When Cas had finished, the hesitancy returned when he remembered where he was. No doubt his ability paled in comparison to this stranger, and his face burned at the thought of having performed in front of a seasoned pianist.
‘It’s very clear you’ve been working on your craft for a while. You should be more confident in yourself. Anyway, what’s your name?’
‘Cas.’
‘I’m Erik. Nice to meet you.’
At this, Cas’ eyes widened slightly. Erik gave a small smile.
‘So you recognise me.’
‘Well…everyone’s talking about you.’
‘Mostly my mother, you mean. It’s alright, you don’t have to look so uncomfortable. Are you thinking of going to a music school?’
‘I’m not sure. I think I might just try and find work afterwards.’ The words slipped out before Cas thought better of it.
‘Work?’ Erik paused slightly. ‘Interesting. Your parents don’t wish for you to continue your studies?’
Cas didn’t know what made him confide in Erik. He’d been at ease for the first time in a long while that he had momentarily forgotten who he was. Suddenly overwhelmed, he hastily stood up.
Erik continued to look at him, almost as if he was waiting patiently. But before either of them could speak, the bell rang for their next lesson.
‘Thank you for letting me use the piano. Goodbye.’ Without waiting for a response, Cas left and headed back to the classroom. It’s fine, he reassured himself, there’s no reason for us to see each other again. And this meeting will be forgotten.
The next hour went by peacefully, and when their third lesson was over, the students were making plans for lunch. Cas brought out his food while others headed off to the cafeteria, politely declining when he was invited to join them.
Alone in the classroom, he gazed out the window, savouring the finger sandwiches and sliced fruit the Cruzes had left behind this morning. It was a cloudless sky despite the cold weather, and red leaves trailed the streets below.
Just then, the door opened.
‘I thought you might be alone,’ Erik said, leaning against the doorframe. He held up a sandwich. ‘Mind if I join you?’
‘…Don’t you have your own classroom?’
‘As much as I love Class C, I thought I’d try and sit in B for once.’ Erik flopped down on the seat beside him.
‘Why not A? I’m sure you’ll fit right in.’
‘It’s boring.’ Erik opened his sandwich pack and pulled out an apple. ‘You wouldn’t even think it’s lunchtime, with the way their heads are bowed over their desks.’
Cas continued to eat, unsure of what to say. Alexander and Johan were in Class A, no doubt among those working diligently for the upcoming tests. Everyone knew the pair of them took the top two spots in their cohort rankings, and no doubt this year would be the same. Erik was the embodiment of every parents’ nightmare, and yet he did not seem to mind.
‘We should play together sometime. What do you think?’
Cas almost spilled his drink, ‘What?’
‘Come to the practice room at lunch tomorrow. I'm sure you know that nobody ever goes in there to use the old thing, and I can show you some of the pieces I like.’
Up close, Cas could see the details on his face clearly; the small mole just below his left eye, the defined jawline when he turned sideways, the curve of his lips as he spoke. Without knowing why, Cas’ heart had skipped a beat.
‘I’ve never played in a duet before,’ Cas murmured.
‘So? I’ll show you.’
‘I’d rather not…I have a lot of assignments to do.’ It was a half truth. Cas still had Alexander and Johan’s work to complete, and there was never any harm in spending his lunches practising before. But if Erik didn’t mind others knowing of their time spent together, it wouldn’t take long for the twins to catch on.
Cas didn’t want to imagine Silas becoming aware even of this meeting. Things have gotten better since the last time he was reprimanded many years ago, and the established balance was more than enough.
‘Hmm...I can do them for you?’ Erik said. He gave the apple a quick rub on the side of his uniform and took a generous bite.
‘In case you’ve forgotten, you’re in C. Besides, you wouldn’t have a hard time finding someone else to be your partner.’
‘Who do you suggest?’
Cas hesitated.
‘Well, there’s Dierdre. And surely you must know Alexander, and Johan. They’ll be happy to oblige if you speak to them.’
‘Yes, I don’t doubt they’re great. But I want to play with you.’
‘It’s not a good idea.’
This time, Erik’s eyes met his own, his expression serious.
‘Why not? I saw you at the notice board this morning,’ he said calmly.
Cas was shocked. ‘You did?’
‘So that means you’re interested, and know what’s required for you to be considered. As far as I’m aware, no one around here thinks a scholarship is necessary. In fact, I’d say it’s the last thing on their minds.’
‘But not yours?’
‘The scholarship doesn’t matter to me, Cas,’ Erik said. ‘But it does to you, which makes this puzzling.’
‘If you think about it,’ Cas spoke carefully. ‘We just met.’
‘We’ve already seen each other play Chopin. In my view, I’d say we’re already well acquainted.’ Erik finished his apple, placing the core gingerly on the windowsill. A breeze lifted his dark curls, fanning them over his forehead. His necktie was loose, and his shirt was tucked rather unceremoniously that Cas wondered the amount of times he was admonished for it in the hallways.
‘Here’s what I suggest. You come in tomorrow, we try to work through a piece, and if you truly decide you dislike either me or my style of playing, I won’t bother you anymore. How’s that sound?’
Cas had never wanted to refuse to begin with. Instead he said, ‘I don’t dislike you.’
At this, Erik smiled. ‘Well, I suppose that’s a start.’
Comments (0)
See all