It's only life (Carter)

[Mia Bell]

Mia walked into the auditorium with a heavy sigh and a slight shiver. This was the place she usually came to clear her mind. Unfortunately, she had decided not to put a jacket on and she was wearing a tank top so she was a bit cold. She was just glad she liked the cold weather, it wasn’t that much of a walk from the dorms to the auditorium anyways and she was glad she hadn’t gotten lost. However, if she had gotten lost she would be thoroughly frustrated with herself considering she came here enough times not to be able to get lost.

After all that has happened in the past couple months, she was glad she was finally single again. The stuff with Cameron was over bearing, and she didn’t regret not keeping up with the little game he was playing. She needed to find herself again, she had became so insecure over the past year she hated it and she needed to work on it and she knew the only way to do that was being alone. Maybe relationships just weren’t her thing, or maybe it was because she was looking for too much in a relationship. No matter which one it was, she needed to figure it out she just wished she had some guidance. Right now, she was just really confused with where to start.

Mia walked up onto the stage and walked over to the piano; dropping her bag lightly to rest against the bench’s leg as she sat on it with a heavy sigh. She had too much on her mind, and playing the piano and signing always relaxed her. She searched her mind for a song she felt suited her thoughts. She smiled as she came across a semi perfect song. She started playing ‘you can’t break a broken heart’ as well as starting to sing it. She was glad she had gotten over her cold quite quickly so her voice was much better.

[Carter Chevalier]

Recently, Carter had met another individual that flagged his interest. They were something of an artist, he discovered, and that had drawn him inward immediately. The guy had no interest in Carter whatsoever. That was obvious. But that didn't mean that the blonde couldn't appreciate the music that he'd heard. So in truth, when he moved passed the Auditorium and heard something he wondered what kind of person he would meet today. He couldn't help but venture inside.

He walked in at a high point in the song; if you asked him where he wouldn't be able to tell you. He found himself oddly captivated by whoever was playing and singing.

Carter made up his mind when he managed to snap out of it, and he snuck from the entrance door to the back row of chairs, sinking down into the one nearest the aisle so he could watch and listen without getting caught. Whoever this girl was, she was practically pouring her heart and soul into this song. That was obvious. Of course, Carter waited until she was finished before he did anything. He could have opted for a very cliche choice of slow-clapping his hand and praising her, but he got the feeling that the approach would have been considered stupid.

"That was amazing!" He called out from the very back row, popping his head up as he sat straight in the seat. "Encore!"

[Mia Bell]

Mia was too caught up in the song to realize was watching her. She wouldn’t have carried though, she like performing in front of people. It boosts her confidence a lot and made her feel secure in herself because she knew singing was really the only thing she could do. At least could do right, but that dream was not something she was going to pursue, for personal reasons. Her father had wanted her to become some kind of doctor and that’s what she was going to do. No matter, She always put her heart and soul and a hundred percent into all the songs she sang, singing was something she was born to do.

The song came to an end and Mia sighed heavily as she closed her eyes. She tried not to break down crying, it’s what she always ended up doing after singing a song that was emotional to her lately. She pushed she feelings aside, putting them back to the back of her mind not wanting to think about it. It did however start raining, just because she wasn’t showing emotion didn’t mean she wasn’t feeling it.

Mia had no time to think about the rain when someone shouted, it made her jump and she put her hand to her chest. She had to catch her breath before being able to reply to the guy she couldn’t really see. She looked out, seeing the blonde hair. She blushed and was thankful he couldn’t see it. “Eh.. Thanks!” She frowned “Are you going to stay back there?” She liked seeing the faces of her audience. “And do you have a preferred song I might know that you want me to play?” Might as well be friendly, she had no reason not to be.

[Carter Chevalier]

Carter resisted the urge to chuckle slightly when she jumped. Even from the distance he could see her do it. But he couldn't see the way the colour shaded her face, so to his knowledge that hadn't happened. Cart watched curiously, wondering what she was going to do or how she was going to react. He didn't know her from anyone. She might have yelled at him to get out, and he would have. She could have become a nervous wreck on the stage as so many did when they found out they were actually performing for an audience, and he would have gone to her unless indicated otherwise.

Her accepting nature was not exactly expected. But it was welcomed.

"I can come up further." He offered, standing up from his seat and making his way into the aisle. He didn't close the distance between them quickly or anything like that; he kept his footsteps normal as he pondered on her question. "To be honest, I don't know much about music. Other than the fact that you sound incredible."

[Mia Bell]

Well, of course she jumped; she hadn’t expected anyone to be listening or watching. Mia had no problem with people watching her or listening or both. It wasn’t so much the attention part as it was something completely different. It just felt nice to entertain people in a way she thoroughly enjoyed doing. She was also sharing a part of herself that she never really shared the personal and emotional expects of herself.

Mia tended to surprise a lot of people in different ways it seemed.

“Then why don’t you? I would like to see the face of the person I’m apparently entertaining.” She smiled as he walked closer, she wasn’t expecting him to run up to the stage so she really didn’t care that he was walking normally. Mia tilted her head to the side curiously “You don’t listen to music?” She blushed even more at the praise he was still giving her.

Mia took out her ipod from her bag and pondered on what to sing next for him. Might as well give him a show? She went and plugged her ipod into the speakers and turned down the volume so the music would just be background music next to her voice. Playing ‘up in flames’ by one of her favorite bands. She went and grabbed the mic from where it had been on the piano. She stood in the middle of the stage and winked at the blonde. She started moving to the music and kept in time to the singer’s voice as she started to sing. “I don't wanna say what I got on my mind, Cause nothing tonight wants to Come out on time, The truth is I'd rather sit out and unwind, Let somebody else tell their story this time.” She was all smiles; this song was one of her favorites by this band. And like the song before, she poured out her heart and soul into it.

[Carter Chevalier]

"It's..." Carter paused, musing over his next answer, "-Not my artistic forte, I meant."

He planted himself in the front row, sitting in front of the stage and watching her set up. Once that was all sorted he sat up slightly to give her his full and undivided attentio- Did she just wink at him? He turned his head slightly to one side, unable to hide the amused smirk that it pulled out of him. It was a compliment and he was going to take it.

Carter watched intently as she started singing, all joyful. That made it clear that she must have really liked the music she was listening to. He couldn't stop himself from smiling widely as he watched. He loved seeing artists who really threw themselves into what they wanted to do. He looked elated; if she glanced out at him during the song she would definitely see it.

[Mia Bell]

“Ohhh… Okay. I see. Mind if I ask what your artistic forte is?” She put more emphasis on artistic forte just because she found it funny to use the same words he had. It was a strange, fancy way to put it anyways. It was two words she wouldn’t have used anyway. But at least he wasn’t another blonde boy who was a musician, because if he was she would start to wonder what was up with blonde musicians and this town.

Mia had winked at him, she had been in a pretty crappy mood, and seeing a stranger had lifted her spirits. She figured it was because she was never the one to show people she was actually upset. Her spirit had lifted even more when Carter wanted her to sing more. So she was pretty happy and had nothing against flirting, it was about time she started having fun with her life again.

Mia had glanced at Carter a few times while singing and couldn’t stop from grinning when she had. She loved making people happy, and if her singing did that than she loved it even more. When the song ended, she sat down on the side of the stage and looked at him. “Having fun?” Because she so was. Mia talked into the microphone; it was just a habit from when she had actually been in a band. She just tended to talk into the mic when holding one. “So, Can I ask what your name is?” She always felt a bit awkward asking strangers questions, because she didn’t know what was too personal and what wasn’t.

[Carter Chevalier]

Carter smiled into her response, not at all minding that she used his own statement against him. If nothing else, it showed a playful side of her that he appreciated; "Drawing and painting."

The song ended and once again, Carter applauded. A performance like that deserved it. "Of course!" He replied, smiling in her direction, "I appreciate the show, believe me. I've never met anyone willing to sing for a complete stranger." That showed confidence, and that was another side of her that he was going to appreciate. He stood up and made his way over to the stage, extending his hand to her.

"Carter. I'm surprised I haven't seen you around before, are you new?" He asked. He would surely remember seeing someone like her.

[Mia Bell]

“Oh really? You do look like a painter.” Mia wondered if she should mention she also drew, but she felt like she would be bragging and she wasn’t the bragging type. “Can I see some of your work sometime?”

Mia grinned when Carter started applauding, it always felt nice, it was like a compliment and it was one she would always be grateful for. She gave him a small nod “I’m glad you did, and I appreciate you staying.” She smiled, she loved performing in this way and didn’t mind singing to complete strangers. She gave a small laugh “Yeah, I guess I’m the only one who likes making a fool out of themselves for complete strangers.”

Mia watched as Carter walked up to the stage and she took his hand; not really sure why he had extended his hand to her. “Mia. I’ve been here since early July. So somewhat new; not new new though.” She was quite surprised he hadn’t seen her around also. People always told her she wasn’t hard to miss.

[Carter Chevalier]

"Of course!" Carter replied. He always liked to share his artwork with people, especially if they were genuinely interested in seeing it, "I'd love to, if you're interested."

He smiled at her when she spoke of appreciation. At the same time, a small frown found its way to his face when she joked about making a fool of herself. "Making a fool of yourself?" He asked, before shaking his head, "Quite the opposite. Your voice is amazing." He complimented her genuinely. Really, he could listen to her sing more often if she was willing. "It's incredible."

Carter nodded as she introduced herself, shaking her hand lightly and enjoying the small point of contact with her. He did that often, as he found physical contact to be a good way to connect with someone. "That would explain it then," He replied, "I've been here for years. I was sure I'd remember someone like you." Carter spoke matter of factly. He would have remembered her, he knew that.

"Do you write your own music?" He asked curiously. Most people who were interested in music seemed to try.

[Mia Bell]

Mia grinned “Awesome! And yeah; I am so interested!” She was excited to see someone else’s artwork. She would be able to compare her stuff with his; at least in her mind and maybe get a few tips from him.

Mia frowned a little when he did; had she said something wrong? Most likely though she hadn’t said anything about him. Then she started blushing when he started praising her again. “Ah! Thank you. I don’t think my voice is all that great but I’m grateful you think so.” She wasn’t the type to care about what others thought but she was still grateful when people told her she was a good singer; because she just loved singing. So it was nice to know she didn’t sound totally horrible.

Mia watched their hands as she shook his hand; it was a strange thing to do and she wasn’t sure who had come up with shaking hands but it was a great excuse for physical contact with a complete stranger that was as cute as Carter. “I’ve been told I’m not hard to forget; Because of my hair…” She scratched the back of her head slightly.

“Ah! Yes I do!” She did write her own music; it was a way for her to vent about things. Most of things she wrote recently were very depressing.

[Carter Chevalier]

"Your hair?" Carter asked, slowly drawing his hand away. He felt a little sad that the contact was gone, but that was a normal feeling for him. "While I admit it's a striking part of you, that's not what I was talking about." Carter said lightly, "I mean, it makes it clear that you are your own person. But I think you're beautiful, and fun." She had the strength to sing to him after all. That was pretty memorable.

He couldn't help but smile when she said she wrote her own music. He thought so, though he wasn't entirely sure why he thought to ask. "Well, if you ever want someone to listen in, I'm always available." Carter explained. Plus he really just wanted to hear her sing again.

[Mia Bell]

Mia nodded “My Hair.” She placed her hand on her lap. She noticed she had still been talking into the microphone. It wasn’t needed now that he was standing right in front of her. She turned it off and placed it on the stage next to her. “Oh?” She raised an eyebrow “Oh, why thank you.” Mia smiled “You are pretty good looking yourself. “ She couldn’t say she thought he was fun, she just met him; though he was fun to talk to. It made her feel better and brightened her pretty crappy day. Besides that Carter was the first person to say that her hair wasn’t the only reason why she was memorable; which was a plus cause it seemed people only remembered her because of her hair.

Mia nodded “I’ll keep that in mind. I would always like a second opinion on my stuff.” She winked at him, he seemed like he wasn’t the type to sugar coat things and she didn’t like when people did that. So Maybe He would be a good candidate to give her a second opinion on what she wrote.

[Carter Chevalier]

“No need to thank me,” Carter replied, returning her smile with one of his own, “I just thought you deserved to be told.” And of course, he could take a compliment when it was given. He nodded in her direction before his smile got a little brighter.

He slid his hands into his pockets as she spoke, nodding when she was finished. And she winked at him again; the movement was not unnoticed. In fact, Carter appreciated that about her too. “I was wondering,” He paused, unsure of how she would respond, “It might sound strange, but I get inspired by a lot of different things and people. Would you mind if one day I tried drawing you? You can say no, of course.”

[Mia Bell]

Carter was an interesting person to say the least, more of an interesting flirt. Was he just flirting or was there something deeper to his words? Mia could appreciate the thought either way. Never the less, she wasn’t going to fall for another guy just because he flirted with her, no, she was done with that. She smiled at him and bowed her head slightly “That deserves a thank you.” Because it was nice, knowing people didn’t just remember her hair.

Mia raised an eyebrow as he started talking. She was kind of glad they were getting of the subject of what she could do and going onto what he could do. She looked at him a bit shocked by the question; she blushed a little “Oh, wow. No one has ever asked to draw me. Sure! Why not? I don’t mind.” She was always taken aback when she inspired people, she really didn’t think there was much to herself. “As long as you don’t mind me maybe writing a song about you; you know, once I get to know you more.” She smiled, she usually wrote songs about the people and the situations she had been in. But for her to write a good song, she would need to figure out Carter a bit more and figure out what the future would hold for what Carter would mean to Mia in a personal way.