I'm Here

Chapter 16: Rehearsals and a Stroll

I found Jack waiting for me outside the music room at lunch time.

“Hey!” I cheerfully greeted.

Jack smiled. “Hi.”

We both stood there for a few silent seconds. It was starting to get awkward.

“Shouldn’t we rehearse?” I suggested.

“We can’t go inside the music room. They’re auditioning people still, so we would be disturbing them by going in.” Jack said.

“Oh.” I quietly muttered. Things got quiet again. He was usually so talkative around me. “Are you okay?” I asked.

“I’m great.” Jack grinned.

There was silence again. “What should we do to rehearse?”

“We could go to the courtyard.” Jack suggested.

“Okay.” I agreed and we both started walking there.

It was just outside the front of the school. There was no one there which was unusual, but then I realized it was very cloudy outside. Maybe people thought it was going to rain, so they stayed inside. 

We both sat down while Jack took out a notebook. He was still very quiet and seemed unhappy.

“Tell me what’s wrong.” I demanded in a sweet voice.

“Nothing’s wrong. I’m fine.” Jack faked a smile and took out a pen. He started to scribble the pen across one of the pages.

“Jack…” I trailed off.

“Fine,” He grunted. “I’m just a bit upset, but I’ll get over it.”

“Upset about what?” I asked.

“It’s just that,” Jack began, “You could’ve told me you had a boyfriend instead of leading me on as if we had something here.”

I was speechless. “Jack…”

“I really liked you. And I still do. Then as I leave school, I see you making out with some guy on a bench the same day you let me kiss you.”

I looked down to avoid eye-contact. This was my fault. “I never fucking get anything right.” I mumbled softly to myself.

“What?”

“Jack, I’m sorry I led you on. I’m sorry I kissed you back that day. I’m sorry you had to see me and my boyfriend. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you I had a boyfriend. It’s all my fault.” I rambled.

Jack was quiet. I was afraid to look up at him. Once I got the courage to look, he was staring down just as I was. Silent.

“I understand if you don’t want to be friends anymore.” I said.

Jack finally looked up. “I’m upset, but I’m not stupid.”

“What?” I asked.

“I’d rather be friends with you then have nothing with you to be honest.”

“Won’t it be weird?” I asked.

“It’s going to be really awkward, but we can get through it. Most people do.” He convinced.

“Alright then. How about we forget everything and just work on our performance?” I suggested.

“Sounds great.” Jack smiled.

The rehearsal was mainly vocal techniques and how to sing the song so we sound better together. It was quite simple and easy. We improved our skills and sounded great.