already lost one member and it’s enough pain. I don’t want them to go through the same memories, never again. “I’ll stop alcoholic beverages.”

“Good.” She sighed. “But I have bad news for you.”

“What?”

“You’re under probation and you have to do community service for 120 hours.” She grinned. “Until then you’re grounded from driving. Dad said.”

“Argh. Damn.”

“Good luck.” She said in a sing song voice. Damn her she’s enjoying this.

I learned that I’ve been out for three days because of a concussion. No broken piece on my bones. No severe damage in any part of y internal organs. It means that I’m totally fine and can be discharged 24 hours after I woke up.

They say I’m lucky. But there’s one thing I have to find out. Who’s voice it is that I heard before my accident. And the memory of the girl that I still remember clearly is hunting me like a favourite song I can’t forget. It’s a melody, the background music inside me.

There’s also something that has been pestering me since my accident, my manager and the media. I forgot to tell what I do for a living. I’m an Idol and I do a lot of singing. Anyway I just did it because it brought me closer to my mother. She used to be in the music industry and she used to receive Grammy Awards. My fans were really worried about me but I mostly got lectures from my manager that I eventually tuned out and pretend I was somewhere in the outer space floating endlessly without direction. Just like how I am.

“Just when you’re finally on the top charts you have to drag yourself down again?” He scolded. “Are you even thinking?”

“I don’t have time for this.”

“Same here kid.” He said. “Your mother will be very disappointed in you.”

He’s on the right side but he’s already crossing the line and he even used my mother. I’ve had enough of his shit.

“Are we done here?”

“What?” He said annoyed.

“I’m quitting.”

“Are you stupid? You have an amazing voice. You can be like your mother.”

“Enough. I’m done here.” I said and before he can answer back I slammed the door and get the hell out of here. He’s wrong. I can never be like my mother. He only cares about money so he never saw me. It’s not like this with my mother. She’s glowing whenever she’s on the stage unlike me who was controlled. I can’t even pick my own songs. All they gave me is crappy. It’s not so me. It’s all fake.

“I’m doing my community service starting today.” I declared as I passed through the living room.

They all stared at me jaw dropping.

“What?”

“Code RED! Nick said he’s doing it! He’s started to go insane.” My idiotic little brother freaked out. Seriously. Is doing things like this seemed that impossible for me before?  I know I’m a hermit but he’s exaggerating.

“Just shut your mouth and let him do what he wants.” My father said while he read the daily newspaper.

“Whatever.” Tom frowned.

“See you later guys.” I waved goodbye to my insane family.

“Wait.” My sister called back.

“What?”

“Don’t forget to bring an umbrella.” She said and handed me one. “They say it might rain later today.”

“You’re acting like mom again.” I said before I can stop those words from flowing out. I was expecting to see her sad face because we stop talking about her a long time ago but instead she laughed.

“What?”

“You finally talked about her.” She smiled. “You’re changing.”

“It’s just your imagination.” I shrugged.

“Is it a girl?” She beamed. How did she know that?

“Stop being nosy.”

“I want to meet her. Be sure to invite her to dinner sometimes.”

I want to meet her too. I don’t even know her name.

I wonder how I’ve never notice before how wonderful it felt to walk under the sun. I love watching busy people walk these busy streets. I like to think how each of them had their own stories to walk thru. I can see everything so clearly and it felt nice to appreciate every beauty around you. Inspiration is everywhere. I’m starting to think these insane thoughts because of her. I wonder if she’s here somewhere in these street. I wonder if we passed by each other before. I wonder if she even existed in the first place. It’s Saturday morning and I usually slept late at this kind of day. But today I’m moving on a different path.

“Hello?” There’s not a single person in sight so I called out.

“Oh hey there.” A blue eyed Blondie greeted me.

“I’m Nick. I’m here for the community services.”

“Great, we really need a lot of help right now.” He said. “Come with me. I’ll show you around oh and we are assigned for the children.”

“I like children.” I really do.

“Cool. I never expected you to be uhmm you know non-spoiled?” he chuckled.

“I see. Words travel fast.”

“Don’t worry everything that happened here is confidential. I just knew your Nick because I checked you back ground.”

“Nice meeting you too…uhmm..”

“Flynn.” He said and held out his hand to me. “My name’s Flynn.”

“Nice to meet you Flynn.”

“Nice to meet you too Nick.” He grinned. “Now I shall teach you the art of taming these little monsters.”

 He brought me to a place that looks like a day care center with at least ten kids inside it. They’re not normal kids, they’re all autistic.

“You ready for your first day?” Flynn asked.

“Yeah.” I replied and to be honest I felt so excited.

“Great.” He grinned. “I can see that we can get along really well.”

“Same here.” I like Flynn. He’s a nice person.

It was pretty hard at first especially calming them. I never thought it would be this hard but it’s worth it. Just the thought of being able to help others make me wants to do more. I think I might start a charity organization. I enjoyed this stuff.

“Flynn. Can I talk to you for a minute?” a mid-forty something man called out to Flynn.

“OK. Oh by the way this is Nick.” Flynn said. “And Nick, meet Bob, the owner of this place.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you sir. This is a nice place.” I greeted him.

“Glad your liking it here.” He greeted me warmly. He reminds me of a nice granpa I never had the chance to meet.

“I’ll leave the kids to you.” Flynn said but before I can say sure Bob answered him.

“It won’t take long.” He seemed sad. “I just wanted to ask what we will do with Kate’s thing.”

“She’ll come back Bob. Let’s give her time plus we can display the pictures and their artwork on the wall.”

“I hope so Flynn.” Bob paused. “Enjoy yourself young lads. I’ll tell Betty to cook something nice for snacks.” He said and left.

I was curious on one thing and I can’t help myself to ask. So I interrogated Flynn.

“Who’s Kate?”

“The girl who work before you here.” He replied.

“She left?”

“Yeah.” He said sadly. “Because someone died.”

“Oh that’s horrible.”

“It sure is.” He said and that’s where I saw his face. He seemed sad and nostalgic.

“So what’s she like? She seemed special.” I said and I suddenly realized if I’m snooping deep the subject. “I’m sorry you don’t have to answer me.”

“She’s very special to me. She’s also special to this place. Everyone here loves her. She’s bright and cheerful and even I love her.”

“I wish I had met her.” I said sadly.

“Don’t worry, she’ll come back.”

“I can’t wait to meet her.” I said.

“You bet.” He smirked. “I can see that you’ll like her too.”

We were interrupted by a loud scream. I looked at where it came from. It’s from of the child. He’s throwing a tantrum in the middle of the day.

“Damn he’s at it again.” Flynn shrugged. “I’ll go calm him down. You continue cleaning their mess here.”

“Roger that.”

A year ago if you ask me to volunteer in a place like this I would probably punch you. I’m not comfortable talking to strangers but with these kind people it’s really so easy to interact. I think I made the right choice for this. I like everyone here. They’re very kind and generous to me. They’re not fake people unlike in the world I grew up where everyone tried to climb up the social pyramid. I’m right not to waste my time on clubs. I’d rather be here. I like it here.

One day before my community service ended, I helped Flynn cleaned the storage room. They’re going to do a Garage Sale for the kids. My life here will end in a few more days but I’ll come here often.

“Ah. Why is this here.” Flynn suddenly muttered. He’s holding a guitar case.

“Is that a guitar?” I asked curiously.

“You’ve never seen a guitar before?” He teased. “Even though you’re really popular in the pop music industry.”

“So you play guitar?” I asked ignoring his sarcasm.

He sighed and opened the case. He held out the guitar who looked old and shiny at the same time. He started strumming a melody I’ve never heard before. And there I was staring at him like I’ve never heard something so beautiful before. Flynn looked like my mother whenever she played the piano. This is what I’ve been looking for all this time. This kind of music.

“Please teach me how to play the guitar.” I blurted out.

“Huh?” He said confused. “Are you kidding me? You really don’t know how to play the guitar?”

“Would I even asked so pathetic like this if I know how to.” I shrugged. “I only learned the piano.”

“Fine.” He surrendered. “Hold this and try to play something.”

“But I don’t know how to.”

“Just do it. Hurry. We still have a lot of work to do.” He said impatiently.

I did what he told me to do. Memorizing every chord he taught to my fingers. It’s confusing at first but I’m starting to know the difference between D and a D minor.

“You’re a natural.” He said. “I guess you’re no big joke after all.”

“Really?” I don’t know why but that simple compliment means so much.

“Hand it to me. I’ll play something and you sing.” He ordered.

He started playing one of my songs. Damn it he’s good. I can’t even compare mine to him. But nonetheless I sang because his playing made me hooked. Our melody blended and it was so awesome that it even beat my favourite movie transformer. The stars aligned and the world sing with us and for a moment I can finally feel how my mother felt. I’m closer to her than before.

“Wow. What was that?” I said amazed after our little jamming.

“That’s called singing idiot.” He shrugged.

“Can we do that again? I really like singing with your guitar.” I pleaded.

“Damn you’re annoying.” He sighed. “Have you ever tried to be in a band?”

“It never crossed my mind.”

“Then welcome to the band.” He grinned.

“What?” I asked confused.

“You’ll have the privilege to be the vocalist of my band in exchange you have to learn how to play the guitar. You have the talent. Don’t waste it.”

And just like that, fate started to move the piece one by one. Like it’s playing a game of chess with our lives as the player.

(Go To Randomness Crap to see the Update)