An Endless Serenade

Chapter Twenty-Six

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I didn't run into Elliot for the rest of the day. He'd decided to skip piano lab, which left an uncomfortable feeling in my stomach. It hadn't once occurred to me that Elliot might actually have feelings for me. But Paul said it'd been obvious to him... so it should have been obvious to me. Shouldn't it have? Yes, it should have, so I wouldn't have teased him about not having a date on Valentine's Day.

Frustrated, I slammed my hands down on the piano. "Ugh!"

"What did that piano do to you?"

I twisted my head around to see Paul peeping his head into the practice room. "Paul," I sighed.

He raised an eyebrow. "I hope that wasn't the piece for Nationals."

"No, and stop talking about that," I responded, turning back to the piano. "I have enough to worry about right now."

"You're not thinking about what I said yesterday still, are you? It's okay, Allie," Paul told me, frowning slightly.

I shook my head. "No, I'm thinking about Elliot."

Paul hummed in response, putting a hand on my shoulder. "He's your friend, so it will be okay."

"I don't understand though," I said, staring at the stainless white keys of the piano where my hands lay. "It came out of nowhere..."

"It's almost Valentine's Day. And you said you were teasing him, right? Did you mention me?"

"Yes, but..."

Paul patted my shoulder sympathetically. "Maybe you should apologize. He was probably hurt by the teasing."

"Well obviously," I responded with a sigh. "Am I the only one who didn't notice he had feelings for me?"

Paul smiled. "I don't think you even realized you had feelings for him."

My gaze snapped to his. "I don't anymore!"

"That's good then," he responded, moving his hand to my head to ruffle my hair. "So you should just go apologize to him."

"I do a lot of apologizing, don't I?"

"The best of us do."

"Do you think he's still around?" I asked.

Paul nodded. "Before class I saw him studying in the court yard. Maybe you should bring him a hot chocolate. It's cold out there."

Nodding, I slid off the piano bench and gave Paul a grateful smile. "Thanks."

"Anytime Allie Cat."

I swung by the cafeteria to purchase a hot chocolate for Elliot (extra whipped cream) before heading out into the snow-covered courtyard. I shivered immediately, feeling the icy air hit my skin like a slap to the face. It was freezing! Why in the world would Elliot want to study out here?