The Chairs Between Us

Two Violas in the Light

By the time I woke up Liam was already dressed for school, "Good morning sunshine!" 

He threw a bag down next to me, "I made lunch, packed your bag, and laid out an outfit for you." 

I opened my eyes only to shut them again at the sunlight, "Seems like we found the girl in this relationship."

He laughed, "No, if I was a girl you wouldn't even like me."

I rubbed my eyes and sat up, stretching my whole body out, "You are probably right but, we would be friends... I would take you shopping and paint your nails."

"Oh god, you painting nails and shopping?" 

I laughed, "I know right... I am too tired. Can we sleep all day?"

I laid back down on the floor but he wrapped his arms around me, "We are going to be late if you don't get up."

I smirked, "And that is a problem?"

He gave me a quick kiss, "Is that enough to make you get up?"

I thought for a second, "Maybe one more."

He shook his head and stood up. Then, threw a stack of clothes at me, "It's not quite the emo ripped jeans but it will work. Hurry up and get dressed. We are leaving soon."

He left the room while I threw on the clothes. It was a pair of red jeans, a white t-shirt, and a black trench coat. I laughed when I looked in the mirror but I did appreciate his effort. 

He can back in a couple minutes later, "You actually look a little less depressed than normal." 

I twirled for him, "Well you definitely tried to stick with my emo roots."

He pulled me into a hug, "Well you still look beautiful."

We got in the car and pulled out of the driveway as Lucy waved at us goodbye. 

"It's nice that Lucy cares about you."

"Yeah she's awesome, overwhelming... but awesome. It's just my dad controls her too much... I feel comfortable telling her about us but, my dad would probably find out."

I smiled, "Yeah that sucks, but who cares we have each other."

He grabbed my hand, "Yes we do but stop with the cheesy romance novel quotes."

I laughed, "Never!"

We pulled into school about ten minutes before the bell rang. 

We both walked over to theater to put our violas away together. 

Everyone in the music building was staring at us as we walked down the halls. 

Why is everyone acting so weird? It's like they can sense any form of gayness from miles away.

I left with Liam with a big hug because we don't have many classes together. 

We are both smart but he took the harder AP's.

My first class was Spanish which I looked over my music under the desk. 

I don't want to mess up because then I won't be able to play with Liam. 

After the two hours of Spanish, that I didn't listen to, I had go to orchestra. 

I began to felt nervous and my legs were shaking as I walked. Liam was sitting on the theater steps waiting for me. He seemed to notice how scared I was right away. He pulled me into a hug, "Hey, it's going to be fine... Just calm down, we have a couple minutes in the practice room before we play in front of them... Come on." 

He grabbed my hand and guided me through the lobby to a practice room. I started to freak out even more in the small space. Liam wrapped his arms around me, "We are going to do fine. Don't worry."

I shook my head, "You are used to playing in front of people. This isn't easy for me."

He held me tighter, "It was easy for you at the park and the practice sessions... Don't think about the sheet music... Think about what the music makes you feel. Think about the times you heard this piece and the memories you get from it. That is how I deal with it." 

He kissed me and released his hold, "Get your viola tuned then we will go out."

We both quickly tuned and he led the way up to the stage. 

The lights were shining bright down on us. Our music stand was ready for us and the class was sitting in the balcony. Liam looked over at me to see if I was ready.

 We both lifted our bows and place them on the string. Then we pushed down for the first note. 

I listened to both our playing but then was shocked when I heard a piano in the background. 

I saw my brother sitting at a grand piano playing with us.

The first time I heard this was with my brother. His piano shining in the moonlight. Warmth. 

Now his piano is covered in dust. Lonely. 

I hit a bad note. 

My brother stopped playing and disappeared.

Then I heard it at my brother's funeral. Sadness. 

I hit an open string and I started playing faster. Liam looked at me. Warmth and comfort in his eyes. 

The meadow. 

He played this for me. he was there when I needed him the most. Happiness. 

Then yesterday. I was sad and he held me tight. Love. 

I began to slow down, matching Liam's playing. He smiled at me and nodded. I relaxed remembering the park full of people listening to my music. 

Then the last note of the song came up. The sounds rang through the theater as we lifted our bows off the string. Everyone roared with applause. Even Mr. Bennet was clapping. Liam wrapped his arm around my shoulder, "I am so proud of you." 

Mr. Bennet silenced everyone, "Good job, Liam. You have managed to teach Dominic..." 

Liam stopped him, "Please it wasn't me it was all him... He was the one that taught himself how to play... He had that in him along, he just need someone to teach him how to draw it out." 

Mr. Bennet struggled for words, "Okay then, I can't wait to here you guys at the concert."

We bowed and ran off into the wings. I jumped into Liam's arms, "We did it! We are playing at the concert!" 

He was in shock, "I know but what the hell was that rushing in the beginning? We practiced that!" 

I laughed, "That sucks. I guess we will have to spend more time together. To work it out of course."

He burst out into laughter, " Yeah, what a shame?" 

I kissed him, "What a shame that you like me too much?"

He smiled, "Exactly... I like you too much."