The record store downtown by Abbeys was tucked away near the end of the block like an old secret. From the entrance, the windows reflected the hoardings of music history. The inside was a cramped space divided by aisles of records older than any of its admirers. The smell of aged paper, polished wood, and the metallic scent of records mixed with the incense lit by the store clerk, creating a nostalgic image of an era lost in the wind and memorised by Polaroids. For Faith, this was her home away from home, a place no amount of words or expressions could summarise her love for it, just being there was fulfilling.
In the R&B aisle, the section area was decorated by records from its early roots of jazz, blues, and soul worshipped by artists such as Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin and Sam Cooke. From the Golden Age dominated by Funk and Disco maestros-Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye to the dawn of Motown, highlighted by the talent of the Jackson 5 and The Temptations. Each era had its own place in the blend of music dedicated to love, fashion, culture, and the sin of temptation.
Roaming her fingers delicately on a Stevie Wonder record, Faith was transfixed by how the music consumed her daily life could be sealed in a disc meant to be played on a weird box machine that turns the vibrations to lyrics with a fancy needle."Do you know what's the best part of all of this?" She questioned him, eyes still locked on the record.
"I don't know... maybe how your eyes glint with excitement only a kid going to Disney World would have." He teased.
"I'm serious, Bo." She poured, arms holding the record like her favorite pillow. " Music is everything to me. From the moment I wake up to the solidarity of art classes and through Bobbi's half-assed lectures, my mind is clouded by music."
"That's quite concerning as I wonder how your eardrums haven't burst by now."
"Hey! My ears have adapted to the ruckus of my playlist... the sound warning is merely a decoration. Who genuinely doesn't play full volume?"
"Normal people, Faith, we actually prefer our ear hairs not destroyed. New York is already a place where you're one loud sound away from a hearing aid." Bo replied, his hand snatching a Frank Ocean record from her grasp.
"Give it back, Bo! Frank is way too important to my late-night sobs before bed playlist," she stated before reaching for the record tucked in his arms.
Bo side-stepped her attempt, leaving her falling forward in a comedic sequence.
"Eep!" She squealed as her balance was up to the fate of gravity. "Bo, help meee–"
Before her body completely folded, he held her by the waist. Balancing her limp form like a deflated mascot. "You ok there, Red?"
"No. I'm not ok." She answered with embarrassment in her tone.
"You can pull yourself up now, you know–"
"Let me have this moment!"
Exiting the store and greeted by the cluster of noises, only the city could make it enjoyable. Bo had his arms tucked in his Carhartt jacket. The wind whisked his bangs, and his face crunched as the cold air dismissed the warmth he got from the store. On his left, Faith's small stature was covered by her long locks of scarlet hair, her outfit an Ivy League piece more suited for Sunny temperatures barely kept her warm as the thin sweater was her only form of heat. "Th-th-Thank...y-y-you... f-f-for the rekk-ords..." she voiced through clattering teeth.
"Why did you think dressing like an extra in Elite would be a good choice in New York?" He teasingly asked, smirking on his face.
"I thought I looked cute." She whispered, the faint blush complementing her freckled, shivering form.
"Huhh." He voiced before taking off his jacket, placing it over her like a cape."Here. Don't say it. Don't take care of yourself?" He added before opening the passenger side for her. "Are you coming, Miss Lauryn Hill?"
Faith stood there, mouth slightly open in awe at his chivalry. "You do realise, you're ruining me right now, right ?"
"I guess... do you want the auxiliary?"
"...I think I love you." She blurted out as her face was a fiery red blush.
"Of course you do, Red. Now get in before I make you walk." He threatened half-heartedly.
"Don't ruin this moment, Bo!" She squealed as she hopped in the car.
"Yeah, yeah. Whatever you say, Faith. He chuckled on his way to the driver's side.
The car drive home was filled with Faith's off-tune singing to every track, her unnecessary analysis of SZA lyrics and spontaneous munching of his snack he keeps in his compartment Despite her antics, he couldn't stop smiling at her complete trust in him to express her true personality.
"You really are something, Red." He said to himself,gaze occasionally on the redhead.
"Can we get McDonald's?"
"No."
"Pleaseee~Bo."
"Fine."
"I knew you loved me more than Jane." She boasted.
"Hey now–don't let hear that, or I'll end up hearing her voice throughout work." He chuckled nervously.
"No promises. "