Arthur & Mary

- Mary -

There were hardly any free seats, and the teacher was waiting patiently behind his desk for the bell to ring, then I saw him staring at me from the farthest corner, all dressed in black, his aura accentuated by the clouds.

- Arthur -

She noticed me. She noticed the free seat and she has Monalisa's smile. She's coming this way.

What is this drumming sound? Can everyone hear it or it's just me?

- Mary -

I smiled at him and took the seat next to him and put the necessary books on my desk. He was still staring at me. His lemon scent was still there, but somehow a bit too persistent.

- Arthur -

My heart. Do I even have one?

- Mary-

"Alright class, let's start" the teacher suddenly got up and started walking through the crowded classroom. " We have a new student who came all the way form Europe. Please welcome, Mary.... Liupiesciu?"

"Lupescu. Just Mary, please. Nice to meet y'all" I said as I got up and back down.

"Why don't you say a few things about you before we start the lesson?"

I have a car, a room upstairs. I am a modest genius. I am pretty. Of course I couldn't say that!

" I am aspiring to become a writer"

"Interesting. Any expectations of future?"

"I just want to learn as many things as I can. And graduate" everyone giggled at that.

"Very well, let's start class" he went back behind his desk and I was able to breathe normally.

It wasn't a boring lesson, but I didn't understand much of it. The huge classroom and the many students are at fault.

- Arthur-

After the boring class finished, I wanted to talk to her, but about what? Ah, I lost my chance as Cassey and Miranda invited Mary to hang out with them. They had all classes today together, while I only had this one.

I angrily got up and walked away.

- Mary -

He walked away. I haven't even had a chance to talk to him.

I attended the other classes spacing out and thinking about what I could have said to him. But I can't even remember his name!

At the end of the day I stayed more than normal, lurking on the hallways, trying to hear music. If I was lucky, he would still play for me. If not, he doesn't even remember my name. Oh, wait.

- Arthur -

I touched the piano keys without making any sound, thinking whether I should play that song again. Was she still around? It was worth a try.

The usual starting notes suddenly filled the room.

Come here.

-Mary-

I heard it.

-Arthur-

Come here.

- Mary-

I rushed through the many corridors, trying to find the music room.

-Arthur-

I stopped as I heard footsteps. I walked to the door and opened it.

-Mary-

He stopped.

- Arthur -

It was Mr. Tickle.

"Hello, Mr. Garner! What are you doing?" he asked and I slammed the door after I said 'good'.

- Mary -

A door slammed. I was close! Where was he?

- Arthur -

I went back to the piano and started playing again. After the intro my mouth moved by itself: "It's been a long day, without you my friend, and i'll tell you all about it when I see you again. We've come a long way, from where we began, and I'll tell you all about it when I see you again!"

I stopped and checked the door, and she was standing there.

- Mary -

I found him, and he has a damned good voice.

- Arthur -

I got up and walked towards her.

- Mary -

What was up with his smile?

He got closer to me and stopped halfway when he realized what he was doing.

"Sorry" he said, "It's just... I was expecting you to come."

"Me too. We didn't have a chance to talk today."

"How was your first day?"

"Are all classrooms like that?"

"How?"

"Huge and noisy."

"Yes?"

"Then bad. I can't hear my or others thoughts when it is like that."

"How?"

"Huge and noisy! I didn't understand anything of what people were saying"

"Why not?"

"Because... You're making fun of me."

"How so?"

"Stop it! I've got bad hearing and..."

"Then how did you manage to find me?"

"I always find what I want. The song... I knew you wold sing it."