The Hidden Pocket {ruel van dijk}

chapter nine.

Ruel and I are sitting in the courtyard during lunch, sharing a bag of baby carrots. It's exceptionally windy today, the breeze delicately lifting the hair from in front of his face. I can feel my hair blowing in the wind, probably getting crazier and curlier than usual.

He has his phone sitting in the middle of us on the grass, playing a first draft of a mix he put together last night. Him playing his music for me has become a daily happening. Every day, he seems even more pleased with himself and his music.

We were up late again last night, sitting on the rock in the forest. We've been going up there almost every day for the past few weeks. He was showing me his new songs last night, most of them so good I almost asked for a copy of them.

I honestly have no idea how he has all this time to make so much music.

If only he weren't so protective over his music, of course he has the right to be, but the world deserves to hear them; and he deserves to be heard.

So when his Music Production teacher rushes over to us, flailing his arms in excitement, we're shocked to hear what he has to say.

"What do you mean a representative from RCA wants to speak with me?" Ruel asks in a flat voice. He should be excited, but his face says the exact opposite. I tilt my head in confusion.

"I mean that one of their reps emailed me this morning, asking if they could get in touch with you. They are very interested in your music." He says with a giant grin on his face and his hands on his hips.

"How did they even get ahold of my songs?" Ruel asks in bewilderment. He pauses his song and puts his phone in his pocket protectively.

"Did you give away his music?" I butt-in. Ruel's eyes meet mine for a split second, and I can see it in his eyes that he hopes with everything in him that it's not the case.

"Ruel, I've never had such a gifted student. You have a spectacular voice and you are extremely capable of producing your own stuff. I've been gobsmacked at every song you've shown me. Talent like yours deserved to be signed, mate."

"It's a yes then, isn't it? You gave my music to a label without my consent?" Ruel stands up, grabbing his bag from the ground and swinging it over his shoulder.

His teacher nods.

I can see Ruel instantly being filled with anger, he almost seems to inflate. Then he walks off, leaving me with Mr. Lancaster. Then he smiles awkwardly at me and walks off, following after Ruel.

I sigh to myself and take a bite of another carrot.

:

I hop into Ruel's car after school; he's been giving me rides. We've also just been driving everywhere together these days. He is already buckled, ready to leave. A stern expression on his face deflates the mood.

"Hey." I say quietly.

He responds with a short 'hello' then pulls out of the parking spot, he doesn't even take the time to put on music.

"I saw Lancaster follow you earlier. Did he talk to you?" I ask, somewhat cautiously. I hug my backpack that sits on my lap.

"Yeah. He tried to explain himself. Bastard. I mean, I get that he had good intentions. It just wasn't his to give away, you know?" He says while in exhale. I watch as his grip on the steering wheel slowly loosens.

I nod my head in agreement. "So what are you going to do about RCA?" I ask.

He doesn't respond. Instead, he smiles cheekily. It takes me a few moments to catch onto what he is thinking.

So even though he's livid he decided to go through with the interview?

"Ruel!" I shout, punching him in the shoulder. "This is so exciting, I'm so happy for you." I say sweetly. "When is the interview?"

"This Friday." He says, chuckling.

We stop at a red light.

"This Friday? What are you going to show them? What are you guys going to talk about? Are they signing you? What are you going to wear?" The questions pour out of my mouth. I couldn't be prouder of him.

"I don't know yet, I'll find out on Friday." He turns to look at me, his cheeks rosier than usual.

My heart swells for him.

He leans over to me, reaching over the center console. He brings his hands to me, placing one on my shoulder and the other on the back of my head. I freeze, not having an ounce of an idea as to what he's about to do. His face gets close to mine, so close I can feel his breath on my cheek when he says, "You're such a good friend." Then he goes in for a hug.

I hug him back. An expression of pure disappointment shows on my face while it sits on his shoulder. I see the light turn green out of the corner of my eye, I pull away from him.

"Of course." I say, "I'm so proud of you. You're going to do big things."

He settles back into his seat and clicks on the radio station.

:

I check my phone; 7:02 PM. I cross my arms and sigh. I've been waiting in line for a cappuccino for at least twenty minutes now. I tap my foot rhythmically against the tile floor.

I peak over the shoulder of the person standing in front of me and see that there is only one person working at the register. Just as I'm turning around to leave, I spot a familiar face walking into the café.

His long arms wrap loosely around the shoulder of another girl. His smile radiates in the dim lighting. His laugh echoes throughout the pungent air, filling the room. His face falls when he sees me standing across the way.

"Genevieve?" Ruel asks as I walk towards him. I smile gingerly at him and the girl leaning against him. He's wearing a black hoodie and a jean jacket; an outfit I've never seen before. This is odd seeing as he is the biggest outfit repeater I know.

"Hey. What's up?" I respond, my shoulders tensing. My face turns to stone and my cheeks get hot. My heart also drops and I can feel it drowning in the pit of my stomach.

"Erm—grabbing coffee." He says, quite matter-of-factly.

I roll my eyes at him.

"I'm Genevieve, a friend of Ruel's from school. What's your name?" I hold my hand out to the girl, waiting for her to shake it. Her dark eyes just stare at it, until she finally limply places half of her hand in mine. I shake it twice and can't help but wonder if she doesn't know how to shake a hand or if she really does not want to touch me.

"Charlotte." She says in a bored tone.

I can feel her stare burning into me so I say, "See you tomorrow." to Ruel and leave, walking briskly past them.

The warm night air frustrates me even more. I stop outside of the door, in such a daze that I forget temporarily which way to go in order it to get back home. I turn to my right and angrily pace along the sidewalk.

My anger turns to confusion, my confusion to sadness, and my sadness back to anger. The cycle of emotions spins so rapidly within me. Why hasn't he ever mentioned Charlotte? We've practically been each other's only friends for the past couple of months. I've never even heard him mention her name before.

My heart breaks halfway through my walk. I've tried so hard to be there for him. I've tried so hard to be a good friend, to support him and be there for him. Most of it came naturally; my natural inclination was to adore him.

Maybe they just met. Maybe he has a fine excuse for never mentioning her to me. Not that he needs an excuse, he is his own person. I just wish he would have said something.

Even though I so strongly despise it, I can't help but feel envy coursing through my veins.