The Brightest Stars

Skyler

I never thought high school would be this wild.

Sure. I watched enough movies to understand the reality of high school and I mentally trained myself for this new step in my life, but this is worse than I thought.

People keep pushing and shoving you around, and I don't know what it is with the staring. Back at the academy, everyone minded their own business.

Not here. Everyone is in everybody's business.

At least I found peace in my first class so far and as I walk to Orchestra, I just hope that class can become the oasis I'm desperately looking for right now.

Anabelle has left with Kristen and I'm left searching for the Performing Arts section of this huge building. I make sure to look down most of the time. Boys at this school scare me a little with their burning stares.

As I walk down the stairs, I feel someone push me hard. I lose my balance due to the cello on my back. Luckily, I feel a strong hand hold my waist and keep me from falling down the stairs. As I catch my breath at what would have been my body in pain down the stairs, I look back to see Ty holding on tight to me. His small smile sends chills down my spine.

"Hey. Are you okay?" His deep and soothing voice is almost like a whisper.

"Uh yeah. Thank you." I give him a smile; hoping that my blush isn't very noticeable.

His quiet chuckle makes his beautiful blue eyes shine. "C'mon. Let me walk you to your next class. What do you have right now?"

"Orchestra. What about you?" I try hard to keep my voice level. "You're not gonna be late, are you? Or are you like Kristen?"

His laugh sends shivers through my body. "No. Right now I have to get to the nearby university. I'm taking a few Airline classes."

My eyes go wide in surprise. "Wait. Airline? You never told me you wanted to be a pilot!"

It's a rare sight to see Ty so happy instead of his quiet personality. "Well, yes. Imagine." This time he raises his hand up and looks up at the ceiling. "Being up there in that beautiful color of blue for the rest of your life. It's truly... inspiring." He looks back at me. "It's a little like when you play this."

I hadn't noticed that he was holding my cello for me. He lifts it up a little and my heart skips a beat when I see the same hope I have whenever I touch the cello. I understand him. I can feel what he feels.

"I'm happy for you, Ty. I bet your parents are so proud of you."

After I say this, I regret it immediately. His eyes grow dark again and his grin disappears; going back to his usual seriousness. "Something like that."

Why are you so stupid Skyler?!

We walk the remainder of the hallway in silence and we stop in front of the large doors to enter the orchestra room. I can already see kids in there and they are nothing like those in the academy. They play around with their bows and toss paper balls around to each other. Only a few are quietly reading their music sheets.

"I guess we're here," I say with a sigh.

That awkward silence is still in between us. But Ty seems to ignore it and nods. "Very well then. I'll see you later." He hands me the cello and I give him a thankful smile. And without another word, he leaves with his hands shoved in the pockets of his jeans.

I sigh as I watch him disappear in between the crowd. I can't believe it. Why me? It's either ending our interaction with an awkward silence or me doing something stupid.

Nerves suddenly start in my stomach as I enter the orchestra room. People don't notice as I step in. They are all entertained in their hooligans. The professor is nowhere to be seen and I stand in the far corner of the room, looking for a seat.