Heart Strings

Chapter 6: Something There

They left the restaurant and Hayden took out his cell phone to call Jason. "What are you doing that for?" Everett asked. "Well, we've finished eating," Hayden stated. "Yes, but the night is still young. It's only seven thirty. Surely there is much more to do around here for a few more hours." Everett's eyes held plead and suggestion. "You'll be hot in that jacket," Hayden said. He didn't want to leave Everett's presence, because he found that he very much liked being with the shadowy man, but being by him made the violist even more confused about his feelings. "I can always take it off," Everett shrugged. "well, in that case, there's an aquarium about a ten minute walk down the street." The two spent an hour and a half at the aquarium, having a good time and admiring the animals. "There's something we have in common, we love animals," Hayden stated. "I don't see how anyone could hate animals. They're beautiful creatures, every single one of them," Everett agreed. "Now what do you want to do?" Everett added. "Well I know of a park that's a couple blocks away if you're willing to walk," Hayden suggested. "I think I'd really enjoy that," Everett said. And with that, the two began walking. "So have you made any friends in the orchestra yet?" Hayden asked, hoping that everyone was being nice to him. "Yes, well acquaintances really, but I talked to a lot of people yesterday before the meeting. It's a pretty friendly group. But I haven't met this one everyone's been warning me about--Chase." Everett slightly frowned at the name. Hayden was laughing and the dark haired man looked over. "What's so funny?" He asked, a smile tugging at his full lips.

"Chase is a very special case. He's my best friend, and even I don't understand him. Just be careful because he's a real asshole. He doesn't have many friends in the orchestra because of that fact, but we all sort of respect him because he really beats to his own drum, so to speak," Hayden explained his friend in the best way he could, and it didn't even sound adequate to him. "I thought he played the piano," Everett joked. Hayden rolled his eyes admiringly in reply. "Well kudos to him for being an individual. From what I heard of the practice today, he's an insanely good pianist," Everett responded. "Speaking of the practice today, it was a little hard to pick you out from the group, but you sounded amazing!" Hayden complimented the hectic-haired gentleman next to him. "Oh thanks, but I really wasn't that good. It was hard to focus today with all of the commotion going on," Everett said, trying to be modest. "That's sort of how the first week goes, but I can't wait to hear how you really play," Hayden said. "You know, I could always come play for you in private," Everett half joked. Hayden laughed, showing that he took it as a joke. They finally arrived at the park and Everett took off his elaborate jacket due to the heat. They sat on a bench and watched people jog and walk their dogs, they watched a picnic and watched kids run around, and they listened to the breeze bouncing off the trees and the laughter in the air. It was peaceful and they had some interesting conversations.

"I can't wait to go to Europe again." Everett said. "You've been there before?" Hayden asked. Everett went on to tell Hayden some interesting stories of when he was touring in Europe, doing solo gigs and meeting up with other famous musicians. "Wow, so you've really been around," Hayden admired. "You can say that," Everett grinned. Everett's phone started buzzing in his pocket. "Oh, sorry, excuse me for a moment," He apologized as he took out his phone to see who was calling him. "I have to take this, I'll be right back." He got up off the bench and walked a little away.

He was on the phone for about five minutes and when he came back to sit next to Hayden, there was a dark aura around them. "Is everything okay?" Hayden asked, concerned. "Yes, everything is fine. It was just my father calling to check up on me. He still feels the need to be protective when I'm twenty five years old," Everett said, sounding peeved. "Well, he's just showing he cares," Hayden tried to console the shaken-looking man next to him. "Are you sure you're alright?" Hayden asked again. He wasn't totally convinced that the call was from Everett's father. "Maybe we should get going. I'm sorry, it's just very hot and it's getting late." Everett sounded extremely upset. "Yes, of course, whatever you want." Hayden said nicely. He called for Jason to come pick them up at the park and the two men sat in silence for a minute. "I'm sorry, I feel like I'm ruining our time together." Everett looked away. "Hey, I understand, it's okay. You don't have to tell me what happened, but I can tell something is bothering you." Hayden looked into the man's eyes but they were suddenly unreadable; as cold as stone.

"I'm fine." Everett's voice suddenly sounded as calm and cool as usual. Hayden didn't remark any further, fearing to upset Everett even more. "Hey let's play a little game while we wait for Jason," Hayden said, trying to take the man's mind off of whatever it was that was bothering him. "I like to play." Everett's eyes had a fierce light in them, accompanied by an impish smirk. Where did that come from? Hayden felt his heart rate increasing as he read the want in his eyes. "S-so all we do is, um, make up life stories for people that we see." Hayden stuttered, feeling his palms perspire. Everett looked at a mother pushing a stroller of twins on the sidewalk. "Okay, she is a single mother who works two jobs and pays the babysitter in sexual favors," He said. Both men erupted into laughter, "And there's the babysitter!" Hayden pointed to an old lady who was feeding birds on another bench. They were practically crying with laughter. "Okay, okay next one. He is an amputee surgeon who cuts off more parts of the limb than what he needs to, then takes the extra flesh and makes 'artwork' out of it when he gets home," Hayden said. "And that guy who is walking his dog over there breaks into the amputee surgeon's house to steal the fleshy artwork and feeds it to his dog," Everett added. It was a strange bonding experience for the two, showing their more...creative side of thinking. The two continued with the game until Jason arrived. The car ride back home was full of laughter and chatting. Jason dropped the two off in front of the practice hall and bid them a goodnight before driving off.

They began to walk down the sidewalk to the mansion that their rooms were in. "I had a lot of fun with you tonight, Hayden. The aquarium was lovely. And I'm really sorry about the phone call." Everett casually brushed shoulders with the violist. He didn't jump or move away this time, Everett noted. "I had fun too, Everett. And you don't have to apologize," Hayden tried cheering his new friend up. "Yes I do. I cut our evening short and I acted childish about it," Everett continued to hound himself. "Stop that. It's late anyway and we have rehearsal tomorrow, there's nothing to be sorry about," Hayden reassured.

The two walked in silence for a moment. "I know I told you then when we first met, but you have an amazing smile." Everett flirted. "No I don't." Hayden blushed and looked away. "Hey, look at me." The two stopped in front of the doors. Everett gently held Hayden's chin with his pointer finger and thumb. "You have a beautiful smile." He said, softer this time. Everett saw a flash of passion in the other man's eyes, but it was soon gone as Hayden backed away. "I'm sorry...goodnight." Hayden hurriedly walked into the mansion and quickly made his way to his room, without looking to see if Everett had followed him.

Everett stood on the front porch of the mansion, rubbing his fingers where the man's face had been just moments ago. "Damn!" He cursed. He knew he saw the passion in Hayden's eyes that matched his own. He knew there was something there! His heart was still fluttering from the contact. What he doesn't know is that I like hard to get. Everett reluctantly pulled out his phone and dialed the number back that had called him earlier, trying not to let his fears and worries dictate his state of mind.    

--------------------------------------------------------------------

So this chapter was mostly showing Hayden and Everett getting to know one another. It also brought upon some new tension! The chapter also introduced Everett's insecure side when he received that phone call. What do you think was going through Hayden's mind when Everett was so obviously seeking for a kiss at the end of the chapter? 

Leandra