Buffalo Sem.

Chapter 5

I showed up to class the next day with everyone asking me questions. I just told them that I was sick… unfortunately I wasn’t. I rarely get sick and when I do I’m usually in bed for weeks. I took my seat at the piano and practiced while attendance was being taken. When class actually started we were told that there was a critical test because we had a concert coming up. Piano would be up first because I had the hardest part. It’s not the hardest thing in life but people who don’t play an instrument would say so.

I was called to start the piece from the middle to end. I played and sang at the same time. When I finished he smiled at me and nodded his head. The rest of the class sang and was put in order of who sang the best arranged by alto, soprano, mezzo-soprano, tenor…etc. As soon as class was over I walked out to be met by Iris standing there.

I smiled as we walked to our next class which was gym. I hated gym; they gave us gym clothes that barely fit which meant all the girls were determining who had the best body. I wasn’t too big on letting everybody see me like that.

“How was class?” Iris asked me.

“It was alright… just had a test on one of our songs for our concert on Friday. You?”

“Well let’s see, some of the girls asked me what we did yesterday. Joni asked if you were good in bed and the girls all perked up to hear my answer. They unfortunately got a lecture from Ms. Swick about how instead of talking that they should listen so they can answer the question asked of them.”

“Well serves them right.”

We walked into the locker room and the girls huddled around us.

“So, Iris you never answered my question.” Joni said.

“That’s because nothing happened. And of course if something did happen it would be none of your business anyway.” I said.

“Right like we’re going to believe what you said.”

“Okay, ladies let’s get one thing straight nothing happened we slept the whole day.” Iris replied

“Well yawl musta been tired from the night before then.” Taye said.

“Actually yeah I woke up to miss thing over here yelling.”

“Hey, just because I had a traumatic thing happen in my life doesn’t mean I can control when my memories are going to just pop up.”

“Wait what happened?” Sage asked.

“Well my brother died and it’s my fault.” That’s when I got slapped on the back of my head. “Hey, Iris you can’t just hit me like that.”

“It not your fault I thought we discussed this Tuesday night.”

“Yeah well you said it wasn’t my fault but I still feel like it was.”

“You tried to save him as best you could if god wanted him here then he would still be alive. If you wanna blame anyone blame god, but don’t keep a grudge. You’ll wind up hurting yourself in the process.”

“Why thank you young wise one.” I said getting slapped in the back of the head again.

“Now change we’re like five minutes late.” I listened and changed quickly. I walked out of the locker room into the gym as soon as I finished. Everyone stared at me as I sat down in my row. Today we have to play volleyball. I am really good at beach volleyball; everyone learned that I was like a pro so they wanted me on their team. I bet you can already guess whose team I chose. Our team was filled up of me, Iris, Joy, Taye, Sage, and Joni.

We kicked ass, sorry for everyone who is inexperienced in the sport of volleyball. I quickly learned that many of the girls were judging me. Most of them crowed around just to get one little glimpse of me. Once we finished two games class was over.  We went and changed back into our clothes.

Lunch came around fast today. I grabbed a salad and sat down at the table. The girls were already sitting down, everyone was here except Iris.  She was arguing with the lunch lady for giving the last salad away and had the lady make her a salad. She came and sat down once she got her salad. “God she made me hella mad like how do you run out of salad.”

The girls all laughed; honestly I didn’t think it was that funny.

“Hey, Riley can you come here a sec.?” Mr. Mercer asked.

“Yeah.” I said getting up and walking over to him. I stood there waiting for him to speak.

“I was wondering if you’d like to play and sing that song of yours at the concert on Friday.”

“What…? That’s amazing, I’ll do it. Thanks Mr. Mercer.”

“No problem, now get back to lunch and have a good rest of your day.”

“Thanks again.” I said walking back to the table.

“What was all that about?” Iris asked.

“Well you know that song I played for you?”

“Yeah, the one you wrote all day?”

“Yup, well Mr. Mercer wants me play and sing it at the concert on Friday.”

“What? You can’t play it.”

“Why not?”

“Because it’s mandatory for everyone to go and it’ll be very embarrassing.”

“Iris no one knows that I wrote the song for you. This is a big opportunity for me. There’s going to be scouts at this concert and what better way to get noticed then to play my song.”

“Fine. But anyone here who says anything about the song being about me is going to be in big trouble. Get it.”

“Yeah.” All the girls said.

“Good.”

“Alright since it’s settled then I gotta go practice since it’s my free period.” I said getting up kissing Iris on the top of her head. “I’ll see you guys at dinner.” I walked off just then to go back into the choir room. I sat down a started to play.