Alone Awaken

Chapter 39: Colton

God it's fucking hot under these lights.

I wipe my brow and rough plaster scrapes across my forehead. I flinch forgetting the broken hand I now have thanks to that asshole RA that attacked Remi. Fuck I wish I didn't have to leave her, she never woke up from Saturday night. I almost didn't even come here because of her. None of this really matters unless she's safe. Unless she's ok.

A voice booms over the sound system. "Mr. Cooperson. Whenever you're ready." The head of the music department stares at me along with the rest of the music and psych department. They're ready to challenge my thesis and that challenge snaps me into game mode. Adrenaline beginning to rise before the whistle blows and the match begins inside this auditorium, on this stage and beside this piano I was suppose to perform on.

I clear my throat. "My apologies, I am just waiting for my pianist to arrive. As you can see." I raise my arm and give a polite laugh. "I seem to have forgotten how to walk and fell injuring my hand in the process." They chuckle in a low manner. "I of course have recordings of my original pieces that are apart of my presentation, but the final piece will be performed by my colleague."

The back door opens and I shoot my eyes wondering why Tori took fucking forever to get here and my heart sank when it wasn't Tori at all. "Remi." I whisper.

"Well is Miss Remi here?" The director states.

I shake my head realizing I spoken her name out loud. I clear my throat.

"Uh no sir Uhm." I look back at her, she sits down in the back, clear as day in my center view. How did she know I'd be here.

"Hello! So sorry I am late." I look stage left and there's Tori waving apologetically and sits down at the piano to my side. I look behind her and Josh is there, arms crossed on top of his puffed out chest, standing with an almost triumphant smile on his face.

"Well now that your colleague is here, can we begin?" The director seems displeased with how long this is taking.

"Sorry sir, yes we can begin. Just one moment while I set up the music." I side step and lean down to Tori. "What the fuck is Josh doing here and Remi?" I say urgently.

Tori leans to her side towards, me still smiling at the audience. "Oh you're welcome, poor girl didn't know your big day was today, so we told her." Tori still keeping her smiling facade for the panel bends her wrists, warming them up to perform. Acting like what she just said is no big deal. But it is a big fucking deal. She straightens her spine and turns her head towards me and that smile falters like she forgot to tell me something. "Oh, right. Josh overheard your presentation and your experiment on your little girlfriend. He says you're welcome too." Tori winks at me and repositions to performance ready.

Fuck. My eyes dart to Josh. Still standing there. Still giving that smile.

"Colton. Begin." The director has given his last word. Remi, Remi please understand. I close my eyes and exhale. I stand up straight and face the auditorium, I face her. I look into her eyes.

"I'm sorry." Please know I'm sorry Remi. "Let's begin."

I clear my throat and look down at my bullet points and close my eyes. I love you Remi.