Surprisingly, our plan worked.

Or well, not too surprisingly. Olivia was an idiot. She had the smuggest look on her face as Paul publicly forbade me from entering the music contest. To my credit, I was a pretty good actor, putting on my most horrified-mixed-with-misery face.

"I knew Elliot didn't care that much about you," she'd said that Monday, acting all snide.

Oh how wrong she was about that. But whatever, at least Elliot wasn't receiving any more threats.

So I'd just replied, "you're crazy." Because at least that was true.

Now it was Tuesday, and Paul was having me play Canon in C over and over again, even though I really had it down pat. In fact, I had it down so well, I began to personalize the piece a little, adding notes or making a bar more complex. "Are you sure it'd be okay to change the original?" I asked Paul as I was showing him my version once more.

"Sure, it means you can compose," he responded with a shrug. "At least a little. I used to change the pieces I played until I started composing my own. Everyone loved it."

"And now you're all famous."

He grinned down at me. "It wasn't what I was aiming for, but it was a plus."

"What do you think Olivia's going to do when I show up tomorrow?" I inquired, grinning a little bit at the thought of her surprised face. "Cry?"

Paul frowned a little bit. "I don't know."

"Go crazy and try to kill me? I wouldn't be surprised."

"She's actually not that bad—"

I rounded on him. "You're still defending her? After she sicked her pet goons on Elliot? Really, Paul?"

Paul stuck out his chin stubbornly. "I'm not defending her, I just don't think you should judge her on this."

"Why not?" I asked dryly.

"Because, people do crazy things when they really want something. She obvious really wants to win, so she's trying to do anything she can to ensure that she does."

"By hiring people to attack someone else? That's taking it too far," I argued.

Paul dipped his head in agreement. "Yes, but we don't know about her life. She could have her reasons."

I frowned at him. "You try to see the best in everybody, don't you?"

"Try, yes."

"That's admirable," I admitted, letting out a sigh. "Maybe I'm just not used to competitive people."

Paul smiled at me. "Most people aren't... but Allie, you do realize you add fuel to the fire, right?"

"What?"

He leaned against the side of the piano, folding his arms over his chest. "If you wouldn't respond to her provocation, she wouldn't continue to try and get a reaction out of you."

I narrowed my eyes. "So, wait, you're saying this is my fault now?"

"I didn't say that."

"Then what?"

He ran a hand through his hair. "Only that the problem only exists between you two, and neither of you will try to stop it."

"But she started it—"

"Five year olds use that logic."

In spite of myself, I grinned. "You're right. Sorry, I know I shouldn't, but I just want to defend myself, you know?"

"She only goads you because she's intimidated."

"I'm tired of it though, all of it," I told him, resting my fingers against the piano keys.

Paul hesitated. "Maybe you could try talking to her?"

"After everything we've been through?"

"It'd be the adult thing to do. Try to settle your differences."

"Why do I have to be the one to..." I trailed off, realizing I sounded like a petulant kid. Embarrassed, I shifted my gaze downward. "Never mind. Yeah, I'll talk to her. We won't be friends, but maybe I can stop this petty feud... even though I still think she's crazy and she definitely deserves something for getting Elliot beat up like that."

Paul raised an eyebrow. "Would beating her tomorrow be enough?"

"Maybe."

"Then let's practice again."

I groaned. "My fingers are going to fall off!"

"Tell you what, if you win, we'll go to the most expensive place I know as a celebratory dinner."

"Why the most expensive?"

Paul grinned a little. "To impress you?"

"You don't need money to impress me, Paul," I told him. "We can just go to McDonald's or something."

He shook his head. "No, we're definitely going somewhere more fancy."

"Why? Is it a date?" I asked, waggling my eyebrows.

There was a moment of silence. "If you want it to be."

My body froze. Was he serious? "Do you want it to be?" I asked after a second.

"Don't know, maybe, if you want it to be," he responded vaguely, rubbing the back of his neck.

Did I? Yes, Paul was attractive. Yes, I was attracted to him. Yes, I had more-than-friends feelings for him, but did I want to move our relationship from friendship to something more? Paul, my current guardian? It would complicate things, especially if my parents ever found out, but... "Yes," I finally said.

"Yes?" he echoed.

I nodded, unable to meet his eyes. "Yeah, Paul, a date. It sounds nice."

"That's great." I looked up to see he was beaming at me. "I was worried you'd say no."

"Wait, you've been thinking about this?"

He huffed out a laugh. "Of course. I thought it was obvious. I've been dropping hints."

"You have?"

"Yes... you're spectacularly ignorant of the opposite sex, aren't you?"

I shot him a dirty look. "I'm not, I just didn't think... you flirt with everybody, Paul. Even guys."

"Maybe I'm not picky," he replied with a grin.

"Oh? Why don't you have a go at Elliot then."

Paul laughed. "He's a bit too aggressive for me."

"Nah, he's like a giant teddy bear once you get to know him."

Paul gave me a skeptical look and we both started laughing. "Practice," he ordered, smiling all the while.

I grinned. "Aye, aye, Captain."

*

Wednesday morning, I woke up groggily, having stayed up late finishing last minute of homework I hadn't gotten around to because of all the piano practice I've had. So when I stumbled into the kitchen, yawning and rubbing my eyes, Paul didn't look too happy. "You didn't get any sleep," he stated flatly.

"I got like, five hours," I protested.

He pursed his lips. "Maybe you should stay home today."

"No way," I said quickly. "I'm going to school. Gotta make sure Elliot actually shows up tonight, because if I don't win, I want him to win."

"Fine, eat then," Paul demanded, shoving a plate full of eggs and bacon and toast in front of me.

I stared down at it with a wrinkled nose. "I'm not hungry."

"Come on, at least try. You don't want to be distracted by hunger when it's your turn to play."

Grimacing, I picked up my fork, knowing he was right. The competition began in less than twelve hours. Already my nerves were starting to appear. I couldn't stop jiggling my foot and I had no appetite. This was it. If I failed, I'd actually have to use the money I'd worked for to buy a car and not as college savings...

"Allie," Paul started, giving me a weary look. "You know it's not the end of the world if you lose, right?"

"I guess," I muttered.

"We can still go on a date," he continued brightly.

Surprised by his response, I glanced up at him. He looked genuinely happy about the idea of a date. Which made me happy too and I couldn't help but to grin at him. "That's good. Will you buy me a car too?"

"I don't buy people cars on first dates."

"What about second dates?"

He laughed. "We'll see."

Rolling my eyes, I focused on forcing down my breakfast. "I'm kidding. I want to buy my own car."

"Are you even a little bit excited of the idea you can go to nationals?"

"If I have to deal with more people like Olivia? Then no."

Chuckling, he took a seat at the table. "You won't. You probably won't meet any of your competition until the day of the nationals... well, besides small meetings here and there."

"Mm, you really want me to go on, don't you?" I murmured, creating a smiley face with my eggs and bacon.

Paul gestured for me to eat it instead of play with it. "I do, mainly because I really do want to play with you."

"You can play with me any time," I told him. "Er, you know, play piano with me any time."

Grinning, he stood up from the table again. "Whatever. After you finish let's go over your piece one last time. I don't want to tire you out before you play, so we'll play it a maximum of five times before the competition begins. Once before school, four times after."

"Five times... yay," I muttered, stuffing a forkful of egg into my mouth.

"And you'll have to choose a nice outfit for our date tonight!" he added before he swept out of the kitchen. "Meet me in the piano room!"

Somehow I was more nervous about our date than the actual competition. Playing piano was easy. Dating? Not so much. There was a lot more to be worried about with relationships. I should know. Still, with Paul I was sure it'd be a lot easier. Especially since we were already practically best friends.

Smiling, I finished my breakfast and then headed into the piano room.

Fortunately, because I was participating in the Winter Wonder competition (giggles were induced when participants were dismissed early), I got to go home at noon. Then I sat at home for the next three hours, fiddling around on the piano a few times, waiting for Paul to arrive at three. Then he forced me to try on a thousand different outfits (not really, I didn't have much clothing) until he found one he was satisfied with; a basic black pencil skirt and a nice white blouse. Elegant and classy.

My mom and dad showed up at four, along with Jeremy, and his wife Casey, their thirteen-year-old son, Rory, and Paul's parents. For a brief second I thought Holly, Paul's mother, was my mom, because they looked like complete twins, even though they weren't related.

"You're going to do great, kiddo," Jeremy told me, clapping his large hand onto my shoulder.

I grinned at him. " Yeah. Didn't realizing I had so much support coming."

"We wouldn't miss this for the world," my mom told me.

"Even if I lose?"

Jeremy hesitated. "I don't know. I might be too embarrassed to say I know you."

My dad rolled his eyes as Jeremy and Casey laughed. "We should head out soon," he announced, glancing at the clock. "You have to be there at five, Allie Cat?"

"Yup," I responded, running a hand through my hair. "Did you all come in the same car?"

"Two cars," Andy told me. Paul looked a lot like his father. Even in his early forties, Andy still had a boyishly handsome face. "Are you two going to ride with us?"

Paul quickly spoke up. "No, we're taking my car."

Jeremy raised an eyebrow. "Why? Going on a hot date after?"

I laughed loudly and forcefully, elbowing him roughly in the side. "What a thought, Jeremy."

Jeremy grimaced, rubbing his side. "Like father, like daughter..."

"Damn straight," my dad said proudly.

Casey shot him a look, tapping Rory's head. "Young ears. You should know to watch your mouth, Mr. Heywood."

My dad shrugged. "I teach high schoolers, they swear all the time anyway."

"Allie, we've got to leave," Paul announced, looking at his watch. "It takes about thirty minutes to get there."

I nodded. "Sure. I'll see you guys after the performance?"

"Only if you win," Jeremy told me, his eyes lit up with amusement. "If you lose, I'm leaving before anybody realizes we're friends."

My mom sighed as I grinned at the blonde. "Sure."

"Good luck, Allie," Rory said, beaming up at me.

"Thanks," I responded, ruffling his short blonde hair.

Five minutes later, after every one wished me luck and gave me hugs, Paul and I were on the way to the venue the competition was being held at. When we arrived, the parking lot was already half full. My nerves hit me right away. I'd been focused on the competition at my school. I'd forgotten about the competition from the rest of the state.

"You'll be fine," Paul promised me as we parked. "I've got to go speak to some people, so I'll see you when you play. I'll be at the judges' stand."

My eyes widened. "You're a judge?"

He laughed. "No, that wouldn't be fair. I'd be judging my own students. I'm just a special guest."

"Of course you are."

He smiled at me. "You'll do fine though, Allie. Just head to the waiting room, and don't let any of the other contestants faze you."

"I won't," I promised him, following him inside the building now. The place itself was pretty fancy, with high ceilings and a huge auditorium with a stage that held a single grand piano. Paul went off in one direction, giving me instructions to go ahead and continue straight until I found the backroom behind the stage. It wasn't that hard to find.

Once inside the backroom I registered myself, checking in, and getting a nametag. There were thirty people in the competition and I was number thirty. Which meant I'd be going last in the performance order. Great. The judges were sure to be bored by the time I played. Sighing, I took a seat at an empty table, taking a peek at my rivals. The age range was seventeen through eighteen, so they were all about my age. I didn't see anyone from my school yet, which was good. I hadn't thought about what I'd do when I was in the same room with Olivia.

After a moment I decided to move to a corner, so if she came in, she wouldn't notice me. As soon as I stood up, the doors opened, and Elliot walked in. I grinned brightly at him, waving enthusiastically. He ignored me. I shook my head at him, but smiled nonetheless. At least he showed up.

"Nervous?" I asked when he finally wandered over to me. "Sit directly in front of me so no one coming in can see me."

He raised an eyebrow, but sat down anyway. "No."

"Really? Think you'll win?"

"You'll win," he told me, looking bored. "I just showed up because I knew you'd have a fit if I didn't."

I crossed my arms. "I wouldn't have a fit."

"Right."

"You should at least go for second if I win," I told him. "Second is good too."

"Whatever."

I sighed. "Promise you'll at least play your piece all the way through."

This caused him to crack a little smile. "I will."

"Good. Now keep me distracted until the performances start."

"I found out something interesting yesterday," he started. "About Olivia."

"What about her?"

Elliot smirked. "Apparently, all her family members are the best in what they do. Her father's the best surgeon in New England, and her mother is the top chef, and her brother is the top lawyer."

"And?"

"And, since she chose piano to pursue, she's supposed to be the top piano player. Which is why she's so crazy about winning this."

I frowned. "Where'd you hear this?"

"She's been telling everyone about it," he told me.

"Wants pity then," I guessed, shaking my head in disapproval. "If she wins, then she's the best. But if she wins by forcing all her competitors to quit, then she's not. Doesn't she realize that?"

Elliot gave me a flat look. "What do you think?"

"I— oh! There she is!" I hissed, ducking my head as Olivia came waltzing into the waiting room. "Don't let her see me."

But Elliot, in a moment of complete stupidity, turned to look at the entrance and their gazes met. And then her gaze slid to me.

I have to admit though; the look of utter shock on her face was worth it. Even I didn't think Paul's and my acting was all that great, but apparently, it was extremely believable.

"Er, sorry," Elliot mumbled, ducking his head when I turned my glare onto him.

"Whatever... we're already here. It'll be fine," I assured him quickly.

Olivia came over to us once she was signed in, her expression now smug. Apparently she didn't think of me as too much of a threat. "So you showed up then?"

"Obviously."

She smiled. "A little extra credit with the teacher?"

I forced myself to smile back at her. "Something like that."

"You still aren't going to win."

"We'll see about that. What number are you?"

She narrowed her eyes a little. "Twenty-nine. Saving the best for last, I suppose."

I nodded. "I'm thirty."

After she scowled at me for a moment, she flipped her hair over her shoulder, batting her eyelashes at Elliot. "Good luck, Elliot. I hope you come in second."

Elliot grunted at her and she threw me one last smirk before sauntering away. I stared after her for a moment before giving Elliot a dry look. "At least we agree on something."

"I think you guys are more alike than you'd like to admit."

My mouth dropped open. "Elliot!"

"What?"

"That's offensive!"

He shrugged. "Well it's kinda true."

"Well, what do you know?" I grumbled, crossing my arms. "I just hope this competition goes by quickly."

But unfortunately, thirty people meant a lot of performances. Especially with each piece being two to four minutes long. On the bright side, once the performances began, we were all escorted to the main room to sit in the front rows to watch them. Which was both entertaining and scary, because the competitors were crazy good. With each piece, I became more nervous.

Elliot, the rock, was absolutely nonplussed by everyone. At one point I thought he was sleeping. Until it was his turn. He stood up, and glanced at me, a flicker of anxiety in his eye. It was only for a brief second, but I caught it.

"Hey," I said, grabbing his hand and gripping it tightly. "You're going to be amazing, Eli."

"Whatever, Alligator." Then he threw me a magnificent smile that had me blushing. Sometimes he could be a real lady-killer.

When he wasn't being a jerk.

Unsurprisingly, his piece was brilliant and flawless. What was surprising though, was his piece. Murmures de la Siene 1. Not what I was expecting, and I realized I'd never asked what he was planning on playing. Still, it was wonderful, and I gave him a standing ovation. And so did most of the audience. When he came back to sit down, his face was bright red. "Shut up," he said before I could speak.

I grinned at him. "Okay."

"You're up in ten," he informed me. "It's a lot different in front of so many people."

I figured this was his way of a warning, so I nodded. "I know. I played recitals when I was younger... and up until last year."

Still, I was feeling nervous. Especially when it was Olivia's turn. It meant three more minutes until I was up there. Sitting nearly on the edge of my seat, I stared at Olivia, waiting for her to start her piece. I had no idea what she was playing.

When the first few notes were played, my head whipped toward Elliot, and Elliot's head whipped toward me.

"That's..." he started, eyes wide.

"My piece," I finished for him, a thousand emotions sweeping through me. "That's my piece!" I repeated in outrage, gaping up at the stage where Olivia was sitting, playing Canon in C.

.______________

Oh my god, I totally thought I posted this two days ago, but apparently not. Sorry about that, but here it is D: Better late than never, I suppose though. Even though this chapter sucks.