I know, EXTREMELY late update, but I was working on my other stories and it was getting a little hard to balance writing multiple stories. BUT, fear not, I have another chapter for you. Your responds for the last chapters were incredible and I thank you guys so much. I hope you enjoy this chapter:)
Disclaimer: I do not own Degrassi.
Blossomed Flower
The student show case is in one hour. In one hour I will be standing in an auditorium in front of multiple people-including the student body and my parents. I felt my writing was one of the high standards for this event, but I couldn't push away the nerves that were taking over my system.
So for, a way to calm these nerves, I'll do the one thing that helps me in my time of escape. Play the flute. I'm a closet player and intend to keep it that way. Writing is my number one passion but the flute always made me relax and think clearly. Since I'm still at the school, I figured I could sneak in the music room and have a nice warm up before I have to be in front of all of those people.
When I enter, I already start to feel the calm aura and I clutch my flute case in my hands as I walk over to the grand piano, located in the centre of the room. I push the bridge of my glasses over my nose and open the case. I take out the silver flute and press it to my lips but before I could do anything, a knock makes me drop the flute on the piano.
I slowly turn around and see Elijah Goldsworthy in the door way staring at me. I felt my breathing pick up and my palms start to sweat. Images from him and Jenna from a couple of days ago popped in my head and I felt my cheeks heat up.
"It's Clare isn't it?" His deep voice rung through the room.
I swallowed and looked down before nodding. I didn't want to say anything in case I sound like a complete fool in front of him.
He walked in the room. "I suppose you're here for the student showcase?" He arched an eyebrow at me.
"Yeah, w-why are you here?" I stuttered, nervous from his penetrating stare.
He pulled on the strap of his black backpack and shrugged. "I have to stay and watch. Punishment for expressing my opinion to Ms. Kwan."
Ah yes, the time when he thought he could teach the teacher how to teach. In reality, I find it pathetic but he seemed very determined about making his point, which is always a point in my books. Not like I'm keeping points with him...
I shook my head and realized he was still in the room, and I suddenly felt a rush of nervousness along with queasiness as he eyed the flute in my hands. I quickly turned around and shakily placed the flute in the case before turning back around and trying to walk past him. But before I could, a stack of chairs that I didn't notice were in the way and I hazardously walked in them, dropping my flute case and falling over.
"Are you okay?" asked Elijah, as he bent down to help me up.
My face was the shade of scarlet and I politely rejected his waiting hand, as I stood up and picked up my flute case as well. I tried to walk out of the room but Elijah called my name again, sending a jolt through my stomach.
"Yes?" I said, facing him once again.
"You play the flute?" He asked, interested.
I hold my case in both hands and looked down, embarrassed. "Kind of..."
"Cool. You should play," he said, making me look back into his eyes.
"Really?" I asked, making sure I was hearing correct.
He nodded. "The showcase doesn't start for another hour and I really don't want to walk around the school, bored out of my mind. Instruments always entertain me."
I smiled. "Okay." I walk back over to the grand piano and placed the case once again on top of it. I could feel his eyes on my back but shrugged it off once I took out the flute and placed my fingers over the right buttons.
I noticed he stood beside me, leaning slightly over the piano as he watched. I bit my lip and looked forward as I pressed the mouth piece to my lips. I blew into the silver instrument and instantly felt myself relax. My fingers moved effortlessly over the buttons as my soft blows echoed through the room. Soft melodies were heard and I went to another world.
Elijah was watching me, I could feel it, but I didn't feel nervous or embarrassed anymore while playing in front of him. I needed this outlet and it somehow felt all the more relaxing with him here.
Time faded and words were not spoken as I played in peace. Before i realized it, the student showcase was about to start in ten minutes and I needed to be backstage before it started.
"I have to go, the showcase is about to start." I hurriedly placed my flute in the case and clipped it shut before running out of the room, and before Elijah could say anything.
I placed my case in my locker and grabbed my notebook. I closed my locker and power walked to the backstage of the auditorium. I decided to take Alli's advice and read one of my entries from my journal. It was very personal and I didn't know why I convinced myself to do it, but maybe my parents will be proud of me. Surely, they've always been, but ever since Darcy moved to Kenya, they've been disagreeing on small things and neglecting me. I understand they have work and other important things to deal with but it would be nice to be acknowledged for my academic performances once in awhile.
When I made it to the backstage of the auditorium, Holly J was already standing behind the podium, speaking to the audience. Through the curtains, I saw my parents in the front row, far away from each other and looked irritated. I sighed and looked for Alli. She was there of course, in the middle aisle, a smile on her face. I smiled in relief that she was here and I noticed Ms. Kwan was waiting expectantly as well. My eyes suddenly had a mind of their own as they swarmed through the sea of people until they landed on a certain, dark haired boy. Elijah was sitting at the top of the auditorium, looking bored out of his mind. I suddenly felt a wave of nervousness wash through me and I had to take deep breaths.
"...Please welcome, Clare Edwards."
I snapped my eyes to Holly J and heard the clapping surround the room. I took in one last deep breath and walked on the stage. I curtly gave Holly J a smile which she returned before heading off the stage. I looked forward and pushed the rim of my glasses up as I took in how many people were here. My eyes set on my parents and they both smiled at me. I looked at Alli and she gave me a thumbs up and when I looked at Elijah, he was staring at me with such an intense stare, I almost lost my balance.
I cleared my throat and felt the perspiration settling in. I looked down at my book, placed on the podium and opened it shakily. I found the entry I was about to read and looked back at the audience. I opened my mouth to say something but no words came out. I was left with my eyes wide and mouth parted, frozen. I flickered my eyes everywhere, desperately looking for an escape. Finally, my legs moved on their own and I found myself running off the stage, my notebook in hand.
I didn't know where I was running to exactly but I needed to get out of here, get away from this place as far away as possible. Before I knew it, I was running to my house. I didn't have any keys so I went to the park. Panting, I stopped running and walked over to a bench located under a tree. I sat down and opened my journal, flipping to the page.
"We need to talk. The words that every kid dreads. But you know what's worse: waiting," I closed my book and clutched it my chest.
How is it that I can say those words so clearly when I'm by myself but when it comes to other people, I freeze. Maybe because you're scared of your parents finding out. I ignored the absolute true thought because if my whole mind agrees, I would have to come face to face with the fact that my parents are not happy. The small tear rolling down my cheek brought me out of my thoughts and I swiped it away quickly.
Soon the sky turned darker and the sun set as I felt the cold weather stinging my cheeks. I huddled my arms close over my chest and jumped when I heard footsteps behind. I turned my head and sighed in relief when I saw Alli walking over to me, her arms crossed over her chest, shielding the cold I assumed. I turned my head back; away from her.
"You okay?" Alli asked as she took a seat next to me on the bench.
"I'd be lying if I said I was," I muttered, looking down at my journal.
I heard Alli sigh sympathetically and touch my shoulder. "Clare, it's okay to have stage fright. Which assignment were you going to read?"
"Actually...I took your advice and was going to read an entry from my journal." I bit my lip as I lifted my head to look at her.
"That's good Clare. I'm proud of you for stepping out of your shell," she smiled softly.
"But Alli, I didn't step out of my shell! I ran away like a banshee," I said, exasperated.
"Clare, is there something else going on here. I know you, you didn't run all the way here because of stage fright. Tell me," she pleaded.
I took in a deep breath. "Its my parents, they've been disagreeing lately, and I was going to read an entry about them but they were right there Alli. What was I supposed to do?" I made sure not to mention Elijah being there, whom also adding to my nerves.
"Oh Clare," Alli cooed wrapping her arm around me.
I rested my head on her shoulder and was grateful to have her support, but my parents were still fresh in my mind. And so was a certain dark haired boy.
