Senior Year

6

Chloe and Zac were sitting in the library studying for their History test. Zac couldn't quite pay attention to his books because he kept stealing glances at Chloe.

"Are you gonna pay attention or are you gonna keep looking at me the whole time?"

"Sorry." Zac apologized before going back to his books. Chloe smiled and continued her studying.

As time went on Zac started taking glances at the girl again. This time he found Chloe looking at him.

"You keep looking at me." Chloe smirked.

"Sorry, it's just that you're really pretty and I have like a crush on you and.... Oh My Gosh I can't believe I said that. That's weird, I'm weird...... I should stop talking." Zac rambled on and Chloe smiled.

"You're rambling." Chloe pointed out.

"Sorry."

"No, don't apologize. I think it's cute."

"Oh... Thanks." Zac said nervously scratching the back of his head.

Chloe smiled fondly at him before they heard the bell ring. They got their things packed and stood up.

"We're having a party Friday night. You should come through. You can invite your friends too."

"Yeah, I think we'll make it. Thanks for the invite."

"You're welcome." Chloe smiled tapping his chest and kissing his cheek.

Zac just stood there blushing and holding his left cheek where Chloe kissed him. As soon as he remembered how to breathe he jumped in the air and did a little fist pump.

After classes he went over to the music room where Mr Hartford was sitting with Naomi.

"Glad you could finally join us!" Mr Hartford yelled. He was wearing white sneakers that had emojis all over. He had green cargo shorts and a white tank top with cotton candy on it.

"Yeah, sorry I'm late. Class went on longer than expected." Zac said not taking his eyes off the man's attire.

"Well it's good you're here because we're going on a little field trip."

"Are you even allowed to do that? Our parents didn't even sign permission slips." Naomi pointed out.

"We're not going that far away. Don't worry." Mr Hartford said standing up and walking out the room. The two teens looked at each other for a few seconds before following their music teacher out the room.

He walked out the school building to the woods near the school. He led them down a small hill and stopped.

"Did you come here to kill us?" Zac asked.

"No, I came here for a lesson. I want to teach you guys how to let go."

"Let go?" Naomi raised an eyebrow.

"Yes, letting go of pain and sorrow or confusion can help you with your music."

"How is that even possible?" Naomi raised a brow once again.

"In your case, letting go can make you smile more when you play. It can make you confidant and also it can make you stop holding back when you play."

Naomi looked at him thoughtfully before nodding. "Okay. How do we let go?"

"Simple, yell. Yell at tree, throw a rock at a tree, hit a tree with a branch or tell a tree your frustrations."

"Won't that make us look crazy?" Zac raised a brow.

"That's why we're far from the school."

"How are we even supposed to do this?" Naomi sighed.

Mr Hartford smiled and turned towards one of the trees. He then took a deep breath.

"Seriously?! I just had to forget my glasses at home! Damn it!"

"That was weird."

"I know it was but I feel way better now. I now know I'm mad at myself for forgetting my glasses."

"I don't get it." Naomi admitted.

"Anger expressed is often anger let go." Mr Hartford told the two teens.

"Okay so you want us to yell at trees so we can let go of our anger?" Zac asked.

"Pretty much." Mr Hartford shrugged. "Noami, you go first. I don't think Zac knows he's confused yet."

"What?" Zac looked at the man who just shrugged.

"I'm not angry." Naomi shrugged.

"Then why do you snap so easily at people?"

"That doesn't mean I'm angry."

"You hate people, you prefer being alone, you're grumpy, you're moody and you shut people out! Why is that?! Answer me Naomi!" Mr Hartford yelled.

"I'm scared! I'm scared that the second I let people in I'll get hurt! If my parents could do it, what's stopping the rest of the world?!" Noami said throwing a rock at one of the trees.

"Throw another one." Mr Hartford instructed and she picked up a bunch of rocks and threw them at the trees.

After a while she calmed down and wiped away the tears that were on her face. She sat down on a huge rock and put her face in her hands.

Mr Hartford kneeled down next to her and gave her a hug. She immediately returned it.

"I know it feels like it's just hurting you but it helps to talk about it. Even if it's just a tree." Mr Hartford whispered to her and she smiled at him.

"You're seriously one weird teacher." Naomi chuckled before looking at Zac. "If you tell anyone what you heard or saw today it will take me an hour to hide your body."

"Okay." Zac frantically nodded his head.

"Okay I think that's enough for one day. We should get back to your guitar lessons Zac. As for you Naomi, stop letting your past hold you back." Mr Hartford stood up and went up the small hill towards the school building.

"That man is seriously weird." Naomi said before following him along with Zac.

When they got back Mr Hartford taught Zac how to play his guitar and Naomi played on her own in the corner. It was a tune Zac had never heard but then again he didn't know much about music other than how to listen to it.

Once class was over Zac grabbed his things and was about to walk out when Mr Hartford called out his name.

"Hey Zac. I have a question for you. What's your dream? Like what do you wanna be when you graduate college?"

"Easy, I wanna be like my dad. He owns a business that he'll be passing over to me."

"Okay." Mr Hartford nodded and Zac left the room. Naomi who was still sitting in the corner looked at her teacher quizzically.

"Aren't you going home?"

"I will in a moment. Don't worry." Naomi answered.

"Okay." Mr Hartford smiled to himself before going to the vending machine for a snack.