Always Be Forever

Chapter 18: Finn

2087, BCE, September

"Alex? Cashmere? Can I speak with you guys?"

I had asked them before rehearsal had started. "Yeah of course," Alex had told me before they walked over to the side of the room where there was less noise. "What is it?" Cashmere had asked me. "I just wanted to check in on everything. Life is good?" I had asked them. I've been making it my sacred duty to watch over Alex and to make sure that nothing bad happens. "Yeah life is pretty good," Alex had let out, staring Cashmere in the eyes and then wrapping his arms around her. "I just wanted to check. Alex, can I speak to you in private?" I had asked him. "Yeah of course," had told me. "I'll be right back," he had told Cashmere, letting go of her hand.

"You know not to say anything to Cashmere about Rose, right?" I had asked him. "I haven't told her anything," he told me. "Okay. It needs to stay that way, because she still doesn't know that you know," I had told him. "Okay. Does that mean I can't have feelings for her?" He had asked me. "Of course it doesn't. You can. It just doesn't mean that you should try going after Michael," I had told him. "My parents told you?" He had asked after sighing, looking down at the ground. "Yeah they did. And I'm glad you didn't. He was your best friend. I don't see why it had to end," I had told him as he had headed back into his spot beside Cashmere. I had walked by and saw Ben close to Cashmere, staring at her with flirty eyes. "Ben!" I exclaimed. "Yes?" Ben had asked, stammering at first, but then realizing it was me. "Mr. Hudson," he had told out-loud, relieved. I had motioned to outside the band room and he followed me right away.

"What is it?" Ben had asked with his trumpet in hand. "Do you have a crush on Cashmere?" I had asked him; trying to get the words out cause I know it can get awkward. "Yeah I do," he had let out. "Are you going to tell me I can't?" He had asked me. I would never say that to anyone, especially Ben. But since Ben is her stepbrother I have to say something. "Ben, she's already in a relationship. I'm sorry. She has a boyfriend," I had told him. I had to tell him, I had no choice. Staring at the floor, he had let out a muffled, "I wish it was me," before the tears slowly started falling.

"Sorry you had to hear it from me," I told him. "No, it's okay. This is just the second time I've cried today," he had told me, while drying his tears. I headed back into the band room and went to my stand. "All right everyone. Concert E minor," I had told the class, picking up my baton. After we played for a while, we finally got to the break. I had saw Jason with his phone out, texting a friend, Cashmere and Alex heading up, and Ben hiding his face in between the legs of the chairs. I had to follow Cashmere and Alex to see what was going on. I've heard them sing to each other before, so I know there's a deeper relationship there than I have seen before, especially with Alex. He's never done that before with anyone from Archbishop Macbeth High School. But they weren't heading to the area where they sang. They were heading up to where everyone else was. "Cashmere, just explain everything to me, okay? I can help you through it," I hear Alex tell Cashmere in a calm voice as I walk up to them. "I'm sorry. There's nothing you can do," I hear Cashmere tell him before she runs off, running past him. "What's going on?" I had asked Alex once I was caught up to him. "There's something bothering her, but she won't tell me what it is," Alex had told me. "I want to help her," he had told me. "Then go after her," I had told him, before he ran off. I don't know why, but one part of me thought he wasn't going to catch up with her. Walking towards the students that were hanging out with each other outside of the washroom, I walked to the lockers. That's when I heard it.

Bang!