Andante

CXVI

They sat next to each other on the back seat, watching the dark streets of Brisbane roll past the window, and Eddy wanted to hold the time, he willed the lights red and the traffic slow as he felt the minute touch of Brett's hand against his, even more subtle now that his mother's eagle eyes were in the same space. Meanwhile he chattered to his mum, talking about everything that had happened this week, the concerts, the successes. 
Well. Almost everything that had happened this week, obviously. 
Brett's street came into view way sooner than either of them would have liked, he was sure. But he manned up, opened the door and got out of the car to help Brett with his bags and say hello to his parents, who were already in the open door to wait for their son. 
He took Brett's bag and walked him to the door, where he gave him a quick hug, remembering to make it a real bro hug, clapping his back extra hard as if he hadn't touched him so tenderly there just this morning. 
"See you tomorrow?" Brett asked, his voice conspicuously soft.
Eddy just nodded, not trusting his own voice to stay stable. 
"Yeah." he managed as he turned around and got back into the car, in the front this time. He breathed deeply as he sat down, closed the door and put his seatbelt on. 
"Are you okay, Eddy?" his mum asked, with this new perceptiveness that was a little scary. 
"Yeah." he smiled manfully. "Just... just sad that this week is over, mum." 
She nodded and started the car, and he looked out of the window at the fading shape of his love, stood with his parents, giving him a little wave. 

The house felt big, it felt empty, way too empty without Brett in it. But it was still good to see it again, to see his room, to put his stuff down and go have a shower in his own house. 
Then he sat down to a very late dinner, his mum on the other side of the table asking him questions every once in a while. And he was okay. He was okay, because everything was okay between him and Brett, and he would see him again just tomorrow. 
He was alright, he promised himself. 
He wolfed down the hotpot that he suspected his mum had made to celebrate his homecoming, although of course she'd never admit to such a thing, and he caught himself smiling at her. 
"I'm going to start getting up early every day, mum, so I can get some violin practice in before school." he said after he had been eating in silence for a bit, his voice nice and neutral. 
He didn't miss her slightly raised eyebrows at his words, though. 
"Okay. Good. I'm glad you're taking practice seriously." she said then.
He nodded. "I am, mum."
He looked at the clock: it was ten already. If he wanted to be up at six thirty tomorrow morning he'd better turn in. 
"Okay, so I'll be going to bed then, mum." he said, and she smiled at him briefly. 
"Good night, Eddy."

He walked up the stairs slowly, his feet dragging over the landing as he reached the top, as he turned into his room, as he turned on the overhead light. He sighed deeply as he saw his suitcase lying there still. He really should unpack it, but instead he sat on his bed for just a moment and picked up his phone to type a message to Brett quickly.

      'Hey man, how are you?' 

But Brett wasn't online. Eddy guessed he was still downstairs, his parents were probably still grilling him about the week, so he got up with one more sigh and quickly unpacked his suitcase and put on some bed clothes. 
Then he slid under the covers, set his alarm for the ungodly early hour, and waited for Brett to come online.