I'm Good with It
(Friday Afternoon, June 22nd)
After Ben presses all eight keys on the piano and leans his head on the bottom of the music rack his father comments, "That will happen when you don't practice for a year."
Ben immediately straightens up and turns towards him, his eyes wide, before he slowly states, "I practiced for last Christmas."
His father nods, "Forgive me." before his blue eyes pierce at him. "Half a year." Ben wets his lips, but before he's able to speak his father steps forward, "You know you're welcome here. You can practice any time you need to."
It takes a moment for Ben to mention, "I had homework."
"And whose fault was that?" He strides forward, and Ben holds his breath and swallows before eyeing down on the white and black keys. "You took too many classes, and look where it's gotten you."
Ben yells at him, "I was just trying to please you."
"You were trying to prove you're better than me," he slowly shouts back.
Ben mutters, "That's not at all the truth."
"What have I told you?" his father continues. "A jack of all trades is a master of none, and then you do this. You take all of those extra courses, and now you're unprepared. You're unprepared for being king, and you're unprepared for life." Ben keeps his eyes down, but they lift when his father steps in front of the black piano. His hands run over the surface, "You know, the piano was your mother's idea. Stimulates brain function, she said." before he faces him. "When you fail to practice this, you don't disrespect me. You disrespect her." Ben looks down from him, but he can still feel his heavy presence. "Well, then. I will leave you to it."
"So," Mal thinks, "what do I do? Where will it be?"
"It will be here, downstairs," Ben answers. "Since it's your first one, I've talked with Rachael. She's really nice. She… interviewed me when I was little. Everything is pre…" He wets his lips, "Everything is videoed before it's put out, so don't worry. All you have to do is be yourself, and she will make you look good."
"Right," Mal nervously laughs.
Ben takes her hands, "You're going to be great." but then he lets go and frowns. "Um. Are…" He meets her green eyes, "Are we okay?" She doesn't speak. "Because, yesterday—"
"We're fine, Ben," she quickly comments, before her eyes shift. "You were right." She pauses as she faces him, "It's not about you. Really."
Ben nods, "Okay." before he smiles. "I'm really glad to hear that."
Mal notices him suddenly frown, "What is it?"
"So," he hesitates, "it doesn't, you don't mind that I'm a… a guy?"
"No." Mal laughs, "Why? Does it bother you?" and when he fails to respond she frowns. "That was supposed to be a joke."
"Oh, yeah," Ben's eyebrows furrow. "No. I'm, uh, good. I'm good with it."
"Okay, then," Mal's eyes widens as they shift away.
Ben's eyes transfix on her brown curls, and when he brings his hand to them she looks back at him. He runs his fingers through as he places a piece behind her ear, and he looks into her sparkling eyes before he quietly asks, "Can I kiss you?"
Mal smiles, "Yes, Ben. You can kiss me." and with that he leans forward, shuts his eyes, and their lips touch.
- VannahLeigh495 I wholeheartedly agree with you.
- Posted: 02/12/2019