Melody's Music

Melody's Music

by Linda Stachurski

{Melody}

I've finally made it to my senior year and the extra freedom of choices this year means that I will be able to concentrate on my love of music. Yes, I love playing instruments, a variety of instruments, and can even do vocals in a pinch.

The best music teacher at school is Mr. Fournier, Francis Fournier, and I've enjoyed his classes ever since I started here. My friend Olive thinks he is creepy, but that hasn't been my experience. Sure he is a bit touchy-feely, but I have never minded his occasional pats on the back or even the one time he brushed my hair out of my eyes while I was practicing violin. This year I will get to be in two of his classes.

Even better, today I picked up a flier saying he is offering extra one-on-one tuition to a limited number of suitable students for $100. I just have to get into that.

{Francis}

Melody Price comes into my music theory class. Shit she is gorgeous, long dark blonde hair, blue eyes, and a friendly disposition. I've watched her come up through the years, becoming increasingly stacked as she moves into womanhood. Oh, and she's not bad as a musician either, already accomplished on the violin and keen to try other instruments. I'm certainly pleased to have her in my classes this year.

After class Melody comes up to my desk. She smells wonderful standing this close. In her hand, she is holding one of my flyers about extra tuition. She asks if she can sign up for the extra lessons.

I didn't have her pegged as someone who could spare $100 per lesson, but perhaps her parents are better off than I imagined. She seems so excited about the prospect and doesn't ask any of the questions a student would normally ask, so I ask some instead.

"How often do you want the lessons Melody?"

"Umm, how often do others have lessons?"

The few such students I have had in the past were weekly or fortnightly, but Melody is something special so I say, "Typically about three times a week."

Melody just smiles and says, "Sure, I can do that."

I had expected Melody to question the cost of three lessons a week and I was prepared to offer a discount, but she doesn't seem concerned at all about the cost.

"What's your address Melody?"

"I'm room 303 in the dorms, but I thought we would be working here?"

"For sure, sometimes we will be in here. But sometimes I'll come to your dorm, other times it will be at my place, it just depends on the instrument and so on."

Melody hesitates slightly, "Ok."

With that I get out my usual contract and have Melody fill in the details and sign it. She doesn't bother reading the details, trusting that I will have made reasonable terms and conditions.

"Melody, I think this will be good for you, give you a real lift in your performance and experience."

"I'm looking forward to it."

"Great, I'll text you about times after I've checked my schedule."

Of course I don't really need to consult my schedule, but I do want to do some planning around the instruments I will have her work on.

{Melody}

The weeks fly by and I'm super busy with class work and extra music lessons.

In addition to violin, Francis helps me refine my skills on the piano, and gets me started with the guitar and flute. Anything with the piano we have to do in the school auditorium, but the other lessons are mostly in my dorm. Only a couple of times does Francis ask me to his place.

Sometimes he sits a little close to me for comfort or his touch lingers a little long when he is helping me get the right posture, but overall I'm comfortable in his presence. His advice is always to the point and he is not shy about telling me when I am doing well. He's nice enough that I can excuse the couple of times where it looks like he has an erection during the lesson.

One evening he took me to a karaoke bar so I could do some vocal work. I was nervous about that, but Francis told me it would help me get accustomed to performing in front of others as well as giving me a chance to exercise my voice.

Today is one of the few days we have been at Francis' house because the flute sounds so much better here. In fact, the acoustics in his sound room are amazing and really bring out the timbre of the flute.

We are wrapping up the session when Francis asks me about payment. It has been many weeks, so I am not surprised that Francis is finally asking for the payment.

"Oh right, I'll bring you the $100 next session."

"Umm Melody, your current balance is $4800."

"What? I thought the amount was $100."

"It's $100 per lesson Melody, surely you knew that."

I didn't know that, I guess in my original excitement about getting to work with Francis I didn't look at the details too closely. Of course, now that I stop to think about it, it's insane that I thought all these lessons would only cost me $100.

I really don't want to stop these lessons, but $4800 is so much money. I tell Francis I will try to have the money for next week.

When I get home, I pull out my copy of the contract I signed and it's very clear, each lesson is $100. This is going to be a problem. I've only got about $400 left from the money my step-dad gave me at the start of the semester. I'm going to have to ask him for some more. At least my accommodation and main meals are already paid for, so I can probably put most of the $400 toward the lessons.

{Francis}

Melody shows up at her next lesson with $300 saying she cannot make the full payment right now. Apparently some sob story about how her step-father has lost his job -- like that's my problem.

These youngsters all seem to think they are entitled. It doesn't seem to have occurred to Melody that she should try earning the money herself. Was she really that stupid that she thought the entire set of lessons was going to be $100.

I decide then and there that Melody is going to be getting more than music lessons from me. One way or another I intend to get my compensation.

I know a place where Melody might be able to earn a few bucks. My friend Andrew runs the Priapus strip joint and perhaps he would appreciate some live music. I explain the idea to Melody, being a little vague on the details of the venue.

A quick call to Andrew and a trial run is arranged. Melody will play guitar and sing for a couple of hours tonight.

"Perhaps you should thank me for getting you this opportunity Melody."

"Ummm, thank you, how?"

"How about a kiss."

Melody leans in intending to give me a quick peck on the cheek, but I turn my head catching her soft lips on mine. Before she can pull away, I place my hands in her hair and deepen the kiss, tasting her lips before my tongue slips between them.

When she starts to pull away I let her, enjoying the flushed look in her cheeks.

Melody stammers that she needs to go, but that she will meet me at the Priapus. It's amusing that she would assume that I would be going along as well even if that was my plan all along.

* * *

I'm a little late getting to the Priapus and Melody is already performing when I arrive. She looks a little out of place in jeans and T-shirt among all the performing girls, but her music is coming across clear and it seems to be appreciated. One of the strippers is on the raised platform with her, dancing in time to her guitar work. Looking around I spot Andrew behind the bar along with all the other flesh and eye candy on display here.

As I walk up to the bar Andrew slides a beer in front of me. He says, "The girl's not bad, she is over eighteen right?"

"Yes. No. Shit, I don't know."

"Well we will need to check on that, but other than that I think I could use her two or three nights a week. What's it going to cost me?"

Andrew is doing me a favor here, so I tell him she'll be happy with minimum wage.

When Melody finishes the next song, he beckons her over and we head to his office behind the bar.

Andrew says, "Thanks Melody, you've got a great repertoire and nice voice. I would like to offer you three evenings a week. Sadly, the margins are so small, I can't really do more than minimum wage. How does that sound?"

If Melody is disappointed in the minimum wage offer she hides it well, "Yes Sir, this will be great work experience for me."

"No one calls me Sir here, just Andrew is fine. Melody, just a couple more details I need to confirm. First, you are over eighteen right?"

"Yes, I will be nineteen in a couple of weeks."

"Good, good."

Andrew glances at me briefly before continuing, "Now Melody, you will have noticed this is a strip club and the girls working here have to be comfortable with that. I'm not going to have you dancing naked like the other girls, but you will still need to wear -- how should I put this -- provocative clothing."

I'm keen to make sure Andrew gets something out of this favor, so I say, "Oh, I'm sure Melody will not mind performing topless like all the other girls."

Andrew says, "You okay with that Melody?"

Melody shoots a dirty look my way and I see her swallow hard before telling Andrew she can do that if necessary.

{Melody}

I was so nervous playing at the Priapus. For some reason I expected Francis would be there to make the introductions and get me started, but instead I had to present myself. The manager, Andrew, handed me over to one of the girls who helped me get set up. Several of the girls came over to introduce themselves which was nice of them. I even manage to exchange numbers with a couple of them.

Once I started playing I was able to relax and slide into the music. The amount of flesh on display was startling, but I could mostly ignore it by maintaining my focus on singing and getting the right chords.

Eventually I noticed that Francis had in fact come after all. Not long after I find myself in the office talking about the job over. Everything is going my way until the point where Francis tells Andrew that I wont mind performing topless.

What the hell. Why would he say that? I don't want to agree to that, but I can hardly back out now, and my need for cash and desire to continue music lessons trumps my reluctance.

* * *

I'm into my second week at the Priapus now. Alicia, one of the girls here, gave me a couple of her old outfits, so at least I did not have to spend more money that I don't have on clothes that Andrew would find acceptable for this place.

The other good news is that nobody I know has come into this place. Even Francis has stayed away, which means that having to go topless has not been overly embarrassing. Of course, it still makes me feel dirty having male eyes leering at me all night as I sing and strum. Every night I take a long shower to try and wash away the feeling and that works to a certain degree.

The best thing is I am finally able to start paying off my debt to Francis and he has agreed that I can continue lessons in the meantime. In fact, I never see my pay at all, it somehow goes straight from Andrew to Francis.

{Francis}

Andrew calls to tell me that Melody is proving reliable and has developed a small following and having live music is proving a bit of a win for the Priapus. The extra income for the Priapus is more than enough to cover Melody's minuscule pay so Andrew is happy to continue the arrangement.

With her continued lessons, the money she is making as the Priapus is barely making a dent in what she owes me. But I don't mention the debt to Melody because I do not want her to quit as I have plans that I will be acting on soon.

{Melody}

It's my birthday and its not going well. Normally my Mum would come visit, but since my step-dad lost his job they are even cutting down on `frivolous travel' as my Mum called it. I had to make do with a phone call, at least Mum said she would put $100 into my account so I can buy myself a present. My sister didn't send me a card or call either, it's like she has forgotten about me as well.

At least I have my lesson with Francis to look forward to. I'm going to his house tonight, which means we will be doing flute work. I didn't like the flute much at first, but as my skill increases I can hear its merits. The flute demands precision as any mistake is very noticeable, and Francis has proven right again -- as my flute work improves, so does my accuracy on the other instruments. I hope he picks some melancholy pieces tonight, to suit my mood.

But when I arrive instead of heading to the studio room, Francis leads me to a room I have not been in before. My eyes are drawn to a light blue box wrapped in a dark blue bow sitting at the end of a bed.

"Happy birthday Melody. I hope I got the right day."

I'm at a loss for words, but manage to say "Yes, it's my birthday."

"Go ahead, you can open it."

I open the box to discover a red cocktail dress with white snowflakes across the bodice. It's much nicer than anything I could afford on my budget.

Francis suggests I try it on. For a moment I think he expects me to change in front of him, but he points to another door which leads to a bathroom. In the bathroom I take off my shoes, shirt and jeans, then slip on the dress. It's a good fit, I don't know how Francis was able to guess my size so well. It's definitely a lot shorter than something I would pick for myself and barely reaches mid thigh at best.

Slightly more concerning is the top half. Although the dress has wide straps which easily cover my bra straps, the cut at the front is very low leaving the lace around the top of my bra cups showing. No amount of fiddling with my bra is going to conceal them, so I have to take it off. In the past I would have been alarmed by showing this much cleavage, but working topless at the Priapus has reduced my inhibitions in that regard.

I can see myself in the mirror and this thing looks great on me. It's simple, but styly, and I really like the red color and how the white snowflakes across the chest really make it pop.

There is a smile plastered on my face when I head back into the bedroom to let Francis know how pleased I am with this gift. I give Francis a twirl and somehow end up in his arms at the end of it. He kisses me briefly on the lips, but I'm so pleased someone remembered my birthday that I don't mind at all.

Next he has me sit on the edge of the bed. Not only has he bought me a dress, he has some white heels for me to wear. He puts them on my feet and I worry because I've next to no experience wearing heels, especially ones as high as these are. Francis seems to rub my feet and legs more than strictly necessary for putting the heels on, but it feels nice and I'm still buzzing from the gift of the dress.

Francis pulls me up and of course I almost immediately stumble over. He chuckles as his hand wraps around my waist to steady me, "Not used to heels, huh?"

I smile, "I don't have any of my own, last time I borrowed my Mum's."

Francis holds onto me as I walk around the room a bit trying to get my balance. He smirks every time I stumble, but not in a nasty way, and my confidence grows. He lets go of my arms and instead slips his arm around my waist. The shoes have made me closer to his height and this feels comfortable.

Francis says, "You've got it, time to go to dinner."

Wait. What? We are going to dinner. This just keeps getting better and better.

* * *

Francis takes me to an upmarket Greek restaurant. Along with the fine food he buys a bottle of retsina which I dislike initially but the earthy taste grows on you and I end up consuming my fair share of the bottle.

After dinner we move on to a bar, the same karaoke bar that Francis took me to previously. Once again he persuades me to take the microphone and sing. After my first song, he shocks me by joining me at the microphone for a duet of "Just the Two of Us".

After than Francis leads me to the dance floor. I'm still not entirely stable in the high-heels especially on this dark crowded floor with people bumping into me from all directions. But Francis stays close.

When "The Lady in Red" comes on, Francis pulls me so close that my breasts are crushed against his chest. I sense my nipples pebbling in response. We sway in time to the music while Francis' hands roam around my back. His hand moves lower until he is cupping my bottom.

I make a half-hearted effort to pull away, but his arms are strong and Francis simply clasps me tighter against himself. When I move to look up at him, his lips descend onto mine and he starts to make out with me right on the dance floor. It's exciting even if I know it's not right. I'm his student, he's my teacher.

His tongue is insistent, encouraging me to open my mouth to admit him. And truthfully I don't want this to stop, it's the best birthday I've had since my Mum got me my own phone. My arms are around Francis' neck, encouraging him to continue. I wish I could blame it on the wine he had me drink earlier, but the truth is I want this or at least my body wants it.

Eventually Francis tells me it is time we were going. It is getting late although I would have liked to stay and dance some more.

I'm expecting him to take me back to the dorms, but instead he drives straight back to his house.

"Come on inside for a drink, then I'll run you back to the dorms."

There's not really any implied choice and I'm still buzzing from all his attention on the dance floor, so it's easy for me to go with the flow and follow him inside.

But instead of heading to the kitchen, Francis takes my hand and drags me back into the guest bedroom. He starts kissing me again. My nipples bunch up again and I feel myself flushing with heat. We collapse side-by-side onto the bed with our mouths still locked together.

I'm trying to kick off the heels. Francis senses my frustration and runs a hand down the outside of my leg until he finds the strap around my ankle. He manages to loosen the strap and remove first one shoe then the other, all the while deeply exploring my mouth.

Francis slowly brings his hand back up my leg, this time on the inside, leaving a streak of fire and goosebumps in its wake. Up past my knee and further. Before it becomes a problem he reverses direction returning down my leg. He repeats the motion each time slipping slightly higher up my leg.

Just when I think the next stroke is going to reach all the way to my panties he instead brings his hand up to my breast and gently starts squeezing it through the dress. It feels nice, but I know I should not be letting him do this, so I use my own hand up to pull his hand away.

He goes back to stroking the outside of my leg. But all too soon it returns to my boob.

This time when I try to push his hand away he resists and continues to gently massage my breast through the dress. I want to object but it feels nice and he gave me such a good birthday. I convince myself that it doesn't really matter because he's not directly touching my breast, the dress is still in between.

As my resistance fades, I feel butterflies in my tummy and a more needy sensation slightly lower down. In fact, I feel very slippery down there. The longer this kissing is going on, the more natural and right it feels.

Francis pulls his mouth away from mine to slide his lips down to my neck. I arch my body into his and his hands move to run over my back. He's sucking on my neck now. I've always thought girls talking about getting hickeys as kind of gross, but right now I want Francis to mark me like that.

He moves back again and undoes the buttons on his shirt. I'm curious and run my hands over his bare chest. Francis pulls me up off the bed until we are standing beside it. Is he about to end this? That would be sensible, but my body is humming and I want more kissing, so I put my arms about his neck and push my mouth to his again.

Before I quite realize what has happened, Francis has grabbed the hem of the dress and pulled the entire ensemble up and over my head. I'm forced to break off the kiss as it comes up over my head and he tugs it off before tossing it aside.