Chapter Four (Part One of Three)
I woke up this morning actually quite happy. Other than receiving cookies from Seymour, I also got to take my shower at night with no one around which was absolutely relaxing. It might be colder at night, but it was much more serene and you didn't have to worry about anyone watching you. There were a few girls who stumbled in every now and then to take a shower themselves, but just like me they were considerate about other people in the shower, too and didn't change outside in front of everyone like the girls did in the morning.
“You look good this morning,” Teagan said.
“Thanks!” I said looking through my closet to find something to wear.
“Are you going to Devin’s party tonight?” Teagan asked me.
“Yeah, he invited me,” I said.
“Me too,” she said. “Know what you’re going to wear?”
“No, I kind of just go with the flow. First thing I see that seems to fit the occasion is what I wear,” I explained still searching for something to wear.
“Most girls want to look good in front of Devin. You’re different. I like that,” she replied. “I think he likes that, too. Just saying. I went to that poetry place and he was talking about you. At least that’s what I think. I’m very perceptive.”
“Ah, so he likes me,” I said recalling a few of the things he said the other day finally finding a T-shirt with Mozart on it and pairing it with jeans. I went inside the closet to change, because that’s how we planned on doing it and she continued.
“Yeah, he said something like, the new girl really caught my eye, something something something, but she’s with another guy.”
“Are you serious?” I said inside the closet with the most perplexed look on my face that I almost forgot to wipe it off when I stepped outside of it.
“Yeah,” she said.
“Hmm…” I said thinking about it for a bit. “Well, I caught someone’s eye. Too bad for them that they’ll never catch mine.”
“Wow, you’re very blatant,” Teagan said laughing.
“Hey, watch where you’re going?!” the little boy said. “You don’t want to mess with Ozias Keen.”
“Keen?!” I yelled at him.
“Do you know Lysander?” I asked him.
I knew he knew him, but he didn't want to tell me or his parents apparently didn't want him to know Lysander.
“How old are you?” I asked him.
“And Lysander never met you?” I asked him. “How?”
“I told you, I don’t know Lysander,” he said.
“No, I don’t,” he said argumentatively.
“Want to meet him?” I asked.
“NO!” he said, but everything about him said yes. He wanted to meet his brother badly. Without a doubt, so I took him by the hand.
“My lady, I must take you by the hand,” he said kneeling. He took my hand and gave it a light kiss and I giggled. So it ran in the Keen family to flirt with the female gender. “Now, then, onward we shall go.”
We walked all the way to the front of the school where Lysander was waiting for me. I sat down with Lysander and Ozias somehow managed to make it a spectacle of him sitting down on the seat by spinning around before he sat and gracefully placing himself down in the seat with a light airiness to him that it was almost as if he weren't there.
“Umm, Kalliope, who the hell is this kid?” Lysander said looking at Ozias.
“Your name’s Kalliope, wow, that’s cool,” Ozias said. “I'm Ozias by the way, it’s nice to meet me isn’t it.”
“Not at all,” Lysander said but he was smirking and he took out his hand getting ready for a handshake. Ozias took out his hand as well and then they locked hands and started dancing about the table. I couldn't believe my eyes.
“Kalliope, where did you find such an amazing kid? He’s the best thing since sliced bread,” Lysander said absolutely glowing.
“Wow, you guys got along very fine now didn't you,” I said laughing.
“I’m glad you showed him to me,” Ozias said and then he whispered something to Lysander and they both turned to look at me. Then Lysander started pointing at me and I started feeling self-conscious.
“I’m totally not standing right here,” I said.
“Yes,” I said.
“Bye,” Ozias said.
“That kid was really cool,” Lysander said. “He reminds me of someone.”
I wanted to laugh, because who he thought it reminded him of was surely himself, but he didn't realize that. It probably sucks not knowing you have a brother, of course, Lysander still doesn't know. I still don’t understand how Lysander couldn't know he wasn't an only child if he obviously lived with his parents at the time the child was conceived. I didn't bother to question it though. It wasn't worth the effort.
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We reached building D and Lysander led me to our class. “This is quite easily the hardest class if you do not have a burning passion for what you are trying to convince someone to believe in. Trust me, there will be topics you will not have a strong opinion on or no opinion on at all. It’s dreadful I must warn you.”
“Thank you for giving me the heads up,” I said.
“Don’t mention it,” he said with a dazzling smile. I smiled back at him with a slight blush.
“Oh, I see color has risen upon your cheeks,” Lysander said putting his hand on my face and lightly caressing my cheek.
“You must really want me to kiss you,” I whispered smirking a bit.
“There’s no one in here,” he said getting closer to me.
“You’ll have to wait,” I said teasing him by tickling his ear with my whisper.
“Kalliope, you really shouldn't lead on a man,” he said his voice cracking a bit. I laughed and kissed his cheek, which cheered him up immediately. “Well, I guess it’s ok if you lead on a man. It’s completely fine by me!”
“Of course you think it’s fine,” I said crossing my legs. The teacher came in surprised to see us in the classroom so early, but she didn't address the matter.
I intertwined my fingers with his and put my head on his shoulder until more people started to come in. When more of the students arrived, I just continued to hold his hand.
“Kalliope, I must ask again, but you’re going to my performance, yes?” he asked.
“If I have a chance,” I said and I could feel his fingers loosen from mine. “Don’t be so hurt by what I tell you. I try to be truthful, because imagine I never came. Wouldn't it hurt more to know that I told you I’d be there than to know beforehand that I might not make it?”
“But why can you not make it is what I’d like to understand?” he said. “It isn't like you have anything to do that could possibly be of any importance.”
“I don’t know, but what if something comes up,” I said.
“But that day has not come yet!” he said.
“Yes, I know, but…” I said almost embarrassed to tell him that the real reason I wasn't promising him if I was going was because I’d look incredibly stupid there. I’m sure everyone there would be well dressed in the most luxurious clothing and I might wear my best dress, but it could never compare. I’m just a girl who was able to come into the school through a scholarship. I will never be able to compare to the rest of the students and their parents.
“But what?” he said with the most sincere face I’d seen on him yet. He looked like he was honestly concerned.
“No, it’s nothing. I just don’t want to make any promises,” I said.
“Alright,” he said locking his hand with mine telling me it was okay.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered to him.
He looked at me and smiled and simply let out a simple, “It’s fine.”
The teacher began to tell us something about how people are more easily persuaded when you give them accurate facts or when you pull at their heartstrings, but I really wasn't paying attention to anything else she was saying because I was thinking of Lysander.
What was Lysander thinking of? Was he thinking of me? Was he okay? Was he more hurt than he was letting off?
I couldn't concentrate at all in class and then the teacher just had to ask me of all people a question. “So, Kalliope,” she started, but she didn't pronounce it Kuh-LY-uh-PEE she pronounced it Cah-LEE-ope.
“Ms, it’s Kuh-LY-uh-PEE,” I corrected her.
“Ok, so Kalliope,” she said once again pronouncing it Cah-LEE-ope instead of the correct way. “What method would you use to sell someone an instrument?”
“Umm, an instrument?” I said all confused looking at Lysander. “I’d take in every feature of that person and find the perfect instrument for them. One that befits them to every inch. One that was made for them. After I did that, I’d make them buy it by telling them how badly they needed the instrument. That the instrument only cared about their well-being and would play any note for them if they wished to play the note, but that if they didn't wish to play the note than it would be impossible for them to even get control of the instrument. As they start to feel as if they shouldn't even touch the instrument, somehow as I put the instrument in their arms, they begin to hold it. Holding it makes them realize how badly they need the instrument. They buy it and for the rest of their life they…love…the instrument.”
Lysander was looking at me with the biggest smile he’d ever given me. I was giving him the biggest smile I’d ever given him right back at him.
“So what method is that?” the teacher asked me.
“It’s love, love, love!” Lysander shouted raising me up with him and taking me straight out the door.
“Lysander what are you doing?” I asked him but I had the happiest tone in my voice that I didn't even believe I was asking him what he was doing. I knew exactly what he was doing, but I wanted to hear it come out of his mouth.
“We’re ditching!” he said. “Only this class period of course, because I must hold you in my arms, mustn't I?”
“Yes!” I said. He took me so far into the building that I don’t think even he knew where we were anymore and when he finally reached a place where no one could see us, he put me into him.
“Oh, yes, you are one difficult instrument to tune, to play, to maneuver, but you are not difficult to hold,” he said to me.
“I was hoping you’d say something like that,” I said and I held his face and brought him straight to me. I kissed him finally. It felt weird, but he seemed to enjoy it so I laughed at him. “Was it everything you expected?”
“And more!” he yelled at me. “Again maybe?”
“No,” I said. “I was in the moment.”
“I don’t know,” I explained. “You’ll wait though.”
“Yes,” he said. “I can’t believe you kissed me!”
“Why did you expect to be the one catching me on surprise and kissing me?” I said. “Well, seems I beat you on that.”
He nodded his head still thinking of the kiss. “I must go to the bathroom!”
“Wow, how random,” I said. “Well, you’re the one who got us lost. Surely, you can hold it.”
“Umm, I don’t have to urinate,” he said.
“Number 2?” I asked.
“No, not defecation either,” he said.
“Then what?” I asked.
“Umm,” he said. “I’m not going to tell you!”
I shrugged and then his eyes got wide. “What?”
“You don’t care to hear what I have to do in the lavatory?” he asked me.
“No,” I said.
“Well, I’ll have you know, it’s none of your business what goes on with me,” he said.
“Exactly,” I said.
“But just so you get this straight, masturbation is a very normal thing in a young growing male,” he said.
I choked from laughter after he said that. “Oh, so that’s why you have to go to the bathroom. I don’t even notice your stiffy!”
“Well, maybe because my coat is hiding it,” he said stiffly.
“Well, I wouldn't have known. You shouldn't have said anything,” I said.
“Oh, I just wanted to!” he admitted. Then he blushed, realizing he probably shouldn't have said that.
“Let’s get going,” I said.
“I suppose we should do that,” he said.
We started walking back in different directions probably getting more lost than we already were. We only had to find a set of stairs or the elevator if we wanted to get out.
“Lysander, we’re lost,” I said.
“I know that, but how!” he said. “I've been going to school here forever. How am I lost!?”
“That’s what I’m saying!” I said. “Why is it that you've been here for so long but don’t know how to get out?”
“Well, you can’t expect me to know everything,” he said with a nervous chuckle.
“Yeah, but I mean you should know,” I said.
We continued walking around and then finally since we weren't making any progress he asked me, “Are you going to my show now?”
“Well, I still don’t know,” I said. “I mean I’d love to, I really would, but I feel like I will stand out.”
“Isn't that good?” Lysander asked me.
“Well, what I mean is that they’ll notice that I’m much poorer than they are,” I said.
“Kalliope was that the issue all along?” he asked me. “Because I would have bought you a dress. In fact, yes, I’m going to buy you a dress today after school!”
“No, you don’t have to do that,” he said.
“Yes, I do,” he said.
“No, you don’t, honestly,” I said.
“Well, I’m going to,” he demanded. “There is no question.”
“Well, thanks,” I said kind of embarrassed after telling him that.
“Yes, I will finally buy you a wonderful dress, my porcelain doll. Doesn't that sound great?! Oh and then maybe we could do something afterwards, doesn't that sound lovely?”
“Actually,” I started with a smile. “It does.”
“You’re the most wonderful maiden my eyes have ever bestowed their wonderful grace upon.”
“Can’t say the same thing without sounding stupid, but ditto,” I said and he started laughing.
“I want to kiss you again,” he said.
I started blushing and in my head I said, I wouldn't mind but then again I did mind. I wasn't one to just start kissing someone after the first time I kissed them. I've never kissed someone before, so I’d have to wait a while before I thought it was worth it to kiss him.
“I must ask you, how did it feel kissing me?” he said.
“It felt nice. Your lips were really warm,” I replied.
“How did they taste?” he asked.
“I didn't get a taste,” I responded.
“What went through your body as we kissed?” he asked.
“Something, it made my back shiver afterwards,” I said.
“Would you do it again?” he asked.
“Would I—Yes, Lysander, I would,” I said.
I couldn't stop smiling and then when we found the stairs I was stupid enough to walk down them blindly. I almost tripped to my death, but luckily Lysander was there to save me. He pulled me into him the way he always did and this time I just wanted to stay like that with him, but I gently pushed him away and proceeded to go back downstairs to the floor with our class on it.
The teacher didn't seem to care that we came back.
“Done with your make-out session?” one of the boys said.
“At least he’s getting a make-out session unlike you!” a boy said. He rolled his eyes and looked straight ahead at the teacher.
“Who’s that?” I asked Lysander.
“Don’t tell me you have eyes for someone else?” he joked. “That’s Tristan. He has a crush on your roommate, but your roommate doesn't give a shit about anything in the world, so…”
“Oh, I see,” I said. “I guarantee you she probably has the feels for him, too. I’m sure she just doesn't know how to express love.”
“Do you really think so? She’s such a top notch writer? How could she not be able to express love?”
“Well, yeah, but that’s writing, to express with one’s own words out loud is such a hard thing to do,” I replied.
“I guess it is,” he said and he looked at me with the most solemn face ever. I worry about what goes on in his mind sometimes and I've literally only known him for four days. Is it the school that’s making me so attached to him or is it just him? Am I honestly making an effort over someone I barely know? It’s confusing me, but I actually…like it. I like this fluttering in my stomach, the beats my heart skips when I see him! I’m enjoying every moment of it! It’s so wonderful. Maybe he’s simply, opening my eyes.
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When we wandered off to the next class in Building A he said, “You’ll surely come to see me at the showcase when you hear me play right now!” He seemed very sure of this.
“Well, then I can’t wait to hear you,” I said. I have been wanting to hear him ever since the day he told me about what he did to his parents. His music must be something else for it to affect him this much. I don’t think it was his words that hurt, more so the music accompanying the stabbing words.
We entered the class and the teacher who was just as handsome as Mr. Miller (I finally gave in, but honestly, how can someone so handsome just be Miller). After seeing him for a few moments I concluded that every male teacher in the music building must be handsome.
“So, we know our virtuoso Lysander is going to be in the showcase tomorrow, as always. Why don’t we let him play for us a bit? Just to get him warmed up don’t you think? He needs to be prepared,” our teacher said. When I heard our teacher’s slight accent I swooned. He and Mr. Miller needed to make a calendar. My life would be complete then!
Lysander stood up from his seat adjusted his tie and went down to where our teacher was. Our teacher handed Lysander the violin and then said to him, “Why don’t you play us something of your choice, but don’t spoil what you will be playing for us tomorrow!”
Lysander nodded and then I could see him thinking of the perfect song to play. He was collecting data that he had stored in the back of his mind, sorting it out, and then finally reaching the conclusion of which song he should play.
I could hear him as he began to play the first few notes, it was “Morgenstemning” by Edvard Grieg. Each time he struck the violin you could hear beautiful notes fill the room filled with passion and pain. Yes, you could hear the pain as he played the notes. I don’t know what pain he had, but surely I’d help him through it. If only it lasted longer. I wanted to hear more, but alas, he did not play as long as I would have hoped.
“Did you enjoy it, my dear?” he asked me.
“Oh, Lysander, you play the violin most magnificently!” I told him. “How I wish you could have played for…for an eternity!”
He looked at me with endearing eyes and whispered, “Then I wonder how you will react to me playing at the showcase. I always astound the crowd, now I want to astound you.”
“Kalliope?” the teacher called out. I turned around to look at him. “Good, I got your name right. Why don’t you play a little something for us?”
Lysander smiled at me and I frowned. How could I top what he just did?! That was insane!!!
“I don’t know how to play violin,” I said.
“No, you just haven’t learned,” he said. “Play something.” Then he proceeded to show me how to hold the violin and how it worked. I was not well informed though.
I looked at the violin awkwardly and then remembered how Lysander looked with the violin. He looked like he belonged with the violin as if they were conjoined. I didn't belong with this instrument of beauty. Nevertheless, I had to play. I put the bow against the strings and just started playing. I didn't even care how it sounded, I just played. Then I opened my eyes and no one looked startled and the teacher didn't look startled and Lysander didn't look startled so I just put the violin down and went back up to my seat.
“What happened?” I asked.
“Well, you didn't play anything anyone knows for one, but it didn't sound bad. Plus, you weren't supposed to play it so good, because well it’s a test, but hey that was great.”
“What do you mean test?” I asked so confused now.
“Mr. Romanovich tests each student to see how well they play an instrument, and well you played good but you made up whatever it was you were playing.”
I sighed and then Mr. Romanovich continued his class. He looked at me a few times, but I just pretended like I was taking notes.
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