College truly was amazing.
He knew never truly get used not to be around to his family every day, but going places with his acapella group was just the most amazing thing in the universe.
He threw his bag on his bed and sighed disappointed.
His roommate had taken over the room again.
Everyone kept saying that girls were tidier than the boys, that they were clean and everything, but his roommate was just awful.
Not that he minded rooming with a girl, even if it was something that doesn't happen often, the problem was the girl itself.
-A Canadian idiot that kept leaving her things all around the room-he muttered, picking up clothes and other stuff from the floor just to throw everything on her bed.
He wasn't the tidiest person in the world, but he liked to see where he was putting his feet.
-Why can't I live touring the world with the boys?!-he sighed, fixing the nail that kept his American flag in place.
He looked around and sighed once more.
There was no way that the room could look like a normal place so he just gave up on tidying it up, climbed on his bed and took his computer.
He was supposed to send a paper that was due on two days that he had never started to write.
Too bad that college was not only about acapella concerts.
It took him most of the day to finish the paper, but, right before dinner, he was able to reread it with a proud smile on his face.
Lots of things could have been said about Avriel Kaplan, but not that he wasn't good at what he did.
He opened his email account to send the paper to his teacher, just to get the thing out of the way forever, and then checked on all the mails he had received.
One of them stuck out because it was from someone he was sure he didn't know but whose name was not new to him.
-Let's see what this Scott Hoying wants from me-he muttered open the mail.
It was probably the weirdest mail he had ever received and Avi was surprised someone could be bold or brave enough to send a message to someone they've never met asking him to join an acapella group.
This Scott seemed weird enough to deserve an answer, and by the way, there wasn't a real reason not to write him back.
-What am I gonna write to him though? -Avi looked around, trying to find the right words, something that had always been truly difficult to him.
"You just have to be honest and tell him you don't even know who he is" said the voice of his sister in his head.
Esther had always been the one to make him reason about things so it just made sense that his rationality spoke with her voice. Still a little weird though.
-Ok, I'm just gonna be as honest as ever-he sighed, starting to type.
He sent the mail and go downstairs, where his best friend was waiting for him to go to dinner.
-Ehi, Kaplan late for dinner, that's new!-John said when he saw the dark head of Avi coming down the staircase, making his friend laugh.
-I just had to finish the paper about the history of Gregorian chant and you know how hard things can get when you try to write something for history of music-
-Oh my gosh, I've almost forgot about it! Thanks for remind me! I was never going to turn it in.
Wait, did you really get Gregorian chant as topic for your research? -
-Well, yes. Not too bad actually. What did you get?-
-I'm supposed to write something about popular singing in the medieval age and you know how much I hate the middle age-
-Just because you don't understand anything about history!-
-That's one of the reason why I choose music as a major instead of history-
He paused for a while. Avi look closely on what the cafeteria was serving that day and moaned.
-Another day without burgers. I don't think I can make it!-
-But you eat tons when last week!-laughed John.
-it was actually 2 weeks ago and, anyway, that doesn't mean I can't miss my favourite food-
-Ok. I'm not gonna fight you about how many burgers you want to eat-
When they finally got their food and find a place where to sit John spoke again.
-So, let me understand better. You already sent the paper?-
-Yep. And I got the weirdest mail of my life I think-
-What about it? Is something embarrassing? -
-Not really actually, just weird. See, this boy wrote me about joining an acapella group with a couple of friends of his-
-What's weird about it? I mean you're like the best bass in this part of America-
-You overestimate me, but still, I've never met this guy. Who goes around asking random people you've never met to join a vocal group like that. I mean, to have a nice acapella group people should get along together, you can't just ask everyone-
-But maybe you would get along with him-
-Wait, are you actually telling me that I should meet the guy?-
-Well, a meeting can't do any harm, can't it? By the way, what did you reply?-
-I just told him I don't know who he is-
-And what did he say?-
-We weren't on the phone John. I don't think he had read the email yet, actually. I'll check when I get back to my room-
-We can check it now. You do know your password, right?-
-Yes, of course-
-Then you can log into your email account from my phone since yours is not technologic enough to have internet-
John had tried for almost an entire year to convince Avi to get a new phone with internet on it but the bass had always replied that he just needed text messages and phone calls, so his old nokia was just fine.
-Can't we just wait? I'm no hurry to see who this guy is-
-But I am-
-Then, you'll wait until I'm done with my dinner and then come to my room to see what this Scott had to say-
-Scott?-
-It's the name of the boy-
-Oh, all right. It's a name that his not new to my though-
-Yes, I know and this is weird! I'm sure to have heard this name somewhere but I can't remember where!-Avi exclaimed before eating the last bite of his dinner.
-Are you done?- John asked, already standing up.
-You know, you make me anxious. I was just fine without you-
-We both know that this is not true my love-
Avi laughed.
John used to call names like that all the time but he somehow managed to be still surprised when people asked him if they were a thing.
-Let's go, anxious boy!-
He replied, leading his friend to his room.
He forgot to turn off his laptop before going downstairs, so it took just a couple of minutes before they were able to get into Avi's emails.
-Look, is this the boy you were talking about?-John asked, pointing at the only email address that didn't belong to their university.
-Yes, it's him. Looks like he had replied straight away-
-Read it aloud. I forgot my glasses in my room and I can't read-
-Well, not like there's much to read. He actually sent a link of one of the videos he makes with his friends.-
-Clever, so you would know exactly who are you going to join-
-I'm not going to.....I mean, I don't know, maybe, but they must be more than worth it because it would mean take a hiatus from the "Fermata Nowhere" and you know how much I love you guys, just as I know how much you need a bass like me in the group-
-Just click the link dumbass and stop being so melodramatic! The world is full of basses by the way-
Avi did what his best friend had said and the faces of two boys and a girl popped up on the screen.
-I bet Scott is the one in the middle-John said, pointing at the tall blond boy, but Avi didn't seem to had heard him, focused as he was on the acapella arrangement of "Telephone" the three kids were doing.
-Oh my gosh Avi! I know who they are!! They are the one Jack showed us few months ago! I mean the video is not the same and I think they might have changed the arrangement a bit, but it's them!!-
-Can you just shut up? I'm listening!!-
John closed his mouth and focused on his friend's face.
He could tell that, no matter what he had said few minutes before, he was actually considering going to meet this Scott.
Not that it was a surprise to him.
Avi was always looking for something that helped him to grow, new experience and this seemed just the perfect thing.
Avi came from a classical idea of choral singing, but his interesting in vocal pop performance had grown steadily lately, and John remembered the first time Jack showed the video to them.
Avi got so excited that Esther managed to eat his whole burger without him noticing or getting mad at her.
-So, what do you think Avi?-he asked when the song was over.
Avi sighed, turned off his computer and laid on his back, starring at the ceiling.
-I think I'm gonna meet Scott next week-
John smiled.
He knew Avi was going to get into a group with these people.
They seemed nice enough, but a couple of emails and a video cannot say much about someone, so he just hoped his sixth sense was right.
Avi was a lovely person but he had always had trouble fitting in and John was just scared that, getting into a group with three people that hadn't known each other for almost ten years wasn't going to be easy to him.
-John?-
-Yeah?-
-Do you think that, I mean, if things go well with these guys, do you think the boys will be mad if I take a step back from the "Fermata nowhere"?-
-Look love, I'm not gonna lie. Is not like they're gonna be happy that you leave because we will all miss you, but I know that you can do something with these guys and they will see it too, so they will support your decision. It will just be hard to find another bass as good as you are-
-I thought you said that the world is full of basses-
-Not all of them had won the ICCA award for best rhythm section. You are actually the only one. They changed the name of the award just to give it to you-
They both started laughing, without a real reason.
-I'm gonna miss this too.....-John whispered.
-I'm just meeting Scott, is not like I've already said yes to him-
-But I've got this feeling that you would and I actually think you should. He seems so into it. A choir nerd that could be at your level-
Avi turned to him, frowning and John started laughing again.
Avi's superfrown was just too funny.
-Ok, I'm sorry, I was just joking. I know, nobody can be at your level-
-If they are, or at least one of them is, I 'm definitely joining their group-
-I bet they are, or at least Scott is. I mean, who sends email to people he doesn't know about an acapella group? He seems really passionate about it. I bet you two are going to be best friends or something-
-Not going to happen. You're the only best friend I'm gonna have for the rest of my life-
-I hope not. I can't bear you for my entire life all alone!-
-Oh, you would have to. Just prepare yourself to have me around you forever-
Avi replied laughing.
-I hope this Scott his gonna be a true choir nerd, so I will have a break from your ugly face for a while-
-You know, if you truly don't want to see my ugly face you can just go back to your room-
-I'm definitely going to go. It's late and I have to work to the paper tomorrow-said John, walking toward the door.
-Just so you know, the ladies love this ugly face!-shouted Avi, but his friend was already in the hallway and probably hadn't heard him.
John had just walked out of the door when Avi's phone started to ring.
He sighed.
He was so tired that didn't want to do anything else than lay in his bed, but he knew he had to answer because the ringtone was the one he had assigned to the numbers of his family, so he pressed the green button without even looking at the caller ID.
-What's up little brother?-
Esther lively voice was so loud that Avi had to distance the phone from his ear.
-Not so loud, please!-
-Sorry. I didn't mean to. I've just spoke with grandma and you know that she is a little deaf so I had to yell from pretty much an hour and it's hard now to speak at a normal volume-
Avi laughed.
-How are you holding up by the way? I heard that the "Fermata Nowhere" got themselves another title and that my talented brother got one on his own-
Avi blushed.
-I wouldn't say on my own-
-But it has your name written on it, right?-
-Right-
-Ehi, you don't seem happy at all-
-Just tired Esther-
-Not true. Look, you may be few miles from me, but I still know every little shade of your voice. Is something worrying you?-she asked with a concerned tone.
-I wouldn't say worry.....-
-But?-
-But, I might have to take a very tough decision-
-Like what?-
-Like I may have to decide whether leaving the boys......-
Silence fell and he could feel his sister trying to understand the meaning of his words.
-Wait, do you......Are you really thinking about stepping out of the "Fermata Nowhere"? I mean, you literally haven't spoken about anything else since you've joined them!-
-I know Esther, but.....I don't even know If I'm going to do it or if it will be forever or just a break. I just have.....let's call it an opportunity to do something bigger with my voice. There might be a group that needs me more than them.-
-Do you mind explaining the whole situation to me?-
Avi sighed, it was not even 24 hours since he had received the mail and this was already the second or third time he had to tell someone about it.
-Just the most important salient points-
-All right. Do you remember the trio that Jack showed us few months ago?-
-The one that allowed me to stole your burger?-
-Thanks for reminding me you owe me one. Yes, them. The blond boy sent me an email. He said that they wanted to try for the sing off but they needed a bass and a beatboxer. He said that he heard a lot about me and asked me to join them-
-And you are thinking about saying yes?-
-Well, they are good and......Well, I don't know if we will click, but I'm gonna meet him, that's for sure, then I will decide-
No answer came from the other side of the line.
-Es, are you still there?-
-Of course I am. I'm just......You seem really.......You know what? I think you must try. I mean, go meet this boy and, if you think he's a nice person, someone with whom you could enjoy working, then go for it.
I know you don't love talent shows, but this must be a great opportunity for you, just......
Don't overthink about it, like you always do. Listen to your heart: if it tells you to try then try, if it tells you to let go, let go. But don't get anxious about deciding what to do or not to do.
The boys love you and will support you whatever you decide to do and, if you go with the trio and then decide to come back I'm sure they will welcome you back without hard feeling. Remember that they are your friends before anything else and they love you and so do I.-
-Thanks Es.-
-For what? I didn't say something that you didn't know already-
-I know, but......hearing it from you......It's reassuring. Now I feel better. Thanks for knowing always what to say to calm me down-
-You know I'll always have your back, I'll always be there for you-
Avi smiled, then he heard a muffled voice in the background.
-Who is with you?-
-Oh, just Joshua-
-Is Joshua home? Why didn't anybody tell me that??-
-Because it was a last minute trip back home and I wanted you to enjoy your time at your acapella thing instead of thinking about how you were missing a family reunion. By the way, me and Esther are going to come to visit you before I go back, so don't worry sweet little brother-a masculine voice said, and Avi could hear his sister yell at his brother for taking her phone from her hand without asking.
Avi laughed.
He really missed his family, and he hadn't seen his older brother in ages, so he couldn't wait to meet him again.
-When are you coming then?-he asked.
-Can't tell. It's gonna be a surprise. Just focus on your exams and on the singing. I hope there will be a concert of some sort when we will come; I've never thought I would say that, but I miss hear you singing all day long-
The younger one smiled.
-I don't think we have any concert for few months at least, but I will ask the boys to set up a little performance for you two. You'll just come at rehearsal and we can sing for you. It will be good practice for the next performance-
-Then that's settled. See you in a few.....Well, see you little brother-
Joshua said handing the phone back to Esther.
-It was about time!-Avi heard her shout at the older of the three.
-So, sorry Avi, I have to rush, but we'll see each other soon and we will talk better about this thing.
Just tell me when are you going to meet this boy and, please, don't get anxious about it and if anything, just call me at any time.
Love you-
-Love you too sis-He said hanging up.
He smiled starring at the ceiling and it took him only few minutes to fall deeply asleep still fully clothed.
Note:the video is actually one of Avi's college a capella group.
Enjoy