Maven of the Strings

Chapter Eight

Arkin POV

At nearly draw evening, I was at the Central Park entrance. Nicolette still ain't texting me. I was leaning at my Fino and I already pack up my guitar to impress both of the girl.

I call her on phone.

The phone is ringing.

The phone still ringing at 6 seconds.

And she answer at 9.

"Hello." I greet. Filled with compassion. Smiles prevails.

"Hey, where are you? We are coming near the gate." She answer, I heard the sounds of the ambience on her place. Vehicles and some stereos!

I'd smile with exaggeration. Answer with joy, "I'm at the entrance."

And after a moment, I saw her, with a girl with ukulele. I've been struck. This is it.

And I walk before them. I meet them. "Hey!"

Nicolette point me, "He the one give me this pick."

And I shake hands with her bestfriend. She's wearing a gray long sleeve sweater.

"Thank you for this," I said to Nicolette. Then I prepare to shake hands with Ukulele Girl.

"Hello. I'm Arkin, a band member and rhythm guitarist of Metal Depression. Well, we are a rock band-also a metal band."

And we shakes our hand but still, there's no . . , emotion on her beautiful face, but she was stunning wonderful.

"What's your name, Ukulele Girl?" I asked with a present smile.

"Call me what do you want, but do not able to know my name."

Eh? Confusing. Humiliated. Heartbroken. She looks mad.

And she look to Nicolette saying, "Don't tell to him my name please." She gave a fierce look.

"Okay best." She grins, and she give me a look. Fierce looks!

Okay. Okay. Breathe Arkin, it's okay to be disappointed. Well don't be nervous. It's only at the beginning. I'm about self-talking.

"Let's go inside." Talking with silence. And we go inside the park. It's cold. Brrrr . . .

"Hey Arkin, why do you want us to meet you! Tell us." Nicolette asking me.

"Hey ahm. Ukulele Girl." I call her but she snob me back.

"Arkin, I'm asking." Nicolette gets mad. "Argh! That's why I hate band members! That's what a rock band member's attitude. Band? You know, playboys! Playing girls hearts blah-blah-blah." She really gets mad and, hm. This is how she looks on a band musician. Not all. Not like me.

I answer with apology,

"I'm sorry. I'm not that kind of guy you think. You're overthinking," I smile to be still positive and I continue, "I'm just want to see both of you. I was here nights ago and I saw you and her, I was wanted to commit, commit friendship. Can we? May we?" I think, I answer in immaturities. They keep looking me and in silence.

And we keep walking along trails of the park. Looking for good place to set. And we found near the Christmas Tree, vacant bench. Then near us, there's a man playing electric guitar plug-in a near outpost outlet.

I'm proudly said to them another, "I can play much better how he play his electric guitar." Impressive.

"Really?" With stroke, Nicolette asked.

"I'll show you something." And we sit. Me-in front of her and with Ukulele Girl.

I open the cask of my guitar and I've showed my expensive guitar.

"Nice color." Ukulele Girl says. She's amazed.

I continue giving the impressions. "Before I teach you basics, like what I've said before. I will show you something. An acoustic Canon Rock."

"Let me see and heard!" Said by Nicolette, shouted. Her best friend doesn't speak but she's watching me. I thought she really wants to learn.

"Hold on."

And I play it in acoustic and many civilians looking at my performance. They were amaze. But while I'm playing gladly, I'd see Ukulele Girl-who doesn't really want to tell her name, no reaction but still watching and Nicolette pouted. While the crowd was amazed.

There's one talk from the crowd, "Can you play it on electric guitar? So we can hear it better."

And I heard too-from critics, "I can also do that." No comment. I just want to impress by Nicolette, most to her best friend with stunning beauty.

Then I heard from a guy with a skateboard, "Hey. That's Arkin!" Someone shout on audience surrounding us. "Arkin of Metal Depression."

"Gosh. You're popular." Shock and amaze said by Nicolette. Her best friend still watching and focusing. Looking the way I play. And I assumed that she was amazed too. The ambience is good.