Lauren and I find ourselves becoming close friends as the semester draws on. On more than one occasion we see each other outside of work, we began running together, going out for coffee or to the movies. My infatuation with her hadn't gone, the more time I spend with her the more I find myself falling deeper, falling harder, soon she's like oxygen. I can't imagine not having her around, so being the greedy, masochistic son of bitch that I am, I take what I can get. And if that's just friendship, well, I guess that will have to do.
Nearing the end of the semester I find myself in an awkward position, part of my final grade includes arranging and directing a twenty minute musical number. I chose my vocalists, my musicians, perfected the arrangements and was confident that I was going to pass my freshman year with a solid grade.
That was until my pianist came down with a case of the mumps three days before we were slotted in to perform and be graded. "You're just going to have to play Mila" Ally said as she paced the rehearsal space.
"How the fuck can I direct you lot from behind a piano?" I snap back at her, running my fingers through my freshly cut, short brown locks.
Ally glares back at me and crosses her arms over her chest defiantly "I don't know. But YOU need to fix this. I'm going to get coffee." That's when inspiration hit me, I know it's a long shot but as the stubborn blonde leaves the room I fish my cell phone out of my purse and dial a number with trembling fingers.
The person picks up after three rings and I breathe a sigh of relief Lauren hey it's Camila."
"Kind of figured, I have this magically thing called a caller display."
"Ha, you know you're cute when you try and be funny but I'm in a jam and I need a favour." I chew my lip and pace in a small circle, earning some questionable looks from my classmates .
"Shoot."
"You play piano right?"
"Erm, it's been a while but yeah why?" Comes the reply, Lauren sounds dubious and I find myself chewing my bottom lip, my hand moves to my hair and I begin twirling a lock nervously between my fingers.
"I wouldn't ask if I wasn't desperate but my final grade depends on this, I need someone to step in for my pianist. He's been taken ill short notice. I'd do it, before you say anything, but I can't direct from behind a piano."
I can hear Lauren sigh through the handset and I don't realise I'm holding my breath until I hear her speak again and let it out in a long sigh "I guess so. But you owe me. Where and when?"
"The arts building, drop me a text when you get here and I'll meet you outside." Lauren disconnects without saying bye and I turn to the group sitting, staring at me "I've sorted it. Start doing your warmups. As soon as Ally and Lauren get here we'll get to it." Without waiting for an answer I walk out of the room and proceed to walk to the outside of the building to sit on the low wall lining the walkway to the front entrance.
I know I said I'd wait for her call but in all honesty I'm giddy at the idea of her dropping everything to come and help me. She has a girlfriend... I shake away my snarky inner thoughts and cast my gaze down to the sidewalk beneath my feet. Shaking my leg in nervous anticipation I lose myself to my thoughts, but I'm ready for seeing her. I only saw her last night but in the few hours where I wasn't in her company , missed her.
When I feel a pair of cool hands slip over my eyes, I don't startle I grin widely and start giggling "guess who?"
"Megan Fox, you've finally come to your senses and realised I'm the only woman for you?"
