You Are The Music In Me (Heartstopper AU)

Chapter 2- Focus

Nick was definitely who one the flute players had been swooning over. 

After about five minutes of watching Nick smile and flick his dark blond hair out of his eyes- it looked so soft- Charlie had a hard time concentrating and had to arrange his music so Nick was out of his view.

But of course the fourth movement heavily features the baritone soloist and as soon as Nick opened his mouth for the first "Oh Freunde!" Charlie stumbled and lost his place. 

Growing red with embarrassment he frantically tried to catch up and was sure he could feel others staring at him.

Nick's voice was just so rich and beautiful, the words cascaded from his lips smoothly, notes boldly climbing the register and falling back down again with care and precision. Charlie wanted to be able to sit still and lose himself in the sound.

Focus focus focus.

The choir came in with a resounding punch and helped snap Charlie back to reality. 

All too soon though Maestro Braun stopped everyone and went back to Nick's solo to address a problem with the French horns.

Charlie peeked over his music while Braun was talking and looked at Nick, who happened to glance in that direction and they made eye contact. Horrified Charlie ducked back behind his music, even redder than before.

~

Nick caught a glimpse of bright blue eyes when he looked across the stage, and wondered if the pianist could see anything with his music stacked so high.

~

After two agonizing hours Charlie was finally able to splash water on his face to try and stop the burning. His embarrassment had only worsened with every note Nick sang, he would blush and then become aware of how much he was blushing and make mistakes, he was sure he would get a talking to by the end of the night.

Outside the bathroom Hannah was waiting, an amused look on her face.

"You have it BAD for that baritone soloist" she said

Charlie sighed "Was it that obvious"

"From right behind you yeah"

"I need to stop freaking out or I'm not going to be able to play" Charlie pressed his hands to his face.

"You should just go talk to him, then maybe he won't seem so otherworldly. He might even be a jerk and then your problem is solved" Hannah suggested

"I definitely cannot talk to him"

"Suit yourself"

~

After the break Charlie dejectedly went back to the piano and arranged his music. Several sheets fluttered to the ground and he looked at them with contempt before leaning over to pick them up.

"Here let me help" said a voice

And suddenly Charlie was staring into warm brown eyes on a freckled face. Nick. Who was even more beautiful up close.

Safe to say that his heart stopped.

Nick's hair flopped over his eyes adorably as he gathered the pages and offered them to Charlie, who was sitting there unable to process what was happening.

Nick's eyebrows raised slightly and Charlie realized he was staring.

"Thanks!" he squeaked, taking the pages with shaking hands, wanting to evaporate on the spot.

Nick looked a bit amused as he went back to his place on stage, and Charlie heard Hannah snickering behind him. How was he going to make it through this concert?

~

Charlie hustled into the tube station, hoping he wouldn't have to wait long. He wanted nothing more than to crawl into bed and leave this day behind. He stood near the edge of the platform and jammed his hands into his coat pockets.

"Hi"

Shit.

Nick's voice was beautiful even in a one syllable word.

He came up beside Charlie and Charlie had to remind himself how to speak. "Hi," he said softly. He forced himself to look at Nick like a normal person. 

He instantly regretted it because Charlie realized Nick was taller than him, and his little half smile made Charlie a bit weak in the knees.

"Um thanks for earlier"

"Yeah no problem" Nick's smile widened, "With that many pages I'm surprised they don't fall more often. I'll never take my folder for granted again"

Charlie let out a small laugh but was at a loss for what to say next, luckily Nick kept talking.

"What's your name?"

"Oh, I'm Charlie"

"Nicholas- Nick"

"I know"

I KNOW.

Charlie debated jumping onto the tracks.

But Nick just laughed "yeah I guess I'm sort of in the spotlight"

Charlie relaxed slightly "You were really good"

"Thanks, it's always a bit nerve racking"

"I couldn't tell! "

"Well that's good to know, but you might change your mind after the performance, this is my first real gig out of music school"

"No way, I can tell you know the piece really well, you sang every note like you owned it" Charlie stopped himself from mentioning Nick's passionate hand movements or adorable expressions that made his performance so much better.

"I'd sure you were great as well, but it's honestly a bit hard to hear piano over all those strings"

"Don't tell them that their heads are big enough"

"I thought soloists were the ones with big heads" Nick teased

Charlie suddenly felt bold "yeah you're right yours does look a bit inflated, I take back my compliment "

"Hey!" Nick pushed him playfully.

They both laughed for a moment.

"Do you live far then" Charlie said, not wanting the conversation to be over

"Just a couple stops down the line, you?"

"Same not too far, I'd expect a hotshot soloist to have a chauffeur though" Charlie felt more comfortable every moment

"Yeah well my limo's being serviced tonight so I'm stuck on the tube like a pleb" Nick joked.

A train warned its arrival with a loud hum, screeching to a stop in front of them.

"This is me" Nick said "I guess I'll see you next week"

"Bye"

"Bye"

The doors closed and Charlie let out a long breath. He had made it through a whole conversation, and Nick was... nice. 

Shit Nick was really nice. 

That didn't help much with Charlie's growing crush, but maybe they could be friends... He doubted Nick could ever feel the same way... even if he wasn't straight which he probably was.

At least Charlie thought he might be in better control of his face next week. And he might have a chance to talk to Nick again.

He couldn't help smiling to himself.