Reputation Is Everything (On Hold)

Chapter 3

"Where did you learn how to play like that?" Finn asked Willow, as they walked out of the band room, and continued their way down the empty hallway.

"My mom taught me when I was little." Willow replied, watching her feet to make sure she didn't trip on anything.

"Really? Do you think she might be able to teach me?" Willow waited for a minute before finally answering.

"I wish she could, but she's dead..." He didn't say anything, so Willow continued on.

"She died when I was seven. She was in the World Trade Center when the planes hit." Now she just felt uncomfortable and sad. She didn't tell many people about her mother. Especially people who she normally didn't to...

"I'm sorry. It must've been difficult for you to go through that."

"Yeah, it was. I still think about it all the time." It was awkward for a moment, until Finn decided to break the silence.

"You lived in New York?" He asked. She nodded, refusing to meet his gaze. If she did, she would say something stupid, fall, and/or stutter.

"For a while. But after 9/11 we couldn't stand to be anywhere near there, so we moved here to North Carolina." They both stopped walking when he reached his locker. He twisted the knob of his lock, and snapped open the medal door. He pulled several notebooks out, before slamming it shut.

"Well, since your mom can't teach me, do you think maybe you can, you know, take her place?" His voice was hopeful, and as she met his chocolate brown eyes, she knew there was no way she could say no. Not that she wanted to anyways...

"Sure." A smile lit his face, and his deep dimples flashed.

"Okay, well, I guess I'll get back to you on when you can come over. I'll see you later, Willow." And without another word, he glided around her, and disappeared around the corner.

After about ten seconds, reality sunk in. She was so happy, she could just dance like a moron right there.

And that's exactly what she did.

She slung her arms around, as she jumped up and down, silently screaming to herself.

"Willow?" She immediately stopped and slowly turned around to see Finn standing there again. She laughed nervously, scratching the back of her neck.

"Uh... Yeah?" She squeaked.

"Do you think you could keep me playing the piano a secret?" His hands were shoved in his pockets, while his hair covered most of his face.

"Of course." Finn flashed her one last smile, waved, and then walked off again. When she was finally sure he wasn't coming back, she breathed out a breath she hadn't even realized she'd been holding.

I can't believe he ACTUALLY talked to me!

She leaned against the lockers, going over every single thing he had said.

Now all I have to do is keep cool, and try not to make a fool of myself...

She took a deep breath, and then without warning, she continued jumping all around, screaming at the top of her lungs.

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The rest of the school day was as normal as it always had been. Willow spent her classes daydreaming about Finn, and getting yelled at by all the teachers. At lunch, she went to the library since Sarah hadn't been there, and checked out a few books that seemed interesting.

But when it came time to go home, things got more interesting...

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The bell rung, signaling that the school day was over. Willow, always one of the last ones out, gathered her things together, and made her way to the entrance of the building so she could leave.

But just as she was about to push the doors open, a voice called out to her.

"Willow!" Turning she saw Finn jogging to catch up with her.

"Hey." He panted. She smiled at him quickly, finding sudden interest in the floor.

"Hi." She whispered.

"Let me walk you home." He blurted out. She immediately snapped her head up to look at him in shock. He was smiling at her, looking calm and collected like always.

He wants to walk ME home?

"Uh... Okay." Willow pushed the doors open, and stepped out into the cool afternoon air. The wind hit her face, and blew her red hair back.

"I thought you drove to school." She said, refusing to look at him. She didn't just think. She knew.

"I do." Willow, confused, gave him a side glance.

"Then how-?"

"My friend is going to drive my car home for me." He smiled at her, and Willow's breath caught in her throat. His features were even better up close. His cheek bones were tight, but perfect. His eyes shone brightly as the sun hit them. But the best out of all was his smile.

Blushing and biting her lip, she quickly looked away. She had defiantly been staring to long.

"He didn't mind?" She asked, trying desperately to make conversation.

"Na, I always do things for him, it was the least he could do." His hands were shoved in his pockets as he walked along side her.

"Does he know you play piano?" She asked. He shook his head.

"No one knows but you, the band teacher, and my family." She suddenly felt better than she had all day.

I'm one of the only ones that knows his secret... He trusts me with it. Well... then again, I did kind of find out for myself... Oh well, I'm still one of the only people who know.

"Why don't you tell anyone?" He kicked some rocks, his gaze glued to the ground.

"I don't know. I guess because if they ever found out they would bug me about it. Last time I checked, playing the piano isn't very manly." He chuckled.

"Well who cares what they think? I bet none of them could do it. You shouldn't let them get to you." She said, watching his every move.

"That's easy for you to say, you're a-" But he stopped himself, immediately feeling bad for what he was implying.

"Its okay. You can say it. Its easy for me to say because I'm a geek. I'm not oblivious to what people say about me. I'm not stupid."

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean it to be offensive." She didn't reply.

"Sometimes I wish I was more like you."

"More like me? Why?" She asked him.

"Because your not afraid or ashamed of who you are. Your smart and nice, and you don't let people stand in the way of what you want. I admire that." Her chest swelled with pride.

He admires me!

"Yeah, well, my life isn't all what its cracked up to be. Trust me." She said. Willow stopped, as they reached her driveway.

"Well, I guess I'll see you tomorrow?" He said. She nodded, her eyes on her shoes, as she shuffled her feet. He turned to walk away, but stopped, and faced her once again.

"Oh, and you can come over next weekend."

"Okay." She responded, looking up at him.

"See you Willow."

"Bye." And with those final words, they parted ways.

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Authors Note - Okay, this would have SO been out sooner if I hadn't had so much trouble writing it! I kept getting distracted, and I had writers block for about a day. Well anyways, here it is, and I hope you guys liked it. If so, please Vote and Comment! Oh, and don't forget to help Japan. They could use all the help they can get. Until next time...

- Leigh