Strings Of Code

Chapter 1: Clean Slate

Pulling out my schedule, I realized that I didn't have a clue what the layout of the school was. "Actually I have no idea where...the music rooms are. I don't really remember anything from my brief 'tour' if you can even call it that. It was really more of a set of instructions telling me where to go with some random pointing in different directions."

I wasn't even over exaggerating. My whole tour consisted of the principal and his very monotoned voice telling me where all the rooms were, where to go and some pointing here and there all in the 'comfort of his office'. His words, not mine. 

Wally happily walked me to my class and dropped me off, promising me a place to sit at lunch if I didn't find anyone.

"Thanks, Wally, I really appreciate that. I'm glad I met you." I smiled up at him and he nodded in acknowledgement.

He walked away and disappeared into the sea of students all rushing to make it to their classes on time. Turning away I headed into the class and as soon as I walked in I was hit with a loud ruckus of people tuning their instruments.

There was a wide range of instruments from the brass section, winds, strings, percussion. It was beautiful.

"Hey! You're new right?" A girl with short jet black hair and the iciest, coldest blue eyes was right in front of me.

"Yeah, I am. Hi Rory."

"Yeah I know, Mr. McFlurson wouldn't stop talking about the new and 'extremely talented' Rory. I'm Lacey." She practically spat out the words 'extremely talented' like they were too disgusting to stay in her mouth. 

Walking towards us was a badass looking girl in a yellow jacket and the nicest jumbo braids I've ever seen. "Jeez Lacey, we haven't even seen the girl do anything and you're already pressed? What? You scared your mediocre skills will be outshone?" I tried my best to conceal my laughter but failed miserably and Lacey took notice.

"Urgh. Whatever, I don't have time for this." Two other girls joined her as she walked away to the back of the class.

"Don't pay her any mind. I'm Jelena, but you can call me Lena. Feel honored because few people get that privilege." This girl was quickly becoming my new best friend.

"Rory, but you can call me Rey because few people get that privilege as well. I'm glad not all the girls are like her and her minions." She laughed a little and invited me to sit with her in the middle of the classroom. "So what instrument do you play?"

"I do voice mostly, but I play guitar and piano. You know, basic things like that. What about you miss protege? Lacey was right about Mr McFlurson basically fangirling about you."

I was about to answer when a relatively young-looking man, maybe mid-'30s, walked into the room with a large smile and a cup of coffee. He made eye contact with me and his impossibly large smile seemed to get even bigger.

"Well, class. The long-awaited moment has come and Ms Rory Stevenson has joined our school and, most importantly, my class. I'll let her introduce herself." He spoke in such an animated manner that it was hard to keep up with what he was saying. I slowly stood up and walked to the front of the class as he beckoned me to come forward.

"Hi everyone, my name is Rory. I just moved here from Miami, hence my attire." A few people in the class lightly laughed at my attempt at a joke. "I play violin, piano, drums, guitar, ukulele, ok let's just say I play a lot of instruments and sing." As I looked around the class my eyes fell on the most handsome boy I've ever had seen. We made eye contact for a split second until he looked away.

Shy and handsome. 

I said the next part subtly glancing at him from time to time, "I'm excited to be here and I'm looking forward to meeting new people." He looked up to see if I was still looking his way and looked down quicker when he realized that I was.

"Lovely. I'm guessing you didn't bring your violin because you didn't have your schedule but that's ok. We've actually been playing Heaven by Banky W in groups of 2 or 3. The only person left is Jelena so you two can work together." Mr McFlurson seemed to be getting happier by the minute and it was lowkey starting to creep me out.

"Is he always like this? Just want to know what to expect, you know?"

"New girl, you got everybody wildin' that's for sure. McFlurson is usually happy, but not this happy. Lacey always has a stick up her ass but I think it's stuck there for life. And pretty boy, who you practically drooled over, never gets flustered like that." That last one made me smile a little bit. 

After talking for a bit longer, we got down to business. We made an arrangement of the song where I played my violin to harmonize and compliment her guitar and singing. She wrote her vocal and guitar arrangement whilst I borrowed a violin and improvised to see what sounded good and then wrote it down. 

By the time we were finished, it was time for the second period. Sadly Lena had Math whilst I had AP chemistry. 

"So see you at lunch Rey?"

"Yeah sure. But I kinda promised someone that I'd sit with them but I'm sure it won't be an issue if you came and sat with us."

"Oh damn, ouch. Second choice, I see Rey." She looked genuinely hurt so I went to apologize and explain that it wasn't like that when she started laughing, "I'm joking b, relax. I'll meet you in after third yeah?"

"Yeah see you then."

We said our goodbyes and she walked away until I realized I had no idea where the science department was. That's when I saw him again. I wanted to walk up to him and ask him, but he walked away so fast I couldn't even get the word "hey" out. So I settled for the next person I saw, who was disinterested in the whole situation but helped me anyway. 

I really hope I get to see mystery guy again. Lena never mentioned his name but man was he a fine specimen. I hope Wally knows him.

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