The Art of Falling in Love

Episode 3: Boundaries | Friendship

Raelyn:

When my alarm woke me up next morning, I found myself tucked in my bed, still wearing my uniform from last night. I was left wondering how it got this way: all I remembered was practicing my instruments for God-knows-how-long. I wasn't improving at all, I underwent a mental and emotional breakdown, and then everything went pitch black. Did I pass out? I wasn't sure what happened at all.

Either way, I washed my body real quick, brushed my teeth, combed my hair, and slipped on my spare fall uniform with a white collared shirt, a black skirt, and a blue necktie for non-arts students. I grabbed an amethyst butterfly clip my sister bought me for my sixteenth birthday and pulled back a little bit of my hair on the side. I stared at my reflection, inspecting for any unsightly blemishes before I helped myself to a bowl of cereal.

I packed my backpack with newly bought binders with unmarked dividers and college-ruled paper, as well as an unsullied pencil pouch with perfectly sharpened No. 2 pencils. On my way out the door, I slipped on my dark brown Clarks, and from the corner of my eye, I noticed that my violin was packed in my case, the piano lid was closed, and all of my music sheets and books were stacked neatly and organized alphabetically by composer in the shelf.

Did I do that? I shook my head. There was no way I was that organized.

At that moment, someone knocked on my door, and I opened it to see Isaac staring at me with concern painted all over his face. "Are you feeling better now?" he asked.

I interlaced my fingers behind my back and flustered to respond properly to him, "Y-Yeah..."

He sighed in relief and smiled gently at me. "That's good."

Raising a brow and cocking my head to the side, I questioned slowly, "Why do you ask?"

Isaac blinked a few times before answering, "Well your door was open last night, and I found you collapsed on the floor."

So that's what happened.

I clasped a hand over my mouth and apologized, "I'm sorry to have worried you. I know my sister said"—

He shook his head and said reassuringly, "Don't apologize, and don't worry about what Rachel said. Music is what you really want to do right?" I didn't answer: he already knew. "Then I have no right to stop you. But if you ever need moral support, I'm here."

My heart skipped a beat, and I clutched the hem of my skirt to control my erratic emotions.

Stop, I can't. He's dating my sister, and he sees me as nothing more than a sibling. Those words are nothing past friendliness.

Isaac noticed my uneasiness, but I shook it off hastily before he could ask. "A-Anyway," I began, "did you organize my music?"

He peeked into my room and scratched the back of his head humiliatingly. "Yeah...was that wrong of me?"

My eyes widened at how horrible he felt over it, and I shook my head fervently. "N-Not at all!" I stuttered. "In fact, I'm really grateful, Isaac. So thank you." I beamed so that he would understand that I was completely all right, and he returned the smile.

A pair of footsteps came rushing up the stairs and a voice called out, "Isaac! Let's go!" By the time he reached the third floor, I came face to face with Andrew O'Connor, the heartthrob of Ellin, the lead singer and guitarist of Jack's band, the captain of the soccer team, and the star of the musical theater department. His jaw dropped at the sight of me, and he exclaimed, "Holy hell, if it isn't the great Raelyn Gallagher!" He caught a glimpse of my blue tie and frowned. "So it's true...you're really not in the arts program anymore..."