Chapter Seven

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Chapter Seven

Final rehearsal of the week finishes late. There was a section we wanted to perfect but I kept getting distracted- I can’t help but look out the window all the time. It’s gradually getting darker earlier and there’s a chillier nip in the air outside. I have to start wearing a coat and even a scarf sometimes which, although it may keep my neck warm, it is from last year so I resent wearing it in public.

 “So what’s been happening with you, Jenny?” Eliot breaks me from my thoughts. “You seem very distracted today,” he adds with a smirk.

“Oh you know, the usual. Boys chasing after me and I can’t get away fast enough. Just trying to plan a safe route home.” I start to laugh but then look across at Eliot who has a bemused expression on his face.

I recover smoothly.

“What about you?”

He sighs. “Well my dad has been acting a bit strange lately. I never know what he has planned until the last minute.”  He stares at his shoes for a beat longer than he should. “I’ve just realised something.”

“What?” I say, tucking some hair behind my ear as I watch his flickering emotions.

“I hate my dad.” The atmosphere becomes sombre.

“Really?”

“Really. He’s a horrible man, a selfish man even. I hope I am never like him. Am I like him?”

“No, no, I mean I don’t think so.”

“You don’t think so?”

“Well…I don’t really know either of you well enough to judge that.”

Eliot stares thoughtfully and then shrugs. “I suppose.”

We pack away and walk out of the music block together. The air between us feels dull.

“Hey,” I think of a way to cheer him up, “one of my best friends party is this weekend, Saturday evening. Do you want to come?”

I imagine his face lighting up and nodding eagerly. His first proper party.  He’ll be thanking me forever for this favour. But instead, he glances at me sheepishly.

“Actually...I’ve already been invited to a party.”

I look away quickly. “Okay.” Of course, things never work out how you imagine them.

“Sorry. I probably wouldn’t fit in with your crowd anyway.”

“Maybe…”

“Look, you said it yourself. Well now I’ve found a date and I’m going to this party and for once, I might try and get drunk, make some new friends, and have fun instead of being this stupid nerdy cello boy!” His outburst causes us to stop walking and for a few moments we just stare at each other.

“You shouldn’t label yourself like that,” I say, eventually.

He narrows his eyes. “That’s what you all do.”

“Eliot…I…”

But he’s turning around and walking away.

“Wait!” I run after him. He spins round after hearing my voice and then suddenly, I hug him.

His body is tense at first, out of surprise, but then I feel his muscles react and his arms relax on my cello on my back.

“Have fun at this party,” I tell him quietly as I bring myself away.

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