Forgotten Music

Miss Perfectly Imperfect

      "Will your mouth still remember the taste of my love?"

— Ed Sheeran, Thinking Out Loud

**

Miss Perfectly Imperfect

     

      I ENTERED the main hallway of Kingsley University and fixed my clothes which consisted of ripped black jeans that exposed most of my upper thighs, a white V-neck shirt, a jean jacket and ankle boots.

      My knapsack was on my back, and my left hand was occupied with my guitar case and my right was holding onto the handle of my violin case.

      "It's always so uncomfortable," Kate said glancing at me.

      "Why?" I asked confused.

      "The stares, I mean," she chuckled and slung an arm around me which was quite a feat since she was about five three and I was almost five nine, "Like, every time I come in with you, they all whip their heads to stare at you. Like they'd bow down to you if they could. Even if it's their first day at Kingsley."

      Honestly, I've never noticed that.

      And apparently Kate can read my mind because she poked my cheek and said, "You're so clueless," and a second later she says, "And no, I can't read minds. You said that out loud."

     

**

      I was walking to the cafeteria when I felt a short frame bump into me and therefor, sending her flying to the ground, her binder falling heavily on the ground and random pieces of paper floating lazily in the air until it gently joined her on the floor.

      "I am so sorry!" I state while softly putting my instruments down before gathering her things in a neat pile and then helping her up.

      "Don't worry, it was my fault," she smiled at me before collecting her things from me, "I'm Kyla, by the way. Chemistry major."

      And that's where it clicked, she was the girl Xavier was with the other day. I forced a smile, "I'm Alice. Performing arts major."

      "I know. You're popular around here."

      "Oh."

      "Yeah. And wow, you're even prettier up close." Now, it was awkward. We endured a very pregnant silence before she decided to break it, "I'm a sophomore like you but unlike most of the students here including you, I only entered KU just this year. I spent freshman year at NYU."

      "Really? My cousin goes there too."

      She was about to talk when she was interrupted with strong arms wrapping around her from behind. She looked up and I saw the  swirling in both their eyes. It was like we never happened and I wonder I wonder I wonder, was our relationship just a lie?

      Kyla seemed to snap out of her daze, "Oh, how rude of me!" She blushed and pulled his hand so that he was beside her now, I stared at their intertwined hands, "Alice, this is my boyfriend, Xavier. He's a law student here. We transferred from NYU together. Xavier this is Alice."

      "We already met," I said hesitantly, biting my lip out of nervousness.

      "Really?" Kyla had genuine shock written on her face.

      "Yeah, we were classmates through high school," And we were together for three years. I wanted to add but I didn't. I never would've. I couldn't.

      "Oh. Well then, it won't be hard to be friends with you, i-if you want to, I mean," she stuttered, "I've always idolized you. Even when I was a freshmen. You were popular, even in NYU, when you beat the best violinist in the school in a contest by 48 points."

      I blushed at the compliment, "Of.course. I'd love to be friends with you."

      "Enough, chit chat. Ky, can we go?" Xavier said, a hint of annoyance seeping in his tone. I winced. He used to talk like that when we had arguments. 

      "But, Xavier, I really wanted to eat lunch with Alice," she glanced at me, "If she wants to, I mean."

      I don't really mind is what I say. Never never never is what I wanted to say. I felt Xavier's glare piercing through me,"I-If your boyfriend's," I almost cringed, "Okay with it."

      "Goodie!" Kyla jumped up and down while clapping her hands, "Xavier, you cannot complain!"

      "Fine," Xavier. Xavier. My Xavier.

      I start walking to the canteen, knowing that they were following me. I opened the double doors and immediately spotted Kate with my other best friend, Dina, sitting on our usual table in the middle of the room. They had their lunch in front of them already but they were untouched so I'm guessing they were waiting for me.

     I waved at them and gestured for Kyla and her boyfriend to follow me. I sat down in between Kate and Dina while Kyla and Xavier sat on the chairs opposite us.

      "Hi!" Dina said brightly. She was the most cheerful among the three of us, "What are your names?"

      "Oh, hi. I'm Kyla and this is my boyfriend Xavier. We're new here," I clenched my first under the table. I know Kyla never did anything but I'm starting to hate her. It's selfish and wrong wrong wrong so I suppress any thoughts about that.

       "I'm Dina!"

       "Kate, here. I'm so happy Nace has made new friends. She's so shy."

      "Way to giving them a good impression of me." I say flatly.

      "Puh-lease, you don't even need first impressions to ruin it." Dina laughed at her own joke and I rolled my eyes in amusement. Her snort almost making me smile. Almost.

      "I'm going to get my lunch." I announce.

      "Oh, Xavier can go with you. He's gonna get our lunch anyway." I nod and have to look away when Xavier gives her a peck on the lips. He goes a little ahead of me to the line. That's when I noticed a piece of paper slip out of his back pocket.

      "H-hey," I call quietly and I know he can't hear me. I repeat it a little louder but still, he doesn't turn.

      I close my eyes and will the tears to leave me be and inhale before saying the word I thought I had forgotten a long time ago, "Xavier!"

© SecretDiamomd