Autumn slowly turns into winter and the orchestra announces a winter concert. We've been rehearsing the same pieces for weeks and the recital is fast approaching, as is our winter formal dance.
With every passing day the pressure to speak to her builds and I seem only able to shy away from it. I spend my days basking in the joy of knowing her and my evenings tearing my hair out in frustration. Ever since our birthday I know that speaking to Clara is the next logical step. I've already done it for god's sake.
But there's so much more riding on this. I can't wear sunglasses forever and I can't say away from her either.
I lean my head against my desk, knowing that I have to leave in ten minutes and get on a bus with the rest of my orchestra to play at our recital. I wish that the floor would eat me whole. Saskia taps twice on my door and I grunt, not wanting to speak to her.
"You know you have to leave now, right? You don't look like someone who's ready to leave." She says and I frown.
"I'm not going." I mumble into the table and she laughs.
"Yes you are. Look, stop worrying about your stupid girl problems and just go and play music. Everything else can wait." She says comfortingly and I sigh, knowing that I'm being a drama queen.
I sit up and stand, taking a deep breath and straightening my shirt.
"You look nice." Saskia says and smile half-heartedly, glancing down at my light blue shirt and black trousers, knowing it's not much.
I grab my sheet music and place it in my rucksack before grabbing my bike. We're getting a bus to the venue as a group and our families are all supposed to be meeting us there. I say 'all', but Kia has managed to snag herself a seat on the bus despite not being a part of the orchestra.
We leave together to walk to the practice hall. She's dressed in a black floral dress with a skirt that sticks out slightly and I tell her that she looks very nice. She rolls her eyes in response.
We arrive a little bit early and Brian ushers us onto the bus. I head to the back where I spot Ollie and slide in next to him. He nods to me and quickly perks up when he sees my sister. I frown darkly at his interest in my sister and I jump to introduce them to each other.
"Kia, this is Ollie. Ollie, this is Kia, my twin sister." I say quietly, subtly emphasising 'twin' and watch Ollie's expression sink awkwardly as he murmurs a hello. He stuffs his headphones back into his ears but doesn't move his eyes away from my sister.
Kia slides into the seats in front and chats to me as she waits for Clara.
I spot her golden head of hair and sink into my chair, playing with my seatbelt nervously as she skips down the aisle towards Kia. She looks absolutely stunning in a little blue lace dress that actually matches my shirt rather well.
"Hi Saskia! I can't believe you managed to talk Brian into letting you ride on the bus with us!" Clara says, nudging her way into the seat next to Kia.
I stuff my headphones into my ears and close my eyes as Kia laughs.
"I went to Kit's audition with him, so Brian knows me." She admits as I try to drown her out.
The bus fills up quickly and within ten minutes we're on our way. I try to relax as much as possible but the fact of the matter is is that my soul mate is inches in front of me. I can feel her proximity and I can smell her coconut shampoo. Creepy, but true.
The song I'm listening to finishes and I hear a mention of my name. I immediately pause the music and tune in to the conversation, still keeping my eyes tightly closed.
"I'm sure he didn't mind, don't worry too much about it." Kia says.
"I know, but it was both of your birthdays and I feel like the least I could have done was tell him happy birthday." Clara says quietly.
My heart aches at how sweet she is and I wish that I could reassure her, to let her know that without even knowing she gave me the best birthday I could wish for.
"What about that guy you were with? Danny Zuko, have you heard from him?" Kia asks as I feel my heart rate spike.
Clara giggles quietly and I shift in my seat, anxious to know what she thinks.
"No, but I can't stop thinking about him. He was honestly so sweet and charming, and he did this..." There's a pause in the conversation and I frown slightly, confused.
Giggling ensues and I can only imagine that she acted something out.
"Oh my gosh, did you think he was going to kiss you?" Kia asks and Clara sighs.
"I don't know." Clara says.
"Do you wish he did?" Kia prods and Clara is silent. I wish to god that I could see her face right now, to ask her what she wants and give her everything. I shift in my seat uncomfortably, trying to calm down my racing thoughts.
"Do you know who he is?" Clara asks and I hold my breath, praying that Kia doesn't do something stupid.
"I know his name is Chris." Kia says slowly, not elaborating further.
I slowly exhale, raising a hand to pinch the bridge of my nose.
Kia's a sly, quick thinking little rat, but I'm eternally grateful.
Clara sighs and their conversation diverts on to matters of dance. I press play on my phone again and try to relax for the rest of the journey, quietly mulling over everything I just heard.
YOU ARE READING
Shy
Teen Fiction-A soulmate story- Kit Taylor keeps to himself. Awkward, reserved and anxious, he doesn't expect to find his soulmate. When he finds her in none other than Clara Evelyn, his twin sister's kind, talented and beautiful best friend, his world just abou...
