Canon

Chapter Two

Okay, like I said, it was the guy I just bumped into earlier that day.

But I didn't care. I just wanted to hear the music.

I opened my windows so I can hear better and I closed my eyes to savor the wonderful music. The notes were in perfect timing and it was beautifully played.

Then, all of a sudden it stopped. I opened my eyes to find him looking at me, mouth open.

"Hey," I greeted, "Nice playing,"

"Thanks," he closed the piano and came over to the window. Our houses were about a block away so I can hear his voice perfectly in the quiet night.

"Are you new here?" I asked.

"Yeah," he answered, "My family just moved in,"

I nodded and smiled. 

"So..." I heard him say, "What's your name?"

"Jazz," I told him.

"Jazz as in... dancing?" A smile played at his lips.

"No, silly," I laughed, "Jazz as in Chassie Roberts. How about you?"

"I'm Adrian Mason," he extended his hand as if to shake mine, "Oops, too far away,"

I laughed. I waved at him and disappeared back into my room after seeing him wave back.

The next day, I got ready for school. It was the first day and Chelsea and I made plans for our Junior life already, like what we would be wearing for Prom (I know!), what clubs we would be joining and the guys Chelsea would be crushing on (I don't believe in love, remember?).

I grabbed my violin and headed for the door, but I stopped midway.

Instead, I went to my window to see if Adrian was up. The curtains were still closed.

I shrugged and proceeded to go downstairs.

"Hey, dad," I kissed him on the cheeks and set my bag and violin case down on the floor.

"Hey, hun," My dad was in his late thirties and right now, he was reading a newspaper, "Good luck on your first day,"

I sipped some hot chocolate and said, "Thanks, it might be just what I need,"

After eating my breakfast, I grabbed my stuff, kissed my dad goodbye and went outside. Chelsea and I made plans to go to school together today and that we'd meet outside my house.

"Hi, Jazz," a voice said.

I spun around to see who it was. "Oh, hey Adrian," I said.

"You're not going to take the bus?" he asked.

"No, I'm going with a friend," I replied. I noticed him eyeing my violin case.

"So, you play the violin? What are you currently practicing?" 

"Canon. I'd been practicing for three months, but I still couldn't quite get it right," I explained.

"Oh, I could help you with that," he offered.

"Thanks," I smiled, "Judging from the way you played last night, I'm sure you could really help,"

He smiled back.

Chelsea then arrived in her brand new car. I got in and waved Adrian goodbye, just like last night. He waved back and went to the bus stop.

"So, who was that cutie?" Chelsea asked over Taylor Swift's "Mine" playing on the radio, "Never seen him before,"

"Oh, he's Adrian," I told her, "He just moved in with his family,"

"I wonder if he's enrolled at our school," she wondered out loud, "Because he's totally number one on my list right now,"

And just like that, she likes him already.

As we pulled into the school parking lot, the lyrics of Tay's song said, "He made a rebel of a careless man's careful daughter/ He is the best thing that's ever been mine," I can't help but think of my messed-up family and Adrian.

And just when I think about him, he steps down from the school bus that's just arrived and my heart does a backflip without my permission.

But why would we even bother with love, if it never lasts?

 "Hey Jazz," Adrian greeted me, then turned to Chelsea, "Hey, what's your name? I'm Adrian Mason,"

"I know, Jazz was just telling me about you," Chelsea gushed, and I wished she'd just shut up, "I'm Chelsea, I'm her best friend, and we hang out together at Kaffe Alde,"

"Great," Adrian smiled at her, and I could practically hear her mind-squeal. "See you two around,"

The moment Adrian was out of hearing range, Chelsea jumped up and down and squealed like a tortured pig. I swear I don't know this girl.

"Chels," I hiss quietly, but I was an inch away from laughing, "Keep it down. There's a mental institution in this little town, remember?"

"Oh, whatever Jazz," she linked her arms through mine and we proceeded inside our school, "He's just sooooo cute,"

"You barely talked to him," I pointed out.

"STILL," Chelsea said as we arrived at our lockers. Then she stopped, stared at me and raised her eyebrows, "You're neighbors, right?"

NO, WE AREN'T. WE JUST MET EACH OTHER ON THE STREET. I WILL NOT SEND HIM LOVE NOTES FOR YOU BECAUSE THAT IS JUST PLAIN EMBARRASSING. I WILL NOT TELL HIM TO FALL IN LOVE WITH YOU BECAUSE . . . BECAUSE . . .

"Yes, we're neighbors," I say at last, making Chelsea smile in such a devilish way it makes me wonder how she does that yet still act so innocent.

"Do you mind if..." she got out her notebook, wrote something on it, tore the page out, folded it and handed it to me.

I stared at the paper in my hand. "Seriously, Chels?" I ask, laughing.

"Yes, I'm serious!" Chelsea pouted and did her puppy eyes which always seems to work. "Can you please please please please please give that to the hotter-than-hell hottie named Adrian Mason for me?"

"Fine, but on one condition," I say sternly.

"ANYTHING," Chelsea wailed.

"Kaffe Alde's on you today," I grinned and laughed when I saw the look on Chelsea's face.

"Fine," Chelsea pouted one more time and got out her textbook. "But you better give that letter to Adrian, okay Jazz?"

She flipped her hair, gave me a peck on the cheek and ran for her Chemistry class. I was left alone holding Chelsea's love note with Taylor Swift singing in my head.

Why do we bother with love if it never lasts?

To Be Continued.