The Barefoot Violinist

Captured

"Em... no... eh... I think we should probably do it together? That old fart said he'd know." Cory stammered, unsure of why he was insisting on working with Bennett, but something was pushing him to do so. He couldn't put a finger on it yet, but he suddenly felt drawn in. Who was this kid really and why does he make me feel like I'm out of breath?

"Okay," Bennett responded with a frown, disappointed that Cory didn't take him up on the offer.

They spent the next fifteen minutes outlining their study schedule in relative peace. Cory's football practice and Bennett's violin classes and recitals made it difficult to find a time that would suit them both. In the end they agreed to meet three times a week. Bennett was surprised that it wasn't as awful as he thought it would be. He still didn't like or trust Cory, but for now there seemed to be peace, which he would gratefully accept.

"I'll see you tomorrow evening then?" Cory asked getting up. "Oh, I forgot, give me your number in case anything turns up." He handed his phone to Bennett expectantly. When the younger boy hesitated to take the phone, Cory pushed it into his hands.

Bennett blindly added his number before handing the phone back to Cory, waiting for him to leave.

"I'll text you." was all he said with a smile playing on his lips as he turned toward the door. 

'Now I'm stuck! Bound to this monster for more than a month!' he thought grimly as he gathered his bag and violin after school, making his way to his bike.

--

The next evening Bennett anxiously awaited Cory's arrival. His mother was working an extra shift, so he had the house to himself. Deciding to grab his violin before Cory got there, he started playing a lively jig to calm his nerves.

Cory stood outside Bennett's house listening to the cheerful music he could hear coming from inside. He smiled. How is it that nobody knew that Bennett was so good at music and why does it make me smile? 

Hearing the bell ring, Bennett put down his violin and nervously walked toward the front door. He opened it to reveal a smiling Cory.

"Hey"

"Hey." Bennett responded stepping back to let Cory into the house.

Stepping inside, it wasn't as Cory expected. The house was small. Everything looked like it had been lived in. It looked like a home. The furniture slightly out of date, but everything spotless and in its place. 

"Do... do you want some water? Bennett stumbled, trying to make sense of Cory's tall frame in his living room.

Cory gave him a brief nod, watching as Bennett left the room. He turned his attention to the knickknacks and photos spread out around the room. The first one he saw was a family picture, Bennett's parents, holding a laughing boy in their arms. He could see that Bennett had inherited his father's looks and his mother's small frame.

Then there was a picture of a four year old boy sitting behind a fire truck with the biggest smile on his face. Cory smiled at the expression of glee on the little boys face. Looking around some more, he noticed a cabinet that held all Bennett's awards and achievements, which seemed to be many. The photos in this cabinet were only of Bennett and his mother. Both smiling proudly. There was no sadness in his eyes, in these pictures, he noticed.

"Here", Bennett handed him a bottle of water, not meeting his gaze.

Cory looked at the hunched over boy with the sad blue eyes and cleared his throat. "Look, we're going to be working together for a while on this project. Shall we call a truce?" he asked, hoping that he sounded confident. He also felt a little guilty now for bullying Bennett and making his life so miserable.