Fan Fiction |
by Jenny Tran
“Come on, Amy. Did you forget to eat breakfast? You’re walking like a turtle!” he was a couple of yards ahead of her.
She was jotting down notes that she kept about him. Certain things he liked or disliked and she was going through it at her own pace when his annoyed voice cut through her concentration “I’m coming!” she cried. “He’s not going to start without you!”
“Yeah, but I don’t want to keep him waiting.” He turned and placed his hands on his hips, his face aggravated “Come on, grandma!”
Finally noticing his annoyed expression, she walked quickly to him. They arrived at the studio to find Johnny asleep on his chair. Amy hardly noticed as she was in awe with the recording studio. On her right was a glass wall which was soundproof for the artist to record music. While on her left was a control table with too many buttons that she wouldn’t dare to touch. Her eyes wandered around and landed on the sleeping Johnny “He’s probably exhausted.” She pointed out.
Philip was hovering over him and staring at him like he was some kind of animal. “You think he would wake up if I kissed him?”
Amy cracked up at his unexpected comment “Maybe not. He might think he’s in a dream and he’ll kiss you back.”
“You’re right.” Philip gave up and walked into the soundproof room. He found a folder with music/lyric sheet inside. It was the new songs he helped co-write.
Amy tapped on Johnny’s shoulder to wake him up but to her dismay, he didn’t budge. Suddenly a smile came on her face as she thought of something to wake him up. She pulled her long mane, which was tied in a ponytail, in front of her shoulder. She used the end strands to tickle him on the cheek and neck. It only made him smile like he was having a sweet dream. She looked up at Philip and shrugged helplessly. “That felt good, do it again.” The voice from below her spoke up.
She looked down and Johnny was smiling goofily at her “You don’t know where my hair’s been.” She joked.
He laughed and sat up “When did you guys get here?” he let out a long yawn.
“We’ve been waiting for hours!” Philip called from the room. The intercom was on, he could hear everything they said.
“Whatever. I slept here overnight working on your crap!” Johnny spoke into the intercom. Philip only laughed cause he knew it was true, his friend was a workaholic “Wanna start on the first song?”
“Which one is that?” Amy asked curiously. She took an empty chair behind Johnny and sat down comfortably.
“True Love. That’s the first single. It’s really good, listen to the lyrics.” Johnny said proudly.
“Did you write it?” Amy asked.
“NO! I did.” Philip took the complete credit.
Johnny rolled his eyes “I helped, but according to the big star over there, I only did the music.” He turned to Philip “Sing the first verse and we’ll start from there.” Philip nodded and Johnny gave him the okay sign as he pushed some buttons and the music began playing.
Amy felt herself mesmerized by the piano tune playing in the background with a bit of violin which gave it a melancholy mood. Although it fit very well together, she couldn’t help but feel sad. That is until Philip started singing the first few lines. The words couldn’t be more beautiful. It was a short story of two people meeting unexpectedly and falling in love. But as fate would have it, they were separated but could not forget each other. They knew it was true love when they finally met again after 3 years, but it felt like 100 years. She closed her eyes and let Philip’s warm and soothing voice take her away. The beat caught on to her fast as she was able to hum along after he sang it again on the fourth round.
Johnny turned around unexpectedly and Amy stopped humming. He held up a hand to Philip in the room indicating for him to stop “Did you hear that?” he asked Amy.
She shook her head, pretending not to know what he was talking about. She was afraid he would comment on her being noisy. “No, what did you hear?”
He thought it was his imagination so he shook his head and waved to Philip to continue. Philip began singing again, this time the chorus which talked about true love coming from the heart and you may not see it firsthand but you feel it once you see the right person. She smiled at the catchy tune and began humming. This time Johnny did not stop Philip but he turned to her “Are you humming?”
Amy widened her eyes “I’m sorry, is it distracting?”
He turned around to face her with a huge grin “Not if it’s coming from you.” He flirted openly making her shake her head “No, seriously, it sounds good. Can you sing?”
She shook her head “Not like Philip.”
“I didn’t ask that. I asked if YOU can sing.” A thought began to ponder in his head “Maybe this song would be fitting for a male and female vocal?”
This time her face looked scared “Are you crazy? I have no background in singing. I can’t hit a note if my life depended on it. Anyways, I don’t want more attention than I already have.” She whispered and pointed to Philip “It’s tough working for a big star.”
Johnny would not give up “You hit all the notes fine, believe me, I’ve heard some pretty bad singers in my life, but you, that’s not bad, even for humming. Did you know that most singers start off their vocal practices with humming?” Amy shook her head, not wanting to continue the conversation “Trust me, you’re very good.” He pointed out.
“Whatever, that’s your opinion.” Amy said “Don’t you dare tell Philip.” She pointed.
He laughed “So you admit it, you can sing!”
“SHHH!!” she practically covered his mouth with her hand.
They didn’t even noticed that Philip had stopped singing “Hey, what are you two doing in there?” he pulled off his head phones.
Amy glared at Johnny as she let go of his mouth “I’ll kill you.” She threatened.
He knew it was not a laughing matter on her part so he proceeded to keep it a secret for now “Nothing. Go on, Philip. You’re doing great.” Johnny pointed at him to continue.
***********
For the next two weeks, Philip, Johnny and Amy were practically living at the studio. They recorded most of the songs and there were at least 3 more left to work on. During the nights, Philip had to film in Studio 5. He wanted his album to be a success so he would sit down and perfect the three remaining songs during his break.
One night, the set was having problems with the lighting so he took a longer break than anticipated. Amy stood behind watching him jot down words and he would hum the tunes to himself. “I liked that first adlib.” She commented.
Philip turned with his eyebrows raised “You do?” she nodded and he smiled at her as he patted the empty seat next to him “What more secrets do you need to tell me, Miss Chan? Don’t tell me you use to sing.”
She laughed “Yeah, that’s why I became a personal assistant. I can’t sing. I’m just a big critic when it comes to music. I only listen to what I find is great.”
“Really?” he was obviously intrigued. He turned to her, his body facing her “What do you define as ‘great’?”
She tapped her chin lightly “Hmm, I never thought about that. I guess it has to do with the lyrics and music which compliments each other. I absolutely love the sound of the piano playing in the background of the songs. And the guitar gives it a serenade kind of effect.”
He laughed at her descriptive explanation “I thought you never thought about it?” he kidded.
Amy shrugged “So, I lied.”
Philip pointed at her like he just caught her in an act of crime “Ah ha! So you can sing.”
She looked at him strangely “No. I lied about not thinking about what I think makes a great song. I’m tone deaf.” She lied.
“Aw…” he sounded disappointed.
“What’s wrong with that?” she was surprised at his reaction.
He sighed “I just thought ‘True Love’ would be great as a duet. Do you have any suggestions of who I could sing with?”
“Wow, you and Johnny think alike. He said the same thing earlier.” She pointed out “I don’t know who would be a good duet with you. Honestly, I think you have a wonderfully warm voice and a girl would have to have the same tone of voice to match yours. If not, she would definitely stand out too much. It should compliment each other.” She put much feeling into her suggestion.
Philip nodded with his brows furrowed, taking in her words like it was the best advice in the world “So, what do you suppose I should do? I really think that song would fit a duet.”
“Why don’t you do a talent search? I mean hold auditions for the perfect girl. Hey, since you’re doing a new album that’s your own style. You should be able to chose the right girl, the album has no deadline right?”
He shook his head “No, I want this one to be perfect so I could take months on it.”
Amy nodded “Perfect. Take your time then.”
“I’m so lucky.” He sighed happily.
She smiled “That you’re blessed with a beautiful voice?”
Philip laughed “No, but thank you. I was saying how lucky I am to have found you as an assistant. You should be my manager, that lady doesn’t do a thing!”
“Really? Why do you keep her then?” she was curious since she’s never met his talent manager.
“Because she’s my sister.” He laughed “She’s actually very busy, but she gives me advice from time to time.” She nodded without commenting and he guessed what she was thinking “She lives in the U.S. with her family. I only talk to her once a month.” He explained.
Amy nodded “I see.” She looked behind him and saw the director waving for Philip “I think they’re ready to film.” She nodded towards his direction.
Philip turned and gave the man a wave of the hand “Back to work.” He sighed as he handed her the notebook where he was jotting down words. “Hold this for me.”
She nodded and looked down at her hands. The brown leather book seemed to be calling out to her. Amy glanced at Philip to make sure he didn’t see her peeking, when the coast was clear she opened it and read some of the lyrics he was jotting down. Some were unfinished and some were really well written. She was tempted to make a few corrections but knew he would easily recognized her writing.