I have everything, except you - Thomas Brodie Sangster fic

10. Hidden Talent

Whenever I closed my eyes, I saw his smirk, his smile. I saw the flicker of that cosy fire reflecting in his eyes, which were the colour of the burning wood. I saw the flick of his hair, in a slightly different place everyday, I was starting to notice, and the way his eyes crinkled when he smiled.

I didn't get to look at those eyes until second period the next day, the first music lesson of the year. As we crowded into the classroom, I noticed that there weren't that many students in our class, and no Lola, which was relieving.

There were no assigned seats. No seats at all, in fact, just a couple of raised benches to sit on. I took a seat next to Thomas, who didn't look at me, but gently knocked my knee with his. I smiled.

Our teacher burst into the room in a flurry of papers. His cheeks were flushed, sleeves rolled up and his big glasses had slid half way down his nose.

He chuckled. "Hey, guys! Sorry i'm a tad late, I stayed too long in the staff room eating cake, then the printer was jammed and.. ugh, today has just not been my day," He paused, out of breath and grinning, hands on hips, scanning our faces one by one.

It was a lot to take in. He introduced himself as Mr. Archer, and the thing that caught my eye straight away was how much he moved his hands when he talked. He was loud and exciting, unlike all of our other teachers, and he seemed quite young, I would say about 26 or something.

"I just want you guys to feel absolutely comfortable around me. I want to gain your trust, and be someone you feel like you can talk to. I wanna have a laugh with you guys and just, have fun and make music! What do you say?"

Everyone murmured in agreement, smiles creeping on to our faces. "Now, can any of you guys play any instruments?" Surprisingly, Thomas' hand went up, along with majority of the class. I put my hand up half heartedly as well, I could play a bit of piano, though not very well.

"Excellent! Excellent, that's just great. I'm going to go get the keys to the instrument cupboard, and we can set everything up and see what you all can do!" He left the room with a spring in his step, and immediately people began talking excitedly amongst themselves.

"I didn't know you played any instruments," I said to Thomas, who shrugged modestly.

"I play bass guitar, been playing for a few years now. I would never have imagined you in the music room, what do you play?"

"Oh, piano. Well, kinda. Not really actually. I can sing, I think." I blushed while he laughed, tipping my head forward so my hair covered my pink face.

"Well, I can't wait to hear you sing, I think," Now he was the one blushing, though he tried to play it off with a smirk. I was shocked, he hadn't ever seemed shy around me, or anyone, for that matter. Was I finally making some headway in my dumb little game?

"Uh my dad plays piano, quite well. I'm sure he'd help you out if you needed," he shrugs and looks at me.

He practically just asked me to come to his house.

"That'd be cool," I nodded, squealing internally.

Mr Archer came back in, wheeling a drum kit and a few amps, followed by several students lugging guitars, keyboards and microphones. There was a grand piano in one corner of the room.

Mr Archer clapped his hands together. "Right guys, I'll give you a few minutes to find an instrument and get into a bit of a rhythm, then anyone who wants to show off some skills may do so,"

Thomas walked over to a bass guitar and picked it up, fiddling with the tuning. I needed to look like I was doing something, so I walked over to the piano, trying to exude confidence. I sat down and the first song that came to mind was 'My Heart Will Go On' from Titanic. It was all I had.

I plodded along the notes, making frequent mistakes and playing with the worst posture ever. I caught my eyes wandering towards him, his slim fingers plucking the strings with ease. It seemed so natural, like he was born with the instrument in his hands. That would be uncomfortable for his mum, ouch. Wait, what was I even thinking?

I brought my mind back to my terrible piano playing, scolding myself. Before long the bell rang, and the only person who had played in front of the class was a small kid named Jensen who was an amazing drummer, we soon discovered.

After buying juice and a salad from the canteen I sat down with Patricia and someone called Blake, and Steph and Jordan. Unsurprisingly, Ryan and Evan were joking around at a different table, back to being bros. I was kind of surprised Jordan was here with us, because he probably should be showing a bit more animosity towards his best friend's ex. Instead he was sitting with my best friend, looking dreamily into her eyes as if the chaos of the cafeteria didn't exist.

I hated the lack of attention. It sounds shallow, believe me I know, but I couldn't help it. I'd lost my boyfriend, and one of the people who I would like to spend more time with (Ryan) to said ex boyfriend. My best friend now had a boyfriend, so all I had was Patricia to talk to, and even she was busy talking to Blake, her stance casual and flirty. 

"Milly are you coming after school? We're going to Starbucks then the mall, just us three," Steph asked me, motioning towards Pat. I had a better idea, but not a solid plan.

"I'll get back to you on that," I said, scooting out from the bench. 

"Where are you going?" Blake asked, drawing everyone's attention to my subtle exit. I looked over at Thomas' table, but decided to not tell the boys. "Uh, bathroom," I mumbled before grinning sheepishly. He looked slightly embarrassed and turned back to his lunch, along with the rest of the group.

I strolled as nonchalantly as possible over to where Thomas sat, and as I left I could've sworn I heard Steph saying my name, most likely covering for me, the darling. I approached the table, suddenly worried as they all looked up at me. Lola, Thomas and a few other kids I didn't recognise. The deaf girl stayed eating until she realised they were all staring at me, then she did the same. 

I smiled at them, and when I got no smiles in return, only mildly salty curiosity, I got to the point pretty quickly. 

"Hey Thomas can I talk to you?" I asked, desperately hoping I wouldn't have to leave mortified again, that he would say yes. He stepped out from his seat, and followed me into the hall out of the noise.

I went to ask him, but the question wouldn't come. I realised I had never had to do this, that it was always the other way around. The boy asking me, desperate for his plan to work out, not me. My palms got sweaty and I felt my cheeks heating up. Come on, just say it. You look like a twat, just ask him! Deep breath. Ok go. 

"So, I was wondering if you.."

"Milly I don't know if that's such a good idea," He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck.  He had a hand in his pocket, and seemed completely fine with shutting me down, much to my embarrassment. I felt on the verge of tears. He didn't get that I was so nervous, and that this didn't usually happen. I knew why he said it, though. Or, I thought I did.

"So you and Lola are a thing then?" I asked, losing seventy-five percent of my hope. He looked at me, then burst out laughing. I was slightly shocked, and frowned, unable to see the humour in the situation.

"Me.. And Lola... hahaha! No no no, uh, she uh, she's not really into guys, millie. Yeah," He trailed off, smiling at me. "She likes girls," He put his hand on the wall, waiting for my reaction.

After a fair bit of stammering from me, He put me out of my misery. "Actually, what were you wondering? Sorry for cutting you off, I uh, may have acted too quickly." He placed his hand again on the back off his neck, a habit I had picked up on. I decided to just say it, what could I lose? I couldn't think of a place, though, so I blurted the first thing that came into my mind. 

"Do you want to come ice skating with me after school? It's a Friday, so we wouldn't have to worry about being late, not that we will be, I was just.."

"Sounds cool. We have science last period anyway so i'll see you then." He turned and left, while I let out a huge breath. Now I had an actual date with him. 

I then remembered I had never skated before.