Billy had taken up Kate's offer & had decided to go watch her while she volunteered at Beaumont Academy, maybe he would even help out. So, with Gizmo tucked safely in his backpack, he walked a few blocks from the bank to where a very grand looking building stood, covered in snow. He climbed the iced-over steps to the doors of the school & paused. "Gizmo, you have to be quiet, okay?" Billy gazed back at the green bag slung over his shoulder. "Mmmm-hmmm." a small coo emulated from inside. "Good boy." Billy chuckled, as he opened the doors & stepped into the warmth.
Beaumont Academy was a very old-fashion looking school house, its wooden arches & rafter were covered in tinsel & garland. Billy glanced at either side of the hall as he walked, trying to figure out what room Kate would be in. Each door had words painted on a small window with black letters. One read Woodwinds, another said Strings & a door on the opposite side, Brass.
Billy continued to walk down the hall, hearing the sound of orchestral music being played over indistinct chatter. The music grew louder as Billy came to a large set of double doors, printed on the plaque beside them was the word Auditorium. "This must be it." Billy said, as he pushed the doors open.
The sounds in the auditorium amplified & nobody even seemed to notice Billy. He scanned the crowded room, looking for Kate. He saw one young lady admiring a Christmas tree that stood off to the right in the pit. He looked up at the stage & saw girl holding a bassoon on her lap, chatting with another girl who had a clarinet. Still, he didn't see Kate. He was about to turn around & go home, when a group of boys, carrying a tuba stepped passed him & revealed Kate sitting next to a blonde in a wheelchair, who held a violin.
"Kate!" He called out, putting a hand up in order to be better seen amongst the crowd. Kate glanced up & her brown eyes widened happily. "Billy, I'm so glad you're here." She smiled up at him. "Oh! Billy, this is Nadine." She gestured to the blonde in the wheelchair, who was wearing the same Navy colored uniform that the rest of the girls had on & a pair lace-up boots with metal leg braces fastened to them, which Billy had never seen before. He had to force himself not to stare. Nadine's blue eyes met with Billy's & she remained quiet. Kate giggled, rubbing the blonde's shoulder. "Nadine, this is Billy."
Billy knelt down & held his hand out. "Hello, Nadine." He smiled at the shy, young girl. "Hello, Billy." She replied, shaking his hand politely & then continuing to hold it. Billy thought nothing of it & smirked. "Nadine plays first chair violin here at the school." Kate explained, gesturing to the instrument on the girl's lap. "You see, that's very special." Kate fumbled a bit, not knowing enough to explain it properly. "It-it means she's the best." She glanced at the violinist with her eyebrows raised.
"Yes," Nadine responded in a rather quiet voice. "In a way, it means that I'm the best." Billy nodded in admiration. "Wow! That's…that's really impressive." And he meant it. She looked down, trying to avoid blushing at the boy. He was very charming & he had a nice smile. She liked the way he smiled at her. She liked the way he looked at her & spoke to her. It made her feel warm inside.
A rustling sound & small squeak came from Billy's backpack. He shifted to hopefully distract the girl, who no doubt, had heard the Mogwai. Nadine brow furrowed in slight confusion at the sound. "Uhh…" Kate got to her feet & thrust her hands in her pocket. "Nadine, you've been working all afternoon, why don't you go get a snack." Dropping several quarters into the girl's hand. Kate turned Nadine's chair into the other direction & gave her a gentle push. Billy rolled her eyes, at the bag on his shoulder & shook his finger in a reprimanding manner. Kate stood with her hands on her hips, trying to suck a smirk off her face. "Oh Billy," Kate snorted. "I think she likes you."