The Melody of a Protagonist

Chapter 6- Thirty-Two Cupcakes

                                                       Chapter 6.

Hanna was deeply engrossed in conversation with her new friends when the obnoxiously loud ringing of the school bell suddenly interrupted them. Miki and Hanna exchanged a quick hug goodbye and Darren a some-what unusual and awkward wave/head pat farewell as the group dispersed at the conclusion of the lesson.

Hanna pulled the now slightly crumpled map out of her bag and followed the hand-written notations to where it had been previously arranged for her to meet her cousin and aunt after school.  In all honesty, Hanna wasn’t really sure what to look for as she glanced around for her cousin. The last time she could remember seeing Michael was at her aunt’s 32nd Birthday party, many years ago. Back then he was a shy, chubby kid. She had memories of him hiding under the table and eating almost all of the banana-chocolate cupcakes. Hanna could distinctly recall her aunt Lulu shrieking and Michael getting into a lot trouble for wiping sticky icing all over Grandma Magritte’s vintage tablecloth.

She smiled, thoughtfully. A boy with dyed black hair was reclining against the fence next to the busy car park. Hanna recognized him instantly.

“Michael!” she called. He turned to the direction of her voice, pulling out an earphone. “Hey!” She called, running over to him.

He looked at her face, then down at her chest; frowning, displeased. Hanna crossed her arms uncomfortably. A yellow Ford pulled up alongside them.

“Hey Guys!” It was Monica, Hanna’s aunt.

“Hello” replied Hanna as she climbed into the car; eyeing Michael, apprehensively. He ignored her, climbing in on the opposite side, not saying a word.

“This is Jolene, we’re just giving her a lift home” called Monica gaily from the driver’s seat.

“Hello Hanna!” called Jolene, keenly.

“Hi” replied Hanna with a forced smile. Jolene and Monica chatted zealously about their work at the local hospital whilst Hanna’s gaze drifted out the window.

Hanna’s eyed widened a little as she recognized the boy she’d met earlier that day in the library. He was standing with a small group of students who were conversing outside the front of the school. Hanna took particular notice of the two girls with him; one had wavy dark red hair and orange paint on her dress, she seemed to stand out the most. The girl was laughing merrily, her arm wrapped heartily around the other girl’s shoulder. Hanna studied her, inquisitively. Monica and Jolene’s conversation grew louder and livelier; Michael cranked up the volume of his iPod in aggravation. Loud, screamo music flooded through the car.

♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫

“So, I’ll see you tomorrow around 7am then?” Lily assured, poking Jemma in the ribs.

“I STILL don’t know why it has to be so early?” Jemma questioned, rolling her eyes.

“Because I have a French tutorial in the morning so it has to be before then!”

“You speak perfect French!” pestered Jemma, picking at a paint stain on her dress.

“Ladies! Ladies” interrupted Jake humorously, wrapping an arm around each of their shoulders.

“...Make sexy lesbian love, not war” he persisted.

“You’re disgusting.” exclaimed Lily, pushing his arm off her.

“Just sayin’” shrugged Jake. “If the whole music thing doesn’t work out, you guys could always have a back-up career in lesbian porn together!”

Lily attempted to kick her brother in the shins as he darted around her teasingly.

Jemma turned to Charlie. “You’re quiet today, everything alright?” she asked softly, in an unusually concerned voice.

“Y..Yeah” he responded in surprise, taken a little aback.

“Mmm.” replied Jemma, staring off into the car park thoughtfully. Charlie watched her, trying to decipher what she was thinking about. “Archer’s here” she mused, serenely.

“Break it up you too!” called Jemma, snapping out for her trance.

Lily pushed Jake out of her way. “Shotgun!” she called, running over to the car.

Jemma laughed; Lily was always the mature, responsible one. It was incredibly amusing to watch her act so juvenilely. Jake tried to grab Lily’s arm and hold her back but she flitted out of his grasp, hurriedly getting into the front passenger seat. Lily stuck her tongue out at Jake, very satisfied with her victory. Jake, Jemma and Charlie climbed into the back seats, trying to find room for their bags in the crowded car.

“What’s all this stuff?” Charlie questioned, motioning toward the packed boxes.

“Moving some stuff around in the shop.” replied Archer, adjusting his mirrors.

“Miss Mathews; are you coming back to our place, or am I dropping you off home on the way?” Queried Archer, making eye contact with Jemma via the rear vision mirror.

“Home please” responded Jemma, putting on her seatbelt.

“Mmm, she’s studying with Zac tonight” Lily taunted in a mischievous tone.

Jemma scoffed, blushing a little.

“Zac Addison? He wasn’t at school today...” trailed Jake, looking out the window at as they drove out of the school car park.

“Oh look, it’s Bondai!” interrupted Archer, tooting his horn.

A board-shouldered, deeply tanned, sandy-blond haired man waved at Archer. He looked to be in about his early to mid 20’s, Jemma determined. She also noticed Lily checking him out, twirling her ponytail in her fingers. Lily only ever twirled her hair when she was in the presence of someone she really liked. Jemma smiled to herself, amused at her discovery.

“Who’s that?” whispered Jake, ogling at the girl with him.

“Bailey Turner” replied Charlie, flatly. “...She’s in my class.”

Jemma also studied the girl as they passed. She was very pretty; but she clearly knew it. Her dress was several inches shorter than many other girls would dare to wear and the look on her face as they drove passed suggested she wasn’t unfamiliar with the concept of attracting a lot of attention... ...for more than one reason.