A/N: yay next chapter!
When we walk into the room we usually practice in we're greeted by the sight of Scott, Mitch and Kirstie chatting and laughing. 'See look how well she fits. She's just what we need.' I wish he wasn't right. 'Ok so we've decided on ET then?' 'Yep. It sounds so much better with Kirstie in it.' 'I can't wait to hear it then.' Just like normal I hold my phone out and start recording so that we can listen to it later. Unlike normally though, I can feel her arm pressed against mine as we huddle around it. '1 2 3 4.' Scott's right. It does sound better. It's amazing how much difference one voice can make. I know we're only a small group but I thought we were fine without her. Which I suppose we were but now it's obvious that we just didn't realise how good we could be. It's pretty hard to wish she wasn't here when she's somehow taken us from good to amazing.
The next couple of weeks are the same. We practice a lot and as much as I want to resent her for invading our group or for not being Ella, it's hard. She's talented and hardworking and not only takes any suggestions well but also comes up with her own ideas. Scott and Mitch love her and the three of them become inseparable. She's smart and well read so Kevin likes her too. She knows that I didn't want her in the group and finds subtle ways to show it, dropping hints and refusing to be bothered when I'm more critical of her than the others. We spend so much time practicing that even Kevin, who doesn't usually stop working, knows we need a break. 'How about we go and grab some food after we're done?' 'I'm up for it if everyone's free.' Kirstie and Mitch agree enthusiastically and then they're all waiting on my opinion. 'Sure.'
Kirstie and I both need the bathroom so the others go on ahead, promising to meet us there. When I leave the bathroom, I walk to wait outside for her and see someone I wasn't expecting. 'Ella?' 'Avi. Hi. How're things going with the new addition?' I have a feeling that being honest with her wouldn't make her particularly happy but I'm unwilling to lie. She takes my silence as a confirmation of her own opinion. 'Hmm I thought as much. I mean it would have been better to choose someone with more experience.' 'That's what I thought.' It's true. I thought that. Whether I still do is another matter. 'And it would have been a good way for us to get closer.' She steps towards me and then leans in slightly, obviously encouraging.
'Avi, are you ready to go?' There's an unexpected confidence in Kirstie's voice. After the last couple of weeks she's been less shy around us but Scott's told me that she still struggles with other people. Ella steps away from me and looks at Kirstie curiously. 'Where are you two going?' 'To get some food.' Kirstie's tone is casual as though this is an everyday occurrence and the assumption that Ella makes isn't unreasonable. The way Kirstie's smirking makes me wonder if that assumption is something that she's encouraging. 'You two? Well there's something to be said about standards.' Kirstie frowns and the drain of the confidence from her face is almost visible. I want to explain but Ella's already turning away. 'Well you two have fun. See you around Avi.'
'Why did you do that?' Kirstie's still frowning as we walk to meet the others although now that frown is directed at me. 'What? She makes that comment about standards and somehow I'm in the wrong?' 'You made her think it was a date. I was doing really well and then you messed up my chances.' She snorts. 'Well I am sorry. She seems like such a great person.' 'She's a whole lot less difficult than you are.' 'Oh right. So that's why you want her in the group instead of me. Because she's easy.' The double meaning is obvious and I'm annoyed that I'm allowing her to get to me. 'No I wanted her in the group because she's a good singer who doesn't make me want to tear my hair out.'
We don't speak for the rest of the walk and when we get there we sit as far away from each other as possible and avoid eye contact. I'm honestly surprised by what happened. I know she's started to feel comfortable around us but I still didn't expect that. She was sharp and quick and nothing like the sweet shy girl who could barely speak in front of us. I don't know how I feel about it. I do know that I'm annoyed that I have no chance with Ella. One of the hottest girls in USC actually showed some interest in me and this is what happens. Thankfully the others manage to keep up the conversation pretty well and I watch as she falls into a discussion with Scott.
'Kirstie are you ok?' I look up and see Scott's concerned face looking back at me. 'Yeah. Avi and I just argued a little that's all.' 'What happened?' I tell him all about it, thankful that Mitch and Kevin are talking to Avi so that we have some privacy. 'Did you mean for her to think it was a date?' 'I don't know, maybe.' I don't want Scott to think less of me for deliberately making his friend mad. 'Maybe?' 'Avi told her he thought that she'd have been better in the group than me. I already knew but it just got to me.' He nods and smiles sympathetically. 'That's understandable. If it helps though he doesn't think that anymore.' 'What do you mean?' 'Well he said that he thought it not that he still thinks it.'
I raise one eyebrow at him. It's a long shot and he knows it. 'I can be ok with him not wanting me in the group. It's fine.' It isn't really and we both know it. Maybe if we were like another acappella group and there were 20 other people it wouldn't matter if one of them didn't like me. When there are only five of you though it's incredibly obvious. As we continue with the meal things get less awkward. I don't speak directly to Avi but if anyone notices that something's wrong then they don't comment. The food is good and half the time we're too focused on eating to even think about anything else. Once we've finished eating I feel a lot better. Food tends to do that for me. Once we've paid we go outside and start to go our separate ways.
'Hey Kirstie. I'm heading your way, I'll walk you home.' Scott's statement is met by confusion from everyone. He lives with Mitch so why is he going out of his way. 'It's fine Scott.' 'No really, I said I'd go and see my friend Alex so it's cool.' 'Ok then, bye everyone.' We start walking in the opposite direction to the other three. 'Who's Alex?' 'Oh he's just some guy I met at this party over the summer who happens to be studying here. He's majoring in journalism.' 'Oh right. Cool.' It seems kind of strange for Scott to be making this much effort to go and see someone at this time of night when we have classes tomorrow but I brush it off. I swear he looks nervous though and I can't really see any reason why he would. Unless.
The Alex thing could be an excuse? Scott's been really sweet to me for the last two weeks, especially tonight. He goes out of his way to make sure that I'm ok more than Mitch or Kevin do. What if he likes me? I feel myself starting to panic. It's not that there's anything wrong with Scott it's just that I definitely don't think of him that way. We're nearing my dorm when he turns to me. 'Kirstie, are you ok?' I nod but he doesn't look convinced.'I just wanted to make sure that we were on the same page.' Oh no oh no. 'You're great, you really are but I'm really worried that I've been giving you the idea that I'm interested in you romantically and I'm just not. Sorry if it's been confusing.'
He looks almost guilty and I can't hold in my laughter. 'Thank goodness.' 'What?' 'I've been wondering how I was going to tell you the exact same thing.' He joins in the laughter and shakes his head. 'Oh dear. We have some serious communication issues.' 'At least we both know what's going on now.' 'Night Kirstie.' 'Have fun with Alex.' He smiles and I think he blushes which leaves me a little suspicious. Just some guy? Now I know it wasn't just an excuse I'm curious. Who's this Alex guy who has Scott blushing and nervous?
