An Endless Serenade

Chapter Twenty

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."