Arthur & Mary

- Mary -

Just when I thought nothing can make me sad now, Olivia strikes again.

I was walking towards the exit when she suddenly grabbed me and took me to the music room. There were many students opposite the piano, at which a teacher was seated, looking at us with boredom all over his face.

"Good, you brought her. Now we can start" he said and straightened his back.

"Wait what?" I said trying to read all of this.

"Miss Shout over there recommended you two to do a duet."

"Wait what?" I turned to her. "Your family name is Shout? How cool is that?!"

"That doesn't matter right now. I heard that if it were to translate your family name it would be 'Wolf', which is way cooler. Anyway, let's sing."

"Sing what?"

"A duet!"

"Sing what?"

"Whatever you want! I heard you know many songs! We're doing a special show for it is the school's birthday soon and I was asked to sing, but I thought I'd be happier if I sang along with you."

"So I can choose?"

"Of course! Sing whatever you want, but in English, please."

"I see. What to sing... This is the choir?"

"Yep. They will have their own part in the show, don't worry. Mr. Dobson is here to prepare us too, so we should be alright."

"Let me think. Can I tell you tomorrow?"

"Absolutely" Mr. Dobson approved. "You can leave."

And I rushed back to my car.

I spent that evening thinking of what song would be good enough for a school anniversary; I looked through the melodies in my phone, my playlists on you tube, and nothing came to my mind.

"Should I sing Let it go? No, there's no chance they'll allow that. Plus, it doesn't have anything to do with this situation."

"You should sing something that advantages you" Arthur came out of nowhere into my room.

"What are you doing here?!"

"I told your sister that we have a project to do together."

"I see. Help. What song is good to sing at an anniversary of the school?!"

"Like I said, something you like. And has the theme 'time'. Something comes to your mind?"

"Only love songs."

"Yes, almost all the songs are love ballads."

"A Thousand Years, Christina Perri?"

"Great! Can you sing it?"

"Well, I can, but I wonder if Olivia would like it. I bet we're still at war."

"Why?"

"She recommended I sing a duet with her after I told her I can't sing."

"But you can sing. I heard you. "

"Let it go and gospel are the only songs I know and love by heart, of course I'm good at them. But singing in front of others and with Olivia..."

"I thought you can't sing gospel!"

"Of course I can! What kind of missionary's sister would I be?"

"...True. Well, you should let me listen to your A Thousand Years, then I'll teach you."

"Why?"

"Because I dream of becoming a music teacher."

"Really?! That's so unexpected! Also, what do you mean by my A Thousand Years?"

"You weren't going to sing like Christina Perri, were you?"

"That's what I'm good at."

"That's stupid; why would you think that? You have to personalize it."

"You couldn't be more right." I leaned and kissed his forehead, and he blushed.

I stood up and tried to sing : "Heart beats fast,

colors and promises,

how can I love when I'm afraid to fall,

but watching you stand alone,

all of my doubt suddenly goes away somehow...

One step closer...

I have died every day waiting for you,

darling don't be afraid,

I have loved you for a thousand years,

I'll love you for a thousand more...

Time stands still, beauty in all she is,

I will be brave, I will not let anything take away what's standing in front of me, 

every breath, every hour has come to this.

One step closer..."

"Too bad" he said, laughing.

"What do you mean?"

" Nothing, go on."

"I have died every day waiting for you,

darling don't be afraid,

I have loved you for a thousand years,

I'll love you for a thousand more...

And all along I believed I would find you,

time has brought your heart to me,

I have loved you for a thousand years,

I'll love you for a thousand more...

How was it?"

"Too bad" he continued laughing.

"I knew it, I can't do it."

"No, no! You can do it, you just need more practice. I believe you didn't do any warming exercises and haven't heard that song in a while, did you?"

"You're right, Mr. Garner."

"Don't call me that."

"Sorry. Did you know Olivia's family name is 'Shout'? How cool is that!"

"Yours is 'Wolf', right?"

"Mine is Elsa" and we both laughed.

"Okay, let's do that project."

"What project?"

"I didn't come here to help you with your singing! Do you think I have telepathic powers?"

"I wish you did. So what project?"

"I heard you're good at projects. I have to present one in a week and I have no idea how to make it presentable."

"For what class?"

"History."

"Uh, I love history. About what?"

"One president of America."

"Sure, I never had to do about them, but sure."

"What would you be learning in this grade?"

"Romanian history. It's kinda boring, compared to Germany or Poland... Even American history is boring..."

"I know what you mean. Wait, every country has to learn about their own countries and not America?"

"That sounded so American" and we laughed again. "Okay, let's do this."