troubled waters (FierroChase AU)

seven

Magnus had not heard anything at all from Mrs. Blaxton about the person who had become his neighbour overnight. It was actually a rather surprising series of events. He thought back to a few hours ago, when he was just coming home from his café trip. He smiled silently. As he was coming home that afternoon, having finished the book he started to read in the café, having eaten the fresh caprese bagel he had ordered afterwards, he silently hummed some classical piece that had been playing back in the café. He knew it from somewhere, and he was just thinking about who could have written it, walking in the shadows of the young birch trees. Mrs. Blaxton had told him, that the community had had them planted just some years ago, all across the district, next to the streets.

The piece was probably something by Beethoven, some symphony maybe, or even part of a sonata. His mother had really been into Beethoven, though she had preferred his early works, before he had turned to be dramatic and sombre and just overwhelming in the way he orchestrated all the melodies, creating harmonies no one had heard before, as he was slowly but certainly losing his hearing. Some Sundays, when it was dark and cold outside, she would put a cd of sonatas on, and sit on the couch, Magnus on her lap, just listening, eyes-closed, to the wonderful voices of the piano, sometimes a violin accompanying it. She had always wanted Magnus to learn an instrument, but it had been too expensive to hire a private teacher, and as Magnus was old enough to do it at school, well, she had died leaving him all alone...

Magnus shook his head, continuing to walk down the street, continuing to hum as well. It calmed him, it brought memories back that he needed sometimes, but always encouraging the risk of a memory that went too deep, that got too far, tearing old wounds open. Sometimes it was just the sound of music, the rain pouring down on a tent, sunshine illuminating the almost transparent leaves of a basswood... Magnus was losing himself in that stream of memories, walking and walking on.

Then, at once, he stopped, looking at the person who was standing in the dooryard in front of his door. Pink leggings, green top, pink suitcase; he had seen them before, he thought, then remembering the person who walked by the café. He was wondering, what they could be doing there. It was true, that the apartment above had not been taken since he was there, but as he had not been staying there for a long time, he did not know what to think of it. Then he noticed Mrs. Blaxton walking in his direction. As it dawned on him, that he must have looked strange, standing on the sidewalk and staring towards the house, he quickly continued his way, just to be stopped by Mrs. Blaxton some steps further.

"Hi Magnus! How great that you are just coming home! You've got a new neighbour, right over there, you know, his name's Alexander, but he likes being called Alex. And between us, though he did not tell me anything, I think he is not always a boy... but surely he'll explain it to you later. You two should definitely meet each other today, I mean, you'll probably be neighbours for most of your college time, at least I hope so. Oh, and I almost forgot, he also goes to Boston College, he's doing Art and French, I am convinced you two are going to have amazing conversations together; seemed to be a really nice person, though a little reserved to me, but I am sure you'll stick together. How exciting...!"

Magnus was just standing there, his mouth opened a little, processing what he heard, while listening to his landlady's ever-recurring exclamations and hopes. Mrs. Blaxton must have noticed his expression, for she froze for a second, saying:

"Oh my, I am talking too much again, aren't I, Magnus? You look so overwhelmed, like you are going to explode in a minute. You don't need to be nervous, Magnus, Alex really seems to be nice, don't worry. Actually, he acted a little similar to you. But anyways, I'm sure you two will just be fine, won't you"

"Yeah, Mrs. Blaxton, I hope so. I mean, if Alex..."

Magnus stopped talking for a second, just like taking a little break to breathe before continuing. The voice of that name coming out of his mouth had a strange taste. Obviously, he had known guys named Alex before, but it was somewhat different this time, he could not explain it to himself.

"...must really be a great person, judging from your enthusiasm. And if you like her, I'm sure we'll get along splendidly."

Magnus did not know why he had said her instead of him. Mrs. Blaxton had been referring to Alex as he, but somehow, 'she' felt better right now. Magnus was confused and excited even further. His landlady smiled again at his expression, blinked, and spoke in a strange voice:

"Bye Magnus! Have a nice evening."

Magnus answered a bit too late to avert any suspicions:

"Bye, Mrs. Blaxton! You too."

He continued to walk to his door. Now, Alex had to be somewhere in the apartment upstairs, unpacking. Why did this thought make him nervous, although he had never even talked to that boy or girl now living in the same house?