Iggevey’s Album —-
By Ella Borello
Dear Iggy,
Is dear too formal? Maybe. I hope all is well with you, I know it has been quite some time since we saw each other. I wanted to write to you, requesting you play guitar in my newly formed band. Well, I guess more like forming, because you are the first musician I have reached out to. I can’t think of a better guitarist than you for this, and I miss jamming out together like we did in high school. For my final assignment in my engagement with music class, we were told to release an album of original music. I know our universities are over an hour away from each other, but I was hoping we could meet halfway. My cousin lives in Harrison, which is a good medium. I just need to get permission to set up my drum kit in his basement. Maybe we could even get Alaska and Jonah back, and reform the band. I haven’t heard from them in years. Let me know what you think and how you are doing.
Yours truly,
Everly Fairbanks
Eve,
Hearing from you has unlocked many memories for me that I forgot I had. Our high school band was nothing like anything I’ve ever experienced in my life. I am well and would be honored to play in your band as well as make a record with you. It’s almost like achieving a new level of our band later in life, moving on to create our own music rather than just covering the classics. I have been in touch with Jonah, but Alaska is another story. Keep me updated on the basement situation, Harrison could work for me. I can reach out to Jonah in the meantime.
Hope you are very well, and it is so great to hear from you after all this time.
Best,
Iggs.
Iggy,
I am so glad to hear that you are in. I called my cousin a few days ago and he said he’s chill with us using his basement temporarily. I am going home for the weekend and will transfer everything over tomorrow! I’m so excited, I’m already drafting lyrics and drum beats. Have you heard from Jonah? I’ll try to hunt down Alaska. Wish you well,
Everly.
Evey,
Good to hear our jam space is ready. Yes, I’ve reached out to Jonah but he hasn’t replied. I’m not giving up though, we’ll never find a bassist as rhythmically solid as he is. Good luck scouting Alaska out, keep me updated.
Iggs.
Iggy,
Hoping that Jonah will respond soon. As for Alaska, I may have to drive out to her house back in our hometown if I want to get a hold of her. She kind of went MIA after we graduated. I’ll let you know.
Yours truly,
Everly
Eve,
I am meeting up with Jonah this afternoon to discuss plans with him… From what he has hinted at, apparently, he dropped out of school a few weeks ago and didn’t tell me. Something about not being motivated. I’ll figure it out and get back to you. Good luck with that Alaska situation. Be careful though, I always remember she was a feisty one when pushed too much.
Best,
Iggy
Iggs.
You know I hate to admit this, but you were right. I pushed too hard, and Alaska is really mad at me. Maybe you should give it a try with her. She always had a soft spot for you anyhow. What happened to Jonah? I’m sorry to hear he dropped out of school. Keep me updated as always,
Eve
Everly,
If I’m being honest, I don’t think Alaska will listen to me any more than she has with you. We did not end things on a very good note the summer after graduation. She really didn’t feel the same way for me, to say the least. It hurt, and I’m over it now, but I seriously don’t think it would do either of us any good if I tried talking to her again. It was the angriest I’ve ever seen her. We can find someone else to sing for us, there are plenty of talented people out there. As for Jonah, he seems to be doing better now. He won’t share on what, however he has let on that there was some death in the family. Seems like a lot has happened, and honestly, I wouldn’t count on him playing with us either, but I’ll let you know after I meet up with him in a couple days.
Best,
Iggy
Iggs,
How crazy how much everything has changed. I never knew about what happened between you and Alaska, she kind of shut down shortly after our first semester in college. I had a lot of my own going on so I just let it go. Maybe I should have tried harder to help her. I am sorry to hear about Jonah’s family problems. I do understand if he doesn’t want to be a part of this right now. But I am sorry to say that I don’t agree with your decision on the Alaska matters. I don’t believe there is any person in this world that can sing like that girl. You two may have personal issues that I won’t understand because I don’t know half of what went down, but those are going to have to be thrown to the side. I need to do more than just pass this final exam. If you release this record with me, it needs to be top notch. And for that we will need Alaska. Please reach out to her Iggy. Here is her address:
*722 Maybelle Drive==
Yours, Eve
Eve,
I am hesitant to reach out, but I will try. Good news though, Jonah is in. He’s been going through a lot lately but said he would be down to jam and that it would maybe be good for him. I am mailing a letter to Alaska as I write this letter to you. I’m off of classes next week, I can plan to meet you down in Harrison to catch up and jam. Something tells me it will be a lot easier in person to organize everything. Keep in touch,
Iggy
Iggs,
Crazy excited to hear that Jonah is in!! I will meet you up in Harrison in two days. Bring your guitar and amp, plus whatever else you need to get all set up. I’ve got a bunch of lyrics that need some work, I can’t wait to show you. Keep me posted on the Alaska situation.
Best,
Evey
~ November 23rd~
I heard a light knock on the main floor door, which sent me leaping up the stairs, papers flying everywhere behind me. He was here. I busted the door open to see my old friend standing in the doorway, holding a guitar case in each arm and wires draped over his shoulder.
“Iggy!” I shouted, wrapping my arms around his neck for a hug. He laughed and did what he could to hug me back without dropping anything.
“I knew you said you were excited in your letters, but I didn’t expect this much love.” Iggy smiled and tried to blow his dirty blonde hair out of his face.
“Come on in, we have lots to catch up on. Also, this is Seaver, my cousin.” I pointed to my lazy, bum of a cousin who was currently eating buffalo wings on the couch while watching TV. Seaver managed to give a slight, half-hearted wave to Iggy before resuming his feasting.
“Ha. What a guy.” Iggy joked quietly as I led him down the basement stairs to set up. He struggled to stay steady with his heavy load, so I grabbed one of the guitar cases out of his hand and rushed ahead.
“Hey, I had that under control!” He exclaimed, bounding down the stairs after me.
“Well, clearly you didn’t. Anyhow, welcome to our band lair for the next few weeks. Two blow up mattresses and one pull out couch included. Seaver’s usual roommates are abroad in…Japan I think? I forgot.” I explained, cautiously placing the guitar case on the couch.
“Sounds like a perfect place to crash for a week. Are you off from classes too this week?” Iggy asked. He leaned his other guitar case against the wall and dropped the wires onto the ground.
“All except one on Friday that I’ll need to drive back for. But for now I figured we could hang here while figuring everything out. But geez Iggs, how are you?” I asked, sitting on the edge of the couch and gazing at him. Iggy Castellano, my childhood best friend, was standing in front of me again. After years, it was so nostalgic to be next to him.
“Well, I can’t complain. Lifes been good.” He chuckled and sat down next to me. “How are you? Why did we ever stop staying in touch?” He asked, his smile fading.
“I don’t even remember. I guess our lives just progressed and we lost touch. But I’ve been pretty good. Some of my classes this semester are kicking my ass but I’m close to done so it’s okay. How’s your family? How are the twins?” I asked, somewhat awkwardly. It felt like there was so much to ask.
“They’re all good. Lia and Nix graduate this year, which is insane. They’re still freshmen to me, of course. How is your family?” Iggy replied. That hit me hard. Lia and Nix were the Castellano twins, they were the babies of the family. To think that they were off to college too within the next year was mind blowing.
“Now that is crazy. Glad all is good though. Want something to eat or drink before we set everything up? I’ve got some leftover pasta I made last night.” I offered, standing up straight.
“That sounds great. I’m starving from the drive over here, plus I can’t refuse Everly Breeman’s famous buttered pasta.” Iggy said, his smile returning. He headed towards the stairs. “I’ll grab the rest of my crap from the car and we can set it up after some food.” He added. I nodded in agreement and went to the kitchen to heat up the pasta.
After more catching up over a simple meal, we headed back downstairs to get to work.
“Let me see the lyrics you have been working on.” Iggy suggested. He walked over to the amps and started plugging wires in random places. Well, random as far as any drummer was concerned.
“Sure.” Butterflies filled my stomach as I grabbed my notebook off the couch. Sharing lyrics wasn’t easy. It was exciting, yet so terrifyingly personal that I had usually kept all my lyrics to myself. But this was Iggy. There wasn’t anything to be nervous about. “The first two pages you can ignore, that’s where I throw a bunch of phrases and words that I want to incorporate into lyrics later on. Kind of just my brain dump. The next few pages are the draft lyrics.” I explained, walking over to sit down on the edge of my bass drum while he read. I tried not to focus too much on his facial expressions. Was that nose scrunch because I was too harsh? That eyebrow raised because of my poor word choice? I fidgeted with a hairband on my wrist anxiously. Finally, he looked up, smiling.
“These are great Eve. Powerful, by not too cryptic. I hate when I have to try and decode what message an artist is trying to get at.” Iggy said, walking closer to me.
“Really?” was all I could manage to spit out.
“Yeah. I want to hear you sing it.” He stated, all matter-of-factly. I let out a sigh of relief and smiled.
“Okok. But there’s kind of two parts. Like an echo, so you’ll have to sing too.” I teased, remembering from high school that Iggy rather disliked singing. Whether that was still true now, I didn’t know.
“Alright. You start though. Tell me what to do.” He said, folding into my instruction. Yet another new side of Iggy Castellano that I hadn’t gotten to see develop over the years. I cleared my throat and took the notebook out of his hands.
“Do you wanna get out tonight?” I sang lightly, and then quickly explained. “And then this is where you sing and it’s echo-like, and you say, ‘I think I gotta get out tonight.’ in like, statement form. I sing a question and you sing a statement; you get me?” I asked, trying to see if he was following along.
“Yeah yeah, yeah, I love that. That back and forth, we can form some really cool guitar hits corresponding with it. Keep going, I’ll read along.” Iggy replied, pulling my notebook closer to him. I took a deep breath, thrilled that he liked my ideas so much.
“Ok, so then next line is ‘Come to a party with me, alright?’” I sang a little louder this time.
“We can go have fun all night.” He sang back, his voice a little raspy and sending shivers down my spine.
“That was perfect.” I said, stunned partly by his voice, partly from hearing my own lyrical vision in action.
“Your lyrics are perfect. You are, Eve.” he said in a quieter voice. I laughed uncomfortably and got up.
“Now that’s just not true, but I appreciate the compliments.” I smiled and tried to walk it off. “Let’s add a beat and some guitar riffs to it. That way more of the song can be ready for Jonah when he shows up Wednesday.” I suggested.
“Sure, sounds great. I definitely have some ideas flowing.” Iggy replied, quickly shuffling over to his bright green Fender Stratocaster and starting to tune it.
Crisis averted.
Things were definitely a little weird and confusing between the 20-year-old versions of us. Going on 16 and 17, we would have gagged at the thought of anything slightly intimate ever occurring between us. So then what was that?
“I haven’t really played around with drum beats just yet, but if you start fiddling around I can throw something in just to test things out.” I suggested.
“That would be perfect. Throw in whatever feels right. Maybe after this we can hit up some of the songs we covered in high school for fun. I’m definitely crazy rusty and forgot most of it though.” Iggy admitted. I laughed and smiled.
“Oh don’t you worry, I surely am too. But yeah, let’s do that after trying to get this song together.” I agreed, sitting down at the drum kit to start working.
After workshopping a handful of new original music in addition to our old covers, we both plopped down on the pull out couch. It was dark, and the little light that had been coming in through the small window had ceased. I clicked on the small lamp on the side table and laid back into the couch.
“Never realized how mentally exhausting hours of playing music is.” Iggy remarked. I turned my head to him and laughed.
“Truly. Everything sounds great though. I don’t think I have to worry about passing this final exam. I have you.” I said, fidgeting with the strings on my sweater. Why did I say that? Maybe because it was true. Knowing I had Iggy playing guitar calmed me. Iggy in general calmed me. And at the same time eye contact with him for even a split second sent me out of this world. What had happened to me?
“Yeah, you’re gonna do more than just pass that final with me, let’s be honest.” Iggy smirked and bragged. I gave him a shove in the arm and he shoved me back. I moved closer to shove him again, but he grabbed my hand and stopped me, leaving us shoulder to shoulder.
“You know, we need a new band name. For the new and improved older versions of us.” I pointed out.
“Iggevey.” He suggested.
“That’s horrible. It just sounds like a ship name.” I snorted and joked. He looked at me with a worried expression on.
“What if it is?”
2 years later…
Iggy Iggs,
I miss you tons. Good luck on the MCAT this week. I am so proud of you; the twins are too. It has been a pleasure having them stay with me in New York while they follow in your footsteps. As for me, I am well. Work is the same as always, and I am really enjoying the city life. Keep me updated and can’t wait to see you this weekend when you come home.
Love,
Evey
Evey,
I think about you every day that I am away. You are my motivation. My inspiration. I am so glad you and the twins are doing well. I miss you all and will be back as soon as I can be, if I can I’ll catch a train back into the city on Friday. I just heard one of our old songs on the radio. Let’s break out the old music when I get home. We’ve been through so many lifetimes together; I don’t want to forget any of it.
Love,
Iggy
~December 10th~
I paced back and forth in the small kitchen of my apartment. Iggy should be back any time now, with the results of his MCAT test.
“You know, I’m sure he did great Eve. He’s our Iggy.” Nix pointed out, entering the room and hoisting herself up to sit on the counter. I looked up, slightly startled, and smiled.
“And even if he didn’t, he’s coming home to be with us. That’s what’s important. Family.” Lia’s arms wrapped around my neck as she pulled me in for a surprise hug.
“Family?” I asked, hugging her back. Nix slipped off the counter and joined our group hug.
“Yes. You’re our family Eve, you’ve always been. Even if technically you aren’t.” Lia replied. I smiled and hugged both of the twins tightly.
“I love you two, so so much, you know that right? I can’t believe you’re practically grown women now. So wise. Wonder where you got it all from.” I smirked and melted further into the hug.
“Only the best!” Nix exclaimed, her face buried into my chest. Suddenly, a light knock on the door sent all three of us sprinting through the messy apartment. It was small, 2 bedrooms and1 bathroom. But it was homey and Eve loved it.
“He’s home!” Lia shouted, getting to the door first and throwing it open. It revealed a rather tired, but happy looking, rather handsome young man.
“Iggy!” I yelled, jumping into his arms.
“I’ve missed you all so much.” He said, his voice raspy. He stumbled through the door, us three girls clinging onto him.
“We didn’t miss you THAT much.” Lia teased, letting go from Iggy’s arm.
“Oh, just admit it. You missed your amazing big brother.” Iggy joked back, giving Lia a shove. “What do you think you’re wearing?” He then commented, stepping back and noticing the twin’s outfits.“It’s Friday night, Iggs, we’re going out. Don’t act like that, we aren’t babies. You guys need a night alone anyways.” Nix teased back, grabbing her bag and winter jacket from the closet. I blushed and rested my head on Iggy’s shoulder. Me and Iggy Castellano. Iggy Castellano and me. Who would have thought. With his arm around my shoulder, I thought to myself, this is the way it was supposed to be. It felt right, after years of denying it. Iggevey was meant to be.
