Twilight Java

Chapter 4

He smiled lightly. "Please continue," He said, then ran a hand through his deep brown hair to push it out of the way.

"I was wondering if you would let me photograph you," His eyebrows raised, intrigued but confused. I raised my hands up in defense. "It's for my university newspaper. I saw you singing yesterday and thought it would be a good picture to take for it. Also, my name is Callisto. Sorry for sounding rude."

"That's a pretty name," he said, making my heart race just a bit. From the flattery, I thought. I wasn't complimented very often for anything, so it felt personal. Even if if was just on my name. "Callisto, where do you go to school?" He asked, ignoring my question and putting emphasis on my name.

"Vilora University."

"Really?" His hazel eyes brightened up. "So do I."

"Cool. Anyway, do you agree?" I shot down his surprise, likely sounding very rude, but only because being up on that stage made me more nervous by the second. It came out on accident but I just wanted to exit the stage where I felt exposed and uncomfortable. This would be a foolproof plan since he went to my school, meaning I could definitely use him as an example.

"Yep. I could use some recognition."

"Really? Just like that?" I asked, surprised at his willingness to participate.

"Mhm," He nodded.

"Great," I breathed out nervously, but then remembered I still wanted an interview, and I might as well have asked while talking to him. "Before I forget, would you be up for an interview too? Sorry if this is weird."

"Even better, can we do it this weekend?"

"Of course. Whatever works for you," I realized I sounded very stiff, so I tried lightening up. "I'll be trying to get pictures of others too, so don't think I'm cheating on your pictures with other ones."

Surprisingly, he went with my dumb humor. "I'll try not to cry myself to sleep at night."

I laughed, stepping down the stage before realizing the blender had stopped long ago. "So just do your thing, and I'll be taking pictures of you like the paparazzi."

"Ooh, you just gave me an idea on what to sing next time!"

I gave him a thumbs up, joking. Returning to my seat, I noticed the barista smiling at me as though he was pleased but also a hint of mischief behind it. I sat myself down in the seat that faced the stage then waited for him to begin. The exchange between him and I was unlike one I've ever had before. We were oddly casual as though friends for a long time despite meeting just then, but maybe it was because of his charm and charisma that made you feel instantly close with him. I didn't know how to feel about it.

Guitar across his waist, he leaned into the mic. "This song is called 'Take My Love And Run' by Bad Suns," He leaned back and strummed his guitar briefly. I thought I should take note of the songs he sings so I quickly got out my phone before he started his performance to write it down. Just when I thought he'd begin, he yelled into the mic, staring at the barista. "Actually, I need a beat. Jasper, get up here!"

The barista that served me gave Ellis an incredulous look but he simply waved at him to come up onto the stage. Defeated, Jasper looked at the female worker next to him, likely asking her to take over for the time being. She nodded her head with a knowing smile, as though she understood how unpredictable Ellis could be. Jasper marched up the stage, still wearing his red apron, and shot Ellis a glare while he just looked amused.

"Don't be so angry, you know this song."

Jasper slid into the seat behind the set of drums that's always on the stage."You're lucky I do. If we get a shit ton of customers and Melissa is handling it all by herself, I'm blaming you."

"You're right, once the people outside hear my angelic voice they'll be flooding here. I apologize in advance."

Jasper shook his head, rubbing his face. "Shut up and lets just get on with the song."

I giggled softly at their bantering, wondering how they knew each other to be so casual with each other. Unless Ellis came here so often that he just became friends with the staff; it seemed very likely.

Ellis raised his hand while his foot tapped quickly. His fingers counted down as his mouth mumbled the numbers. Jasper raised up his drumsticks, hitting them together with the same beat before slamming them down into the drums with rhythm. Ellis began strumming his guitar at the same time, swaying to the beat. It was a casual song with a catchy beat. My camera rested on my arms that acted as a tripod, making my camera as still as possible for the best shots. I snapped a couple test shots of both of them before they'd get really into the song.

Leaning into the mic, Ellis finally began to sing.

'"Drop dead" you said this feels so liberating, Take my love and run
Never been fond of instigating, take my love
Oh you took my love and then you left, called it your own
Yeah you took my love, of course you left, I should have known

He wore a playful smile as he sang (I made sure to snap a picture of it) as though this song was a game. It was funny how he really absorbed the mood of the songs he sang, from the somber mood of when I first heard him to the fun and flirty attitude now.

"'Drop dead'" you said this feels so liberating, take my love and run
I've never been fond of instigating"

He then strummed vigorously, while Jasper applied the same force into his drums. Ellis shook his head furiously for dramatic effect. I giggled at how he looked like a little boy having a tantrum, but I also made sure to capture this moment.

He inhaled then continued with a forceful breath.

Oh, take my love and run and no I won't come back
Yeah, take my love and run and no I won't come back

I watched the whole performance behind my camera, zooming in and out on his focused face that made expressions I wouldn't have noticed otherwise. I tried to capture his smirk that he made during the chorus, the accusing snarl during the verses, and the satisfied grin when he finished. Truly, he was a textbook example for my pictures.

I stayed looking through the lens of my camera when Ellis stared right into the camera, looking out of breath from all the energy he put into his song. He paused, before giving me one last toothy smile to the camera, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction.

I made sure to capture that too.