Page 20 - Online magazine

Shining Blossoms

Standing here, after all this time. It feels… God, I don’t even have the right words to
describe how it feels. It’s like a combination of happiness, excitement and pride. Even
though these last few months have been like hell, I have been able to manage it. Cause
there isn’t success without hard work.

It all started a few months ago… It was the first day of junior year. I was excited because
there was this new music teacher who apparently was an ex songwriter for famous
musicians or something and, what a chance, he was my homeroom teacher.

I entered my homeroom and sat down. When the teacher entered everyone was excited,
everyone but me. At that time I was feeling depressed. I loved music but I was going
through a breakup with my boyfriend Dylan, who was a guitarist, so that made me nearly
hate music. And my friends, they didn’t even ask if I was feeling fine. I guess they
supported my ex boyfriend because he was handsome and popular. ‘Is this seat empty?’ I
slipped from my thoughts and came back to reality. There was a face. A face I had never
seen before. It was soft and friendly. He must have noticed my vacancy he asked ‘Are
you okay?’. I said I was fine but he didn`t seem to be convinced. He said ‘If you say so.
I`m Jace, what`s your name?’ Jace had black hair, emerald green eyes and a happy smile,
the type of smile that makes even the most depressed person smile. He was always
cheerful and lively. ‘My name`s Layla.’ I said ‘Nice to meet you.’ I suddenly forgot all
about Dylan.

Then our new teacher introduced himself. His name was Mr. Greyson. He talked about
the singers he wrote songs for and told us about a big competition he`ll be organizing.
And the prize? A record deal with a record company he had been working for. At first I
didn`t want to enter but later that day I heard that Dylan wanted to enter it. And of course
knowing Dylan, he`ll do anything to win it. So I decided that I wanted to enter the
competition and win it.

When I went to the music room at lunch time, Mr. Greyson wasn`t there. Instead I saw
Jace scribbling stuff into his notebook. He didn`t realize that I was there. He finished
whatever he was doing and came out. I didn`t realize he was coming out when I decided
to go in and I bumped into him. His stack of papers flew everywhere. ‘I`m so sorry, let
me help you.’ I said and leant down to grab some of the papers. That was when I realized
that they were song lyrics. We put the papers back together and he said ‘Thank you,
Layla.’. His voice was so sweet and forgiving I couldn`t help but smile. Then he gave me
one of his “Jace smiles”. In that moment of pure happiness I asked him, ‘Would you like
to write a song for me? I mean for me to sing in the competition?’ He said ‘Okay.’ I
couldn`t believe what I had heard,’Like for real? You`re not joking?’ he said ‘No I`m not
joking. Anyway, I would like to write songs that could become famous.’. I wasn`t any
happier in my life so I kissed him on the cheek. He looked as surprised as I was. I
blushed and got bright red because of embarrassment but then he said ‘So when do we
start?’. I said ‘How about right now? I know the perfect place.’