Out of Tune: The Original 2015 Draft

chapter 11

If you look deep enough you will see music; the heart of nature being everywhere music

-Thomas Carlyle

"So," Spencer began. "What do you think of Miles and Taylor?"

We were walking back to my house from Quincy's. We'd spent nearly two hours in the pizza parlor, eating, fretting, laughing, and, for Miles and Taylor, flirting. They'd been sitting next to each other, each trying to play off every word they spoke to each other as if it meant nothing, but the attraction in the air was palpable.

Even Charlie noticed it, which was startling, because Charlie rarely picked up on things like that. If the piano-playing redhead knew something was up, then something was definitely up.

I smirked at Spencer. "Those two are going to be dating before the month is out."

He laughed at me. It was just a soft chuckle, but it was hearty and pure. "Without a doubt. They were practically sitting on each other's laps."

"I know!" I exclaimed. "They definitely don't know the meaning of subtlety."

"You can say that again," Spencer agreed. There was a large smile on his face. "I'm happy for them, though. Miles has had a crush on Taylor since he was eight years old."

I gaped at him. "Really?"

He nodded. "Oh, yeah. When we were kids, Miles loved to play chess. He still does, but no one is really a challenge for him anymore, so he usually just plays online, but when we were eight, Taylor challenged him to a game during free time at school. I don't know if Taylor's told you this, but she's crazy smart. She had Miles beat within a few moves. He swore he was in love and has been crushing on her ever since."

I tried to imagine a little Miles and Taylor playing chess and the image that my mind conjured up was just too adorable. I couldn't help the smile that settled onto my face as I thought about them.

"That's too cute," I said to Spencer.

He grinned and nodded. As he spoke again, he ran a hand through his short black hair. I still wasn't entirely used to this new look on Spencer, what with the short hair and the no glasses, but I was slowly acclimating into it. "You know, I think Taylor's been crushing on him too."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah. She's only ever dated one guy throughout all the time I've known her and I've seen her shooting glances at Miles in the past. I never really thought about it before, but it seems to make sense."

"Has Miles ever dated?" I asked.

Spencer shook his head. "No. He's never really seen any other girls besides Taylor. He had a brief flirty relationship with a girl from the school chess team, but other than that, no. He's never had an official girlfriend."

Curiously, I inquired, "Have you?"

"Have I what?"

"Ever had a serious girlfriend?" I didn't know what it was that propelled me to ask that question. It just slipped out. Uncontrollable. Undeniable. It was out there now, suspended in the air between us. There was something within me that just needed to know the answer to that question. I didn't know why; I just needed to know.

Spencer glanced at me and then burst out laughing. This was nothing like his little hearty chuckle, but rather a booming laugh that danced through the air around us. It moved and swayed like a bird drifting on the wind, rising higher and higher until, with a final burst, it disappeared into the clouds.

"You're kidding me, right?" Spencer asked when he'd finally settled down.

I shook my head. "Dead serious."