With Eyes Wide Shut

By Kyla M. Wassil

Andi is a young and very dedicated woman whose life revolves around music on a daily basis for she works in a recording studio. Her best friend since high school is right by her side. Cody is always there to talk to when needed, practically portraying her other half. Running late for work one day changes Andi's life for good when she runs into another woman on the sidewalk. Trying to capture the moment Cade takes Andi's breath away. Through what seems like the perfect love and relationship it has it flaws just like any other. After Andi continuously deals with headaches and begins hearing random voices she seeks professional help. Could the medication be enough to bear with her? Could the perfect love she shares with Cade possibly exist or is Andi just living a dream? Feeling as though Andi is losing her mind she is determined to keep Cade in her life no matter the risk.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Aug 28, 2014
• ISBN: 9781493164509

Kyla M. Wassil

Kyla is an ambitious young adult who enjoys writing in her free time along with riding her street bike, living life to its fullest. Kyla has an undying passion for music and the arts, who doesn't mind other people's opinions about her tattoos and the way she lives her life. She's very open-minded just seeking the love and emotion from her reader's that she puts into her stories. Currently working as a Child Care professional she hopes that someday her hard work through writing pays off letting her career as an Author be her permanent occupational title.

Book preview

Chapter 1

I roll over from a dead slumber slapping my alarm clock off the night stand. I hear my phone buzzing. I pick it up looking through glossy eyes to see a text from my co-worker Cody. He is also a very close friend of mine. We both work together at Donny V’s recording studio. He’s been in my life since high school. We were the type of kids that everyone got along with and wanted to be friends with. Cody would sit in the courtyard during lunch and strum away on his acoustic guitar. He eventually taught me how to play our sophomore year. Now we go out to bars and play our own music and cover other artists’ Songs by request. We tried the whole garage band scene but that fell through when our drummer Mason died in a car accident when we were seventeen. A drunk driver hit him head on after leaving a Friday night football game. It hit Cody pretty hard since they were practically brothers. He occasionally will bring him up to this day. He even has a memorial tattoo for Mason on his left forearm. It’s lyrics from stairway to heaven formed in sheet music that runs down his arm. It’s actually pretty awesome. He says it’s his motivation to be able to stare down while he plays guitar and it’s visible. I notice him doing that when he’s nervous about the vibe of the crowd and he looks like he’s closing his eyes but I know better, because once he mentally pep talks himself fire blows from his fingers as he strums his little heart out. I’ve even seen him cry while performing. He’s a very sensible guy and I love it. He’s a girl’s perfect best friend. He’s that guy that isn’t super needy, or even clingy. He can just sit in a room with you and chill, not having to speak yet you still feel the company. He understands everything to the best of his ability, and will listen to you and your problems and never tells you what you’re doing wrong or what you should do about it. I have looked up to him since we met; he’s everything I’d want to be. His confidence and talent are insane. I will always look at him as my brother, like he’s a part of me.

I open my message to hey, where are you? We have this demo to listen to. I fly out of bed and run into the bathroom trying to multi-task by dressing myself and brushing my teeth. Running out the door I text On my way! back to Cody. As I swiftly speed walk down the street I see a lot of people in front of the shops on Main Street. I lived six blocks from our studio on Artemio Boulevard. I feel my phone buzzing in my pocket, I fumble to put it to my ear and hear Cody’s voice on the other end.

Yes, dear I’m headed that way now. I guess I kept hitting snooze on my alarm.

Well, hurry up! You’ll never believe who is here.

Wait, I thought it was just that underground band Justified Reasons we were seeing?

I lost track of how fast my feet were carrying me when I slammed into another woman on the side walk. My phone fell to the ground below as coffee went everywhere.

Oh my God, I’m so sorry Miss. I wasn’t paying attention.

It’s okay, it happens.

This girl had the most forgiving smile I’d ever seen. Even though I knocked her latte’ all over 5th and Main she remained unconcerned. I bent over to pick up my phone hearing Cody continuously saying hello. But I couldn’t stop staring at this girl.

Yeah, hold on I’m here. I reply.

Well, I guess I’ll bump into you again sometime? She winked.

What’s your name?

Cadence. Yours?

Andi.

Nice to meet you. I better get going as should you before you knock some poor woman over again. She smiled.

I just gave her an innocent grin watching her turn to leave. I almost forgot where the hell I was.

Hello!

Oh my God, yes Cody I hear you I’m crossing the street now. Be there in two.

I hung up storming into the studio. Cody was sitting in the control room talking to a band member and holy shit did I recognize him right off the bat. It was Randi Hudsfelt from our local band Riot. He’s the lead singer and guitarist. I haven’t seen him in six months since they actually got signed and went on tour with All That Remains this past summer.

Well, well look what the tour bus dropped off. I smiled.

Hey, Andi. Give me a hug, girl it’s been too long.

What made you come here?

Well, we just finished touring and have a few days off to come home and see family and of course you all helped us get started so we owe it to you guys.

I just blushed for God knows what reason. I guess my pride was getting to me.

So we laid some tracks down for Justified Reasons and you should listen to them. They aren’t too bad. Cody went on.

I looked into the live room to see the band setting up. I hit the intercom button to let them know we are about to start in five. I grabbed a pair of headphones and listened to some of their songs they had recorded themselves. Cody was right. These guys were original, but in a good sense. Randi stayed with us the entire day mixing some tracks and giving the band some helpful ideas to better their style and technique. It was actually a day with minimal stress. Occasionally throughout the day the image of Cadence would pop into my mind. It was already five o’clock and the bands vocals were dying down for the day.

Hey Cody, I left the mix tape in the control room. I’m going to head out for the night if that’s cool?

He was down in the Drier room straightening up for tomorrow. I saw him poke his head out as I turned off the lights for the live room.

All right, I’ll see you tomorrow, Andi." He called after me.

The weather was so melancholy with a slight breeze. I watched leaves scatter across the pavement, listening to the sound of the busy traffic in the background. I passed through the same spot I ran into Cadence earlier that day and just smiled to myself. I couldn’t wait to get home to tell my roommate Sarah about my fortuitous run in with this woman.

We live in a townhouse in the middle of the city by the name of Brookshire Residency. Its location is quite convenient among walking distance for places we need to go. It was actually a nice place to live. I have never had to complain about anything. The scenery was ship shape and the hedges were perfected year round. It reminded me of a Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood ordeal. I can appreciate the fact I live with someone who is responsible. Sarah and I have been friends since I was seven. She is two years older than me. Now she’s a Pharmacist at our local CVS. Most days she loves her job, but you wouldn’t believe how rude her customers can be. Some nights she comes home with migraines the size of Texas, so she exaggerates. She is good at what she does I have to admit. Sarah is very smart and intellectual. I could never see her not being a part of my life.

Entering the house I see Sarah sitting at the kitchen table reading the paper. She’s definitely the more reserved one out of the two of us.

Hey, how was your day? I asked.

Ugh, it was fine. Better than most I’ve had. Her stare lingered on the paper as she rubbed her temples.

So, I ran into some girl today on my way to work. Literally.

Sarah gave a short laugh folding her paper down to give her undivided attention.

Cody was on my ass today, hurrying me to the damn studio. Of course I wouldn’t have had to rush if I didn’t wake up late. Anyway, in mid-sentence I run right into this poor girl and sent her coffee flying. I felt horrible. By this point I’m completely ignoring the fact that I just dropped my phone and Cody’s muffled voice was trying to find me.

What’s this woman look like exactly? Sarah’s expression became peculiar.

Blonde hair slightly below her shoulders, vibrant blue eyes with a picture perfect smile, and dimples. Oh those damn dimples. I gushed.

Well, weren’t you just staring hard? She laughed.

Honestly, I couldn’t help it. If I could telepathically transfer her image from my mind into yours then you’d understand.

I see. Well here’s an idea off subject. You want to go with me down to the Java for some coffee? I’ve been craving their green tea.

Sounds good.

We grabbed our jackets and began our journey to the cafe’. The bell chimed above causing our entrance to gain stares. The petite Asian cashier greeted us almost immediately.

Hello ladies, what can I get for you?

Sarah and I just smiled to ourselves, only because it’s rare when someone is courteous enough to acknowledge our identity as being females.

Uh, I’ll have a green tea. What do you want Andi?

Just my usual.

Sarah turned her head back toward the cashier.

She’ll have an iced caramel macchiato, please.

Size?

Grande.

That will be $9.07 Ma’am.

While Sarah was fidgeting in her back pocket to find her wallet I glanced around the room for somewhere to sit. It’s very cozy here. It’s like Books A Million and Star Bucks had sex and this was their result. Sarah and I always try to come here at least once a week.

Andi, here you go.

I felt Sarah nudge my shoulder to grasp my attention. As I took hold of the coffee cup I continued scanning the room, It was unusually crowded tonight for a Thursday.

What is with all these damn people?

Did you not read the sign? I mean it’s advertised all over the place.

What sign?

Poetry night. She informed me.

Awesome, that’s new.

Yeah, where do you want to sit?

How about right over… A sudden jolt struck my nerves forcing me to a stunned silence.

What’s the matter? Sarah followed my eyes.

Holy shit! That’s her! That’s Cadence.

Really? Where?

I pointed toward the window. Sarah cocked her head to the side.

Hmm, she’s very pretty dude. And it looks like she just saw you too. She snickered.

Oh my God, no way. Why is she standing up? Is she seriously coming over here? Holy fuck I’m freaking out!

You need to calm down you whacko.

This is really happening right now. I said through my teeth baring a smile.

Her little brunette friend looks cute from afar.

I look to see who she was examining. She was straining her focus right on us. As Cadence approached us I felt my face burn and my heart race.

Hello Ms. in a damn hurry. She smiled.

Her eyes lit up my fucking soul. I searched my brain for a simple response that felt damn near impossible to come up with.

Hey, Cadence. I blushed.

Wow, you remembered my name? Pretty impressive. After that intense impact of a collision I would’ve assumed you had amnesia.

Ha, I like her already. Sarah giggled.

My apologies, this is Sarah. Sarah meet Cadence.

Nice to meet you, Sarah. You can just call me Cade for short. Would you care to join me and my friend?

I just shrugged at Sarah as we motioned agreement by following Cade to her table.

This is Hayden. Meet Andi and Sarah.

So you’re the asshole that nearly killed my best friend today?

Sarah’s eyes widened as she switched her stare from me to Hayden then back again.

Don’t mind her she’s a natural when it comes to being a bitch. Cade assured us.

Yes, that would be me. And I can’t explain how apologetic I am for that misshap. I swallowed hard.

Cade, what are you drinking? Hayden asked in an asinine manner.

A Frappe’. You know that.

Hayden picked her cup up from the table shaking it.

Is this what you had this morning?

Yeah? Hayden what are you doing?

She proceeded to slide the cup in my direction with a sneer expression on her face.

I bowed my head down in complete dismay. I grabbed the cup without even looking back up. I drug my feet to the counter and got her another one. Although, I do owe her one I just hated how much of a dick her friend can be on a first impression basis. I felt a presence linger over my shoulder followed by pressure of a chin brushed against me.

You didn’t have to do that you know? I’m sorry about Hayden; she is just very protective of me because of my past. Her bark is really worse than her bite. I hope you stay around long enough to witness that.

I turned my head in her direction looking down at her innocent little smile. She is so precious. How could I not forgive her?

Here you go.

I handed her the cup and playfully tapped my index finger off the tip of her nose giving her my best smile. Her gaze stayed on me for a good