Monday morning, after the silent breakfast and the awfully long trip to school I finally made it to the school lobby and walked to my locker. A small part of me wanted Apollo to wait for me beside my locker, but he was not there and a glimpse of disappointment flicked inside of me. I reached my locker, set my locker combination and opened it when a piece of paper flew out of my locker. I bent and brush my fallen strip of hair behind my ear and grabbed the folded into two piece of paper.
"Good morning, Viola"
I read it silently, but somehow his voice was reading it aloud. He was behind the locker door and I was sure he was. I closed my locker and there he was, leaning his right shoulder cooly with his arms folded.
Me : Good morning (I tried to hid my face behind the curtain of hair that fell on my right side)
Apollo: Don't hide (He pulled my hair back and I held his hand to stop him)
Me : So... What's up?
Apollo : You got rehearsal after school?
Me : Yeah, why?
Apollo : Oh (He smiled cooly, playing his game)
Me : What? (his smile was contagious enough my lips began to wry up a smile)
Apollo : Nothing
Me : You think you're so cool don't you?
Apollo : Oh yeah.. and I'm not the only one who thinks so.
Me : Modesty becomes you, Apollo.
Apollo : I never said I was humble
Me : Too bad, I prefer humble guys better
Apollo : But.. I can be humble for you (he stood straight and winked, he pulled his backpack and walked away as I closed my locker after taking my biology and history books) See you around.
I rolled my eyes at him and he sticked his tongue out, and I didn't know why that tongue made me swoon.
Later after school Bruce dropped me to rehearsal and I swiftly ran to the stage and rehearsed with the rest of utterly monotone musicians. Mom was sitting in the middle row, examining us, well to be precise examining me. I glanced at her every time I could, checking her facial expression and her unimpressed mimic.
Mom : Stop! (everyone stopped as soon as her voice was audible) That's enough for today. Viola you seriously need to put your head in this rehearsal.
Seriously? She couldn't talk to me in private? Everyone's eyes were staring at me, I could feel their eyes and the sneering but i didn't want to actually see it, so i looked down and packed my things when they went down and left me alone on the stage. I felt hot and my eyes were filled with tear that was going to prick down my eyes when I heard footsteps from the backstage.
Apollo : That was impressive (He startled me from behind the stage)
Me : Why are you here? How did you get in? (I said astonished)
Apollo : Pack of musicians smoke from the back of the building, I could sneak in when they got out.
Me : (I didn't want to feel awful when he was near, but damn it. I was exhausted, and he knew it)
Apollo : Don't let her words got in to your playing, Viola
Me : She's my mother, it hurts more than you think
Apollo : Play it again
Me: What?
Apollo : Play L'enfance du Christ again, and look at me.
Me : Apollo I don't feel like it, I just want to go home.
Apollo : You will, but not without a satisfied smile on your face. Come on, just 5 minutes I promise.
I played the tune again but looking at him was even worse. Every time I stung a note he smiled and when he smiled my concentration was blurred even more. I stopped, I was tired, emotionally and physically.
Apollo : Hey, why are you stopping?
Me : I'm tired (I felt like crying, big time)
Apollo stood up, he walked closer to me and took my cello and the bow and put in down on the stage, he pulled my hand slowly and lingered my fingers, slowly and warmly his long fingers were between mine. His other hand caressed my cheekbone, slowly. Exploring tenderly my jawbone and stopped when he reached my chin
Apollo : Close your eyes, and don't move.
I knew I was hesitant, though my mind couldn't think clearly because all of his recent gestures, I could feel my brows furrowed. Apollo saw it and whispered a slow "don't worry," I relaxed, though my heart was pounding like crazy some part of me trusted him abundantly. I closed my eyes and I felt him pulling my chin so that my head was slightly tilted, then I felt his lips, soft and warm against mine. He kissed me slowly and tenderly I could combust. I felt a rush of something, something super unfamiliar my body didn't know how to response. He held my face and kissed me harder, like he was so afraid of losing something, but in the same time I knew he was trying to give me something, strength and encouragement, or more. It was like he was giving me a part of him. I moved my jelly arms and held his arched elbow. That was the only movement i could manage. I was lost in his kiss I couldn't even breath.
He pulled back and I opened my eyes, my head was spinning and I felt so different, in a good way.
Apollo : Stop playing for someone else Viola, play for yourself. Enjoy it.
Me : I have never enjoyed my playing before. (My voice sounded soft after I strived to find my equilibrium)
Apollo : Did you enjoy the kiss?
Me : (I flushed, did he really just asked that?)
Apollo : Close your eyes
Me : You want to kiss me again?
Apollo : (He chuckled, I frowned, he put his thumb to his lips to stop his laughter and his other hand support his gesture. Snobby bastard!) Yes, but not at the moment. Close your eyes and this time listen to every single note you played, enjoy it like you enjoy the kiss. (He gave me my violin and the bow)
I grabbed my cello and took a deep heavy breath. He looked at me, give me a "go on" gesture and said, "Come on, I won't leave." I closed my eyes and did what he asked. My fingers were calmer, my mind a lot more peaceful, and surprisingly, I did enjoy my playing, there were no pressure and the tune were played perfectly, no stung note nor a skipped one. For the first time, I was satisfied with how I played L'enfance du Christ. I opened my eyes, Apollo was smiling with satisfaction as well, more of a proud smile.
Apollo : Well done! (He walked toward me calmly)
Me : How did you know? (I said in admiration and disbelief)
Apollo : (He shrugged and slid both of his hands inside his trouser pockets) Instinct I guess. Come on I'll take you home.
Me : But Bruce is waiting for me
Apollo: Oh come on Viola just once? (amusement was visible in his eyes)
Me : I am already in trouble with my mother Apollo, do you want to get me killed?
Apollo : You know that's the least of all things I would want to happen to you. (His playful expression vanished and turned into a concern frown)
Me : So, let me go home with Bruce
Apollo : Tell him you're going home tomorrow with me
Me : I have rehearsal tomorrow
Apollo : I'll take you to this awful stage tomorrow and take you home the second you finished this thing.
Me : Why do you need to take me home Apollo?
Apollo : To spent every possible second with you, Viola. You know how hard it is for us to be together with your extremely tight schedule
Me : Fine, I see what I can do.
Apollo : Good
Apollo grabbed my cello case and helped me to pack things up. We walked pass the hall and was leading to the main entrance when Apollo grabbed my hand by surprise pulled me to him and planted his lips to mine.
Apollo : Be save, I'll see you tomorrow.
Me : I'm just going home Apollo, not flying across the country. Drive carefully. (I walked to the door and opened it, Apollo was still staring at me and then shook his head and turned around)
I opened the car door and was thankful that Bruce had took mom home first. I smiled, remembering how lingering our kiss before. Maybe Apollo had not notice that it was my first kiss and how giocoso it made me feel, but I didn't want him to know that it was my first. I didn't want to be pathetic and he surely needed not to know.
