
The Heart Of Music
Chapter 1
Jewel had started her third year fall semester of 2004. Just 3 weeks into the class and she loves it every time because of the chill people in the music department. She loved going to school because of the music teacher Mr. Parnell. He kind looks like a mix between Jack Nickolson and Santa Claus. Just looking at him, made the class giggle. He was such a funny teacher, but he would get serious when it came to singing. He has a brilliant voice. One of the best she had heard in her life. Today in class it was different. He asked the class to be an extra 10 minutes early. Everyone understood but Jewel it seemed. She had a nasty rep for coming late.
As she arrived in the parking lot, she parked, and jumped out of her chair furiously. She knew she was late and busted. Just like any lovely teacher, he hates it when his students come late. Especially when he asks them to come on time. She ran past the hall and turned the corner. She spotted the door and ran toward it, opening it slowly. 'There's no way I can pull this off. He's gonna have my head.'
She tiptoed to her seat and sat down next to her best friends Faith and Sam. Thank the Lord the teacher had his back turned around. 'Score! I'm safe.' She did a little victory dance in her head as she sighed in relief, turning to Faith, "What's up, girl?"
She laughed, "Damn dude, you were so freaking close. Parnell could've ripped into ya big time. Nothing much, Walter keeps pissing about this song he wants me to sing in front of the class, but I don't wanna."
Jewel laughed, this was typical Faith. Excuses, excuses. "Well, I think Walter is right. This is a singing class, ya know?"
She scoffed, "He always does this. Ah hate it. I just have this stupid fear of singing solos. Anyhoo, what song are you singing for the quiz? Sam told me you were gonna sing Beautiful? Any truth?"
"True story. I love that song. Dwight is so b*tchin! He's the best piano dude eva! So, why did Parnell want us to meet so early?" Jewel took out her fruit punch Gatorade and took a long sip.
"Ah, he didn't tell us. He's acting like giddy weirdo suddenly. He said something about being on our best behavior cuz a special guest will be joining us. Whatever, I'm tired man. I'm gonna sleep through this whole thing. Wake me when something good occurs," she closed her eyes.
She shrugged, "Alright, doubt it. Have a good sleep. I'll wake ya when I sing."
"Dealio. Be quiet now," she smiled as she got more comfy in her cramped seat.
Jewel giggled, "Oh boy. I wish I could just sing right now." She turned to the brunette boy next to her, "Sam, you falling asleep too?"
He yawned, "Kinda. This betta be important to wake up this early for. I think Parnell's hiding a body or something. Wake me when I'm good and ready, would ya? And when ya sing?" he closed his eyes too.
"Great, everybody's falling asleep on me. Damn this morning! I'm so freaking tired. What the hell is he doing?"
Walter whispered in her ear, "He's getting our music and waiting for the new teacher's aid to come. That's all I heard."
She turned around with curious eyes, "What? We have a TA? When did Parnell get so diva all of a sudden? Who is this guy or girl?"
"It's a guy, that's what he said," Alexis piped into the conversation.
"Well, well. Now, I'm wide awake. Who is this guy that made us get up early so we could meet him?"
Alexis smiled, showing her dimples, "It might be him," she nodded her head in the direction of the back of some tall guy's head talking softly with Parnell.
All Jewel could see was the back of the guy's head. Her eyes traveled to his rear. 'Nice.' He looked tall, extremely tall. Maybe like 6 "2 or taller. He was dressed in kakis and a very tasteful polo shirt. Even his back was attractive. His black curly hair made her hands hungry to run through them. She hadn't even seen his face yet, but damn, she could wait all day for that.
Parnell faced the class as the curly haired man placed his shoulder bag on the chair with his back still turned to the class. Jewel licked her lips watching his every move. 'Turn your fine ass around dammit! I wanna see your face. Turn--' Parnell interrupted her thinking.
"Class, we have a new TA here with us. Please welcome Mr. Randell, is it? Justin Randell. What should the class refer to you by would you prefer?"
Justin turned around and smiled. "Mr. Randell or Mr. R. is fine with me," he replied very softly.
'Anything is fine with you, sexy.' Jewel eyed him closely.
"That'll be quite alright. Class, make Mr. Randell feel welcome. He will take roll while I carry on with copying your new music. Can you handle them, Justin?"
"Yes, Dennis. Don't worry about it. Is this the sheet?" he pointed to the green grid paper in the binder folder.
"Yeah, I'll be back. Try to stay alive, they don't bite... hard," he smiled a little.
Justin laughed, "Thanks for the warning, Dennis."
Parnell turned to the class, "OK kiddies, Santa will be back. Treat his new helper like you treat me."
The class giggled as Parnell left to make copies.
Justin cleared his throat a couple times while the class stared at him. Wow, this class was large. 'Oh, well, first impression, don't forget J. You're Justin Randell now. Pull it together.' "OK everyone, when you hear your name being called say you're here," he began reading the roster.
"Oh my god!" Jewel whispered loudly, she smacked Faith awake.
"What the hell? What gives? Orlando Bloom was just about to shag me. This betta be important," she rubbed her eyes.
She shook her head, "I don't wanna know. The freaking TA is a foxarama! Look at him!" she pointed to him sitting down reading.
Faith sat up and her eyes nearly bulged out of her sockets, "Dude, who is that? Ghetto man..."
Jewel giggled, "His name is Justin Randell and he's f*ckin' hot. I'd blow him real good."
Faith hit her elbow, "You b*tch! I dare ya to flirt with him. Do it."
"What do I get?"
"I'll burn anything you want."
"Anything huh? OK, you're on."
Justin read the next name, "Jewel Robbins?" his head lifted off the sheet for a second.
She raised her hand, "I'm right here, Mr. R." she winked, smiling.
He smiled a little, nodding as he went to the next name.
Jewel turned to Faith and laughed, "Damn, did you see that smile? Oh god, that sexy smile."
"You're crazy."
"I know, but its fun as hell."
As soon as Justin finished the names, he closed the binder and just sat. Jewel was getting impatient. She worked several hours with Dwight on her song and she wanted to sing so bad. She couldn't take waiting anymore, so she raised her hand. She cleared her throat loudly and that made Justin look up and speak, "Yes, Jewel is it?"
She put her hand down, "Uh, yeah. Do you think I can sing my solo now?"
"Uh, well, OK sure. You brought your music?"
She waved it up, "Yep, right here."
"Miss. Robbins actually has her music, be still my heart. You deserve 5 gold stars my dear. Go sing your song and quite bothering me already." Parnell's mock voice was heard as he opened the door and walked to a sit down in the audience seats.
Justin laughed along with the rest of the class. His attention was now focused on Jewel. He thought she was gorgeous, but can she sing? He would find out very soon.
Jewel gave her sheet music to Dwight and stepped toward the mic, "OK, everyone, blood, sweat, and Dwight went into this one. I hope you like it. It's called Beautiful by Christina Aguilera. Lyrics and music by Linda Perry. Dwight?" she looked at him for the cue.
As the 4 bar intro played up, Jewel began singing her trademark riffs to warm her voice up a little while keeping the right key. She caught Justin eyeing her closely. Very closely. She felt so much heat from his intense stare, she felt like jumping him right there but that first verse came up.
Everyday, is so wonderful
Than suddenly, it's so hard to breathe
Now and then, I get insecure
From all the pain
I feel so ashamed
But I am beautiful, no matter what they say
Words can't bring me down
I am beautiful, in every single way
Yes, words can't bring me down, oh no
So don't you bring me down, today
To all your friends, you're delirious
You're so consumed in all your doom
Trying so hard, to fill the emptiness
The pieces are gone, left the puzzle undone
Ain't that the way it is?
Cuz you are beautiful, no matter what they say
Words can't bring you down
You are beautiful, in every single way
Yes, words can't bring you down, oh no
So don't you bring me down, today oh
No matter what we do
No matter what we say
We're the song inside the tune
Full of beautiful mistakes
And everywhere we go, the sun will always shine
For tomorrow we might wake on the other side
Cuz we are beautiful, no matter what they say
Yes, words won't bring us down
We are beautiful, in every single way
Yes, words, they can't bring us down, oh no
So, don't you bring me down, today
Ohhhh, don't you bring me down today
Yeaaaaaaaah, mmmmh, ohh
Don't you bring me down, mmmh today
Beautiful ~ Christina Aguilera
