The Barefoot Violinist

Curtain Call

The day of his recital, Bennett followed his normal routine. No disturbances, no devices and no noise. Today was different though, for the first time in his career, he felt nervous. As if his heart was beating in his throat and he couldn't get enough air into his lungs. It must be Cory, he thought to himself.

Only Cory could make him nervous, he thought smiling, remembering those dark eyes that always seem to smoulder at him. He also hoped that Cory would like he'd been working on since their first day together as friends. It carried all his hopes, sadness, his happiness and joy and the thrill of having someone love you.

This time, he was barefoot. When he on stage, there was a round of tumultuous applause, screams and cat calls. He frowned slightly, usually the audience was much more reserved, but it seemed as if his online fans were also in the audience.

As the first strings of musing started playing, Bennett lifted the violin to his shoulder. Every now and again, his eyes would dart to Cory's, who was smiling with his usual stupid look when Bennett was playing. He looked as if he was mesmerised, like a snake dancing to a snake charmer's tune.

With his final solo, Bennett bent down to speak in the microphone in from of him. "This is called, The Bull."

And with a smile and a nod to Cory, Bennett started playing. He was only looking at Cory, who looked like he wanted to jump out of his chair. As the last notes sounded, the audience was on their feet, clapping loudly.

It was then that Cory was out of his seat, vaulted up to the stage and all decorum lost, grabbed Bennett around his waist, spinning him around while laughing, then putting him down and kissing him slowly.

There were more cat calls and cheers from the audience. Bennett smiled and bowed, his face flushed by Cory's gesture and kiss.

"Go." was all he said to Cory, who unceremoniously jumped down from the stage back to his seat, a stupid grin still on his face.

As the curtain closed, Bennett could hardly believe what had just happened. It shocked him at first, but then he gave himself up to the moment and enjoyed it with Cory holding him. He could hardly wait to get to the atrium to speak to Cory.

Before he could speak to anyone, he was stopped by his music coach, with two people in tow.

"Bennett, you played wonderfully!" he exclaimed, grabbing Bennett's hand, vigorously shaking it in his excitement. "Let me introduce you." He turned toward the two smartly dressed people standing to the side. "This is Julian and Kate from the Yale School of Music!" he exclaimed in delight.

Bennett was by far the best and most talented student he's ever had and the mere fact that four of the most sought after schools had personally invited him to study, made him dizzy with excitement. When the scouts from Yale had left, he grabbed Bennett to face him.

"Can you believe it?!" He bounced on the balls of his feet. "That's four of the best schools in the world and there were two couples who wanted to sponsor you for the full ride! And that's just the ones I know of!"

Bennett smiled at his apparent excitement. George has never shown this much excitement before. "It's nice, isn't it?" he observed dispassionately.

"Bennett! For once in your life, can you show that you're excited?" he snapped.

"I'm excited George, really." plastered his brightest smile on his face.

"The top schools in the world want you, everybody in the audience wants to throw unknown amounts of money at you and you smile because you're excited?" he shook his head in disbelief. Bennett worked hard for this and now it didn't look as if he was in much of a hurry to take up any offers.

"I'm excited, really George. It's a big decision to make." he sighed not meeting George's eyes.

"Bennett, I don't interfere in my students' lives, but this is something that cannot wait! A year ago you would have made up your mind within a breath of a second given the offers that you've got." Placing his hands on his hips, he looked at Bennett in confusion. "What's changed that you'd put your career on hold?"

"I'm not putting my career on hold." When it looked like he was still suspicious, Bennett sighed loudly, "Come on George, you know me better than that. I'm not saying that I won't take up any of their offers, I just want to see what other sponsors are out there. It's not like the schools are paying my living or travel expenses." he reasoned.

"You've got a point there." George gave in, rubbing his lip with his thumb, in thought. "Okay, as long as you pick a school, we can go shop around for better sponsors this evening." He grinned, excited again.

Thanks, George."

"What for? You did everything yourself." he frowned. "You know there was little I could teach you? Even when you were fourteen, you were already ten times better than me. I don't understand why you never moved on." he shook his head. He'd always wondered why Bennett never wanted a different teacher, someone with more experience than him.

"It was never about having the best teacher. You understood what I needed." Bennett looked at him solemnly.

"Well," he laughed, "I'm going to have to get more teachers, since everybody wants the same coach as the Barefoot Violinist!"

"I knew you were enjoying this." Bennett laughed.

Waiving George off, he turned to walk toward the atrium when he was almost knocked over by Chrissie.

"Mum?!" He hugged her in surprise. "What are you doing here?"

"As if I'd miss your important day!" she sniffed as she hugged him."You did it!" she gave him another hug before stepping away.

"We did it mum!" he corrected her. "What other mother would put up with me all this time?" he chuckled.

"Your dad would have been so proud." she whispered, straightening his jacket and brushing imaginary specs of dust away. "He probably would have arrived in the firetruck with all the sirens and lights, embarrassing all of us."

"Just like he did when it was my birthday." he smiled sadly. That was one of the few memories that they still shared together. His dad had picked him up at school with the firetruck, with all the sirens and lights going.

"Now, that's enough going down memory lane. I've got to get back to work." She gave him a warm smile. "I'm so proud of you, my son."

"Thanks mum." he mumbled, giving her another hug before she walked off.