Secret Singing Superstar

Five ~ ♫♪♫

"Leanne!" Caitlin heard Claire's voice yell, her voice echoing throughout the hallway. She ran to her friend.

"What's wrong?"

"It's Leanne. She said she's going to the library to read."

Caitlin frowned. "That's normal - isn't it?"

Claire rolled her eyes. "Don't be so clueless. She's actually upset. It's serious."

"Are you upset?" asked Caitlin.

Claire looked surprised. "No - not really. I mean, I'm only worried about Leanne. What about you?"

"I'm not upset. But I thought you were upset."

"Me? Why?" Claire actually looked offended.

"Well...I thought you were mad at me," Caitlin said hesitantly.

The shock on Claire's face was clearly visible. "Why on earth would I be mad at you?"

"You were angry at me during class, remember? Before recess."

"That doesn't mean I'm upset at you. I was only annoyed."

"Oh." So Claire wasn't upset at her. She felt ridiculously happy, despite that she had another depressed friend to take care of.

"Just try not to talk too much, okay?"

"Definitely." Caitlin smiled. It was the first genuine smile ever since the morning. "Friends?"

Claire nodded. She held up a hand. "And no hugs, remember? I don't like them."

Caitlin feigned shock. "What sort of person doesn't like hugs?"

"Me."

"You're nuts."

"No, I'm just an almond person*."

"What?" Caitlin frowned. Then her face cleared as she understood. "Claire - that's just ridiculous!"

Claire grinned. "Stop it. You're irritating me."

Then Caitlin remembered their current problem. "Leanne."

"Yeah, we have to go after her," said Claire.

"Right. We solved this problem, we can solve her problem, whatever it is." Caitlin grabbed her lunch from her bag and walked off. Claire hurried after her, looking unsure.

"Something's up," said Caitlin, studying Claire's face. Claire only got that look on her face when something was wrong. "What is it?"

Claire shook her head after a while. "Nothing."

"I distinctly remember Leanne saying the same thing to me, but she was obviously upset," said Caitlin. "Care to spill the beans?"

Claire bit her lip. "Not now. Maybe later."

"Okay, then." Caitlin was a little hurt, but she respected Claire too much to pry.

They both headed down into the courtyard, and was halfway across it to the library when a teacher blocked their path.

It was the music teacher. She smiled. "Girls! Where are you going? Don't you remember that you have music practice today?"

Claire swore under her breath. Luckily the teacher didn't hear her. Claire played the violin and the cello, and she often had music practices with the teacher. However, Caitlin didn't see how she was part of it. She didn't play a musical instrument. She only was in the choir.

"I don't - " she began, but the teacher silenced her.

"Today's also choir practice as well. So hurry along." She walked towards the music and art building, obviously expecting them to follow her.