The Hidden Pocket {ruel van dijk}

chapter eighteen

The days flew by quickly.

Most of them were spent entirely in a large glass building near downtown LA, recording Ruel's music and adding the final touches to his EP.

When we weren't in the studio, we were using our downtime to go to museums or lie out by the pool of the hotel.

By the end of the week, I found myself overly tanned and somewhat discontent about having to go back to Sydney. Rule and I were closer than ever before. It is surprising how much you learn about a person by reading their lyrics. I had a few chances to steal glances at Ruel's lyric book when he wasn't paying attention these past few days. Nothing too invasive; just enough to know that he isn't lying when he says I'm the only thing he writes about.

His album is wonderful. It is so unbelievably well done and sublime and my heart is full knowing that I was able to take part in it.

So sitting on the patio of a small cafe on a bustling street with him, sharing a pair of earbuds as we listen to the final product, I am almost drawn to tears. I take a moment to admire him, his soft features and dark golden hair, and wonder how I got here. Of course I knew he was talented, even from the very first moment I saw him, sitting in the back row of our music theory class with an air of confidence. Even though he didn't carry an instrument like most kids, I immediately knew he was there to pursue some sort of music. When he spoke to me for the first time, I knew he was a vocalist. Just his regular speaking voice is melodic and a paragon of artistry.

"Thank you." I murmur, unaware of how quietly I am speaking.

"For what?" He asks, removing his earbud and pausing the album.

"Bringing me here. I cannot even begin to tell you how much fun this has been. I'm glad you brought me along." I say and take his hand in mine.

All he does for a few moments is smile.

"I've said it before and I'll say it again. The only reason I was able to write my album was because of you. It'd be wrong not to have you here. Besides, you're the only person that's really here for me these days. I don't hear from my other friends as much." His head hangs low.

"I'm sorry." I whisper, suddenly feeling guilty for it. "I've been keeping you away from your friends."

His eyes widen immensely. "No! No, that's not what I was trying to say at all!" He holds our intertwined fingers against his cheek. "Look. I could not care less about everyone else. When it comes down to it, you were always the only one that had my back. From the second you came to my school I knew that everything was going to change. All of my friends were surface level and my girlfriend was with someone else. Genevieve, I cannot tell you how thankful I am to you for coming into my life. You saved me."

I can feel my chest growing heavy, my heart filling. I am not sure what to say, and I find myself giggling.

"Are you laughing at me right now?" He asks, utter confusion on his face.

"Yeah, I'm sorry. That was a little cheesy." I laugh.

He rolls his eyes. "Well you'll never catch me spilling my heart to you ever again."

"I'm sorry." I say, still laughing. "You're sweet. Just give me a second."

He pulls his hand away from mine and places it under his chin, staring at me in disbelief while I try to catch my breath. I think I'm laughing with nervousness, rather than at how cheesy he was being.

I close my eyes and inhale, holding it for five seconds before exhaling. Once I catch my breath I put my hand on his knee.

"Thank you for telling me that. These past few months have been some of the best in my entire life. I owe it all to you." I say and hold my coffee up in a celebratory manner. "Cheers to you and your album."

"Cheers." We say in unison, though our paper cups do not clink.

:

The next morning we're back on a plane, flying to Sydney.

I'm absolutely dreading going back to school. This last month is going to be hell.

Of course schoolwork itself is one thing to not look forward to, but something in the pit of my stomach tells me there is going to be more.

Before we went on break, Ruel and I weren't "together together", but now that we are there are a few people I can name that might not be too happy about it. I know I shouldn't care, because that wouldn't do anybody any good, but having an enemy is not something I would like to have. It's at the very bottom of my list.