TJ+MH

First touch

The cold wind whipped through the door as Marley shouldered through it. She braced herself for the crowd and lifted her head to see- an empty hallway.

That's funny, shouldn't this place be packed by now?

Curious but awkward with the feeling of misplacement, Marley trundled up and down the halls of Thadwick, the private school where her orchestra rehearsed. Weighed down by her heavy cello with its even heavier case, as well as her own thick winter clothing, she eventually broke a sweat. At the end, she saw cushioned chairs that people often lounged on during their break, brightly patterned almost to the point of garish. Leaned back in one of the pair was a boy, quiet allure unbecoming of his loud chair.

The boy had light brown hair in a neutral style; fairly neat, but with the right amount of messy. It was partially covered by the light blue hood he had up, its silver zipper opened enough for his white shirt to peek through. One of his gray jean clad legs propped up the other. The picture of ease, his Conversed foot tapped a silent rhythm while he bobbed his head to the music playing in his head. Suddenly he glanced up, his surprised hazel orbs taking in Marley and her instrument through the impeccable lenses of his black framed glasses. He seemed to absorb her pink flushed cheeks for only a moment before jumping up to help with surprising willingness and agility. Whether her face was embarrassingly red from the cold, the slight panic from being lost, or just being in the presence of this person, she didn't know. She didn't care.

Damn, he was hot.

"Can I help you? What are you looking for?" His voice was surprisingly down to earth, deep, but with a certain composure, as if he were trying his hardest not to have his voice crack.

Marley hesitated, before she realized he was actually speaking to her, that the hazel eyes requested an answer. "Uh... orchestra rehearsal?"

Damn, you couldn't think of anything smarter to say? More engaging? Great going Marley!

"Hmmm, why don't we check the band room? This way," The mystery boy swept in front of Marley and took off. She had to huff to keep up with his long strides.

As they approached a curtain, the boy held it open for her, pausing only to see that she had fallen behind. Without a sign of impatience, he simply waited until Marley caught up.

"Sorry I left you behind there,  didn't realize..." he trailed off as he caught sight of a girl at the other end of the hallway. She had eyeliner ringed thick around her bright blue eyes and a stud through her nose. She was dressed in the clothes that Marley saw on all the rich and "popular" girls at school. But there was something redeeming in her face.

"Tucker James! Why aren't you in Drama right now? Why, Ms. Albinson would be furious if she found you out here!" She shared a good natured cackle with Tucker. They high fived as she passed, not even glancing in Marley's direction.

"Well let's keep going shall we?" He picked up his speed after scooting around Marley and her bulky instrument.

When they finally reached the band room, Tucker stuck his head into the room and looked around, even though it was obvious from the outside that it was dark. Just then, Marley's phone buzzed with a text from a friend.

Dude, ru coming today or whut... u know the location was changed right? It's at the other school today.

Cursing silently, Marley looked up in time to see those hazel eyes filled with worry as Tucker's head swung up out of the doorway.

"I don't know why they're not here, there's no other place for an orchestra to meet..."

"Oh no it's alright, I probably missed an announcement or something, I'm so sorry to waste your time..."

An awkward pause overcame them.

"Well, I better go to the actual rehearsal. Thank you for helping though," Marley turned to leave.

Tucker hung back where she left him until she turned her head back to look at him one more time.  They both flashed grins at the same time. Somewhere deep inside, she knew that they would do so again.