EVANESCENCE

CHAPTER 14|One Lie leads to Another

"Index finger on the fourth string, middle finger on the second string, ring finger on the third string, so you now have the E chord," Luke spoke softly to Andrea, my favorite student as I was just smiling like a fool on the corner. Andrea decided to stay for a while since her mother would be late to pick up and I was grateful enough her mother trusted me. Andrea was learning piano but she, as well as interested with the guitar and she had stayed here asking Luke about guitars showing her interest in it.

"Is that it?" Andrea politely asked as his fingers were rightly positioned the way how Luke instructed.

"Yes." He nodded.

"I did it!" She strummed producing a sound that wasn't dull at all. She cheered as I heard Luke chuckle lowly softly patting her head like a proud father of her daughter.

"She's a fast learner, isn't she?" I looked at Luke who took his glance off Andrea and panned to me instead. His eyes were bright at this moment in fascination, I can tell. It made his face brighter despite the healing cuts. "Music really is a passion, she'll go to places, no wonders." He said.

"So I guess, I shall dismiss you now?" Luke smiled proudly.

"Will I see you again?" She inquisitively asked him handing back the guitar to Luke with full care.

"Well, only if Miss Anderson allows that," Luke said waiting for my confirmation. Andrea gave me the look of sanguinity in her eyes as I stretched out a smile reassuringly. "Of course,"

"I got to go now, Mum is waiting for me... Bye Miss Anderson and Mr. Hemmings! Thanks a lot! See you tomorrow!" Andrea exclaimed and waves at us as she started to skip outside without giving me a chance to reply. Once she left, the room was overflowing with stillness.

Luke's face was priceless and radiant, smiling like a fool as the view of him instantaneously gave me this whim wishing that I could just run to him, and squeeze him tightly but apparently, that would be so absurd right now considering our current predicament. Sighing softly, I realized I was already staring at him, almost longingly with so many sentiments clinging inside my head waiting to decay. A wave of nostalgia suddenly hit me coming together with memories of us- memories that confuse me whether I want to remember them or not. Luke is a huge pack of confusion too, I won't deny how much I don't understand how rigid he was when he made his decision on cutting our relationship and the way he treats me right now

"What are you looking at?" He was softly plucking out a tune that created a pleasant sound.

"Well, nothing." I smiled to myself sheepishly.

"You're too lucky to have this job. It's enjoying and fun having kids around, you know? I wish I could have the same job as you do, but I sometimes behave like a f*****g toddler, I'm guilty of that."

"You all do, but yeah, I know that's why I value it too much," I replied and sat on the chair where Andrea sat. "Sometimes, I get.. sad? I don't know what's the right emotion but they get to perform while I really don't. I mean, it's not something to mope for but... It must be nice I think,"

"I understand, but the kids Stacy... they learn from you and they'll look back at who taught them. He discontinued for a bit. I pursed my lips quite flattered, I just realized it now and indeed, it's amazing. "I haven't seen you play a complete piece lately, though. You used to take home your violin and play a couple of pieces every morning,"

"I feel like, I'm too overrated. I play for the kids most of the time, I kinda lose my energy when I get home." I said. "I hope you get it again,

A moment of silence for a while had clouded the room

"Luke?" His name slipped out of my mouth.

"Hmmm?" He hummed and stopped strumming. I could feel dejection enveloping me at this moment ascertaining our stand right now, what are we? ex-lovers? friends? It feels something more beyond that by the way he looks at me sometimes, but no word is coming from him. Perhaps I am crafting my own reveries, my own definition with something that shouldn't really be overthought at all.

"I'm sorry if I'm still here, I should've come back to California already," I don't know what I was saying. I don't know if it's even right to say that.

"It's okay, it's me who started the agreement. We're both staying for the house, that's all." He nonchalantly replied.

"Have you talked to her?" I asked with concern though it started to eat me out."

"I haven't talked to her in person yet, but It kind of upsets me that it had to reach to the point where his brother beat me out." He replied emotionlessly.

"Luke, you know you should forget about it. Wounds and bruises heal right? You should talk to her," I told him as I was fiddling with my fingers. He didn't speak for a long moment as if he was pondering.

"I surely will. I just don't want to lose her, Stacy" He sheepishly said. My heart sank instantly as it gave birth to a heap of questions; Maybe it's just me giving meaning to utmost every little thing that happens.

"You better fix everything, if that's the case" I cautiously said feigning my nonchalance.

"Yeah, well, anyway I should go now and Stacy, thank you for last night, I could've died if you weren't there thank you too for bringing me here."

"No, It's fine Luke. No worries." I said sounding like his best friend like nothing happened between us like that sudden bubble bath. I don't really know why I still obsess that, it's probably his closure and I should move on.

"See you around." He turned his back and walked away.

-

LUKE

My hands on my pocket keeping it all warm as I walked on the streets. A small part of my head was consumed with the thought of Stacy. I know I'm hurting her, but it looks like she's trying her best to move on. It flashed inside my mind how her voice sounded when she told me she loves me- I knew she meant it and she will always mean it and I appreciate how she's slowly letting me go but I admit, I still carry this fear of hurting her and every time her tears start to fall because of me, I don't know what to do what to feel and what to think of.

I brushed my thoughts of her after pressing Christen's doorbell. I am so hopeful that she was now calm enough to talk.

"Hey-" Her face dropped dead shocked upon the view she just saw. I know. My face. It's my face.

"What the hell? Who did that to you?!" She reacted as her thumb slowly ran to the bruises on my face.

"It's your f*****g brother," I replied as I bit my lip trying to contain myself. She embraced me, burying her head on my neck as she said just above a whisper "I'm sorry, I didn't know Luke, I swear I had no idea," She soothed/

"I'm okay now, Let's forget about this." I softly said. "What happened, who helped you last night?" It took me so long to answer. Christen removed her hand on my arm and faced the wall instead, her face- still seemingly hiding resentment she plausibly thinks I'm knowledgeable of.

"Oh, it's her again isn't it?" She bitterly stated. "Christen, will you please hear me out?"

She stayed silent so I continued. "I know, Christen we just started dating and it’s my fault on not telling you earlier but with Stacy and I, we’re just friends, we only share with the rent.”

“Are you really expecting me to buy that?” I placed my hand on top of hers, her tensed shoulders relaxed a little. “Chrissy, you know that I’m not as wealthy like Calum right? I don’t customize shirts and guitar straps like Michael, I don’t sell beats like Ashton,” I’m afraid that she’ll ask how Stacy and I ended up sharing the same apartment because letting her know that we dated for five years would excavate a deeper hole that will be harder to fill. I don’t want to lie because one lie leads to another until it all proliferates and ruin everything. “We’ve been friends for quite a long time now, Ashton, Michael, Calum and I, and we decided to move here to pursue music and yeah.. My dad earns a great amount of money for me to have my own unit but unfortunately, he hates me for pursuing music.”

“It’s that complex Christen, I hope you understand… It’s nothing and it won’t last any longer,” She drew more silent, eyes pinned on her cream walls as I deemed her to be in deep thought. “You’re the only one that I love, I hope you know that.”