Chapter 11: Same Old Song and Dance

"That," said Amlaith, "was almost too easy." He was referring to his newly paid-off debts, not to mention the brand-new table and chairs in the main room of his house.

"Yes, it was," I said. "You owe me."

"Actually, I believe it was your family that sent you the money, and they practically ordered you to give it to me. I don't owe you a thing."

I shook my head, unable to deny it.

"Remember, it's New Year's Eve tonight," said Amlaith, changing the subject. "You'll have to drink a lot of coffee to stay awake."

"I know that," I said. "Do you think I've never been to a New Year's party before? My family has one every year."

"How late do you usually stay up?"

"Around midnight."

"Ah," said Amlaith. "Well, my dear boy, tonight you are not going to sleep at all. Because you may have been to New Year's Eve parties before, but you've never been to the Official Alqualonde New Year's Celebration."

"What's so official about it?"

"Every person in the city goes to it. It's in the town square. And no one leaves until the sun comes up."

"So I take it I won't be working tomorrow," I said. Even though I didn't really need it anymore, I was still working at my job for Melania's aunt. No way was I passing up the chance to talk to hot girls every day. No sir.

"No one will be. New Year's Day is for sleeping."

"I like the sound of this," I said thoughtfully. "Only, won't it be kind of crowded?"

"That, my dear boy," said Amlaith, "is the point. Now let's get to work. You've still got nervous-energy problems."

"Why do I have to be all controlled and junk to play the harp anyway?" I asked. "I thought my lack of stiffness was what made me unique."

"It is, but there are still certain rules you need to follow if you're going to be great."

"I already am great," I said, starting to get annoyed. "At least if what people tell me is true. And I don't follow rules, especially if they limit the one thing I'm good at. If it weren't for the whole nervous-energy thing, would you say that I'm good at playing the harp?"

Amlaith struggled with that for a moment, and then nodded. "Yes."

"There we go," I said. "So what does it matter if I'm fidgety? I'm a teenager, for Varda's sake. Probably I'll get more control when I'm grown up, but for now, can we just chillax?"

"Chillax?" asked Amlaith, looking amused.

"Yeah, I learned that word from Street Rat. Anyway, answer my question."

"Fine," said Amlaith. "You're still young, that's true, and maybe I'm expecting too much of you. Fidget as much as you want. But don't think I'm going to let you off the hook about this kind of thing all the time."

I nodded, and we got started with our lesson. The argument had blown over, but a line had been crossed and we both knew it. I hated to admit this, but something about Amlaith's tone reminded me of how my dad had gotten during our forge lessons.

Because no matter how well we got along, I hated the old rules, and Amlaith had been raised on them. And as far as I knew, there wasn't a compromise.

To adequately prepare myself for the party that night, I went to bed around noon and woke up at seven—and that was only because Amlaith was shaking me.

"Look, kid, I'm glad you're getting some sleep, but we have to go," he said. "Not only do we have to eat, but I have to get there early to get ready for my gig."

"You scored a gig at OANYC?" I said, making up an acronym for the party (I make up a lot of acronyms and lists. It's something to do). "You didn't tell me that."

"Yes, I did. You just weren't paying attention."

That sounded like it could be true, so I didn't argue it. "Okay, I'm getting up. Hey, when are you going to teach me to make the Mystery Green?"

"Sometime, I promise. But not right now. Tonight we're going to have to get by on leftovers."

"I can survive on that," I said. "When are we leaving?"

"With any luck, in ten minutes. Get up!"

Amlaith left, and I got up. After frowning at myself in the mirror for a few seconds, I decided that what the hell, it was New Year's Eve. I'd brush my hair (something I rarely did) for once in my life.

This proved to be a lot more difficult and include a lot more swearing than I'd expected, since apparently when you don't brush your hair for a long time it gets pretty tangled. But in the end, I decided, it was worth it. I didn't look nearly as catlike as usual. Actually—dare I say it? I looked pretty hot.

"What were you doing up there?" asked Amlaith when I came back downstairs. "In all the weeks you've been here, I haven't heard that much swearing coming from your room."

"I was brushing my hair," I said. "Don't ask."

"I won't. But you look good."

"Thanks. So do you." Actually, Amlaith didn't look any different than he usually did, but he didn't look bad, or anything.

We had a quick meal of the previous night's leftovers and then got our butts over to the town square, which wasn't very crowded—only a few people milling about here and there.

"Not a lot of people around," I commented to Amlaith.

"Well, it's early. Give 'em half an hour."

"Why are we here so early?"

"So I can set up my stuff and work out how much I'm getting paid with the guy who's in charge, and so you can watch. This is stuff you need to know."

"Ah. Right."

"Amlaith, there you are," said a slightly heavyset guy, walking over to us. "You ready?" He glanced down at me. "Who's the kid?"

"This is my apprentice, Maglor," said Amlaith. "He's the next big thing."

"Well, if he's your apprentice, I wouldn't expect any less," laughed the guy. "Getting back to my original question, you ready?"

"I was born ready," said Amlaith. "But let's talk finance here. How much am I getting paid for this?"

"Well, the usual pay is twenty silvers, but since you're so well-known and you haven't worked for a while, I think we can pay you…" he hesitated for a moment. "Forty silvers."

"Works for me," said Amlaith, shaking hand with the guy. "And thanks."

"Hey, I can't deny work to an old friend. Besides, none of the other boys we hired can hold a candle to you."

"Sheesh," I said once the guy had left. "People like you."

"What, you thought that a brief period of getting ignored would ruin me?" said Amlaith. "Besides, Remmirath and I go way back. He practically launched my career back when I was eighteen."

"You got your start young," I said.

"Not as young as you," said Amlaith. He handed me a couple of coins. "Here, go get something to drink. Look around for your friends. If I need you, I'll find you."

Not being one to turn down a free drink (at least, one that wasn't being paid for by me), I nodded, took the coins, and disappeared into the crowd, which was considerably larger this point. After looking around for a while, I spotted a familiar head of bright pink hair and headed over to say hi to Melania.

It was just her and Skunk and Lucky—Serpentine, Street Rat, and the rest of the gang were nowhere to be seen.

"Hi, guys," I said. "Where's everyone else?"

"Well, see, there's been a bit of a scandal," Melania whispered, leaning over toward me. "Street Rat broke up with Smoke."

"Yeah, at last," Skunk put in. "They were fighting all the time. It was getting pretty annoying."

"Plus, it's kind of obvious that he likes Kitty a lot better," said Lucky.

"Wow," I said. "That's heavy. But that doesn't answer my question. Where is everyone?"

"Last time I checked, Street Rat was at Kitty's house talking to her, and Serpentine was comforting Smoke at her house," said Melania. "I don't know what happened to Shark. He's probably on his way."

"Speaking of Shark, I have something to ask you guys," I said. "Should I get my eyebrow pierced?"

"Nah, not yet," said Skunk, shaking his head wisely. "Wait until a more opportune moment. Your earring is fine for now."

"Yeah, you have to earn a second piercing. It can't just happen," said Lucky.

"Wow, I had no idea that this was so complicated," I said. "How do I go about earning a second piercing?"

Lucky shrugged. "Beats me."

"Ignore these guys, Hotshot," said Melania. "They act all wise, but ask them one question too many and they're suddenly dumb again."

"Hey, we can't know everything," said Skunk. "Cut us a break."

"I know everything," said Shark, seemingly appearing out of nowhere and sitting down next to me. "Ask me anything."

"What's nine times twenty-six?" I asked.

"Two hundred and thirty-four."

"I'll take your word on that," I said.

"What's the meaning of life?" asked Melania.

"Chocolate and music."

"What the heck is wrong with you?" asked Skunk.

"I goof off too much and I have a poor work ethic."

"Join the club," said Lucky. "What does one have to do to earn a second piercing?"

"Rock out hardcore," Shark declared. "Do you guys have any other questions? If not, shut up."

"One more," I said. "Do you know if any of the others are going to show up?"

"Worried about your girlfriend, Hotshot?" said Shark, smirking. "Don't worry. If I know Smoke, she won't need much comforting. They'll both be along in a minute. And Street Rat and Kitty will be here as soon as Street Rat convinces her that he doesn't just want to go out with her to make Smoke jealous."

"How long will that take?" said Melania.

"About two minutes," said Shark. "She's so in love with him she'll believe anything he says. Not that I don't believe him too. Street Rat is many things but he's not a jerk."

"Really?" I said. "I couldn't tell."

"Real nice, you are," said Skunk, punching me in the shoulder. "Now shut up. They're about to start the music."

"You know, it's weird, but I've never seen Amlaith perform before," I commented. "So this will be interesting."

"Dude, Amlaith is singing?" said Melania. "Wow! Way to come back."

"Yep. Some more money and a new fiddle did wonders for him."

As I finished talking, Amlaith stepped onto the stage dealie built up on the other side of the square.

"Happy New Year's Eve, Alqualonde!" he yelled. We all yelled back.

Amlaith lifted his fiddle and started rocking.

He was good, I had to say. His voice was kind of rough and gravelly, but cool-sounding, and he could totally play the crap out of that fiddle. And everyone was loving it.

This is what I want to be, I thought.

"Hotshot!" cried a girl's voice from behind me. I turned around and found myself face-to-face with Serpentine.

"Hey, Serpentine," I said. "How's Smoke?"

She shrugged. "Smoke? She'll be fine. There aren't many girls in Alqualonde that are tougher than her. Besides, Street Rat is definitely not the first boyfriend she's broken up with. If I'm any judge of this, she'll have a new guy by next week."

"Excellent," I said. "And do you know if Street Rat's convinced Kitty to be his girlfriend yet?"

"Well, I haven't heard anything about that yet, but I imagine that if he hasn't won her over yet he will soon. Now let's dance!"

There was a slow song playing, and Serpentine leaned her head on my shoulder as we danced.

"I love you, Maglor," she whispered.

I wanted to say that I loved her too. I really did. But I couldn't.

Because the truth was, I like Serpentine. I really liked her. She was a great girl, and I enjoyed hanging out with her.

But I didn't love her.

So I didn't say anything.