Finding Claire

Chapter 30

As soon as I stepped back into Ms. Hoffs class, the first person I saw was Xander. My mouth dropped open in shock and I froze for a second before I shook my head and went to my seat, blocking the chair next to me with my bag.

What had happened to him? He was sporting a black eye, a busted lip and a broken nose. Did he get into a fight with a bull or what? He caught me staring at him and sent me a death glare before he raised his hand and showed me a specific finger. I looked away, focusing my gaze on my hands and bit my lip. Who had done that to him?

I heard someone sigh loudly and I looked up to see Nathan look away and sit down two seats away from me. I sighed in relief and rubbed my temples, actually thanking him for listening and getting the clue. Hopefully he will leave me alone for the rest of the day -and year- and we will both move on. Well at least I will.

As Ms. Hoff started her lesson, I focused for the first time in forever and actually understood what she was talking about. I laughed silently to myself and pulled out the sheets she had given me, answering some questions she had just revealed the answers to. It kept on going like that, until all I had left were the two essays and three minutes left of class. I quickly stuffed everything into my bag and stood up with everyone, ignoring a pair of eyes that followed as I left. I went straight to Mr. Lopez and groaned when he asked the same questions as everyone else.

"Nothing that is important now," I told him. "What can I do to make up last week?" He gave me more papers and I inwardly groaned as I saw him give me double the work. Oh how I loved him at that moment...... Not.

Again, I blocked the extra chair and started on the sheets before stopping to look up and focus on the lesson he was doing. It did help a little, but I was momentarily confused until he just told me to focus on my sheets and I spent the rest of the class, doing them.

Lunch went by slow and lonely and when I went to Mr. Zee, he just told me to sit back and do whatever work I had to do for my other classes. So I sat in my corner and managed to finish off his work, half of Mr. Lopez work and one essay before both of the classes ended and I got to go home.

"How was school?" my mom asked me as soon as I stepped in.

"The same... I guess. He tried to talk to me." She stopped her knitting -yes, she was knitting- and looked up at me. "I threatened him with a restraining order. He left."

She nodded and rolled her eyes. "Your father already told him that. So at least he knows it's true now. Did he try anything else?"

"Nope. I'm going to be in my room. I have a bunch of stuff to do to catch up." She nodded and I left. By the time dinner came, I was caught up with everything, but with a headache and aching eyes.

*

*

The next day was nothing different. I turned in all the papers and essays and then drove to Starbucks, ordering myself a caramel frappe. By the time I got back, third period was about to start and I was almost late.

Math and lunch went by the same as yesterday, but as soon as I stepped into piano, everything changed.

"I know what you can do for the final!" was the first thing he said. His eyes were twinkling and he was smiling so big, he looked like the joker. I took two steps back and blinked rapidly.

"Ummm... what can I do?"

"Ok. So I changed the recital a bit. Now, instead of you playing a piece of your choice, you are going to be playing a piece chosen by someone else."

"Huh?"

"I am combining both my choral and piano classes. Each girl in my choir class is going to sing a solo, but each student from all of my piano classes will play for them. There are enough students on both classes to fill my choir girls so that's what going to happen. And lucky for you, someone picked the piece you were playing so you don't have to learn anything new. You just have to practice it with her and make sure both of you are comfortable doing it together in harmony."

"Really? Are you serious?" I gasped and he nodded. "What if I can't play?"

"I'll play for you. You can do something else but for right now, that's what's going on. Have you tried playing?" I shook my head and he nodded. "Do you want to try and play?"

Not really. I was probably going to sound like a two year old banging on the keys, but I might as well try. I didn't know if I could play, so I might as well figure it out now.

"Sure... I guess...."

I went to my keyboard as he told the rest of the class the news and I tried playing a scale. My left hand flew with ease, but my right hand stumbled with the brace. It hurt to move my fingers that fast and I knew I wasn't going to be able to play soon. I looked up and saw him looking at me. I shook my head and he nodded before focusing on a student who was holding music to him.

'Ask dad when I can get the brace off' I told myself as I played with my left hand. My right one felt lonely and I smiled, laughing quietly at my stupidity. I spent the rest of the period messing around with my left hand and then sixth helping students out. I was surprised when a girl came up to me, asking me a question but when I helped her out, she smiled at me and thanked me before leaving. After that, another two came up and I couldn't help but to smile as Mr. Zee beamed at everyone getting along.

I guess the rest of the year wasn't going to be that bad.