Hearts Parade of a Lyrical Life

Secret Dates Cause Secret Tension

Thursday, September 21st

I met up with Ryan and Grace this morning at the school gates as we usually would, but today was different. Ryan had a new glint in his eye, and when Grace pulled me in for my daily hug, I saw him looking at me longingly, it was as if he wasn't embarrassed to show affection toward me anymore. I wondered if he had told anyone, though clearly not Grace as she acted as her usual self.

We sat next to each other in class and Ryan would write with his book slightly tilted toward me so I could read it better. He was clearly trying to express affection in his own little ways, and it made me feel warm inside at every small thing he did.

Then again at lunch, we sat next to each other, Spencer and Jon came to join, and Jon sat on the other side of Ryan. "You look happy." Jon smiled as he put his arm around Ryan and squeezed his shoulder. "So have you two made up then?" He takes a bite of his food. Ryan and I look at each other, I give him an expression that hints to not tell the others just yet, and Ryan picks up on it.

"Yeah, we're all good now, thanks." Ryan responds back.

"Glad to hear it, I guess that means Y/N doesn't have to leave the band after all. So I'll see you both at practice today?" Jon darts his eyes between the two of us, hoping for a yes. I checked Ryan's expression to see if he would be okay with it.

"I don't-"

"Yes" Ryan interrupts me and pats my leg, "we'll both be there." He looks back at me and smiles sweetly, I'm happy to have been let back in.

Jon smiles, satisfied having heard the answer he was hoping for and gets up to leave early for his class, Spencer hangs back. He looks and me and Ryan with suspicion but doesn't say anything about it. "I'm glad that you two have sorted it out. See you at practice." Spencer smirks at Ryan, and Ryan looks back at him, confused.

————

Ryan walks me to band practice. I can feel his gaze holding onto me as we walk, I look up at him and see my suspicions confirmed, he was smiling at me the whole time. It was a new feeling to have him be so open with me in front of other people, I could see people looking over at us as we passed them through the halls. "What's with the staring?" I say, teasingly.

Ryan blushes but holds eye contact, "You look nice, that's all." He smiles and looks forward, Spencer and Jon are standing by the door to the music room.

"Here comes the happy couple!" Jon blurts out, arms outstretched. I blush as I realise how close Ryan and I are to each other, and I pull myself away.

"Can it Jon, you're embarrassing her." Ryan snaps back, dodging Jon's embrace and walking into the music room. I smile and give Jon a quick hug hello.

"So guys I think it's time we started learning a new song, we've gotten pretty good at our first cover so I reckon we can move on." Jon announces as we all get our things together. Spencer and Ryan seem thrilled at this idea, I get nervous thinking about having to pick up a new piece as I've only just gotten good at the one we're doing. Jon can see the nerves on my face. "Y/N don't worry, I will help you with the new piece as well, I can teach you on Saturday."

I look over at Ryan and he shrugs back not seeming to care at the suggestion. "Sure, Saturday is fine by me." I mutter, hoping saying the words out loud might make me believe them too.

"Great! Let's get started then." Jon hands out our new music and everyone gets started with learning. Jon comes and sits down next to me. As he teaches me the new keys I can hear the guitar noises fall silent. Jon takes my hand and carefully arranges it onto the keyboard, showing me the correct movements between keys. Jon speaks whilst still looking ahead at the keyboard.