Page 26 of Five Summers

As she tries to decipher the words I am uttering, her brow creases with confusion.

“But the worst part is that the asshole smashed my guitar.” I try to control my voice as it wavers. “The only way I calm down when he pisses me off is to feel the vibrations of the strings under my fingers. But that’s fucked now because I don’t have a guitar.”

Poppy’s gaze lingers on me, and a heavy silence fills the air. Shit, maybe I shouldn’t have shared all of that. I knew she wouldn’t understand. I don’t know why I fucking bothered.

While I load up another forkful of lasagna, ready to eat, she stands and walks down the long hallway.

I let out a long breath, feeling the frustration and confusion build up inside me. With a swift motion, I lean forward, snatch the can from the coffee table, and pop the top.

Right as I'm on the verge of taking a sip, Poppy's footsteps echo down the hall, and my eyes narrow in on the guitar she’s holding. I place the can and my bowl on the coffee table and stand up.

“It belonged to my dad,” she says, coming towards me. “I saved it just in time before my mom tossed it into the trash.” She holds it out for me to grab. “It’s yours if you want it.”

It’s a 2000 Santa Cruz Om guitar. A classic that costs a pretty penny.

I glance up and study her, taking in the glistening tears that fill her eyes. Did I hear her correctly? She said it was mine. But the sad look on her face makes me wonder if I should take it. I really want to, but if it's a special gift from her dad like my guitar was from my mom, I know it would really hurt her not to have it here.

"Nah, I can't take it," I say.

“Why not?”

“Because it belonged to your dad. It means something to you.”

“Take it, Xander,” she says. “If my mother finds it here, she’ll only destroy it. I want you to have it.”

“Wow, your mom must really hate your dad.” As I take the guitar, our eyes meet and a wave of emotions washes over me. “Seriously. You’re giving it to me.”

“Yes.”

“Seriously Poppy, why would you give it to me?” This gift is completely unique and unexpected. Despite being a complete jerk to her the other night, this girl is incredibly kind. I can’t wrap my head around it. This guitar is amazing. It would thrill any musician to get their hands on a guitar like this. The sound alone will elevate our songs to the next level. I'm surprised by her unexpected gesture. It's pretty amazing that she is giving me something like this.

“I want you to have it. For the past seven years, I’ve been worried that my mom will find it. And I know you will look after it. But there’s one catch.”

“Oh, yeah, what’s that?”

“I want to hear you play something.”

“I can do that,” I say with a smile as I sit back down on the couch.

Poppy moves across and sits on the couch.

As I run my hands over the front of the guitar, I find comfort in the smooth texture of the wood grain. Settling it down into my lap, I feel its weight and texture, and straightaway it brings a sense of calm. I position my fingers on the strings as if I’m about to play. I pluck a few notes. The sound of the strings are crisp and clear, each one ringing out beautifully. I lift my head and find her eyes fixed on me.

“Any requests?” I ask, waiting for a response. I can’t help but notice the way her delicate features come together to form her pretty face. Her long blonde hair falls in soft waves around her face, framing it beautifully. Her eyes are the color of the ocean on a clear day. A sprinkle of freckles on the bridge of her nose makes her look even more beautiful. Her lips, with their fullness and softness, are irresistible. Despite my strict rule against kissing, I can’t help but be curious about the taste of her lips as I gaze upon them.

"No, you decide," she says, sinking back into the couch.

“Okay,” I add, my eyes darting from Poppy to the guitar in my lap. I’m excited to share the song Ace and I have been working on for weeks. I’m curious to see how this classic guitar will change the sound of our songs.

As my fingers dance on the strings, the music sweeps me away, and then my voice joins in on the harmony.

As always, the melody pulls me in, drowning out the noise of my troubled life and leaving me with a sense of calm. I close my eyes, and the music engulfs me, cocooning me in its embrace. It’s like a warm blanket, wrapping me up and protecting me from the harshness of the outside world.

As the final note fades, I slowly open my eyes and return to the present moment. Poppy sits beside me, her quiet presence soothing. I turn my head to gauge her response.

“Wow! Xander,” she says. “I can’t find the right words to express how amazing you are. Your music is going to pave the way for endless possibilities.”

“You think so,” I smile, the corners of my mouth curling up. Never has anyone spoken to me in such a way. The label of being worthless - a no-hoper has been a constant presence in my life. It's a good feeling to hear those words, especially coming from Poppy who is well-versed in music. “Are you sure you don’t want to keep it? It’s a classic. I understand if you’ve changed your mind,” I ask, admiring the intricate design and details of the guitar.

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