Capítulo 27: Stories Books & Café
Nero pushed open the heavy wooden door of Stories Books & Café and stepped inside. The scent of freshly ground coffee and old books greeted him like a warm embrace. He loved this place. The tall shelves stacked to the ceiling, the cozy armchairs, and the small tables tucked between the rows of books created a very special atmosphere. It was a place to get lost, in stories and in thoughts. But today, he hadn't come to browse.
He looked around and spotted Mark at a small table in a quiet corner, right by the window. Mark waved to him. Nero took a deep breath, nervously smoothed his T-shirt, and walked over to him.
"Hey Mark," he greeted him and sat down.
"Hey Nero, good to see you," Mark replied with a friendly smile. "What would you like to drink? It's on the house."
"An iced coffee would be great," Nero said.
Mark nodded and went to the counter. Nero took the opportunity to look around discreetly. The café was busy, but not crowded. Students sat hunched over books, a few friends chatted quietly, and soft indie-folk music played in the background. It was exactly the right atmosphere for a conversation like this. He felt his heart beating a little faster.
Mark came back with two iced coffees and sat down again.
"So," he began, "have you thought everything over?"
Nero nodded. "Yes, I have. I talked to Charlie, and he thinks it's a good idea." He paused briefly, took a sip of his iced coffee, and looked Mark directly in the eyes. "I accept your offer, Mark."
Mark's face lit up. "I'm really happy to hear that, Nero! I'm convinced you have great potential. I heard it right away when you played for the first time."
Nero smiled. "Thank you. That means a lot to me."
"So, let's talk about the details," Mark said and took a sip of his iced coffee. "I was thinking we could have you perform once a week, maybe on Thursdays or Fridays. What do you think?"
"Thursdays would be perfect," Nero replied. "I don't have as much school stress then."
"Great. That's settled then. As for the music… do you mainly play your own stuff or also covers?"
"I'm writing my own songs, but I also like to play covers, especially acoustic versions of my favorite songs," Nero explained.
"Perfect. That fits in well here at the café. We have a mixed audience, so both go down well. And as for payment… I can't offer you huge fees yet, but I would give you a share of the revenue from your performances, and of course, drinks and snacks are free for you."
Nero nodded understandingly. "That's not really what I'm focused on right now. I just want to gain stage experience and share my music with others."
"I understand. And I'll support you as much as I can," Mark assured him. "I can also help you with song selection or give you tips for your stage presence. And maybe we can even rehearse here in the café when it's not too crowded."
Nero was thrilled. "That would be great!"
Mark leaned back and looked at Nero. "I really believe you have a great future in music, Nero. You have talent and the right attitude. I'm happy to be able to accompany you on this path."
Nero felt a warm feeling spread in his chest. He was grateful for Mark's trust and looked forward to the collaboration.
"Thank you, Mark," he said again, this time with a firmer voice. "I'm really excited about what the future holds."
Mark smiled. "Me too."
They talked for a while longer about music, about their favorite artists, and about Nero's musical influences. The atmosphere was relaxed and inspiring. When they said goodbye, Nero was full of confidence and energy. The first step in his musical career had been taken.
Nero hopped on his bike and started pedaling. The sun was shining, and the air felt light. He hummed a melody to himself, a new melody that had just come to him. He could hardly wait to get home and announce the news.
As he opened the front door, he already heard voices from the living room. Charlie, Alan, and Jake were there.
"There you are finally!" Charlie called as Nero entered the room. "We were wondering where you were."
"I was with Mark at Stories Books & Café," Nero explained, grinning.
"And?" Alan asked curiously. "What did he say?"
Nero took a deep breath. "I told him I accept his offer."
Silence spread through the room, broken only by the quiet ticking of the clock on the wall. Then Charlie broke into a wide grin.
"That's fantastic, Nero!" he shouted and clapped him on the shoulder. "I knew you'd make the right decision."
"Really?" Nero asked uncertainly.
"Of course! You have talent, my boy. And with Mark by your side, you'll go far," Charlie assured him.
Alan nodded in agreement. "I'm also very happy for you, Nero. This is a great opportunity."
Jake jumped up and hugged Nero enthusiastically. "We have to celebrate!" he shouted. "Pizza for everyone!"
Nero laughed. "Thanks, guys. That really means a lot to me."
He looked into the faces of his friends and felt a deep gratitude. He knew he could count on their support, no matter what happened.
"So," Charlie said, rubbing his hands together. "Tell us everything. What exactly did you discuss?"
Nero told them about the conversation with Mark, about the performances at the café, about the support Mark promised him, and about the future plans. His friends listened attentively and kept asking questions.
When Nero was finished, there was a cheerful atmosphere in the room. They ordered pizza, laughed, and talked about music. Nero felt happier than he had in a long time. He had not only gotten a chance to share his music with others, but he also had the support of his friends and his family. He was ready for the next chapter.
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Don't expect too much, as it's more of a fun project. So feel free to check out:
Lord Of The Forest - A Witcher Fanfic
~Cheers
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