Love Unnoticed

Meet and Greet

The day finally came for the first meeting as new members of the Braeton University Chorale.  Excitement was an understatement to describe what I was feeling.  No doubt, Anita was feeling the same.  We were told that the first project would have been a concert that we would put on, for the first year students.  I just wanted to grace the stage and get lost in performing once again.  I won't lie and say that I didn't put extra care in my appearance for the first meeting.  My outfit was all I had on my mind between lectures all week.  It would be skinny black jeans, grey turtleneck, with a black cardigan, to be paired with ankle-high boots.  High ponytail it would be, with very light makeup.  Eyeliner and lip-gloss would have to do.  Don't get me wrong, I was still intending to keep my no-emotional-attachment promise to self, but that didn't mean I was gonna turn up looking all drab before Mr. Perfect, did it?

I turned up ten minutes early, to Anita's room.  I knocked, and she let me in.  She was already dressed in a mid-thigh jeans blue skirt and red tank top, under a jeans jacket, topped off with knee-high strapped sandals.  She had straightened her hair and had it bouncing on her shoulders. 

"Wow!" I exclaimed.  Somebody's going in for the kill!

"Well, well.  Aren't you guys a curvy pair? came the sound of Anita's roommate's voice.  Susan was from another Caribbean island, and just as excited as Anita to have a roommate. Unlike me, who preferred a single room to my thoughts and personal space.

"Hi Susan.  How are classes?"

"Forget classes!  I had no idea you were so pretty!  You clean up well!"

"Uhm, I don't know whether I'm being complimented or dissed."  I replied.

"No. Really.  I always thought you were beautiful, in an exotic kind of way.  What are races are you made up of?  Great combination!" 

"Like all Caribbeans, a little of this, a little of that.  Thanks anyway." 

"Yeah, Anita chimed in.  What's different about you today, Elora?"  She squinted her eyes, examining my face.

"Uhm, eyeliner?"

"Yes, that's it!  And about time."  Hmmm. Interesting.  Who could it be?"  Now it was my turn to punch her in the side.

"Ouch!  Okay let's go.  I don't wanna be late.  Susan, don't wait up!  With that she grabbed her bag, and me by the elbow, and pushed us all through the door.

The rehearsal room was abuzz with excited new members, as well as seemingly seasoned friends/singers/musicians.  I could not contain myself.  I looked all around the room.  I recognized some faces from the auditions - some were friendly some weren't.  Quite a mixture of males and females.  A few guys were strumming guitars in a corner.  Some girls were giggling excitedly and pointing at some of the guys.  Someone say 'desperate!'.  No one seemed to notice myself and Anita. 

"Let's find a seat at the front!"  She grabbed my hand pulling me towards the front row.

"Hell, no!" I yanked back.  "Not happening"

"Elora, will you take a chill pi.."

"Hello ladies and gentlemen - newbies and oldies!"  came a voice from the front of the room.  We turned to see a middle-aged gentleman gesturing for us to sit and get settled.  He had laugh lines by his eyes, but you could see that he was not just about joking.  His muscles stood pronounced from a black muscle shirt, tucked in to a pair of khakis and black shoes.  He was well-groomed and breathed an air of confidence. He definitely commanded all our attention.

"My name is Mike Gordon and I will be your director for the next two years.  It is really great to have some first-timers in ou midst, and we hope that this experience will be memorable for you.  I believe you were all informed of a freshmen concert that we will be hosting in just under two months, and hope you are prepared to put in all the necessary, hard, really hard work for it to be a success.  Notwhthstanding, we will not be working today.  Today is what I call, a meet-and-greet.  We will do it in this way - all new members will sit in the front rows, and the old members will stand at the front with me.  Each old member will approach a new member and spend some time getting to know the individual.  At the end of this exercise, I will call on just about anybody, and the person will have to tell me about the person with whom they had shared.  Now, let's get started."

We shuffled to take our places.  I noticed Anita excitedly rubbing her hands together, big smile on face.  She was just born to socialize.  On the other hand, it took me a bit longer to feel comfortable in the presence of strangers.  I took my place, as did the others and waited on someone to approach me.  The girl beside me rose quickly to greet an oldie who had come to speak with her, and inadvertently and unknowingly bounced my phone from my hand to the floor.  I bent to hastily pick it up, when my fingers almost came into contact with a hand.  I looked beside the phone to find a pair of blue and green Adidas sneakers.  My eyes slowly traveled the length of the feet to whom the sneakers belonged - a perfect arch met my very satisfied eyes, and why was I allowing my eyes to slowly roam the length of this ... whoever this is?  I came up - waist in tact - shirt tucked neatly into a pair of faded blue jeans.  Shoulders were broad, torso defined.  Lips, formed into a smile - or was that a smirk?  Cute nose. Eyes!  Eyes! Well, they seemed light gray, with a dark ring around them, framed by thick, long lashes and a thick eyebrows on a squared tanned face.  he was just .... glorious! 

"Hi.  I'm Troy.  Do you have a name?" 

Eight words.  Husky voice.  Masculine scent.  Dimpled cheekbones.  Wasn't I supposed to respond? Or move, even? Why the hell am I frozen? How on earth am I gonna get out of this?  I don't let guys know that they get to me.  That would just give them too much power.  Too much control.  I'm the one always in control.  So, say something, Elora ...anything...??!

"E - Elora.  The name is Elora." I breathed out.

We straightened.  We shook hands.  I noticed the questioning look on his face.  "Sorry." I found nmy confidence. "Just that I thought you looked so familiar." I lied.  "I must have seen you before."

"Think auditions - judge?"

"Ah, yes.  I knew I wasn't having a senior moment."

"Welcome to the Chorale.  I hope you'll enjoy your time here.  I know you have much to offer.  Your audition was amazing!"

"Well, thank you,  Troy.  That really means a lot coming from a judge."

"Well, technically, not a judge, just a member.  I was filling in for Mr. Gordon that day, totally against my will." (So that explains the grumpy look he had!)  So, what's the one thing I should know about you?

"That would have to be the fact that I consider being accepted here an early birthday present."

"Oh?  When will that be?"

"Friday.  This Friday."

"Cool.  Any plans yet?"

"I think I may be having a date with my journals, in my room, alone.  Yah, that's pretty much it."

Troy laughed loudly.  "In that case, sorry to break the news to you.  Your first rehearsal will be on Friday, and it promises to be a lot of work.  But we'll try to make it special just for you."

"Looking forward."

A whistle was blown and getting to know each other time was up.  "See you around, Ellie."

And so ended my first conversation with the hottest guy I've ever seen, and the beginning of my new nickname - Ellie.  I glanced over to see Anita was having the time of her life with a group of the seniors.

We got back together to discuss our conversations, but all I heard nothing.  I could only think about what I would be wearing on Friday, when I'd definitely be seeing Troy again.    I happened to look over at him at that thought, and sure enough he was looking at me with the widest grin.  Yup, looking forward!