Chapter Twenty-Three
The rest of December passed quickly. Christmas came and went, bringing a family dinner that Paul couldn't attend because of a Christmas recital, and the awkward we-just-started-dating presents. Movies from myself to Paul, and a bunch of sweatshirts from him to me. Winter break started, and I picked up more hours at work. January brought college applications, forty-hour workweeks, and finally enough money to buy a car and register it. Then, before I knew it, Valentine's Day was staring me in the eye.
"What do I do?" I complained for the hundredth time, dropping my head against my lunch table. "What do I get him?"
Aspen patted my back sympathetically. "Valentine's Day sex?"
I looked up and scowled at her. "Don't say anything if it's not going to be helpful."
"How about she doesn't say anything at all?" Elliot muttered, stabbing his mashed potatoes with his fork moodily.
"Oh, Elliot, look at you being all sweet," Aspen returned, batting her eyelashes.
"Valentine's day is stupid."
I rolled my eyes. "People only say that when they're jealous and don't have anyone to celebrate with."
Elliot scoffed. "Or people who actually don't like it."
"Because they're jealous."
"I'm not jealous. I hate everyone."
Aspen faked a horrified expression. "Even me?"
"Especially you," Elliot said.
"If you guys are done flirting," I interrupted, giving them a pointed look. "We're still dealing with my Paul dilemma. We've been dating for about two months now... what level have I reached?"
"He should buy you dinner and flowers," a new voice suggested and I turned to see Olivia standing behind me.
I frowned. "I want to get him something."
"A necklace?"
"No, too cliché."
She took a seat next to Elliot who pursed his lips and leaned away from her. Noticing this, she shot him a dirty look. They still didn't get along very will.
"Why don't you make him something?" Aspen suggested. "I like when things are made for me."
"Like what?"
"What does he need?"
Furrowing my eyebrows, I thought about it. What did Paul need? He had everything he wanted, and could afford anything he didn't have. So what could I make him that he would make use of? "Well," I began slowly, "he's always complaining about his pillows."
Aspen nodded. "Make him a pillow."
"Stupid," Elliot said.
"No one asked you, ugly."
"Why are you even still dating him?" Elliot demanded, turning his disapproving gaze onto me. "He's annoying."
I crossed my arms. "I told you, Elliot, I like him."
"He's a child."
"Are you jealous?"
He snorted. "Absolutely not."
"Look at it this way, at least when I'm with him, I won't end up with some dick that's using me, right?" I pointed out.
This got Elliot to think about it for a moment. "I guess," he finally relented, but still not looking happy about it. "He's an idiot though."
I laughed. "Yes, he can be an idiot. But he's cute so it all works out."
"Atta girl," Aspen said, clapping me on the shoulder. "Work that shallowness."
Grinning, I picked up my tray to dump it out. My relationship with Paul was going fine. Nothing really changed after we started dating, except the fact we flirted with each other a bit more... okay, maybe a lot more. But we were still best friends. He still complimented my piano playing with too much enthusiasm, and he was still my piano teacher. We were still keeping our relationship a secret from our parents. After a long discussion, we decided it'd be the best option until I graduated. That way Paul wasn't my teacher anymore, and I wasn't living with him out of necessity.
And he still hadn't kissed me.
Two months, and he'd gotten out of every moment I'd tried to kiss him. I didn't understand, and I never asked. Hopefully, Valentine's Day would be the day.
"What are your plans for Valentine's Day?" Aspen asked, speaking to Olivia this time.
Olivia blushed a little, staring hard at her water bottle. "Nothing."
"Tell me," Aspen ordered, grinning widely. "I bet it's Mr. Tucker. It's Mr. Tucker isn't it? How com you two always get the cute older boys?"
"It's not," Olivia protested, but it was only half-hearted. It'd been obvious something had been going on between them since the beginning. And after I'd snapped at Olivia and she'd stopped being such a bitch, it was actually working out.
"Good for you," I told her, and I meant it.
She gave me a quick, genuine smile. "Thanks."
"Which just leaves you two..." I raised my eyebrow and Elliot, and then Aspen. "Maybe you should do something together."
"No," Elliot said immediately.
"He's still not over his crush on you," Aspen explained with a smirk.
Elliot flushed and glared at her. "I didn't have a crush on her!"
Aspen gave him a skeptical look. "You totally did."
"Paul thought so too," I added thoughtfully.
Elliot shook his head, clenching his jaw. "I didn't."
Rubbing my chin, I squinted my eyes and thought about it for a minute. "You blushed an awful lot. And you only talked to me."
"Because you're the only one who wouldn't leave me alone after I yelled at them," Elliot snapped. "Not because I like you."
Aspen snickered. "And the reason you blushed is because you've never had a girl friend before, right? Never even talked to a girl, maybe? And then Allie comes along, cute and friendly. Of course you're going to feel embarrassed."
Elliot glowered at the two of us, completely red in the face now. "Screw off," he finally said, ducking his head.
"We'll always be best friends," I promised him, grabbing his hand. "Elliot and Allie."
"Until we go off to college," Elliot pointed out.
I sighed. "You're such a Debby Downer."
"What are your plans for college, Allie?" Aspen asked curiously. "Did you get any acceptance letters yet?"
"Ugh, don't ask me, I don't know," I complained, rubbing my forehead. "I'm not counting on playing piano to pay the bills, so I need to choose a different major. Communications? I don't know. I've been accepted to a few places, but I haven't made any decisions. What about you?"
"NYU," she told my happily. "Got my acceptance yesterday for the music program. Good scholarship too."
I frowned a little bit. "You're going to New York?"
"Yup."
"I am too," Olivia said. "Well, hopefully. If my parents company comes back. It's getting better, we're making money again."
Turning to Elliot, I raised an eyebrow. "And you?"
"NYU, unfortunately," he muttered. "Harley won't take no for an answer since it's top notch and I got a full scholarship."
"Full?" I echoed, surprised. "That's amazing Elliot!"
He crossed his arms, grunting. "Whatever."
"You guys are all going to the same school, huh... I didn't even apply there."
A sympathetic expression crossed Aspen's face. "It's not too late to apply, you know."
"Yeah..." New York wasn't that far away, but I didn't think I was smart enough for a top notch school. Hell, I went to public school my whole life. This was my first year anywhere fancy. And sure, my grades were a little better than average, but that was to keep my scholarship. NYU was expensive, even if I was accepted. And while my dad did have most of his inheritance money saved up for my college fund, I didn't want to waste it all.
I grit my teeth. Growing up sucked.
"Well, maybe it doesn't matter," Olivia started, waving her hand dismissively. "You win Nationals, you don't have to worry about getting into college. You'll be working with Paul."
I laughed dryly. "I don't even want to go to Nationals, and you know that."
"Yeah, which is a waste," she said with a scowl. "You have talent. You shouldn't hide it."
"I don't want to let anyone down," I admitted. "I mean, the state competition was one thing. We were all on the same level and somehow I won that. But Nationals... that's fifty states' best pianists. There's no way I could ever win that. And Paul's getting more and more excited by the day, showing me different pieces I can play. I just don't want to lose and disappoint anyone—"
"You're an idiot," Elliot informed me, slapping the back of my head painfully.
I glared at him, rubbing the place he'd hit. "Ow!"
"You shouldn't give up before you try."
"I know, but—"
"No buts!" Aspen chirped. "Nationals isn't until April, anyway. You have plenty of time."
Olivia stood from the table. "I suggest you choose your song today. Two months actually isn't a lot of time. And lunch is over, so see you guys."
True to her words, the bell rang seconds later. Sighing, I made my way to English. Paul was going to have a field day in class today.
"You're going to choose today?" he said excitedly the moment I walked into the main piano room.
"How did you...?" My eyes went over to Olivia, who was sitting at her desk, looking innocent. "Oh."
"I'd hug you if I could," he told me, lowering his voice a little.
I grinned at him. "Too bad we're not all still practicing in separate rooms."
"Well, it's easier for me to teach everyone this way," Paul said in response, shrugging. "And also, you can't monopolize my time."
"Hey, who said I was monopolizing your time? Maybe you're monopolizing mine."
Tapping his chin, he pretended to think about it for a moment. "No, I don't think so," he stated eventually, eyes bright. "I mean, you opted to take this class. And live with me."
"You're pretty pompous, aren't you?"
"I am pretty, thank you."
We grinned at each other for a few more moments until Elliot entered the classroom and coughed pointedly. Paul gave him a wide smile. "Good afternoon, Eli."
"Don't call me that," he snapped before taking his seat.
"I thought you liked when I called you that," Paul responded sarcastically.
"Flirting again?" Sophie asked as she stepped into the classroom, a sly smirk on her face.
I grinned. Better for her to think Paul was flirting with Elliot, than with me.
Paul shrugged. "I like the ones that are hard to get."
"I bet," Sophie responded with a laugh. "What are we doing today?"
"Scales and arpeggios," Paul told her. "When the rest of the class comes. It's an easy day. I've got a nice video to show you."
After the last straggler made it to class, Dean, like always, Paul played his so called nice video.
From the Aristocats.
And he sang along.
"So that's your boyfriend?" Elliot whispered to me smugly.
"Shove it, Eli."
His response was to kick the side of my desk.
"Paul, did you know you're adorable?" Nicole said when the video was over.
As usual, Paul basked in the praise, but still blushed. "Maybe."
I grinned at him, not feeling the tiny bit jealous. Mostly because Nicole's comment was accurate. Paul was adorable. And mine. So it worked out really well for me.
Even if he wouldn't kiss me.
The thought made me grimace.
The rest of class passed by with Paul demonstrating a few of the more difficult scales, which most of us already knew. But it was in the curriculum, so he was forced to do it anyway. It was an easy grade, so nobody complained.
When class was over, I stayed at my desk, waiting for the others to file out. Elliot gave me an exasperated look and Olivia just smirked. I shrugged, because it wasn't like it was a new thing. I'd been staying after pretty much every day since we began dating. Not that it was much fun. Mostly he was grading. What, I didn't know, but somehow he had papers to grade.
"So what kind of song were you thinking about playing?" Paul questioned, taking a seat on the desk in front of me and angling his body toward me. "Jazz? Blues? Pop?"
"Well, not pop," I told him easily. "I don't like blues either. Too melancholy."
"And you're not a melancholy person," Paul finished with a frown. "Well, I was thinking whatever you choose, you should do your own version of it like last time."
I shifted in my seat, propping my elbows up on the desktop. "You think?"
He nodded. "The judges really liked it. Sometimes it's not allowed though, so we'll have to check. But Canon in C was recomposed really well, you should be proud of yourself."
"It wasn't that good—"
"Oh, ever the modest Allie Cat," Paul interrupted with a soft smile. "I wish you'd just open your eyes and see how amazing you are."
I chewed on my bottom lip, adverting my gaze. "I'm not being modest."
"You won Winter Wonder, Allie. You're allowed to brag at least a little, and yet I haven't heard one word from you," he said.
"It's embarrassing," I admitted, drumming my fingers on my cheeks and raising my eyes to meet Paul's eyes. "I don't really like attention."
His expression became something more empathetic. "You know, that will only hold you back," he informed me. "And I really would like to do a duet with you."
"I know," I responded with a grin. "You've told me. A hundred times."
"Because you're beautiful when you play."
My cheeks flushed with color and I shot him a dirty look. "That's not fair."
He laughed, jovial and loud. "Maybe not, but it's the only way you'll blush. I have to be spontaneous."
"Spontaneous, huh. So if I'm spontaneous, you'll let me kiss you?" I asked, my chest tightening at my words.
Paul blinked at me for a moment before sliding of the desk he was perched on and gesturing me over to the piano. "Come on, let's go over a few pieces and see what you like."
"Paul," I said flatly.
"Pachelbel is out, because you don't want a repeat," he continued, ignoring me.
"Paul," I tried again, feeling faintly disappointed.
He focused on the pile of piano sheets on the piano's top. "Too bad we can't do a concerto with violins, that'd be nice."
I stood up from my desk and marched up to him, putting my hands on my hips. "Why do you always avoid me when I try to kiss you?"
"I don't avoid you," he responded meekly, finally looking at me. "I just..."
"Just what?" I demanded. "You don't want to kiss me?"
"No," he denied quickly. "That isn't it at all."
I stared at him, waiting. When he didn't elaborate I raised an eyebrow. "Well?"
"It's just... I don't want to move fast... and I don't know... you know..." He ducked his head, red creeping up his neck.
"Well since we've been dating for almost two months, that's not moving fast. Most couples kiss on the first date," I pointed out to him. "And I don't know what you mean."
He gestured vaguely with his hands. "I don't... I haven't..." Trailing off, he ran a hand over his face. "Jesus. I've never kissed anybody before Olivia."
I froze, my heart skipping a beat. "You... what?"
"I never had time to really date anyone too seriously," he explained, looking ashamed. "I've spent most of my life playing piano and performing, and now teaching. I haven't had time. I've had girlfriend here and there, and like, pecked them, but I haven't really kissed anyone. So that was kind of a first for me..."
My pulse was pounding in my ears. That meant, technically, Olivia was the first girl Paul kissed. So Olivia took Paul's first kiss.
"I mean, I didn't kiss Olivia back, so maybe that doesn't really count, but..." He played an errant note on the piano. "I don't know. It's embarrassing."
"I can't believe it," I said dumbly. "Olivia..."
Paul grimaced. "Yeah. I'm sorry."
I shook my head. "No, don't apologize," I said slowly, because it wasn't his fault. But it was a little unnerving. Not that he hadn't made out with any one before, no that was cute. But Olivia kissing him... "I'm just, uh, surprised."
"Yeah," he muttered.
"I can't exactly say the same thing about myself," I told him, fiddling with the bottom of my shirt.
Paul chuckled softly. "I know."
"But you don't have to worry. I don't care, you know, about technique or experience, or whatever," I continued, noticing his ashamed expression. "That doesn't matter to me. And besides, we're two different people. And our feelings are true. So we'll find a way we work the best. Not everyone's the same and... yeah..." My words caught up to me and I felt my cheeks glow faintly again.
"Yeah," Paul echoed, smiling fondly up at me. "We'll find a way to work. We've been working fine so far, right?"
"Yes, but I still feel like we're friends who flirt a lot," I told him honestly.
Luckily, he wasn't offended. Instead, he laughed. "Yeah, I kind of got that feeling too. But you do know my feelings for you are not friend feelings, right?"
I grinned. "Yep. Fortunately. That'd be awkward if you didn't."
"So... do you want to kiss me?" he asked, sounding hopeful.
I couldn't help but laugh. "No."
His face fell. "Why?"
"Because, that's so... awkward. We have to wait until the mood's right now."
Paul pouted. "That's no fun."
"Hey, you're the one who missed your chances for the past two months," I told him haughtily.
He rolled his eyes. "Shut up, Allie Cat."
"Are you going to show me some pieces I can play, or not?"
Sighing, he nodded, taking a seat on the piano bench, and patting the spot next to him. "We've got a lot of work to do."
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Ughughughughughghsfg. I'm sorry. Writer's block again. But if I don't even get out a rough draft, then nothing will come. About the time skip though, it's only because after 23 chapters only 4 months had passed and...... i just want to be out of winter lol. But I mean, I can't skip Valentine's day :P
But still. It's fun and I hope you guys still like it!
Also, vote, and I'll love you forever!
Oh and also I changed chapter twenty-one like right after I posted it but I guess it didn't change...so....i'll try that again. because Allie is still going to nationals. haha awks.
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