Page 79 of Finding a Melody

I handed the sheet music over to him, unable to meet his eyes. I always felt awkward when people saw only my half-finished works.

Toby’s fingers tapped against his knee as he went over the beat, his mouth moving as he mouthed out the lyrics.

“It’s missing something, right?” I asked.

“It is and it feels like it’s right there, but I can’t quite put my finger on it. Can I hear this verse with the guitar?”

I strummed the guitar and sang:

“Your light is mesmerizing in your eyes

It’s just within my reach, burning so bright

Slowly, oh so slowly, it captures my love

The warmth so strong, I can feel it in us

Can I hold on?

Can I hold on?”

Toby nodded with a frown, bobbing his head as he tapped his finger. “Again.”

I began again, same verse, same way, but this time he joined me, and I kept going, listening to him.

His voice was soft and smooth, a deep, honey echo to my lyrics. It was hard not to lose focus to what I was singing as I listened to him, his words an echo next to mine:

“Hold on to me. Please oh, oh hold on to me

Hold on to me. Please oh, oh hold on to me

Hold me tight

Hold me close

Hold me tight

I’m right here”

His voice blended with mine, fitting into place, acting as the perfect bass needed to add the depth I wanted from the song.

“Wow,” I said, staring at him in shock. He harmonized so well with me.

“A duet. You were writing a duet,” he said with a sheepish smile.

“I never wrote a real duet before,” I said in a soft voice, staring down at the music sheet, wondering how it’d change with a second voice to it.

“Really?” Toby seemed surprised by my admission.

I nodded. “Never came up before.”

“That’s surprising. I thought at this point, you’ve done it all.” Toby looked between me and the music notes. “Want to keep going? This could be the perfect class project.”

My heart thumped in excitement. A duet with Toby.

“Oh? What makes you think I want to be your partner?”

“Probably that big grin on your face.” His smile wavered. “You don’t want to be?”