Dark Beauty

chapter 11

The next weeks were quite normal. My mom seemed less concerned about me. Jake noticed that something had happened, but I wouldn’t tell him my mother wasn’t a big fan of him. He already knew so many people who didn’t even know him and didn’t like him, he didn’t need to know that my mom had been added to the list. 
Peter had missed the last two days but Jessica said that he’s okay and that we didn’t need to worry.
‘It’s finally Friday.’ I said as I walked up to Jake.
‘Yeah, so what are you doing after class today?’ Jake asked.
‘Hum… nothing.’ I said ‘Why?’
‘Mr. Rodriguez said that I should practice more on the piano, so he said I could practice every Friday afternoon too.’ He explained. Mr. Rodriguez was the music teacher.  ‘But he won’t be there and I was thinking if you would like to keep me company, so I can practice playing for someone rather than the teacher and you could also give me your opinion.’ 
‘Sure, I don’t have anything better to do.’ I shrugged. I was trying to act normal but inside I was so happy. I really liked the way Jake played.
‘Friday is the best day because no one stays at school after 4 o’clock.’ Jake said as we went to lunch.
‘It’s a pity people here don’t appreciate music as much as they appreciate sports, especially the football team.’ I said. 
‘Yeah, but I don’t really care. It’s not like it would change the way some people treat me here.’ Jake shrugged.
‘Doesn’t it bother you, the way they are with you?’ I asked. 
‘It used to, but it’s not like they lock me in the lockers or beat me up every week. Most of them just don’t talk to me.’ He explained. ‘I’m fine the way I’m am. They used to pick on me a lot and stuff, but now it’s much less.  It’s more like I don’t exist, and that’s better than before.’
I thought about what he said and he was right. I realized the only ones who picked on him were some boys of the football team.  I think Rebecca and her friends taunted me more than the boys did with Jake. 
‘I like having just a few friends.’ Jake continued. ‘I was always kind of a loner.’ 
‘I understand.’ I looked at him. ‘So, I’m one of the lucky ones who made it through the cut to become your friend’ I joked.
‘Yes, it was a very thorough selection, but fortunately you passed.’ 
 ‘So, did you finish the English essay?’ I asked changing the subject. 
‘I finished it yesterday. What about you?’ He asked.
‘I also finished it.’ I answered. ‘Do you think Peter is doing all the homework?’
‘I don’t know, but I have a feeling he isn’t.’ Jake said.
‘Second month of school and we already have so many things to do.’ I sighed.
‘Yeah, life is tough in school.’ Jake said. ‘We have to put up with angry teachers and stupid students who think they’re the best and then go home and do a bunch of homework.’ Jake said numbering all the things on his fingers.
‘And they say our life is easy.’ I laughed.
‘Yeah and we have our own problems, like dealing with ghosts.’ Jake said, this time he lowered his voice a little.
‘Well, I need to say I had luck with Jessica, I really like her.’ I said.
‘Yeah, I need to agree with you.’ Jake smiled. ‘So, I never stopped to ask you, are you liking it here?’ Jake asked looking right in my eyes. Maybe by looking straight into my eyes he would have a hint if I were telling the truth. Jake didn’t talk about it, but I could feel he was worried people would start bothering me like some did with him because we were friends. 
‘Yeah, I like it.’ I said and I didn’t lie. I just didn’t like Rebecca and the other girls making fun of me in class, but that Jake doesn’t need to know. Everything I say they laugh or make a nasty comment.  Normally they did very stupid things like, today in geography class, when I was about to sit, they pulled the chair and I fell and everyone laughed. 
They really annoyed me, but I was controlling myself.
On the Brightside, Lucas was talking more often with me. Now not only did he talk to me in class, but also in the corridors. I know it’s not much, but it’s progress.
‘Hey, are you listening to me?’ Jake interrupted my thoughts.
‘What?’ I asked confused. 
‘It was nothing important. Sometimes it seems like you’re in another world but you left your body here.’ Jake said.
‘Sorry, I was just thinking about some things.’
‘It’s okay, I don’t get mad when you do that. I was only pointing it out.’ Jake said.
‘You’re not the first to say this.’ I said.

After school we started doing our homework in the library until most of the students left school and only then did we go to the music room. Jake really wanted to keep this a secret. Was he embarrassed or something? He shouldn’t be, but I’ve been long enough in this school to see that they wouldn’t accept it. 
‘If you get bored feel free to leave. I won’t get mad.’ Jake said as he opened the door. 
‘Thanks, but I don’t think I’ll get bored.’ I said. Jake just looked at me and smiled. Then he quickly turned his face and started preparing himself to play.
‘This is one of my favorites. I think it’s because I play this one very well.’ Jake said. ‘I hope you like it.’ He started playing. I never heard it before, but I still liked it. The way he played was so beautiful. I could see he really loved playing, why couldn’t his dad accept it? Did he ever listen to him play? I didn’t know much about his relationship with his father, but with the little information Jake had told, it didn’t seem very good.  
I focused on Jakes hand. They moved gracefully through the keys and then my eyes just focused on his eyes, and I was totally hypnotized. I tried to focus on his hands again, but I just couldn’t take my eyes from his. Thankfully, he didn’t notice. I could see he was focused on his music. 
When he finished playing I couldn’t stop smiling, he looked at me and also smiled.
‘So, did you like it?’ 
‘Yeah, I loved it, you play very well.’ I answered still smiling.
‘Well, now I need to practice some music parts that I’m not so good at. Okay?’
‘Yeah, it’s fine.’ I said.
He kept practicing for about one hour. While I listened to him, I also finished my homework. It was a very good feeling, starting your weekend with nothing to do but enjoy it.  I always tried to have a free weekend by doing everything on Friday. Maybe I should stay here every Friday and only leave after I finished everything. I will think about this plan later.  
‘Well, I think it’s enough for today.’ Jake said as he gently closed the piano. ‘I’m kind of tired. I didn’t sleep much yesterday.’ 
‘Well, I just finished my homework.’ I said closing my books and stuffing them in my backpack.
‘Thank you for staying here with me. I’m going to buy you an ice cream.’ he smiled. ‘How about it?’
‘Well, I do love ice cream.’ I said smiling. ‘But I stayed here because I wanted to, not because I was being polite or something.’ 
‘So ice cream it is.’ Jake said, ignoring what I said and grabbing his bag. ‘Let’s go.’

‘So, which one do you want?’ Jake asked as I was thinking which flavor to get.
‘Hum, I think I will get this one.’ I said pointing to one that was chocolate with marshmallow.
‘Good choice.’  Jake said getting his own ice cream.
‘Hey, you are not going to pay. This one is on me. A thank you for you staying with me while I practiced.’ Jake said getting the five dollars I had on my hand and stuffing it back in my pocket.
‘Okay then, next time I’ll pay, but like I said before it’ not like I did a favor for you, I like hearing you play.’ I said.
‘Oh really? That’s a very good thing to hear.’ Jake said. ‘You know; I normally just play for Mr. Rodriguez.’
‘Really, well you can add me to the list then.’ I smiled.
‘It’s good to have a friend like you.’ He smiled.

‘Hum… Jake what time is it?’ I asked, after we had finished. ‘I think I need to go.’
‘It’s six o’clock.’ Jake said looking at his watch.
‘So I really need to go.’ I said getting up and picking up my things.

We walked until we got to the place where I turned one way and Jake the opposite.
‘Well, thank you for the ice cream.’ I said smiling.
‘Well, thank you for listening me play.’ Jake said.
We parted ways.

I’ve known Jake for only a few months, but since the first week, it felt like I knew him for years. I hope we would stay friends, because I never thought I would find someone like him and I just don’t want to lose him.