That Melody

Chapter 15

Dark circles encompassed Shane's eyes as if to enlighten everyone who saw him that he did not sleep the night prior. It annoyed him to no end why Chloe's response, or lack thereof, bothered him so much. It bothered him so much he couldn't sleep. He kept finding himself looking over and checking his phone. All. Night. Long.

So, when the little neon pixie walked in, as unaffected as usual, he wanted to give her a piece of his mind. He stormed over to her, giving her only enough time to close the door. "If we're going to be partners we need to-" He paused, his brows furrowing and his eyes squinting as if to get a more detailed look at her. "Have you been crying?" Her eyes were slightly puffy, and her face looked slightly more strained than usual.

"Such a lady's man, Prince Charming." She dodged the question and maneuvered around him, increasing the distance between them.

Fine, if she wanted to play that way, so be it. "So, you did get my text?" He followed behind her as she sat down her bag and violin case. "Why didn't you respond then?" Shane found himself asking.

That's when she did it, the move that would take his patience to the limit. She rolled her eyes at him. "One, you didn't ask me anything. Two, what did you expect me to answer with? A 'You too!' or 'Yes Sir!'? When did you even get my phone to put your number in it, anyways?" Her tone was as cool and collected as it always was, then she sighed. "You know what, I don't want to know." She waved her hand and kneeled down to her case.

Shane leaned down beside her, resting his hand against her violin case, making it impossible to get into. Her head snapped to look at him, causing her hair to violently whip around with the sudden motion. Before she had a chance to tell him to move, or whatever was on her mind, he spoke.

"Communication. I don't know how you act with your family or friends, but I'm not them. I'm your partner. If there is any reason your music would be impaired, I need to know about it. Runny nose, bad break up, failed a test? I don't care. Whatever it is, tell me about it. Same with my texts, if I text you, I expect some sort of response. If not-" He paused as if to think of what would actually bother her. "If not, I will be forced to go to your house, or dorm, or wherever, and make sure you're not dead. Do. You. Understand?" Shane about growled through clenched teeth.

She rolled her eyes again. "Yes, your Highness." Chloe all but grumbled. She was about to tug on her case as if to remind him that he was still leaning on it but it looked like Shane wasn't done with whatever tirade he was on.

His free hand went under her chin, lifting it up so that she was forced to look up at him. They were practically nose to nose. "Stop rolling your eyes at me."

Chloe's eyes narrowed, and her lips pursed ever so slightly, and Shane felt himself swallow the hard ball in his throat. What was she suddenly looking at so intensely? Why did she make him so nervous all of a sudden? "You look like shit. Did you stay up all night?" Her brow raised at the irony of the situation of him telling her not to stay up late, yet that's the very thing he did.

"On to practice then. I comprised a list of some songs I would like us to try out and see what our strengths and weaknesses are." He changed the subject smoothly and moved away from her and her case in doing so.

"You mean, you have some songs to work out the kinks so we don't sound like a cat and dog fighting each other when we're in public." She half teased.

"If we sound like that, it's because you don't know how to keep a tempo." He retorted. Chloe didn't even acknowledge his comeback. Instead, she opted for taking the list from his hands so she could take a look.

Taking a step, then a spin to dodge his hand trying to grab for the list, she waved her finger back and forth as if guiding the notes off the paper and into her memory. "Dvorak, hmm?" She looked up at him from the paper, then lowered it. "Alright then, let's get to work." She shrugged, handing him back the list.