Bass Case

Chapter 22: Peparations

"Auditions, huh?" Angelica utters, folding her viola into her arms as she sways the bow around, between her fingers. The majestic piece rests upon her stand, watching the scene unfold before it as she turns to me. I nod to her in confirmation. "Even more reason for me not to mess up then. Can't have them shooing me away before I finish the piece."

I smirk at her conviction. "Helps that your piece is so long as well."

"And you didn't want me to audition." She gibes with a smirk creasing the edge of her mouth.

"I still don't."

"Well, you're not changing my mind." She chuckles, pulling her viola back to her shoulder, resting her chin upon the dark surface. I sigh, knowing well that her mind is made up, but at least she will be contributing in a safer manner than we will. The bow scrapes across the string, creating an unpleasant screech. Her face contorts into a displeased mesh. She growls, "I always mess up there."

"Loosen your grip." I inform her. "You're not relaxing enough."

"I'm relaxed."

"Not enough!" I say, walking over, adjusting her hand on the bow, holding it firm in mine and then releasing. "Relax." Her grip loosens, and she lightly bounces across the string once more. I nod in satisfaction of the improvement. Angelica turns to me with a grin, continuing onward with her piece.

After a few hours of practicing, the both of us are beat, and we fall to sleep.
***
I wake up early to see Sarah. Angelica was exhausted from all the practicing, so I let her be. I walk into the hospital, surrounded once again by the white walls encasing us like a sanctuary. I make my way to her room to find her still laying on the white bed in her blue gown. I hold a single rose in my hand as I enter the room. She loved roses, and I had planned to give her some on her birthday in the next coming month, but never would I have thought it would come to this. I place the rose at the side of her bed as though I am leaving a part of me beside her. Everyday, I will leave one rose by her bed, until the day she awakes. I sit beside her on the bed, talking to her as though she could hear me.

"Hi, honey. You're going to be okay. The doctors said you were doing well." I pause, taking in her unconscious slumber. Her dark hair rests flat behind her head, and her tan skin has traces of where the stab wounds stood, but even so, she is still as fare as ever.  "I know, you'd probably not like me doing this, but I can't stand to watch anyone else get hurt. Especially you and Angelica. I told her to go home, but she's persistent. Haha...But I promise you, I will do everything in my power to keep her safe. And to keep you safe." I place a gentle pale hand across her cheek. Wishing that she'd lean into it like she use to. "In a week we're going to find that brief case, and when we do, everything will be over. Mr. Forte will be in prison, Josh will be let out, and you and I will be able to live in peace." I then lean forward, planting a soft kiss upon her lips and grasp her hand in mine, holding it for hours, listening the the commotion within the building.

There was a man rushed to the hospital. I could hear them down the hall, trying desperately to preserve his life. He was saved. I don't know what had happened exactly, but the sound of relief in the woman's voice beside him made me almost tear up. I can't help but wonder if I will be the same when Sarah finally awakes. I check my phone to see that it is nearly ten. I should make my way to the school to prepare. I leave one last kiss upon the back of her hand, setting it back down gently beside her as though the slightest motion would break her. Then I depart.
***
I make my way to the student union. The green walls surrounding rest within diamond cut tiles, like the scales of a dragon. Brenda sits at a circular table with three extra empty chairs each represented by their own unique color. I take a seat within the blue chair across from her. "Just you?" She asks.