Broken Guitar Strings

Chapter 33

(ALLIE'S POV)

Chanyeol didn't come to school at all today. I don't know what's going on. Maybe he's just feeling sick or didn't want to come to school.

Regardless, I shot him a text:

Me: hey are why aren't you here today?

Me: i saw that you missed your afternoon classes yesterday. Are you alright?

He didn't reply for a good ten minutes, so I'm assuming his phone's off or he's just ignoring me. Eh, I have other stuff I need to do. I talked to my parents about the money for Lay a few days ago, and they said they were fine with it. And so, the money has already been transferred to his bank account. I just have to clarify a few things with him.

We haven't been having guitar lessons during lunch since the day of the guitar contest, but I asked Lay if he could continue with them. It's not only because of this, but to be honest I do miss his guitar lesson kisses. He said he'd be glad to, and so I met him in the music room at lunch. Mr. Morse was out like usual, and we pulled up chairs. "Did Chanyeol give you the guitar?" I asked. He takes the guitar out of his bag and says, "Yes. It's exactly like the one I had before and I'm really thankful." I told him that it was the least Chanyeol can do for him, since he was the one who ruined it in the first place.

"Also, I've prepared the three thousand dollars for you. All you have to do is go to the bank and you'll find the money in there."

"How did you know my bank account?" He looks worriedly. I know he still feels really bad for having me pay.

"It's a secret." I wink.

"Haha, okay. He takes out one of the solid-colored picks I gave him and strums a few relaxed chords before saying, "Allie...I don't know how I'm supposed to explain to my parents-"

"Can they be reached by phone right now?"

"Yes. My mother is staying home today."

"Well let's call her." I smile. I don't know if this is acceptable or not, but I really want to talk to her. I have always wanted to meet Lay's parents, but it just never seems like the right time.

"Um, okay...." He says. He carefully places his guitar on the ground and pulls out his iPhone 4. He dials a number and places the phone on speaker. Seconds later, a woman with a beautiful voice answers the phone. "Lay?"

He looks at me nervously. Be confident, I mouth. "Hey, Mom."

"Isn't it lunchtime? What are you doing calling me?"

"Mom, I need to talk to you about Starbound."

"Oh, dear. Lay, I know it's hard, but-"

"Allie's right next to me and I...well..." He looks over at me.

"Hi Mrs. Zhang," I say. "It's nice to meet you."

Her tone changed completely. "Oh my gosh, Allie Thompson! What a pleasure to be able to speak with you. You know, Lay has told me all about you. You sound so amazingly sweet and beautiful. I'm sure we'll meet each other face to face someday."

I laugh. "Thank you, it's nice to meet you too. So Lay told me about going to nationals. I think he's an amazing dancer, and not to mention guitarist, singer, and songwriter. He's incredibly talented." I can see Lay blush a little bit.

"Allie honey, his singing voice comes from mine. I would love to send him to nationals, but I'm afraid...that won't do."

"It's okay, Mrs. Zhang. I'll pay for him; my parents have already agreed." She gasped and then started saying things like "No no" and "I couldn't let you do that." This whole family is too freaking nice. I explained to her that everyone really wants Lay to go compete at nationals and that three thousand dollars wouldn't be much of an impact to my family at all.

Finally, I managed to have her agree and let me pay for Lay's trip. It would include Lay, Lay's mom, and me, and will last for two weeks in May. I could tell from the hopeful look in his eyes that Lay really wanted me to go. Plus, we both do excellently in school and our teachers aren't worried about us at all. After finishing up the call, the first thing I said was, "Your mom has a nice voice."

He smiles. His eye smile is so adorable. "Yeah, my mom used to sing a lot when she was younger. She was always the head of the choir, but due to throat sickness she had to stop. She still sings now, but very little."

For the next few days, Lay and I collect May's homework in advance so we can finish it and turn it in before we leave. We also arranged tests and finals and things like that. The only thing I have to deal with now is the engagement.