Heartstrings Crossed

Chapter 11 - Duets and Dyeing

A/n: Oooo look at my monthly upload isn't it granddd

All jokes aside I'm so sorry I'm having health issues with my brain and spinal cord 😭

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Arder's POV

When 6th period came, I walked into the room and settled into my normal seat. I opened the book we were reading in HBS, and Valerian came in quickly, sitting next to me. I was confused, because he usually was about a chair away, but I shook off the feeling and turned back to my book. When CK clapped his hands for attention, I folded down my page and turned my attention to him.

"After hearing your voices for the past few days," CK said, "I have a choice for who your duet partner will be, and what song you will be singing. The duet partners will not be exclusively male-female duet partners."

I sat straight up to gauge the reaction of people around the room. Most were shifting in their seats anxiously, and a few eyes were drifting to who people wanted their duet partners to be. I saw at least two people look at Valerian, but his eyes landed on me after looking at the ceiling.

"Stand up and come to the front of the class when I say your name." CK ordered.

I sat back in my chair. With my last name being Walker, I didn't think I would be first up.

"Valerian." CK said. He stood up and walked to the front of the class, looking straight over all our heads. Outwardly, he appeared disinterested, almost bored. His hands drifted toward his front pocket, though, and I saw him begin to fidget with the tail of the dragon just barely sticking out.

"Valerian, for your solo song, what song are you choosing?" CK asked him.

"When Girls Telephone Boys." He replied quickly. "Deftones."

I couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at how quickly he had chosen. I guessed it was because he had made up his mind a while back, probably after the first day of class.

"And your second solo?" CK asked him.

"Maps." He said. "The Front Bottoms."

I smiled at that last song choice. I listened intently to hear who CK chose for Valerian's partner. I assumed it would be one of the girls in the class.

"Arder." CK said, which made me freeze. "Come up to the front, please. You will be partnered with Valerian."

I looked at Valerian's face as I registered the flashes of emotion before it returned to his neutral state. Elation, nervousness, excitement, anxiety, and, nothing.

"You two will be singing 'Rewrite The Stars'." CK said.

I threw my head back to the ceiling. Universe, what the hell. I thought, as I turned to look at Valerian. He glanced over at me, then looked rapidly away. It had started to become his signature look.

"Valerian, you may take your seat." CK said. "Arder, what are your two songs you have chosen for us?"

I thought about it for a moment. "Cuando Nadie Ve, by Morat," I said, choosing to challenge myself, "and... Inertia by AJR. But the acoustic version."

CK nodded and I went back to my seat. I sat down and zoned out for the rest of the period as he went through each person.

When the period ended, I got up to head to the auditorium. As I left the room, I realized I had left my phone back inside it. As I turned back to get it, I saw that everyone had left, except for Valerian, who was talking to CK in a hushed tone. I realized I could hear what they were saying, so I did the logical thing. I hid behind the door to eavesdrop, and so I wouldn't interrupt.