Chapter 3: " 'Orchestration Frustration', a pain(t)ing by Lukas Bondevik"

Sorry for such a short chapter. I thought it was longer. This is actually the shortest one. They get longer after this chapter!

Fifth graders were allowed to sign up for orchestra. They would stay after school every other day until 3:30 to learn how to play their instruments. The instruments weren't provided, but it was easy to rent one. Lukas signed up, along with Eduard and Ned. Gilbert didn't even look at the sheet. Mathias wasn't going to sign up, but saw Ned was and was also a little persuaded by Lukas signing up. He signed up to play the cello while Lukas signed up to play the violin.

Their first practice was on a Friday, but before that, they had their art class. Art class came around once a week and was only an hour long. It was Lukas' favorite back at his old school, but it wasn't so fun here because the teacher let each person choose their seats, so it was Ned, Gilbert, and Mathias together, laughing at stupid things and playing pranks constantly. They normally left him alone, though. He worked on his art in peace, humming to himself when he was most relaxed.

Today was one of those days. He hummed as he painted pumpkins onto a piece of thick paper, not noticing any of their snickering as he dipped his brush into a cup of water to rinse it. He didn't see Mathias get up and walk behind him just to bump him on purpose, causing his hand to slip and spilling the cup of orange tinted water all over his painting and into his lap. He stood quickly, looking behind him. The front of his pants was completely soaked and most of the kids in the class were giggling at him, but none so much as Gilbert, Ned, and Mathias.

He felt tears welling up in his eyes as he looked down at the ruined painting, then at his pants. He flashed Mathias the dirtiest look he could muster and ran up to the teacher, who immediately released him to go to the bathroom. He stayed in a stall for the rest of class, letting a few tears slip from his eyes as he leaned against the rickety door. He tried to rub off the stains on his pants, but it was useless.

He suddenly wished he hadn't signed up for Orchestra. It was such a pain to have to stay after school now. Nonetheless, he made his way to the gym when the bell rang, violin in his hand. He prepared the instrument and warmed up the way his mother had taught him when they first got the violin. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Mathias sit next to him. He paled, visibly shaken, but ignored him. Well, he ignored him until Mathias' bow poked him in the side.

"Sorry, just warming up," the taller boy said with a grin. Lukas scooted further away, but within seconds there was another jab to his side. He looked over at Mathias, who was quietly laughing. That was it. He very carefully and very slowly put his instrument away. He made sure the strings were loosened, the instrument was facing up, and everything was incredibly secure as he snapped the case shut, lifting it and setting it up on the stage, pushing it further back and walking slowly back over to Mathias.

"Mathias..."

"Hey, I was just-"

Before he could finish talking, Lukas tackled Mathias to the floor, grabbed his tie, and was punching him in the mouth. It hurt his knuckles, but he didn't care as long as it hurt Mathias, too

Mathias was too stunned to even speak. He pushed Lukas off and punched him in the nose. Lukas was down, but he wasn't done. He punched Mathias in the throat, trying hard to push him off, but he wouldn't budge. "Get off me, idiot!"

"No," Mathias responded with a sneer as he raised his fist to punch him again. Before he could, there was a hand on his shoulder and he was being pulled away. "Wh...?" They both looked up to see their principal. "That's enough. Go to my office. Now," he said.

They were both lead to the principals office. Mathias' lip was busted and Lukas had a bloody nose. Their parents came to pick them up and they were each given a day of suspension. It hurt Lukas to be suspended, as he'd never had it happen before, but Mathias acted like it was an everyday occurrence.

Despite how badly it felt to be suspended, Lukas was glad he'd finally defended himself. He even managed a smile on the way home.

"Who was that, mama?" Lukas asked as he stirred the soup in front of him. She smiled and sat next to him. "That was Mathias' mother. She actually wanted to apologize. I bet she feels bad about what he did to you. Of course I apologized, too. But she actually wants you to go to his birthday party this Saturday, Lukas."

Lukas dropped his spoon and stood up quickly. "I will not go to his birthday! He's a stupid idiot and I hate him!" He started to walk away, but she grabbed his arm and sat him back down. "Lukas Christian Bondevik you don't say that you hate anyone and I better not hear it again. Do you understand me?"

He huffed, folding his arms across his chest and slumping down in the chair. She grabbed his arm again and made him sit up. "Do you understand?" He looked down despite being sat back up, and when she made him lift his chin again, he was crying. "Yes I understand but please don't make me go!"

His mother thought it over for a minute, then finally said, "Tell you what. I'll turn my old phone back on and you can take it with you. You can call me at anytime and I'll come get you. I promise. And when you get back, I'll make you butter cookies. Please do this for me." Lukas wiped his tears, looking down and slumping again. "Fine," he answered. She pulled him into a hug, patting his back gently. "It's going to be okay. I promise things will start looking up for you, Lukas," she said.

He just nodded doubtfully until she let go and he could finally sulk in peace.

There once was a girl from Peru

Who dreamed she was getting a review

She woke with delight

In the middle of the night

To find that her dream had come true.