Time passed slowly as Allen tried to figure out Rex's notes, receipts, and markings. Around 8 o'clock Allen stopped and cracked his back, "Ugh, man does my back hurt." He had been bending over Rex's papers and his computer for too long. Allen's stomach rumbled, "Missed dinner again." Looking up from the computer he caught a whiff of pizza, "They forgot to call me for dinner. Oh well, better get back to work or I will be up all night." He focused back on his computer screen but was soon distracted by tapping behind him
"What the?" Allen turned around and saw R.J. in the window tapping on the glass. Allen just shook his head at his best friend. Once R.J. noticed that Allen was looking at him he gestured for Allen to open the window. Allen jumped up and jerked the window open. "What are you doing here? And what are you doing coming through my window?"
"I didn't think that Rex would allow me into the house if I came to the front door. So I decided to come through the window. Did you know the tree outside your window is really easy to climb? You should really try it sometime."
"I don't think so," responded Allen shaking his head at his friend. R.J. seemed afraid of nothing. Allen wished he had the guts to do and say what R.J. easily did. "What are you doing here anyway?"
"I'm here bringing you food. I figured that Rex wasn't going to feed you so I decided to bring you some myself. Someone has to take care of you," replied R.J fixing his baseball cap so the brim has sticking out behind him as it had been turned during the entry into Allen's room.
"You really didn't have to do that. I could have gotten food myself."
"Maybe, but would you have?"
Allen didn't respond because they both knew the answer to that one.
"So I brought you some leftover pizza because I know you don't mind eating cold pizza and it doesn't have a smell that will let Rex on to my presence." R.J. handed Allen the Tupperware container stuffed with cold pizza. "Oh, and hurry up. After you finish eating you're having your music lesson."
Allen almost choked a slice of sausage pizza he had started eating, "What? I can't have my lesson yet, I'm not done and Rex won't let me leave until everything's done."
"I know that. You're going to climb out your window and while you are gone I am going to continue to work on this stupid project of Rex's. He's just trying to hold you back."
"I know," agreed Allen. They had this conversation many times before. Ever since his mother had died Rex had treated Allen almost like a servant or his secretary rather than his step-son. They had even joked that Allen was like Cinderella except he was a boy.
"I'm not going to take no for an answer. You're going to that lesson because your future depends on it. The only way you're going to get away from Rex is through your natural-born talent of music. So it's my self-appointed job as your best friend to help you follow your dream so I'm going to make you leave this room and go to your lesson."
Allen smiled, "But what if Rex comes up here to check on me while I'm at my lesson? I mean it's not like we look anything alike with you being African-American and me being Caucasian."
"Don't worry, I'll just wear one of your hoodies with the hood over my head so he won't notice it's me and I'll keep my back facing him. Don't worry about it, you know I work great under pressure," assured R.J.
Allen just shook his head. He knew there was no deterring R.J. once he got an idea in his head. "Okay I'll do it. But if we get caught I am holding you personally responsible."
"No problem, I will proudly take on any punishment you might get if we get caught, which we won't. Now finish up your pizza and get your butt over to my place. My dad is expecting you over there any minute now."
"I'm working on it. Just chill a little bit, man," replied Allen. "I probably should explain to you my system and what I was doing here."
"There's no time for that! I'll figure it out. Don't worry about it; I've never gotten anything lower than a B in math my whole life. You have nothing to worry about."
"If you say so," replied Allen a bit uneasy. "I guess I will go then." He slung the backpack straps of his violin case through his arms and inched his way towards the window. Once he got to the window he paused.
"What are you waiting for?" asked R.J.
"I don't know if this is such a good idea."
"What are you talking about? This will totally work out," assured R.J.
"But what if I fall, I could break my violin and Rex will never buy me a new one."
R.J. laughed, "You would be worried about falling and breaking your instrument rather than yourself."
Allen smiled, "Well to me my instrument is more valuable than an arm or leg. But seriously, I can't afford to hurt my violin much less myself. Are you sure this is a good idea?"
"Positive. Don't worry about it, if you want I can give you tree-climbing guidance from up here."
Allen looked down at the tree for a minute, "Okay, I've mapped out my route down the tree. I'm going to do this."
"Yes you can! If you can play a solo for judges or in front of an audience, then you can climb down a tree."
Allen started to open his mouth to say something in response but R.J. cut in, "Just get on with it, why don't ya! If you don't hurry might dad might think you stood him up and go to bed and then you will completely miss your chance at getting your lesson in. Now go before you have any other second thoughts."
Allen took a deep breath and reached out to grab the nearest strong branch hanging by his window. Once he felt sturdy, Allen swung himself to the larger limbs of the tree and then slowly made his descendent, careful to avoid hitting his violin case on any branches or limbs as best he could. When his feet touched the ground Allen could hear R.J. give him a round of applause from his window.
"Just text me when you are on your way home so I can get the window open for you," R.J. called down.
Allen flashed him a thumbs up because he didn't want the chance of his voice being heard by Rex. Allen then turned and ran down the street to R.J.'s house.
Please continue to give me feedback on the characters and plot and whatever. Thanks!