Vanquished Love And Dreams

3: First Weeks

"The signs of a new relationship is being made, will it last for a long time?"

The café patrons applauded Philip and myself for our excellent performance as they finished the piece.

"I thought you stated you didn't have any training," but Philip said with a smile, "That was exquisite, Anya's teaching did enable you to play this."

I laughed. "Remember how I took piano lessons years ago?"

He asked inquisitively, "I mean, you did take classes with Anya, but how did you become this good? Like more practice every night?"

"Sure, you're right, but in high school and college, I also had some piano lessons from different instructors, so that explains a little bit."

Philip nodded in agreement. "I see."

"How about another piece, like the Kreutzer Sonata." I proposed.

Looking a little uncertain, "Perhaps? You decide." Philip responded.

"Hey Markus, let's just get back to talking," I said to our friend who had just arrived at the café.

Markus walked up to our table and said, "Yeah."

I grin and say, "How about you play the guitar?"

Markus answered, removing his guitar from its case, "Sure."

As we chatted, Philip suddenly pulled out an old photo from their high school years. It was a picture of Alexa and me holding hands, side by side.

"Do you remember this?" he asked.

"Ah, you damn bastard, you took this picture then told everyone in the class that Alexa and I were together a month into the school year," I replied, laughing.

"I mean, you did admit to the class that you were dating her, but they didn't take it seriously... Oh wait, they didn't," Philip joked.

I've been in the tenth grade for a month now, It is July today, I feel this relationship would end sooner or later. Although Alexa and I have been dating for some time, we haven't yet informed anyone. Do you think my friend Philip has any suspicions? Perhaps he's preoccupied with Anya and doesn't even see what's happening between Alexa and I. While keeping this a secret is challenging, it's also somewhat thrilling. When should we inform everyone, I wonder? We might hold off a little longer to see how things turn out.
I could feel Alexa's cozy hand wrapping around mine as we were strolling hand in hand. Her hair was illuminated by the light as it was shining down on us. We were discussing our schedule for the day, including the various club meetings and practices we had scheduled. We stopped on the way to our school's campus to observe the flag ceremony and take in the sense of community it gave our neighborhood.

The atmosphere in our classroom, however, changed. A printed picture of Alexa and I was held up by Philip, who was beaming slyly. As I recognized what it was-a photograph of us holding hands that had been taken without our knowledge-my pulse began to rush.

"Hey everyone, look who just started dating in the classroom: the president and the vice president, said Philip."

My neck began to blush as my classmates began to applaud and catcall. As if to reassure me, Alexa tightened her grip on my hand.

I stumbled and said, "Ho-damn you, Philip," feeling exposed and humiliated. "How was this picture got taken?"

"I'm a ninja, dude," he exclaimed with a smile. "I decided to follow you after seeing that you were out and about by afternoon, and when I saw that you went to Alexa's house and chatted with her, bam, immediate lovebirds."