Wink

Chapter Eight

On Monday I wasn't sure how to feel. I was in my mother's car on my way to school, I said I could walk but she wasn't having it.

I can't stop thinking about the picture in Cain's room. Is it Heather, or is it another girl? Why did he want to take me home? Why did he leave me stranded at a party where I only really new two people. Well, three if you count Joshua. Maybe he just needs some space. I could tell that picture really upset him and maybe he'll talk about it when he fells comfortable about it. Plus I've only known him for like four days or something. I shouldn't be expecting him to open the red carpet into his life just now.

I take a deep breath and look out the window like I'm in some sad music video. My mother looks over at me, with concern in her eyes.

"What's wrong Winter? I thought you were begging to like it here?" my mother asks.

"I do. It's just that there's that guy that took me to the party." I replied.

"Yes, what about him?"

"He seems, I don't know, complicated. I guess"

"Boys will always be complicated, Winter. They will always be an unsolvable mystery." my mother says, with a hint of sadness in her voice.

I wonder if she misses dad. I'm starting to feel the missing piece as well. Not that he was ever home anyway. He was always at the bar or out with his co-workers, gambling off that weeks pay. That was our life.

We arrive at the school I tell my mom good bye and head into the huge school. As I'm walking to my locker I see Cain standing by it. Now why is he there?

"Hey Winter." Cain says.

"Hi Cain, what are you doing here?" I ask.

"At school?"

"No, at my locker."

"Oh, yeah. I was going to see what you were doing this Friday."

"Nothing so far. Got another party to leave me stranded at?" I say raising one eyebrow.

Cain winces visibly, and I feel bad about making the comment.

"Don't worry about it," I say, "I was just joking."

Cain relaxes and begins to talk again. "I want a do over. Can I have one?"

After he says this I look over his shoulder and see Joshua. He is looking at me as if I'm about to answer him.

"Yes you may. When?"

"7 P.M, this Friday."

"What are we doing?"

"You'll see." he says and then saunters off.

I sigh and hear a familiar sound of hyper footsteps coming toward my locker.

"Was that Cain?" Mallorie asks.

"No it was Benedict Cumberbatch, of course it was Cain." I reply sarcastically.

"What did he want?"

The bell rings as soon as she says this. "I'll tell you after Physics." I say and walk into the classroom.

The whole time in class I can't focus on what the teacher is saying about relativity or the speed of light through time and space. All I can think about is what Cain could have planned for Friday.

Does he expect me to put out on the first date? Does he expect kissing or anything else? Where is he taking me? Rock climbing, ice skating, a movie, the possibilities are endless.

The bell rings, signaling the end of class. As I'm turning to go to orchestra, Mallorie corners me.

"So, why was Cain at your locker this morning?" Mallorie asks.

"He asked me to go out with him on Friday." I reply.

"Oh, that's great." Mallorie answers with a hint of that pity look the people gave me at the party, but it was gone and Mallorie was back to her usual, bubbly self. "Could I come over and help you get ready?"

I was actually going to call Zoe and Natasha. I haven't called them the whole weekend. I bet they're dying to know what happened at the party on Saturday. What the hell, "Sure that would be great. Could you come by around 5?"

"Yes. I'll make you look so great that he'll malt like Velveta!"

I don't know what that means but I'll assume it's something good. Mallorie says goodbye and I head on my way to orchestra.

I'm on time this time, thank goodness, and I warm up with the rest of the group.

"Ok, surprise chair placement test today. Here is the piece, you will play it in the next 15 minutes." Ms. Sandlin says handing out the first of the music.

When I get the piece I recognize it as a piece my old orchestra played last year. I know every accidental and time change. I have this in the bag.

I look over at Riley and she seems to be over concentrating on the accidentals and is missing the rhythm of the whole solo. Her face is contorted with concentration and she's almost sweating.

I begin to pretend to practice and while I'm practicing I figure out ways I can still sound good but not as good as I could be having played this piece before.

"Alright, it's time." Ms. Sandlin says, "Cellos, you're up."

I sit there through almost everyone's trail and this orchestra isn't that bad. Not as good as back home, but still a gold award winning group.

They go through from first chair to last chair. When it's gets to the violas, its Riley's turn. She plays and it's okay. She would be eaten alive by the Hotchkiss City Teen Orchestra.

After two more trials it was my turn. Seeing as I came late into the school year I was last chair.

I begin to play and for a moment I forget what I was going to do. When I get to an accidental I play it natural instead of flat and mess with the rhythm a little bit and then play regularly. Ms. Sandlin nods and writes things down on the score sheet.

After everyone has done their test Ms. Sandlin announces that she will post the results at the end of the school day.

As I'm leaving the music room Riley stops me in front of the door.

"Hey, I know you can play better than what you did today." Riley says.

"Maybe I'm just having an off day." I reply.

"Um, thanks."

"No problem."

Riley walks down the hallway to catch up with her friends. Maybe she isn't as bad as a person I thought.