Spring Lies (On Hold)

F o u r

The violin has been in my life for ten years.

Ever since my parents bought me my violin, I played it most of the time. I've had the same one since I was seven. I guess I'm just hanging on to something that my mother and I enjoyed.

I moved the bow, swiftly, as I moved my fingers at the strings. I hadn't realized that I closed my eyes, so I open them, and I notice the door window.

Girls were watching me. I glare at them, deeply.

I quickly place my violin back in its case then place the strap on my shoulder, and I open the door running out.

"Wait! You were good, and I need to talk to you!" One of them call out after me.

I didn't know why I ran. I didn't understand why they noticed me now, and my head was rushing with thoughts. Was I terrible and she was just saying I was good?

I turn around to face her, and she's panting. Her dark brown hair was sprawled on her back, and some in her face, and she had brown eyes. This was Tara. "Why are you panting?" I ask.

"I was running after you. I've never chased someone before." She exhales while she places her hands on her knees.

"Why'd you chase after me then?"

"Well, I needed to talk to you." Tara perks back up, and smiles.

"I'm listening."

She plays with her fingers, and averts her eyes. She hesitates, I didn't even know her well.

"Ms. Grey said that if I don't pass her class, I'll be held back or get summer school. She said I need a tutor, and she suggested you."

"You want me to tutor you, Tara?"

"Yes."

I could do it. I pass all my classes, and I'm smart. I nod. "I'll do it on one condition."

"Ok, what is it? Anything, I just want to pass." She holds her hands together.

"I don't want to be friends, this is just me tutoring you."

"Oh, uh, I guess." She stammers, and she lets go of her hands. Did she want to be my friend?

"When do you want to start, then?" I ask.

"Is after school fine? At the courtyard near the bleachers?" She looks directly at me. We're about the same height. I'm 5'4" so I'm guessing she's the same.

"So in five minutes? I'm fine with it." I say, glancing at the hallway clock.

"Yeah. I'll see you there, Blake." She smiles before she walks her way back to her friends.

I continue to walk to my locker with my violin.

I never really liked Tara. She has the same name as my mom did, and I guess I didn't want another Tara. But here I am, tutoring a Tara.

I open up my locker, and place my math textbook in its place. I grab my white and black backpack then close my locker. I take my phone out of my bag, and text my dad, telling him I'll be coming home later. He responds with an alright.

I carry my backpack, on my back of course, as my violin case is hanging on one of my shoulders. I open the door to one of the exits, and start to walk to the courtyard.

No one is there, not even Tara. I look at the time on my phone, and it's two forty six. It's still pretty early so I decide to just play my violin.

I lay down on the grass, and place my chin on the piece. I placed the bow on the strings, and start to move it slowly, same with my fingers. The slow sound turns into a fast masterpiece. I close my eyes as I play my symphony.

I hear a slight movement, and my eyes flutter open. I sit up, and I see a boy smiling at me, with his hands in his uniform pockets.

I take the violin away from under my chin, and rest it in its case with the bow. "Can I help you?"

"No, but that was, like, perfection. I'm Gabriel." He smiles, as he watches my movement.

"I know who you are, we have classes together." I look at him after packing my violin. "I'm just waiting for Tara to come."

"What for?"

"I'm tutoring her."

"I knew she'd have to end up getting tutored, that idiot. Where is she, anyway?"

"I don't know, probably with her friends or with Ms. Grey." I shrug.

He takes one hand out of his pocket, and places it on his tattooed forearm, still not taking his eyes off me. "That's a shame."

I stand up. "Why are you smiling and staring at me?"

"I think I like you already," he shrugged, his eyes still laid on me. "Are you free to talk?"

My eyes widen. "A-Aren't we already talking?" I stammer, no one's ever said that to me, and I was caught by his choice of words.

"I mean go somewhere, just the two of us. It's three seventeen, and Tara isn't here."

Has it been that long? I grab my things, and start to walk. "I should go home."

He walks by my side. "I'll walk with you."

"Ok, if you want."

We walk side by side along the sidewalk.

Why was he suddenly interested in me?