“You seem pretty new to me too, so maybe we both are?” His lips curved a little.
“I wish I was new.” I rolled my eyes, then sighed. “I’m Jenny.” I offered him my hand.
“Gabriel.” He shook my hand, then quickly released it. “Why’d you let those girls give you a hard time?”
“Why did I let them?” I raised an eyebrow. “They didn’t exactly give me a choice.”
“You didn’t exactly try to stop them.” His eyes locked onto mine. “Why is that?”
“I don’t know what you expected me to do.” I crossed my arms. “Throw a punch?”
“I’m pretty sure that was their plan.”
“And? That doesn’t mean I can do the same thing.”
“But you didn’t even try. You were just going to stand there and take it.” He shook his head. “You’ll never survive that way. You’ve got to be ready to defend yourself.”
“Maybe I don’t want to.” I shrugged, then looked at his food again. “If you won’t let me buy you lunch, at least let me get you another soda. Okay?”
“Sure.” He stared at me a moment longer, then pulled the door open.
As we stepped through it, I noticed the way he kept his distance from me, as if he went out of his way not to touch me. Maybe he’d already heard the rumors.
“There’s a vending machine over here.” I led him in the direction of the machine.
“You don’t have to do this, you know. I was glad to help.” He leaned against the side of the machine as I fed a dollar bill into it.
“It’s the least I can do. I really appreciate your help.” I grabbed the soda and held it out to him.
As he took it, his fingertips lightly brushed mine. “I could help you more—if you want.”
“What, you want to be my bodyguard?” I grinned. It was the first real smile I’d experienced all day.
“I want you not to need one.” He licked his lips, then tipped his head to the side. “I’ve been through a few different schools in the past few years. My mom—she’s had a hard time finding a place to settle down. And not every school is welcoming of my differences.” He gestured to his hair.
As he did, I noticed a hint of a tattoo peeking out from under his sleeve. “I got pushed around a bit. Until I decided I wouldn’t anymore.” He shrugged. “I could show you some things—if you want.”
“Thanks. I’ll think about it.”
“Just let me know.” He held up the soda. “Thanks.” He turned and walked away.
As I watched him go, I couldn’t help but be curious. He’d come to my rescue when he didn’t have to. But he’d done more than that. He’d pushed past my exterior and already figured out that I didn’t feel the urge to defend myself. We’d only known each other for a few minutes and yet I felt connected to him. He’d also piqued my interest.
What if I did learn some self-defense? What if I didn’t have to be so scared when the bullies pushed me into a corner?
For the rest of the day, I avoided the girls who’d attacked me. I kept my eye out for Gabriel, though. I wanted another glimpse of him with his wild hair and those strange eyes. How could someone my age even get a tattoo?
I imagined some wild possibilities. Maybe he’d been in a gang. Maybe he was still in a gang. Maybe he’d gone to prison? I’d heard that people in prison gave each other tattoos. None of that fit with his calm exterior, but he did say he knew how to defend himself, which meant he’d probably been in his share of fights.
By the end of the day, I hadn’t seen him again. I walked into my last class and felt a sense of calm wash over me. Surrounded by instruments, I always relaxed.
I settled at one of the pianos and ran my fingertips across the keys. I loved to play piano. My fingers ached to fly across the smooth surface of the keys. But I hadn’t played in a long time. It made me nervous to think about trying again.
As the teacher gave brief instructions on the songs to practice, another student walked into the classroom.
“Gabriel Jenkins, you’re late.” She eyed him from across the room.
“Sorry, ma’am, I got caught up with scheduling.” He held up the slip in his hand. “I went to the wrong class.”
“Alright, since it’s your first day, I’ll let it slide.” She smiled at him. “Just grab something to play and I’ll work with you on it as soon as I get a chance.”
He nodded.
I felt his gaze skim over me, though I avoided making eye contact with him. When I did dare to look in his direction, I saw him pick up one of the guitars.
Of course he plays guitar. I held back a smile. All of the rock stars had to start somewhere, right?
I turned my attention back to the piano and began to play a little. As I did, I recalled the confidence I used to feel when I played. Now, though, I second-guessed everything I did.
My mind wandered from the current moment, to the year I’d spent away. Without fully realizing it, my fingers seemed to fall into a familiar pace on the keys.
I closed my eyes as the music overwhelmed me.
After a few moments, I realized that it wasn’t only the piano I heard. The sound of a guitar blended in with it. Perfectly.
I took a breath and glanced up to find Gabriel a few feet away from me. His fingers strummed the guitar and his eyes were closed. The entire class had gone silent, but for our two instruments, and the attention of everyone was focused on the two of us.
Stunned by this, I drew my hands away from the keys.
Chapter 4
His eyes opened as he continued to play, then he let his fingers fall away from the strings.
“Wow!” Mrs. Yarrow clapped her hands as she looked between us. “That was fantastic! Have you two played together before?”
Gabriel remained silent as he stared at me.
“No.” I turned my attention to the teacher. “Never.”
“Well, you two certainly have a good blend. I would love to hear it at the talent show next week. Can we make that happen, please?” She met my eyes.
“Oh no, I don’t think so.” I stood up from the piano.
“You don’t have to answer me now.” Mrs. Yarrow smiled. “I know you’re both still getting adjusted to being here.” She studied me for a moment. “I’m glad you’re back, Jennifer.”
I swallowed hard as I felt the stares from the other students. She might as well have turned on a spotlight and shined it right in my face.
“Thanks.” I looked down at my feet.
“Alright, everyone, that’s it for today. Enjoy your evening, but please do make sure you fit some practice time to into your schedule.” She smiled as the students began to exit.
I turned back to the piano and grabbed my backpack from the floor beside it. When I straightened up, he was so close that my arm brushed against his chest.
“You don’t want to play with me?”
I looked up at him, both surprised by his presence and startled by the rush that carried through me in response to how close he was.
He pretended to pout, before a smile spread across his lips.
“It’s not that,” I replied. “I just don’t want to be in the talent show.”
“Don’t worry, I’m just kidding.” He adjusted the strap of his bag on his shoulder. “Have you thought about what I said earlier? I’m free tonight if you want to go over some things.”
“I just want to get back to the dorm and forget that this day ever happened.” I shifted from one foot to the other. “It’s been rough.”
“Not all of it, I hope.” He smiled at me again, then shrugged. “Suit yourself. I just hate to think about what might have happened if I hadn’t been there.” He stroked the curve of my cheek. “You don’t deserve to be hurt.”
As he turned and walked away, I couldn’t get myself to speak. His words struck me hard. I wasn’t quite sure why, but it felt as if he’d taken a look at every secret I held inside and simply checked them off on a list.
How could he see into me the way he
did?
A little unnerved, I walked back toward my dorm room.
When Maby heard the news of my return, she’d worked things out so that we could be roommates again. At least there, I knew I would be safe and not so confused.
As I stepped through the door, I heard one of our favorite songs playing.
“I’m making snacks!” she called out from the kitchen.
“Great!” I laughed as I joined her in the kitchen.
“So, did you hear about the great disaster that happened today?” She grabbed a plate of mini-pizzas out of the microwave and carried them to the small table.
“Disaster?” I sighed as I sat down in a chair beside her. “I feel like my whole day was a disaster.”
“Well, apparently, two girls were assaulted in the stairwell.” She licked some cheese from her finger as she looked at me. “Did you hear about that?”
“Not exactly.” I sank down in my chair.
“Yup, the story goes that the new kid—Gabriel, I think his name is—went psycho and sprayed them with orange soda. Can you believe that?”
“No.” I frowned.
“Me either.” She looked into my eyes. “So what really happened?”
“You already know, don’t you?”
“I know you were there. I know that you should have told me they were giving you a hard time and I would have made sure they stayed away from you.” She picked up one of the pizzas and took a bite.
“That’s just it. You shouldn’t have to defend me all the time. I knew this was going to happen. I expected it when I came back.”
“That doesn’t make it right.” She pushed the plate toward me. “Eat.”
“Maybe it doesn’t make it right, but it’s just the way it is.” I picked up one of the pizzas. “And Gabriel isn’t psycho. Well, not that I know of, anyway. If he hadn’t been there, I’d probably be a bruised and bloody mess right now.”
“Jenny! You can’t let them push you around like that.”
“Now you sound like Gabriel.” I rolled my eyes.
“Maybe that’s because we’re both right.”
“He did offer to teach me some self-defense, but that seems too weird.” I popped the pizza into my mouth.
“Is it more weird than getting a black eye?” She frowned.
“I don’t know, Maby. I just want everything to go back to normal.”
“Honey.” She took my hand and looked into my eyes. “That’s not going to happen. I’m glad Gabriel was there for you and I wish I could have been there for you too. But I hate to think of a time when you’re alone and have no way to defend yourself.”
“So you think I should learn from him?”
“From him or someone else. I can hold my own in a fight, but I’m not sure that I could teach someone else to be able to.”
“You know I’m not a fighter.” I sighed.
“I think you’re more of a fighter than you realize.” She stood up to answer her phone.
I picked up another pizza and chewed on it as I considered her words.
She was right. I couldn’t always count on someone coming to my rescue. Maybe it would be a good idea to learn from Gabriel, even if it would be strange and awkward. Everything in my life was currently strange and awkward anyway.
As I polished off a few more mini-pizzas, I decided that I would take him up on the offer. Maybe it would give me the chance to get to know him a little better too.
“Oh, I heard about your concert today too!” Maby plopped back down in the chair across from me. “I’m so glad to hear that you’re playing again. And there are rumors about you being in the talent show?”
“No, that’s not happening.” I shook my head. “The last thing I need is to be up on stage in front of the entire school. Are you kidding?”
“I’m not kidding.” She frowned. “Listen, Jenny, I know you’ve been through a lot. But you can’t spend the rest of your life hiding because of it. That isn’t who you are. You’re a bright light and you shouldn’t keep that hidden.”
“Maybe not so bright anymore.” I pursed my lips. “I’ve changed. I’m not the same person I was.”
“Yes, you’ve changed. You’ve grown, but you’re still you.” She took my hand and gave it a squeeze. “I know how much peace and inspiration playing music gives you. You can’t let a bunch of vapid bullies take that away. There is more than one way to stand up for yourself.”
“I’ll think about it.” I stood up from the table. “Thanks. I think I’ll take a walk.”
“I’ll come with you.” Maby stood up.
“No, it’s okay. I’ll be fine.” I met her eyes. “I just need a little time alone to think about everything.”
Chapter 5
As I wandered through the courtyard, I tried to make sense of the concerns that flowed through my mind. As much as I wanted to stay at Oak Brook, I had to wonder if it was the best decision. If so many people didn’t want me there, maybe it would be easier for me just to leave.
It wasn’t long before I reached the music room. The teacher always left it open in the afternoons for students to practice.
Luckily, it was empty.
As I stepped inside, I thought about what Maby had said about music giving me peace. It always had in the past. Maybe if I played a little, I could get my thoughts straightened out.
As I sat down on the bench, I savored the sound of the familiar creak. I brushed my fingertips across the keys and held my breath. Oak Brook had become my home and the thought of leaving it again upset me. But it also didn’t exactly feel like home anymore. What I needed was to discover what it was I truly wanted from all this.
I began to play one of my favorite songs that always calmed me down. But each note sounded flat, my pacing was off, and it seemed as if a stranger might be playing instead of me. I stared down at my hands and sighed.
After stretching them a few times, I started to play again, this time a different song that I knew by heart. The music I produced, however, was nothing like what I expected. It was jerky and out of sync with the rhythm as I hummed along.
Frustration built within me. The only thing that gave me peace in the past now seemed impossible for me to accomplish.
I closed my eyes as I recalled the last few months. It hadn’t been easy to make the decisions that I’d made, and a part of me still wasn’t sure that I’d done the right thing. But more than any of that, the memory of who I used to be weighed on me. I’d become such a stranger to myself that I couldn’t even play music anymore.
I put my fingertips back on the keys and took a deep breath. I couldn’t give up without a fight. I’d known that it was going to be rough when I returned to the boarding school, but I’d gone through with it anyway because it was my best chance at the future I wanted for myself. Without the educational connections of Oak Brook, I’d likely end up back home living with my mother. And that was the last thing I wanted.
As I continued to play, I once again lost myself in thoughts of the past year. Words began to flow from my lips to a song I hadn’t even taken the time to write. But my fingers trembled so badly with the force of my emotions that my keystrokes were still off.
I had squeezed my eyes shut, ready to give up, when I heard the faint strum of a guitar. The music flowed through me, and even though I was startled by the knowledge that someone else was in the room, I didn’t let it stop me from continuing to play.
As the guitarist played along, I had no doubt in my mind who it was.
Gabriel.
Somehow the flow of his melody allowed me to relax. My fingers began to fly across the keys.
I heard him walk up behind me, still playing, but I refused to look at him. Instead, I focused only on the music.
Suddenly, I felt as if I could play for hours. I felt like the old me again, the me that could lose myself at the piano for hours, if not days.
As my voice trailed off, I finally let my fingers come to rest. I felt him sit down beside me.
“Gabriel
.” I continued to stare at the piano. “I thought I was alone.”
“You were. Until I walked in.” He leaned closer to me. “I hope I didn’t upset you by being here.”
“You didn’t.”
“It’s just that those lyrics you were singing—I could hear the sadness in your voice.” He rested his hand lightly against the top of my back.
“It wasn’t sadness you heard. It was just nervousness.” I stretched and curled my fingers. “I’m out of practice. I haven’t played in a long time.”
“I don’t believe that.” He looked into my eyes. “I know sadness when I hear it.”
“You do, don’t you?” I stared back into his eyes and noticed the way he looked away from me.
“I really enjoyed playing with you.” He trailed his fingertips along the keys in front of him.
“So did I. In fact, I’ve been thinking about the talent show. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad to do it.”
“I think you should.” He smiled. “You’ll be great.”
“Maybe, but I can’t even think about going on stage unless you’re there to play with me. I think if you were, I’d be able to do it.” I looked over at his guitar. “So, will you join me?”
“Actually, I’ve been thinking about it too.” He shook his head. “I don’t think it would be a good idea. I’m new here and that already brings with it the wrong kind of attention. Add to that the fact that my mother is a teacher. The last place I need to be is on a stage in front of the entire school.”
“I thought you weren’t afraid of anything?” I tilted my head to the side as I looked at him.
“I never said that. I know better than to paint a target on my back.” He frowned, then stood up from the piano bench. “It’s just not worth it. We won’t be here for long anyway. We never are.” He turned and walked toward the door.
“Gabriel, wait.” I caught up with him at the door. “About your other offer. Does that still stand?”
“You’d like to learn self defense?” He turned to face me. “Is that what you mean?”
“Yes. I think so.” I frowned. “I’m not sure, but I guess it’s worth a shot.”
A Fresh Start: A Young Adult Sweet Romance (Oak Brook Academy Book 5) Page 2
