Music of the Night
Chapter One
Her eyes were fixed on the notes flowing over the musical staff, her fingers moving nimbly over the keys of her precious LeBlanc clarinet. All who saw her in her symphonic band thought her so professional, immersed in her music. Yet her mind strayed, lingering on a member of her audience, of her marching band.
He sat quietly, watching her, remembering every moment they had spent together. He felt a sudden remorse accompanied by anger as he realized that she would receive a full scholarship to Julliard School of the Arts, faraway from their Florida school. He knew he would never receive a scholarship. This saddened him, yet angered him. He would miss her more immensely than anything.
oooo0000oooo
The Final Legacy. It was a huge afterparty, held every year in an elite ballroom in the Waldorf Hotel for their band after the concert.
He was sad, knowing he would never see her the same again. He could not even get close to her tonight!
She was surrounded by congratulations, hurled at her from every side. She turned in circles, finally spotting him walking away from her crowd of admirers.
"Jesse!" she called out.
He paused at the sound of his name, then continued on, ignoring her pleas for him to wait.
She broke free of the crowd and chased him to the balcony.
"Jesse, please! Don't be angry! Why are you angry?"
They were sealed away from the party, the only noise the traffic five stories below.
When he didn't respond, she reached for him, to hold him. He turned, distancing himself.
"Jesse…"
"No. Stop."
His voice was so harsh, so cold, she couldn't look at him. He was angry at her, that much she understood by simply his cold, hard glare.
"You…" she began again.
"Don't, Liz."
"Listen to me!"
"NO!" he snapped. "You listen to me! You made a promise three years ago! And you've broken it! I don't want to have anything to do with you!"
"YOU MADE A PROMISE, TOO, REMEMBER? YOU BROKE THAT PROMISE AGES AGO! I THOUGHT I WAS OKAY WITH IT, BUT I GUESS NOT! GO SCREW YOUR LITTLE GIRLFRIEND!"
He lowered his voice dangerously, hissing, "Say that one more time, and I swear those cars down there will kill you, whore."
Liz met Jesse's gaze fiercely. Emotionless, she told herself. Completely emotionless. She was two seconds from breaking down when he turned and left.
Elizabeth waited until he was gone before she slipped to the ground and let the tears come.
Fourteen-year-old Elizabeth Anne smiles up at fifteen-year-old Jesse Aaron, only a month older than her.
"Jesse, I promise I will never leave you! EVER!" she swears, hand in his.
Solemnly, he replies, "I promise I will never love anyone by you, Elizabeth Anne."
He gazes down into her eyes, the bluest oceans, and knows he loves her.
"Lizebethia?" Brady Leigh interrupted her reverie.
Elizabeth's heart broke as Brady used Jesse's pet name for her.
"Beth, what's wrong? Jesse looked pretty pissed when he came inside."
Liz looked up into Brady Leigh's concerned face.
"Brady, he…"
She couldn't finish, couldn't tell anyone what had happened.
"It's okay. You don't have to tell me. C'mon. We need to leave. The party's almost over anyway."
"No, I can't miss the Julliard announcement!"
Brady Leigh shook her head and helped Elizabeth up. The two girls hugged and walked inside, smiling slightly.
oooo0000oooo
"Thank you all for coming to the Final Legacy. Before we disperse…"
"and the real part starts," muttered a tuba player.
"… we have one last announcement: our Julliard scholarship winners!"
Applause filled the room as the band director, Mr. Dawson, continued.
"We have three winners this year! We would like to present the Julliard School of the Arts Scholarship to Brady Leigh Adams, Elizabeth Anne Royale, and Jesse Aaron Lorraine!"
More applause echoed as Brady Leigh, Liz, and Jesse mounted the stage.
This was wonderful! Now Jesse wouldn't be mad at her for leaving him! But as Elizabeth looked over at Jesse, one phrase came to mind.
"If looks could kill…"
A/N: Hola, amigos!! Quick note about this chapter: Brady Leigh got her name because my best friend's middle name is Brady and I like the name Leigh. I will alternate between calling her Brady or Brady Leigh. Sometimes if I slip up or feel like it, I will call her Leigh. PLEASE review (especially Nor and Galinda!! And Azara if she's reading this). This is my first marching band, so don't be TOO harsh!! Flames will be reported, by the way.
