Andante

CLXXXVIII

It was weird, no, in fact it was weird times ten to the power of twenty to be here again, standing on the stone floor of the large opulent entrance hall, that sweeping staircase up to the first floor to his left that led to the bathroom that had brought them so many good memories. Eddy eyed the door that led backstage. 
"The masterclass is in the main auditorium, apparently."
Brett had walked back from the lady behind the reception desk and appeared next to him. "I told them we know our way around and she said to go right on through."
Suddenly Eddy was forgetting his headache, stopped thinking about whether his eyes were puffy or not. He was already moving towards backstage. 

The stark hallways to the auditorium hadn't changed at all. They walked quickly in the direction of the big stage, but then Eddy's heart skipped a beat.
Oh. 
It was a door, just one door among all the doors, but it just so happened to be that door.
Brett inhaled sharply next to him and put his hand against the red painted wood.
"Wow." he whispered, his voice suddenly pained. "Remember how much of an arse I was being? How scared I was?"
Eddy rubbed the back of his hand quickly against Brett's.
"You weren't an arse, Bretty, and we were both scared. Plus, it all worked out, right?"
Brett took a deep breath.
"Yeah, but I did hurt you that day. And then, despite all of that you told me, later on in the hotel, that you would stay with me, no matter what."
Eddy quickly checked that the hallway was empty and then he leaned his shoulder against the door for just a moment, just as he felt Brett's fingers close softly around his own. 
"You've never hurt me."
Brett's mouth twisted slightly, and he quickly started walking again. "I hope so. There's so many memories in this place, it's not even funny." he whispered, so softly that Eddy could hardly hear him.
Eddy caught up to him in two steps. 
"Yeah."

The auditorium was even bigger than he remembered it, now that there was no giant orchestra milling about on the main stage. There were some other students in the hall already, sitting on the front row of red chairs and talking together in hushed tones. They walked in quietly and waited by the foot of the little stairs up to the stage. Should they sit, as well? But sooner than he could make up his mind either way a booming voice came from behind them, and before Eddy even had a chance to turn around he knew. 

"Hello everyone!" 
Yep. Mr. Petti was here, followed by an small Asian lady in her fifties or sixties, who quickly walked up the stage and sat down behind the fully open grand piano. 
Oh jeez, the excitement was hitting him hard now. He was quickly forgetting about headaches and tears, because look at him now! Surrounded by peers, about to play on that big stage again. For Mr. Petti! It was almost too much and he scrunched his eyes shut for just a moment. 
Just, whatever you do, do not fuck this up... 

"So, if everyone can take a seat? I'll explain a few things about the next couple of days."
Mr. Petti was walking up the narrow stairs and stood exactly where the conductors pulpit had been last time they were here. Now it was just flat. 
They sat down next to each other and Eddy looked around him quickly. There were ten students spread out over the first row, five guys, five girls. Everyone looked to be around the same age as Brett and him. A few of them were sitting together, others seemed to be singles. 
"Okay, so welcome, all." Mr. Petti boomed. Eddy smiled, because he liked him instantly again. His larger than life personality fit his frame perfectly. 
"Today we will be working until five. I will be working with all of you individually for half an hour, while the rest listen and try to learn something. There, apparently, will be a lunch provided in the cafeteria. I hope that's true, or else I'll just have to eat one of you."
Everyone burst out laughing on cue, and Mr. Petti grinned at them from his position above them.
"Then tomorrow we will do the same and in the evening we'll be holding a small presentation, here, that will be open to audience."
Eddy could feel the collective breath being held around him. 
Wait, what? They were playing a concert? Tomorrow?! Jeez! Suddenly he felt slightly faint. The stakes had just been raised. And they were in the front row, so he couldn't even touch Brett's hand without being seen. 
"So, without further ado, I would like to start with Veronica. After her I'd like to hear Brett, then Eddy and then it will be lunch."

The girl who must be Veronica giggled nervously as she got up from her seat and picked up her violin from its case. Then she walked up to the stage. She was tall and curvacious, and she shook her long blonde hair behind her now as she put her violin on her shoulder and tuned it. Then she nodded at Mr. Petti and burst into the third movement of the Tchaikovsky. 

Oh God, how he wished he had warmed up properly. He had managed to play three scales in the hotel and the opening bars of the Sibelius concerto first movement that he had been brave enough to choose for this masterclass, before they had hurried out to grab a croissant from the breakfast bar and head out. But as he heard Veronica play the Tchaik he knew he should have done more. 
Man, her sautillé was crisp and even and her intonation and phrasing were so spot on it was breathtaking. He shot Brett a quick look under his eyelashes and almost sniggered as he watched Brett's eyebrows raise infinitesemally in an answer. 
Yep. Brett was hearing exactly the same thing.