Secretly

Chapter 10 - I Wish

"Well done, Miss Middleford. No miscounted notes, no rests overseen."

"Thank you, Mr. Bowen." I bowed. My classmates clapped their hands. The bell rang.

"Well, that concludes for this morning." The teacher clapped his hands twice. "Class dismissed."

I immediately rushed to the cafeteria. I saw Dean going out.

"Hey!" I called.

He looked at me for like two seconds. Then, he looked away. He didn't even smile. He walked his way towards me and just passed by me. No words spoken. His aura was so cold, so dark and so gloomy. His eyes had no light, and it was as if I was invisible. I felt like my heart was shot by an arrow. My body trembled as I looked at him walking away.

"Isha?" A gentle pat on the back brought me back to the real world.

"Oh, hey." My voice was trembling.

"Is Dean okay?" Marie asked. She looked so worried.

"I...." I paused for a while. I took a deep breath and softly replied, "I don't know."

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After lunch with Marie, I attended afternoon classes with a bothered mind.

"Miss Middleford?"

"Uggh... Yes, Ma'am?" I stood up.

"Are you okay?"

"Yes, Ma'am."

"It seemed like you were out."

"Huh?"

"I called your name for three times already."

"I'm... I'm so sorry." I was very embarrassed.

"Sit down. Let's continue." The teacher continued talking. My mind, on the other hand, kept on flying around. I couldn't focus.

What's wrong?  I just kept on doodling stars on my notebook. You see, I liked stars. I find comfort when I see them.

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"I haven't seen Dean this entire afternoon." Marie closed her locker.

"You think he skipped today's classes?"

She sighed. "I guess so." She cupped my hands. "GOODNESS! You're cold!"

I just looked at her in reply.

She patted my cheeks, "Are you sick?"

"What's wrong with that bastard?" I bit my lower lip.

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Night came and my mind was still boggled. I played the piano to relax my head a bit. Then again, I kept on hitting the wrong keys. Frustrated, I stopped playing.

"Are you okay, Isha?" Granna looked so worried.

"I'm okay, Granna." I tried to smile, "Just a little bothered."

"About what?"

I sighed heavily, "Nothing serious, Granna." I stood up. "Can I take a stroll outside?"

"Be here before late night, okay?" She smiled. I nodded and walked away.

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I was trying to empty my mind while I was walking. I didn't want to be stressed out.

"THE HELL I CARE!" I told myself.  "Why would I care too much? He's not special! YES! He's NOT! Well... maybe a little... he's like a brother to me... YEAH! Just a brother, right? A brother!" I sighed. "And... I'm worried." At that moment, I decided to go to Chase's house.

I walked my way towards Chase's house. I was a few meters away when I sighted Dean and Chase outside her house. I slowly hid myself behind a nearby tree. 

As I secretly peeked, I saw a devastating image of Dean. He was seated on the bench, looking so numb. His cheeks were definitely moistened by his tears. He was emotionless, but his tears were slowly falling. His eyes were cloudy.

Chase crouched in front of him, talking. I couldn't hear them clearly but Chase's voice was definitely very comforting. His lips slowly trembled. He cried in anguish. Chase gave him a hug.

I didn't understand what was happening. However, hearing him cry made me feel his pain. My heart was pierced with every sobbing sound. My body trembled as it absorbed his sadness. I fell down my knees. My tears slowly rolled down. Maybe, it was because of the sadness. Maybe, not. It was more of the frustration. Yes, frustration.

I was so frustrated. I wanted to see him smile and be happy all the time, like the usual, like how it is supposed to be. I wanted it so badly. The problem is, as much as I wanted to do something, I couldn't do anything. All I could do was cry silently and secretly in the darkness.

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"Class dismissed!"

My classmates hurriedly rushed their way out. I was left inside the room. My soul was still floating off somewhere. I walked towards the grand piano, my pointer unconsciously pressing the A-key. Its sound actually mirrored my heart as of that moment.

I sat down and pressed the A-minor chord for a few times. My right hand positioned itself on the fifth octave, gently pressing the E-key. And so, my fingers started dancing, playing a melody my heart was screaming.

I took a deep breath as I played the C-scale running from the third to the sixth octave. Then, I heard somebody clapping.

"Bravo, Isha! Bravo!" Marie was clapping loudly.

"Marie." I was surprised.

"That was so good!"

"That wasn't anything complex. It was just a simple melody."

"But, it was heart piercing. Such simplicity was able to convey a moving message. It's like wishing for somebody to stop crying, wishing for somebody to be happy. Saying that there is always hope."

I didn't know what to reply.

"Did you compose that?" She asked.

"Yes."

"When?"

"Just now."

"Isha!" She shrieked. "You're a genius!"

"Uhh... thanks, but I don't thi...."

"OH MY GOSH! OH MY GOSH!" She yelped. "I'm a fan, Isha! A really huge one."

"Uhh... thanks?"

"Don't be mad, but I recorded it."

"That's okay."

"What's going to be the title of this piece?" She enthusiastically asked.

I paused for a little while and thought of a title. Then, I grinned and answered her.

"I Wish."

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"Granna, I'm home!"

"Welcome home, Isha!" Granna greeted.

"Hey!" Seated next to Granna was Chase. I was surprised. "Chase?"

"Hi, Isha." She grinned.