I have everything, except you - Thomas Brodie Sangster fic

16. Piano lesson

"Brock asked me!" Patricia squeals, and Steph and I squeal along with her. "Brock as in, Brock the jock?" I ask, feeling my heart sink slightly at the fact I was still dateless.

"Yup, and I'm sooo excited. It's in four days! Are we going to meet up at someone's house beforehand?" Steph and Pat made plans for the night of the dance, while I faked a smile and tried to sound excited.

*
After school I was still thinking about it, pretty much everyone had been asked now, so there wasn't much hope for me. That wouldn't stop me from going, though. I had to.

Feeling down, I suddenly had an idea. Thomas had told me to go round to his house any time, and I needed cheering up (and piano lessons) so I decided to go over. It was only 5, and I had noticed he was absent from the cafeteria today, so he was probably feeling a bit under the weather, too.

I realized I didn't have his number, but Dad knew where his house was, so I went into his study.

"Hey daddy," I said sweetly from the door.

"Hi hunny, what's up?" He answered, spinning in his desk chair.

"So Thomas said that his dad could help me out with piano, and to go round anytime, and I'm not busy now so could you drop me?" I asked in a rush, worried he'd say no.

"Of course! But I'm coming, I wouldn't mind catching up with Dan after your piano lesson, and I know where they live, so let's go!"

We said goodbye to mum, who was less than impressed by our sudden plans to have dinner somewhere else and leave her alone for the evening with her soap operas. In fact, she nearly made dad stay out of guilt, but I persuaded him to go and see his old friend.

When we pulled up outside of their house, I suddenly got nervous. What if Thomas hadn't told Dan about teaching me? Was it incredibly rude to just waltz in at this time?

The sound of the drivers door slamming shut shook me from my thoughts and I managed to force myself up to their front door, slightly hiding behind dad.

Dan opened the door, then beamed at us. "Phillip!" He exclaimed, embracing my dad in a hug, then shaking my hand heartily, encasing my small hand in his large ones. He was so friendly, and instantly put my worries out of the window.

"So you've come for some tips on the piano, Milly," he says, welcoming us in and gesturing for us to sit.

"Uh, yeah, if that's okay." I answer, and he nods. "Phil, are you going to stay while I give Milly some pointers? Then we can have a catch up after if you like, while the kids talk." Dad nodded and smiled, he seemed already more relaxed than at home.

Once we're both seated at the grand piano in their living room Dan turns to me. "So, Milly. Would you like to show me your piece that you need to perform? Thomas has told me you're very good,"

I blush, hiding behind my hair. "Um... it's not good really," I bring my hands up to the keys and play the intro, but then I stop, unable to open my mouth and sing.

"I'm sorry.. I.." I stutter, feeling sick. Dan places a hand on my back, gently smiling at me. "It's okay. I was the exact same when I was your age. How about I start, I'll play you a song," I nod shyly, relieved.

He plays beautifully, and his voice is great too. By the end I'm singing with him, and my dad is smiling at us, clearly proud.