FORTY FIVE

"Okay," Lena sighed over the speaker box connecting to the small recording room where I stood, jittery and shaky. "Aphrodite, I think you should take a little break."

"Okay," I said softly, removed the massive Beats By Dre Studio headphones, and went out of the room, where she handed me a room-temperature water bottle as I sat on the couch.

I was taking small sips over and over.

Saying nothing.

I felt Lena's eyes staring at me as if I'd done something wrong. It's entirely my fault. And she's angry with me. For three hours, I've done nothing but get scolded by Lena that the sound engineer who operates the sounds had left because it was getting late and I'm stuff here asking for more chances, but it seems I want to give Lena what she wanted to hear.

"Aphrodite," Lena pulled out a cigarette and lit it. She blew the nicotine flavor into the room. "Where is that spark I heard from Newton?"

I pursed my lips as she blew another puff of smoke.

All I did was stay silent, looking down at the fl