Picture of Lyra ------------------------------------->
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Stepping out of the airport and into New York City was like Lucy walking through the back of the wardrobe. Awkward analogy I know, but that's honestly what it felt like to me. Having spent my entire life in possibly the smallest town in England, the Big Apple was completely foreign. And I loved it.
The rush of the people along the pavement, the signature yellow taxis made me grin. This was my kind of place - I had no patience for the lazy atmosphere of my hometown. The speed in this new city was exactly where I belonged, what I needed. Glancing up at the intimidatingly towering skyscrapers, I wondered where I should go now. Check into some hotel using the life savings in my duffel bag? Or just wander around aimlessly, get purposefully lost and in doing so, maybe discover somewhere.
My decision made, I turned straight down the next turn-off from the main pavement. The way I saw it, getting lost was not only the best way to get acquainted with the city's ins and outs, but also the way to find places. The people around me walked with purpose, long strides dead-set on their destination. They didn't stop to take in the surroundings because it was a scene they saw everyday. I, however, gaped at every part of each street I journeyed down.
I walked past coffee shops, clothes shops, charity shops, the lot. I had never seen so much action in day to day life before. Everywhere I looked, there was something new to stare at.
After a while of lugging the huge duffel bag down every side-street and alleyway, my feet were aching. Wondering where was the best place to stop and rest for a bit, I closed my eyes and faced the wall of shops across the road. Pointing my finger out in front of me, I waved it around in the direction of the shops and then stopped.
The shop my finger had pointed closest to was a music shop. Go figure.
Grinning, I set out across the road with a load of business people, goths, joggers, people of every size, shape and colour. Approaching the music store, I looked through its dusty windows. It was the kind of shop that had not only shelves upon shelves of CD's and records, but also piles of them placed haphazard around the room, in terrifying towers.
The sign above the door read 'AMOR MUSICIS'. I wondered what language it was. A familiar one, as I could deduce that it had something to do with the word 'love' but I didn't have a clue. It was pretty though, and suited the old-fashioned, run-down shop perfectly.
Walking into the shop, the air stopped feeling so heavy and instead felt light, and I knew instantly that I could spend a whole day in there if I wished. There were only three other people in there - a punk couple flicking through the Paramore section, and the cashier who was buried behind a Mick Jagger biography.
Feeling completely at ease, I dropped the duffel bag at the end of an aisle and went down the first lot of shelves I came to. Trailing my fingers across the smooth CD cases, I smiled whenever I brushed a familiar name. I pulled out a few favourites just to read the names of some of the most iconic songs ever printed on the back.
The punk couple had approached the till, a stack of records in each of their arms. They hadn't spoke a word to each other whilst I had been in the shop, and they still didn't talk, but he wordlessly passed over his records to her as she stacked them on the counter. As soon as his hands were empty, his fingers sought hers. I found it beautiful that even without taking, these people emitted such chemistry and comfort with each other. It was rare to find such a trusting, happy relationship nowadays.
As the couple passed me on their way out, the girl looked back at me. She smiled hesitantly and then glanced down at the CD my hand had paused on.
"I'd definitely recommend that," She said, gesturing to the CD. Her boyfriend looked back and nodded in agreement.
I glanced down and saw a most familiar cover. I laughed lightly. "I already have it," I said, picking it up nevertheless. "But thanks." I told them, grinning.
They both waved as they left the shop, and I waved back. Music brings everyone together, I thought, before turning back to the CD.
Sheer Heart Attack. An utter classic, by my favourite band. Queen had taught me a lot as a musician, and I flipped over the case and skimmed my fingers along the song titles. Sheer Heart Attack had been Queen's first album, but wasn't that well-known. Not when shadowed by their ultimate hits, like Bohemian Rhapsody.
My smile slid off my face. I regretted not bringing my actual CD's. I still had every song from every CD, just on my iPod. But CD's felt much more personal, and I found that when I actually had to look for the CD and find the song manually, I often discovered some that had been previously shoved to the back of my collection.
Going back to my bag at the end of the aisle, I slid out a note from the huge wad of cash that I had brought with me. Heading to the counter, I slid Sheer Heart Attack onto the wooden surface and handed over the money.
"I thought you told Alicia you already had it?" The cashier said conversationally as he bagged the CD.
"I do. But I left it when I came to the city," I explained. "How did you know her name?" I asked, frowning at him.
He shrugged. "The shop's failing. Kids go to the more popular places now. Customers here are rare, but they are regulars. I learn who's who pretty fast."
I took the bag with a smile. "Well, you can count me in as a regular. I'm Lyra," I introduced myself and reached a hand over the counter.
The guy grinned, and I noticed that he wasn't much older than myself. Twenty at the most, I decided. He took my hand and shook it. "Tom." He said.
"Nice to meet you, Tom," I said, as I carried my CD bag and put into the duffel. "I'll see you around." I told him, waving as I departed the shop.
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The hotel nice. Not overly extravagant, so not five stars. It was cosy, with friendly staff and clean bed sheets. It was also the closest one to the music shop. I could almost see it, in fact, from my window - just two streets away.
I went for the top suite, and even in a non-5-star hotel it was pretty fancy. The main room held a mini kitchen area with a small table for two, with the main part of the room holding a sofa, TV, coffee table and normal house stuff like that. The bedroom was off to the side, still part of the main room but also private. A double bed and red lampshade, a wardrobe ready to be filled. Nice and simple. The bathroom was in a separate room, with shower, bath and toilet cosily arranged.
I liked it. I didn't plan on staying long, because I if I wanted to start living properly, then it wouldn't be in a hotel. But for now, it would do.
I played my new copy of Sheer Heart Attack on the cheap CD player I found in a small cupboard full of items like an iron and a hairdryer. Things that were useful but not necessary. I didn't turn the music all the way up, the way I would've done at home, but it was fairly loud.
The familiar music washed over me, relieving my tense muscles from the flight and also the nerves that had snuck in. It was scary, being in such a large, unfamiliar city. However, I was determined to make it work. Being my own person, focusing on what I liked was the way I wanted to go. I wouldn't/t let New York scare me off.
I hung all my clothes from the duffel bag into the wardrobe. Placed my toiletries in the bathroom. The iPod and my phone went next on the table next to the bed. I paused when I came to my phone. With bated breath, I turned it on. The screen glared at me:
Dad, 15 missed calls.
Grimacing, I threw the phone back onto the table. I would focus on re-building whatever bridges I had burned with Dad the next day. It could wait. I hoped.
I closed my eyes and fell onto the bed. This is what I want, I reminded myself. I'm finally doing what I want.
Who knows what I could do in New York? Anything, probably. I could focus on my singing for once. Surely there would be some opening for that in this vast city. I grinned as the CD switched to one of my favourites of the album. Jumping up and singing along, I tried to forget about Dad. He would be fine.
Here I stand
Look around around around around
But you won't see me
Now I'm here
Now I'm there
I'm just a just a new man
Yes you made me live again
A baby I was when you took my hand
And the light of the night burned bright
And the people all stared didn't understand
But you knew my name on sight
Whatever came of you and me?
America's new bride to be
Don't worry baby I'm safe and sound
Down in the dungeon just Peaches and me
Don't I love her so?
Yes she made me live again. Yeah,
Freddie's voice was as familiar as always, and when I closed my eyes, it was almost like I was dancing around my room back home, not an unfamiliar hotel room. I had to open my eyes again, of course, when I stubbed my toe on the table, but the feeling remained.
A thin moon me in the smoke screen sky,
Where the beams of your love light chase
Don't move don't speak don't feel no pain
With the rain running down my face
Your matches still light up the sky
And many a tear lives on in my eye
Down in the city just Hoople and me
Don't I love him so don't I love him so?
Whatever comes of you and me
I love to leave my memories with you
Now I'm here
Think I'll stay around around around
Down in the city just you and me
Don't I love you so?
I had to laugh at my reflection in the mirror, at my curly, light brown hair swishing about my face, at my reddened but still freckled cheeks.
I stopped as the song did, I looked around myself. "This is what I want," I told myself. "I am going to be happy here no matter what Dad screams at me tomorrow."
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Gosh, I love Queen. I had to put them in early because of that.
Anyways, I hope you're sill enjoying the story even though we're only two in. But things are happening much quicker than they would do in any other tale of mine. Maybe that's cause this is just a side project, I don't know. But I love it so far anyway. I really do. Stay tuned!
*Oh, and dedication goes to the author of both Playing Evelyn and Rock Prodigy. Just like Just What I Needed, by chooseitwisely, they helped me discover real music. I thank them tons for that.