Broken Strings (Prodigy: 2)

Not at 21

"Blaming someone for your own screw-ups? How very like you, Locke," Zane sneered back and Locke laughed.

"Is that supposed to make me feel bad?" he asked, "I couldn't give a shit. You put me in a bad mood and you know what you did."

Zane was quiet for a moment, looking at him. "Yeah," he muttered, "Yeah... I know what I did... why do you care?"

"Excuse me?" Locke said, flabbergasted by the question.

Zane tilted his head to the side and the platinum earring flashed into view. "Why do you care?" he repeated, "Why should I bother you? Bother you so much that you break down?" A smile formed and he leant down, almost touching his forehead to Locke's. "You're not fascinated by me anymore."

Locke's stomach knotted in an instant and he felt sick.

"Unless, perhaps you are," Zane finished.

"I'm not," Locke said, his glare returning, "As I said before, what is there to be fascinated by? You're just a normal guy. Wretched like everyone else."

"Like you?"

"Like me."

"Sorry to disappoint you."

Locke snorted and looked away. "Your Jessy's fine," he said instead, "she's the toughest person in my staff, she'll always be fine. You don't need to defend her even if she cries. She'll defend herself when we meet up next time."

And with that, he spun away and walked back to his group who were standing there tense and quiet.

"Why'd you do it?"

"I told you, I was angry," Locke snapped.

"No, not Jess... Madi."

Locke stopped, then looked back at Zane.

Zane looked down, slipping his hands back into his pocket. "Last night, Madi got a phone call. A famous music teacher was interested in taking her on as one of his private students. Any idea who that teacher might be?"

Locke just looked at him.

"His name is Wray Koell, wasn't that the name of your old teacher?"

Locke gave an innocent shrug. "So it was."

"I wonder how he heard about her."

"Ain't that just the darn'dest thing?" Locke replied, "What a coincidence that just when my teacher gets a spot open for a new student, I happened to mention her to him. Doesn't luck work in mysterious ways?"

"Why'd you do it?"

"Me? Did I do something?"

"Locke."

"Yes Zane?"

"Rich did the same thing to us once."

Locke gave a dramatic gasp. "So he did. He used his power and influence to get you where you are today and thus paved the way to your success, aren't you so very grateful to have someone help you out in this tough, harsh world where only the chosen ones make it?"

Zane's eyes flicked away. "I'm grateful for the help," he muttered.

"And I'm sure Madi will be to."

Zane looked at him again. "Do you hate me that much?"

Locke raised an eyebrow at him.

"Are you that mad are me for getting on with my life that you have to ruin things?"

"Are you saying you want to ruin Madi's chances at success just so you can keep her around?" Locke asked, then laughed. "Oh Zane, you're more like me then I thought."

"I don't want to hold her back... but I don't want her getting this just because you want to spite me."

"Madi's future doesn't include you, Zane," Locke said bluntly, "Madi is a talent. With a teacher like Wray, she'll one day be nearly as good as me. She does not need a boyfriend like you holding her back. You don't matter here."

Zane's jaw locked. "Did Rich tell you the same thing when I left?"

Locke smiled slightly. "Something along those lines."

"... Do you hate me that much, Locke?"

"I hate you that much."

Zane looked away, his hood shielding his eyes.

"Do you hate me yet?"

Zane shook his head and Locke's eyes widened.

"I promised I'd never hate you, I don't hate you," Zane said quietly.

"What the hell?" Locke snarled, storming towards him, "Why?! Stop it! You're supposed to hate the person who ruins things! Stop being so damn patient and kind!"

"I promised not to hate you, I can't hate you."

"Promises are made to be broken, Zane," Locke snapped, grabbing the front of his hoodie.

"Not when I make them with you," Zane said and Locke stared at him.

He felt his heart starting to pound again, the way it did whenever he kissed Zane.

"You're not playing fair," he hissed. "You'll break your promise. As soon as you leave, that's it. I'll never hear from you again."

"I promised so I'll keep it. I'll always be contactable," Zane said, "I don't hate you."

He gently took Locke's hands and pulled them off his jacket, squeezing them slightly before letting them fall before he looked up and met Locke's eye.

"I don't hate you... but I don't like you."

He took a step back, pulling out his phone and typing a text message. Locke's phone buzzed a second later and he looked at the message Zane had just sent him.

'Talk to you after you land, hope the flight's ok.'

He looked up, eyes wide.

"I'll always be in contact with you," Zane promised, putting his phone away.

"Zane."

Zane held up a hand, closing his eyes and turning away.

"You know, when we were seventeen, I liked you. I knew I'd be in danger of falling in love you with you. But this is different. I don't like you anymore."

Locke stared at him, still, frozen, stuck where he was and unable to move and Zane walked away with only a final hooded glance back.

"I don't like you... not like this... not at twenty-one."

~~~~

Aaaand... yeah, we're done.

I'M SORRY!!

I know! I know, this ending is SOOO not ok!

But this is a three part series.

There is one more book.... at 500 followers, but hopefully that isn't far off!

These guys aren't finished yet.

I hope you enjoyed it - at least a little lol - please don't forget to vote/comment/share, it really helps me out and i hope to see you next time.

Thank you!