Distant Love

Sorely Missed

A couple weeks past and finals are creeping closer and closer by the minute. Everybody is in a rush to study including myself. I haven't seen Nick all too much for a few weeks and when I did, we hardly ever talked. I'm starting to feel alone. Whay's going on? Why do I feel this way?! I've been really busy since finals and the spring concert is coming by so fast. The spring concert is on June 9th and its only five days away. I've been spending all my time in the forest studing and at home, practicing my violin for the concert. The concert band and the Chamber Orchestra are playing together as a full orchestra which means Nick and I will be performing at the same time. I'm so excited but a little nervous as well. What if something happens? Today, was a dull day until orchestra rolled by.
"Okay everybody! We will be in the auditorium today and the rest of the week until the concert! I expect you guys to stay after school for these five days to practice with the band and also come here tomorrow for student choice tutorial. We really need to rehearse with the band."
I stood there shocked with my violin in hand.
"Mr. McElroy can't be serious right now...."
"Emma, is everything okay?"
My stand partner Jasmine walks up to me. I try to avoid her as much as possible because she likes to gossip and get involved in other people's business.
".... Yeeeeaaaahhh I'm okay......"
"Are you sure? You look petrified..."
"Yeah. You know what?... you know what no I'm not going to do that. Nevermind."
"No. What is it?"
"Ugu fine... But you have to cross your heart and swear to god that you won't tell ANYONE!"
"Yeah, yeah! I won't tell. So what is it?"
"There's this guy.... He's in the concert band and he..."
"Wait a moment... That guy who pinned you down and kissed you?! Are you talking about him?!?!?"
"Yeeeaaah and-"
"Don't tell me... You like him back don't you?!"
"I DON'T KNOW! Ahem.... I don't know. Listen. I don't know how I feel and I am actually kind of scared."
"Wow. Anyway... We gotta go before Mr. McElroy chews our asses out. Lets go. Do you have your music?"
"Yeah. I do. Lets go. Quickly."
We ran to the auditorium and rehearsed with the rest of the orchestra. The rest of the day went by and I had rehearsals again, but this time with the band. I'm super nervous. I hesitate to go into the band room and saw that Nick wasn't there yet. I gave a breathe of relief and headed for my locker and grabbed my instrument. I started setting up, putting my shoulder rest when Nick came up from behind and hugged me. I gave a small scream and accidentally threw my violin. I instantly panicked and dove for my violin before it hit the ground. I caught it without breaking it, but I banged my cheekbone on the concrete floor, leaving a redspot with a scrape. Nick immediately rushed to my side and helped me up.
"Oh my god Emma I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to scare you. Oh god your cheek!"
He touched my cheek and kissed it lightly.
"I'm so sorry Emma."
He hugged me. By this time, I was beet red and glued to the spot that I was standing. Jasmine was watching from the background and finally came up to us.
"Emma come on! We need to get to the theatre. You too Nick. Mr. McElroy is getting hella antsy and wants to start rehearsals ASAP."
"Right. I still have to set up my base clairinet. Umm, Emma? Are you okay???"
"Huh? Oh yeah! Hehe I'm fine. Just deep in thought."
"Okay. See you after rehearsals."
"Yeah. See you..."
Nick leaves and Jasmine and I start walking to the auditorium.
"What was that?!"
"What?"
"Don't play games with me. I saw everything. You were a nervous wreck! Seriously! You couldn't cut the nervous energy with a knife if you wanted to."
"Ugh... I know. I don't know. I just panicked."
"Uuuuh... I could see that..."
"Ugh... Lets just stop talking about this and take our seats."
"Yeah."
We sat down and Nick entered the auditorium stage. I stared at him as he sat down in his seat. My heart started beating quickly. Throughout the rehearsal, Nick and I kept looking at each other nonstop. This is the longest hour of my entire life. Finally rehearsals are over and it was time to pack up.

Nick's POV (Yes I know I said that it would only be in Emma's perspective but I really wanted to add this part in):
I couldn't get Emma out of my mind all rehearsal long. I'm so confused. Why did she act the way she did? She keeps looking back at me. That's odd. Finally Mr. McElroy releases us and Emma bolts to the door. I frown a bit and get up from my seat when her stand partner approaches me.
"Nick right?"
"Yeeaaahh... and you are..."
"Jasmine. Listen, I want to help you."
"With..."
"With Emma. I saw you two together and I thought you two were cute. I want to help you get her."
"Thanks but she doesn't like me that way."
"Are you sure about that. A little birdy told me otherwise. Besides, the way she acted when you kissed her on the cheek wasn't a normal response Nick."
"So you think she likes me back?"
"I know she likes you back. She told me how much she missed you. She's just afraid of her feelings."
"Why?"
"She never told me why, but she has trust issues and was used all the time in the seventh grade, which basically scarred her."
"I see. She didn't tell me that. So how exactly can you help me with her?"
"Just leave it to me. Just show up an hour early on the night of the concert  and I'll get her to come early."
"I don't think-"
"Oh hush up! Just trust me. She'll come. Just be outside the bandroom by five. That way you have an hour and a half alone with her. Then you can talk to her and get her to admit her feelings to you."
"Okay. Now I gotta go and pack my instrument. Thanks."
"No problem."
I quickly pack my instrument and hurry outside. I see Emma walking towards the trail. I quickly run to her.

Emma's POV:
I was approaching the trail gate, thinking about Nick when...
"Emma!"
"Nick?! What are you doing here?!"
"My grandma is picking me up at the bottom too. Do you mind if I walk with you?"
"N-no. Not at all!"
Nick smiles a warm smile at me and walks right by me. We walk down the steep slope when I accidentally slip. Nick catches me and I blush like a madman.
"Careful! I don't want to see you get hurt again. Y-yeah! Th-thank you!"
We walk and talk util we reached the end of the trail. Before I walked to my dad's car, I hugged Nick. He hugged back immediately.
"I missed you these past few weeks."
"I missed you too."
"Well... see you later."
"Yeah."
I walk to the car and hop in.