Chapter 3
Two weeks later, Jade arrived at school early. She had to use the school computer for a special project she had volunteered herself for. Technically, no one else would do it so the teacher had no choice but to give it to her. She completed her given task quick on the computer and delivered it that morning to her teacher's desk. He had been surprised and pleased for the project wasn't due for another day. Now with plenty of time left in her hands, Jade headed to class with her arms full with books, intending to do her quiet time reading the small old Bible her grandmother had given her before she passed away. Her mother's mother had died when Jade was five, giving her only granddaughter the Bible and a Catholic cross necklace which she treasured.
Jade strolled into class expecting her to be the only one. But to her surprise, Kai was there, standing as he stared out a window at the back of the class. His arms were crossed in front of him and his eyes did not waver even though he heard her enter.
A silence awkward moment filled the room.
She plucked nervously at the sleeves of her flowery blouse, wondering what to say. Since that incident in Biology class, she had not mustered enough courage to speak to him and he had acted as if she didn't exist. In the end, she had given up trying to talk to him. Obviously he didn't hold any interest in her whatsoever. Him coming to her rescue that day had been nothing more than a way of irritating Mr. Newington. But avoiding him today was out of the question. Summoning up as much courage as she could, she blunted out the first thing that came to mind.
"You're early today." immediately she smacked herself over her forehead mentally. Duh, he's early. He's probably early everyday and you just don't know it. "I mean...it's good to be early."
He didn't make any response.
Clutching her books tighter to her chest, she walked to her desk and sat down, placing her load on the table as she did. Her mind was racing to find something to say. "The school will be having try-outs for the play today. Will you be trying out?" she asked looking at him intently. When he didn't reply, she lowened her gaze. "I'll take that as a 'no'. I hear the scenes require a lot of ballroom dancing. I think I might try-out. It sounds interesting."
Without warning, he turned. "Is this your attempt to make conversation?" he snapped. "Sorry to disappoint you but I'm not as 'sociable' as you. Or as desperate."
If he hurt her with his words, she didn't show it. Instead, she smiled sadly. "Please don't pretend like you know me."
"The problem is I do know you." he said bluntly. "Your name is Jade Summers. You're bestfriends with unofficial school reporter Hilary. You have a thing for flowery clothes. You go to church every Sunday and you like to play with a bunch of annoying kids on weekends. How does that sound?"
She nodded, not at all hurt. "That's the basic. Nothing I haven't heard before since I got here."
"You don't care what people think about you?" he was curious to know.
She shrugged. "No. Do you?"
"Didn't your friend, Hilary tell you?" he asked.
"She said you don't." Jade tilted her head, studying him for a moment and added softly. "I don't believe her."
He stared at her as she turned her attention to her Bible, opening it and reading it. With a disinterested snort, he turned to stare out the window again. He didn't care what others thought about him. He held onto the thought but he couldn't stop the next thought.
Yet why does what she said disturb me so?
The thought stayed with him as he strolled down the empty hallways after school. He wondered why had he even spoken to her at all. He was capable of ignoring even the most annoying of people but there was something about Jade that he couldn't seem to ignore.
What's it?
A particular part of their one-way conversation drifted to his mind before he could shove it aside.
"I think I might try-out." she had said.
He stopped abruptly in front of the doors that led to the auditorium hall. The try-outs for the play were being held there. Unsure of what urged him, Kai opened the door and slipped into the dark hall.
Only the lights shining on the stage were on, casting the rest of the room in darkness. Those waiting their turn to try-out sat in the first row. The teachers in charged of the project were Miss Sharon and Mrs. Judy. They were up-front judging the candidates. He learned that for the part of Juliet, the girl had to be a good singer as well. The script audition was held earlier and now was the singing audition.
"Jade Summers." Mrs. Judy called.
Kai instantly recognized the mousy girl in most of his classes as she rosed from the first row and stepped onto stage. She passed the piano notes of her chosen song to the girl at the piano on stage and stepped in front of the microphone where the spotlight shone on her.
Strange..., Kai mused. Under the light, she looks...like an angel...
Jade took a deep breath, muttered a quick silent prayer and nodded to the pianist to start.
'I'll always remember
It was late afternoon
It lasted forever
And ended too soon
You were all by yourself
Staring up at a dark gray sky
I was changed
In places no one would find
All your feelings so deep inside
It was then that I realized
That forever was in your eyes
The moment I saw you cry
It was late in September
And I've seen you before
You were always the cold one
But i was never that sure
You were all by yourself
Staring at a dark gray sky
I was changed
In places no one would find
All your feelings so deep inside
It was then that I realized
That forever was in your eyes
The moment I saw you cry
I wanted to hold you
i wanted to make it go away
I wanted to know you
I wanted to make your everything, all right....
I'll always remember...
It was late afternoon...
In places no one would find...
In places no one would find
All your feelings so deep inside
It was then that I realized
That forever was in your eyes
The moment I saw you cry'
The moment her song came to an end, the auditorium burst into a smattering applause for impressive show of talent. The teachers looked delighted to find someone who merits the part. Jade herself looked flushed with the unexpected support as she inclined her head in thanks before she stepped down from the stage. Kai was surprised by her singing talent. Her voice had been well-controlled, naturally sweet and filled with confidence for someone who was shy.
Hm...she might actually clinch the part for Juliet.
Her heart was thumping with excitement as she sat down in the seat next to Hilary who had come to give her support.
"You were awesome." her friend breathed.
Jade smiled her thanks and quietly ushered Hilary to be silent as the next girl came on to stage. Her franticly beating heart had not stilled and she wasn't sure if she wanted it to. While she was on stage, a dark shadow at the back of the auditorium had caught her eye and she saw Kai casually leaning against the wall, watching her. His expression was hard to read in the darkness he stood in but yet she was certain that his presence had something to do with her.
Author's note: The song in italic belongs to Mandy Moore from the original soundtrack of A Walk To Remember. Hope u like this chappie! Merry Christmas, people!