The Life of Nathaniel

Chapter 25

We enter the class room. Aubry goes to get her instrument ready while Mackenzie takes me to go talk to Mr. Phil.

"Ah, Nathaniel, you've come back," Mr. Phil says.

"Yeah." I awkwardly say.

"Actually, can he use the Tenor Saxophone again today?" MacKenzie asks.

"Totally. No one else uses, so go ahead," he says.

"Thank you." I say. We walk back to the kennels. We walk into the kennel and see Aubry messing with her Alto Saxophone. I grab the Tenor case and set it down beside her. MacKenzie grabs her case and walks out, leaving Aubry and me in the kennel alone.

I glance over at her while I was putting the instrument together. I reach over and grab her mouth piece. She blushes as she reaches for it. I let her grab it, but I then grab one of her reeds for her instrument.

She lets her arms drop to her sides. I place the reed in between us. She glances at it and her hands twitch.

I slid the reed over to her. She grabs it and finishes putting her instrument together. I put the Tenor together and follow her out to our seats as the rest of the students start to show up.

We take our seats and pull out the music, or in my case, get the music from Mr. Paul.

J return to my seat as the 5 minute bell rings. As the other kids find their seats, I hear whispers, many included the phrase, "Why is she here?" And "who is he?"

I shake my head to discharge the many negative thoughts crowding my mind. J glance over at Aubry who was focused in a book. I slowly reach over and touch the cover, she slaps my hand.

I pull my hand back. I reach back and grab the book, closing it as I pull it away.

"Hey!" Aubry says, reaching for the book, "Give it back."

"But I wanna read it." I flip open to the last page, and quickly read the page.

"Dont you dare ruin the book to me."

I open my mouth to speak but the bell rings. I hand the book back to a blushing Aubry. I turn my attention to the front of the class. I lean over and whisper, "He dies."

Aubry gasps and hits my arm. I smile as Mr. Phil starts to talk.

I feel a poke on my side. I look over at Aubry. She was looking forwards, but she was smiling. I reach over and poke her side. Thus ensued another poke war, pausing only to play when we had to.

With five minutes left in the class, Mr. Phil releases us to put away instruments. I put away the Tenor and return the music to Mr. Phil. On my way up to the door, I feel a nudge on my side. I look and see that it was Mackenzie who was nudging me. I step aside and she passes. I get to the door and see Aubry waiting by it. I walk up to her and she blushes when she sees me.

The bell rings, signaling the end of the class, as Mackenzie walks up to us. "Now off to math!" She says. The three of us walk away from the band room together.