THE BAD BOY OF MANHATTAN
Chapter 60. When I'm Away From You.

The recording process of one single from The Bad Boy Of Manhattan for three days took Elric. He had to stay in the studio to work day and night. No more time to relax. He and his friends are required to work on a song, which is not careless, a condition with their band's idealism, but able to take market sympathy. This is what challenges Elric and all the band members. What's more, their music genre is more experimental and not just anyone can enjoy it. Maybe only people who really understand music can enjoy it. Or for ordinary people, their songs must be played repeatedly, infused and listened to at certain moments. And don't forget the internal debate that's going on. Four heads, four brains each with different ideas in arrangements that are not easy to put together.

"I don't really agree with the guitar technique you used in the melody section, El. I think it's too complicated" Samuel said as he expressed his opinion. "This is the first song. It's good we make it more catchy to keep listeners interested."

"So, we have to follow the tastes of the market?" Elric, who dislikes playing the guitar with mediocrity, asked rhetorical questions.

"Lowering idealism a little to open up opportunities, I don't think it's a problem." Jacob supported Samuel's protest. Both often have the same perspective.

While Darren, he agrees more with Elric. The Bad Boy Of Manhattan looks like it has two camps. Elric and Darren's camp were super idealists, as well as Samuel and Jacob's more flexible camps.

"If I simplify the melody like this ...." Elric plays a melody with his guitar. "We'll sound like a Rebellion or a Hellbound. Where is our originality? I think the first song should be remembered by everyone with the character of The Bad Boy Of Manhattan" the young man explained.

"Something wrong with the Rebellion or the Hellbound? There is no original music today. The era of discovery of new tones is long gone." Samuel chimed.

Elric shook his head. "Indeed not original. But, at least we can build our musical character from the beginning. I'm not talking about the originality of music in general. I'm talking about the originality of our music" he said.

Darren raised his hand. "Maybe the right word is not originality, but a new color."

"That's it (exactly so)," Elric said.

"I think there's nothing to change from the raw arrangement of this song. Especially the melody of Elric, it greatly refreshes the ears of the listener. It's just how you balance it with your beat drum, Sam," Darren said.

"Okay, I agree." Jacob chiming. "We better put each other's ideas into this song, and as much as possible put them together. I think it's fair to all the personnel."

Samuel throbbed while shrugging his shoulders. "Well, that's better (Yes, so much better)."

The debate between the four handsome youths ended peacefully. This time there was a deal. However, it was not impossible that in the future they would encounter these kinds of things and end up with a split. The Bad Boy Of Manhattan is still corn. Like, they are seeds that have just come out the roots of a few centi. Their journey is still far to the sun.

***

After finishing a meeting with the CEO of SkyLab that afternoon to discuss their first single that had just finished recording, Elric decided not to join his friends who were invited to drink by Jerome. It had been three days that he had not returned to the apartment and met Emma. His concentration should not be distracted by anything other than music. Three days and three nights his brain kept working, and only slept for a few hours.

She missed Emma. He missed interacting with the girl. Just eat fast food in the park, or chat in the living room of their apartment, or continue his intention to kiss the girl who has not been delivered.

Elric smiled at himself imagining the scene of almost kissing Emma who failed that night, pushing the glass door of the SkyLab building. He who was looking at the watch on his wrist was surprised by a girl who had come out of nowhere hit him quite hard.

"Owh, sorry, I'm sorry." The short-haired girl with round eyes that hit her touched Elric's arm. "You okay?"

"It's okay," said Elric while stroking his arm that felt a little sore hit by the guitar hardcase that the girl carried.

"I'm sorry, I didn't notice my surroundings," the girl chuckled. Then he looked at Elric's face and raised his eyebrows. "You're one of the band members who just joined SkyLab, aren't you?"

"Ah, yes," answered Elric shortly.

"I'm Lily." The girl extended her hand.

Ah-of course. The girl looks the same age as him. Lily Boyd's. The photo was displayed on a poster inside the SkyLab building. The same poster as in the girl's album cover, shown by Jerome.

"Elric." The young man welcomed Lily's hand.

"It's nice to meet you. We'll see her like a lot." Lily laughed crisply. The dimples on the girl's cheeks made her look sweet. "By the way, I've heard the demo and seen your profiles. Four dangerous genius youths," he chuckled. "It looks like I just got a tough rival," he joked.

"See yes, Elric."

Elric waved a little at Lily. Then set foot leaving the SkyLab building area lined with office buildings in the center area of Manhattan.

***

After waiting for some time for Emma to walk out of the gate of the Zetta School, Elric commented on her smile as the girl appeared with a look of surprise mixed with joy at her presence.

"Can I give you a hug (may I hug you)?" elric asked as he spread out both hands.

Emma chuckles. He slid into Elric's arms. Three days did not meet with the young man, it could not be denied that he felt homesick. Their apartment feels empty. There is no Elric prank or the sound of his guitar is noisy and sometimes makes it difficult to sleep.

"How are you, El?" ask Emma. Both are walking sidewalk. They decided to enjoy the afternoon on foot to East Harlem.

"bad." Elric grimaced as he stomped his nape.

"It's good to hear that, El. You're so busy, yeah, that you never called me" Emma quipped.

"I was stuck in the studio for three days and three nights. All I got was a guitar, then sleep, then another guitar, and so on."

Emma smiling. "But I'm glad to hear that. What you're working on is a significant advance in your life."

"Yes. But, I feel far away from you."

Emma chuckles. "The drama!"

"No, no. .. I'm serious. I feel lonely if you're not around."

Emma took a slow breath. He feels the same. The last three days he's been outraged. One time he agreed to invite James to dinner and enjoy the beauty of Manhattan from the restaurant that was on the rooftop of a skyscraper, but so bland. He prefers to eat at a small restaurant in Chinatown, for example.

But with Elric.

***

Hc ....

Wanna ask. This is a novel about love and music. You think the discussion about music and his love story is fifty-fifty, not yet?

If not, tomorrow I will be:

80% music technique, 15% love (on music), 5% love-love.

Hahahahahahaha

The joke!

😁😁😁😁