“Yes, but I’ve almost forgotten all about it because I don’t have a prayer of paying for it, and I don’t know what I’m going to do about my little brother.”
“What do you mean?”
I waved a hand. “Nothing. Long story.”
“Well, I hope it all works out. You’re brilliant and it would be so wonderful if we went there together, even if we’re locked away in different departments. And maybe you should just sit down with Orion and talk it out?”
It sounded so simple when she put it that way. The best I could do was a whisperedstay…
“Yes, but…” I bit my lip and decided to be really honest. “This is exactly the situation I wanted to avoid. I didn’t want to be with somebody and really…”
“Love them?”
I nodded. “Unless it was real. And this is real, but every time the subject of him playing piano instead of working for his father’s company comes up, he deflects or makes jokes. I think we’re both just afraid to have that conversation because what if it’s the end? I mean, we’re in high school.” I touched the ring on my hand. “It’s not like I can demand a different kind of ring. I can’t demand forever.”
Tessa bit her lip, thinking. “Well…why not?”
I made a face. “Because who does that?”
“People who are in love?” She shrugged. “I’m not inside your relationship, but I’ve been in a lot of plays and musicals, and they’re all stories. And all stories are love stories. Every single one. Maybe I’m just a hopeless romantic, but if he loves you and you love him, then there’s no reason why your story can’t go on forever.”
“Thanks, Tessa.”
“Anytime,” she said brightly. “Go have your talk, and then have more sexy times so you can tell me all about it. That made my day.”
“Happy to be of service.”
She left, and I thought she took her optimism with her, but then I noticed Bandit, the vending machine, across the hall.
Maybe…
Chapter 31Orion
I pointed my iPhone camera at the ground, hitrecord, and narrated.
“Now, we pour the polymer into sample number three of our experiment, and watch the magic happen.”
Keeping the camera trained on the ground with my left hand, I poured my concoction. It oozed, thick and grayish-black, into the hole in the ground.
“Voilà. The pothole magically begins to close,” I said. “As you can see, the ionic bonds create a chemical ‘grip’ with the oxidized asphalt already present in the road. No need for heavy machinery or road closures, and the polymers will dry within an hour. You can refer to the project report for my materials list and experiments detailing the steps I took to arrive at these conclusions. Thank you very much.”
I shut off the camera. “Bollocks. It worked.”
Well, it was a vanity project as far as science experiments went. Nothing compared to Harper’s water-purification system that would actually benefit communities and save lives. Even if she had to work with cheap “ugly buckets” while I had access to all the world-class materials I could ever want. I was confident mine was enough to pleasemy parents that I’d tried, but not enough to wow the judges for a win.
Lush greenery just brushing off winter’s white and birdsong surrounded me. Harper’s house was just down the street and around the corner in this Bend neighborhood where the potholes were plenty. I thought about popping in, but I didn’t want to interrupt her work or embarrass her if she was having a bad day. Instead, I packed up my equipment and headed back to the Academy for my lesson with Ezra.
I headed into the STEM Wing to stow my NoSci project equipment and then headed to the Arts Wing. Ezra was waiting for me in the Advanced Piano room. He had a strange smile on his face, and he was rocking back on his heels, hands in the pockets of his black coat.
“What are we so happy about?” I asked, dumping my bag on the piano bench. “Did the Academy renew your contract for another year?”
“God, no.” Ezra’s smile turned into a grimace. “Do you think that would be cause for celebration? No, the Orchestre de Paris has invited me to be a featured soloist across multiple programs in the fall, and the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia has pinned me down as their resident concert pianist in the spring. I’m a kept man.”
“Congratulations!” I said. “Thatiscause for celebration.”
“Thank you, but that’s not why I’m smiling,” Ezra said. “This Friday, at one o’clock, the chair of the Piano Departmentandthe associate dean of music from Juilliard are cominghereto listen toyouaudition for their illustrious institution.”
I froze. A dividing line seemed to draw itself in the sand right before me. ThelaterI kept putting off was suddenly here, and all the fear and uncertainty andnot enoughI’d been harboring for years came roaring up. I couldn’t do this. I wasn’t good enough. I could barely write. I was an embarrassment… It all hijacked my mind, and I felt like a passenger on a speeding train, wanting to get off and too scared of where I might land if I did.
