STATIC (LGBT)

Chapter 15

“Alright!”

That upbeat slash hyped up slash annoying-because-she’s-late voice resounded into the IMT auditorium and echoed for a few seconds as she walked down the large, square, movie-theatre like steps. I was seating down on one of the wide, red seats with my headphones on but with one behind my ear just in case something like this happened. Identifying Zoë’s arrival with my ears first rather than with my eyes. I guess I was right, since somehow I knew she’d try to make up for her tardiness with a good humored greeting.

I watched her go down to the stage in a black and well-fitting sweater, and with her hair down under the white ski-cap she was wearing today in the morning. Obviously, other than being cheerful for the sake of relieving some of the tension in the room (her fault), it was also due to the heating system inside the institute. She’d gone back home after school to bring her motorcycle since she apparently doesn’t really like the temperature inside public buses. Something about preferring a short and colder ride than a long and less cold ride… yeah. Impatient as usual but I didn’t object.

When I was on my way here I took the bus alone and it gave me some peace and quiet. Yet when I got to the IMT, starting from the lobby, everything was amazingly hectic. Not going much into detail on that because I seriously don’t want to remember what a mess it was for Jessica to get everyone into the auditorium before 4.30. There were people at the bowling alley, at the videogame room, inside the music rooms and many were outside playing in the snow. I mean, were teenagers supposed to be so hyperactive? Well, considering how most of the musicians I’ve met so far are actually like that I simply decided to isolate myself.

So when Zoë got here I was the only one, and Jessica, who wasn’t at the stage already on my seat. I simply got up and walked down the steps with Jessica coming out from a side room at the same time.

“Sorry I was late.” Zoë said to them from the bottom of the stage, “Needed to do something REALLY important.”

To my surprise, no one seemed to object her… They just shuffled in their seats with their instruments in hand.

Man, isn’t this surprising? If I was in their position, and I didn’t know Zoë that much, I would’ve just left earlier.  

I glanced at the flute line where Heather was sitting. She was looking down at her as she was in the front door and seemed to be quite concentrated in listening to what she was going to say. Although, judging on her posture – relaxed on her chair – she didn’t seem to expect much. It didn’t seem like she was mocking Zoë, more like she knew what was going to happen…

Other than that, she was looking as striking as ever. At school it was incredibly hard to not unconsciously search for her in the crowds, and also tear my attention from Zoë  to her… Sigh….

“Okay…Do me a favor. Take all the music stands and put them on the other side of the stage. Then form a circle with your chairs.” Zoë said huffing out air as she jumped up to the stage, “Don’t worry if it’s too tight. That’s the point.”

My vision got torn to her as she said that. I raised an eyebrow in profound surprise. What was all that about? No doubt that this was some strange way of hers to do this orchestra thing. Judging on how she said they had to form a circle then it meant that we were going to ‘get to know each other’. Don’t get me wrong. I know I’m supposed to know these people but by doing this wasn’t I exposing myself straight away?

I went to the side of the stage and climb the stairs up when I felt a hand wrap my wrist. I turned back and saw how it had been Jessica pulling herself up. When she was right next to me she smiled with the cheeky grin she always does and winked.