The Heartbroke Club

27

I heard the train run across the tracks as I ascended the stairs with the several other members of the Yearbook Club, along with our sponsor, Ms. Jenkins.

We'd been granted free tickets to one of the photography expos at the museum, much to my excitement. It was a free pass out of school. The more time I spent at Yearbook meetings, messing with my camera, and exploring the city with Cara, the more interested in the art scene I became.

When I'd filled out my college applications, I'd applied for all art programs. I didn't know what type of art I wanted to pursue, but I tried to be as broad as possible. Hopefully, it would end up well. I'd only applied to schools in the city, much to my surprise.

I liked it a lot here. More than I thought I ever would.

I walked ahead of the pack, feeling claustrophobic being so far from ground level. The further I got from the tracks, I heard the sounds of a piano grow close.

It sounded like whoever was playing it was a child who didn't know how to play but was still playing with energy like they did. It didn't sound bad, but it definitely didn't sound good.

The piano was right in my line of travel, and I looked at the back of the person sitting there. It definitely wasn't a child. But it couldn't be...

I'd recognize that hair anywhere. Her back...

"Bree?"

I braced myself for the case that I was embarrassing myself by calling this random person Bree.

She whipped her head at me and looked at me as if she'd seen a ghost.

"Marcellus? What are you doing here?"

The rest of the yearbook club had begun their ascent up the stairs to where we stood. I awkwardly stood, not wanting to speak to her with an audience.

Cara passed, and I grabbed her by the arm to let her know I'd catch up to them in a second, and not to wait up. She nodded and went to alert Ms. Jenkins.

I slowly approached the piano and stood to the side of it. "I should be asking you the same thing. Skipping again, really?"

"I feel like you're calling me Perry," she sighed. "This is the last time, I promise."

"The Yearbook got free tickets to an expo the museum is hosting. We're here on a trip."

"That's nice."

She was off, again. "What's wrong this time?"

"I'm quitting the basketball team."

My eyebrows raised involuntarily. "You can't be serious."

"I am. And I came here to muster up the courage to tell everyone about it later on today."

"Well I have to catch up with the group, but we can talk later?"

"I told you we're not friends."

"And you haven't changed your mind yet?" I smirked at her.

"I feel like a mess."

"That's because you are one," I leaned forward and kissed her forehead. "I'll hit you up when we're about to get on the train back home. We can talk then."

She blushed furiously and conceded. "Okay. I'll hang around here until you're done. I think I'll buy a museum ticket.. and... wait. Are those expo thingy tickets available to buy?"

"They might be."

"I'll come with you."

"Jenkins will see you skipping."