Declan

1

Setting my backpack against the neutral toned walls of the familiar sound booth, I bee-lined straight to a long, black keyboard resting amidst the spacious recording room. I wasn't there to record anything, but simply to play and ease my mind like I'd done countless times before. Placing a pair of shiny headphones over my ears, I began to play.

Using the utilities in my step-father's record label was easily my favorite part about spending my summers in London. The instruments were always high quality, and his softwares were always up to date. I let my fingers slide over the soft face of the white keys with no worries, since the room wasn't due to be used for another hour.

As time passed, I felt my hands grow tired. Finishing up a song, I made a mental plan to take a break soon.

"Wow," A voice broke through the loud speakers above, breaking me from my heavy concentration.

My heart jolted, and I almost fell out of my chair. Looking around, I laid eyes on a boy standing behind the glass mirror of the dark mixing booth, his eyes shining with curiosity.

"Hello?" I replied, confused.

"That was really good. Did you write that yourself?" He asked with a deep English accent. The way he cocked his head would look forced on others, but on him, he genuinely seemed intrigued.

"Yeah, I—I did." I laughed awkwardly, immediately drifting back to my awkward, pre-teen years.

A hidden dimple surfaced into to his cheek and a small smile played on his lips. Flicking his hair out of his eyes, he seemed in no rush to do anything, yet he was waiting for me all the same. I pulled out my phone, and glanced at the time. It read 3:10, meaning my time here is past done; an hour had gone by quicker than I had thought.

"I'm so sorry, you have the room, don't you?"

He nodded with a small laugh, tucking his hands into the pocket of his jeans. "Yeah, but no worries. I'd almost rather sit and listen instead."

Packing my things up, I headed towards the exit buried in the dark room in which he was standing. Before I could leave, he extended a hand with a boyish grin. "Hang on, Declan."

Laughing, I took his warm hand in my own. "Olivia."

After exchanging a final smile, I left.

x

Dear readers,

Thank you!!! I mean this as genuinely as possible: thank you for reading this story. My ability to write grew through this book, and you could probably tell as you read how I've ~matured?~

Also worth mentioning, I didn't really intend to write this about Declan McKenna. If you choose to read it as so, be my guest! Otherwise, the name is a coincidence.

It's the weirdest thing to me that people actually take the time to read this. (What's really weird is that, even though we're strangers, we've all read this sentence! Woah. #bonded4life)

Anyways, I really hope you enjoy this book that keeps me up writing until 3am some mornings. You keep me on my toes!

xoxo,
Thriftypear