Love Of My Life

The Show Must Go On- Sept. 8, 2015

Recommended song - The Show Must Go On by Queen. A/N There is a version with Elton John you should check out.

September 8, 2015

Benjamin's POV

The hallways of Point Grey Secondary School were crowded and noisy with students greeting each other excitedly, finding their lockers, and the general noise level of teenagers which is always loud. After the long summer vacation which he had spent the better part of it alone and miserable, he welcomed the energetic atmosphere.

"Benjamin!", Mr. Reid greeted him. "I got your email last night about starting a guitar club. That's a fantastic idea. Let me know what days work for you for club meeting days and times and we will put it in the club handout. Let me know by tomorrow though, Bethany is typing them out."

"Thanks Tony. Will do". He smiled and headed to his classroom to get organized for the day. It was a spontaneous decision but he felt keeping busy would be a positive thing for him, plus he loved playing and teaching the guitar so it was win-win. He was trying to get his life back to normal, although he felt it would never be so again. Maybe this will be my new normal, Benjamin tried to think positively. He smiled and welcomed the students filing into the classroom. The show must go on, Benjamin thought.

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September 8, 2015

Tyler's POV

If ever there was a day that he could call the most best day ever, this would be the day. He found his locker right away, and it was by the front doors and the lock opened on the first try. Sweet! He thought. Next he couldn't believe how many familiar faces he had seen. He had known a lot of the kids from the previous years of soccer and baseball teams, swimming lessons and parks and rec programs. He was met with more "Hey Tyler!" than all of the previous three years at the other school. Waving to everyone that greeted him, smiling warmly and talking to more people than he thought possible, it was amazing to have this new found confidence.

The cafeteria was impressive and he quickly found something to eat and finding a table proved to be nothing to worry about. "Tyler, over here" he saw Ethan Bassett, his former soccer team mate for two years, wave him over. He was introduced to his friends, Cassandra, Dean, Liam and Becka. They were friendly and funny and he felt at ease, like he belonged there. He had several classes with them, mostly with Cassandra and she seemed like she would be a great study partner.

Actually they all looked like they took their studies fairly seriously. He looked at them and smiled. He had never experienced this, the ease of conversation and none of it was making fun of others or belittling each other.

It was encouraging hearing about their summer. Becka and her family traveled to Nepal and rebuilt homes after their devastating earthquake. Dean spent the summer in Newfoundland with his grandparents, Liam and Becka had summer jobs and Ethan spent the summer in soccer camp. He told them about his summer and what he and his foster family did for fun  and they were just as interested in him as he was in them. His fear of being judged was quickly wiped away. They weren't critical that he lived with a foster family and didn't ask any intrusive questions about why he loved with them. He told them about his four foster brothers and the girls especially loved hearing about them. Becka was an only child and was envious about belonging to a big family. It was the first time in his life that he felt accepted by his peers.

"What clubs are you thinking of joining Tyler?" Becka asked.

"I don't know what there is yet. But something to do with music would really be cool."

"I think someone will be starting a guitar club, plus there's band, choir and drama. There should be something" Becka said cheerily.

"Guitar club would be my top pick. I'm
not good but I would sure like to learn it."

Liam grabbed Tyler's schedule, "We have history together next. We will walk together so we can get the good seats. Good seats are at the back beside the window". Tyler just laughed and grabbed his backpack following him.

Liam opened the door just as the bell rang and he grinned at Tyler knowing that they got the best seats. They made their way to the back and watched the other kids filter in. He watched the teacher writing his name on the chalkboard, his back to the class. When he turned around he suddenly paled.

My teacher is the man from the lake. The man I hugged at the hospital. Tyler was embarrassed for all of two seconds. Nope, I will not be embarrassed for hugging the man. He needed it. If he recognizes me then so what?!

Tyler loved this change in him. A year ago he would have probably changed classes due to awkwardness. Not now. Life is too short to be anxious, awkward and embarrassed about everything. With determination he looked straight at the teacher, not looking down, no blush on his face, no awkward finger tapping. If he wanted people to have confidence in him then he had to have confidence in himself.

"Good afternoon. My name is Mr. Myles. I hope you all had a great summer and ready to learn some fun stuff about history." There was a groan from the classroom. "It will be really fun. I promise that you will learn some pretty cool stuff about our province and our country." He smiled good naturedly at the glass.

He scanned the classroom and Tyler took a deep breath of air. His eyes settled on him but just for a second and there was no recognition in his eyes.

"Before I get started, if anyone is interested in joining the Guitar Club, just come see me after class. Kinda want to get a feel to what day would work best." Liam nudged him. Tyler nodded back. It would be nice to have Liam in the club with him he thought.

"Can you play?" Liam whispered.

"Na, not really. You?"

"Yeah my brother Brian taught me, he is in a little indie band "The Lions Gate". They play all over the place in Vancouver. They're really good". Liam said proudly.

"That's really cool". Tyler said looking around the class. This is going to be the best school year. Grade ten was his new start, he thought.

He deserved a new beginning. His smile and easy going nature masked how much pain he really was in and how it was getting more difficult to keep it bottled up. He knew he was on the right path to getting better, to healing. He refused to let the past set him back anymore, after all the show must go on.