The Duet

Chapter 12: The Overture

Winter break had ended, and school had once again resumed. The first day back, the band had a rehearsal for the performance. That night Chase, Ethan, Lukas, and Alicia found themselves walking towards the large gym where their concert was held. Lukas sat in the rhythm section with the drummer and pianist. Chase and Ethan took their well-earned first and second chair positions of the saxophone section, while Alicia unexpectedly also sat in the second chair of the flute section. The concert went fantastically, and the audience of family and friends gave the band a standing ovation. On the way out to meet his parents, Chase ran into Alicia.

"Good job today." remarked Chase.

"You probably couldn't hear me..." joked Alicia.

"Nah, you have a certain tone to your flute that is very recognizable." Chase interjected.

Alicia nodded, faking her understanding, as they headed out together. They were stopped by a boy holding flyers.

"You two did great out there! You guys should participate in the tri-school talent show that is coming up!" The boy said. "If you are interested, go to Mr. Cassius."

Both Chase and Alicia took a flyer. The flyer stated that the talent show is in two weeks.

"I want to do it, but I don't want to play the flute. That's kind of weird." Alicia said.

"Me too, but I don't want to do the sax. I think I'll do the ukulele." Chase replied.

"Dude, you can't go up there and strum a song, that boring. You have a better chance at winning with a singer."

Chase grinned with a look of mischief. "How's your voice?"

"NO! NO, NO, NO!" Alicia eventually calmed down. "Why don't you ask Ren? She can sing."

"But what about your voice?" Chase pushed on.

"No comment on that." Alicia ignored him as she stomped off.

Chase grabbed Alicia's arm and twirled her around.

"My house, after dinner tomorrow, I want to see how well you can sing." said Chase with all seriousness.

Alicia nodded involuntarily, caught off guard by Chase's sudden actions.

Chase walked off gleefully, as he met his parents who congratulated him on his performance. He explained what had happened with him and Alicia, and his parents exchanged smiles and approved of Alicia coming over. Chase then grabbed a sign-up sheet from Mr. Cassius' room.

The next day at school, Chase sat down with his friends for lunch.

"Hey guys!" he began, "Did you hear about the talent show?"

"Yup." Ethan replied, "I am planning to play saxophone."

"I was planning to sing for it, or comedy." Ren answered.

"You can sing!" shouted Eliana and Reina simultaneously.

"Yah." Ren replied, "I told you guys a while ago. Remember?"

"I was going to sing as well." Michael started.

"Oh, shut it." Lukas interrupted, "You are just saying that so-"

Lukas never go to finish as Michael clamped his hands over his mouth.

"What about you, Alicia?" asked Reina.

Chase looked at her with eyebrows raised.

"I might do something... but we'll see." she flung back.

Chase looked with a hint of disappointment.

"At least, she didn't shoot down the idea completely." he mourned silently.