Toxic

Chapter 6.

And after so many days, my prayers were finally answered.

Sitting next to Anne in the cafeteria, I laughed shyly listening to Anne and her friends' talks, calmly eating my lunch. After my first chat with Anne today morning, we both hit it off very well, because she is super nice and very funny, so it didn't take long before I let loose on her and we became friends.

Unlike Andy, Anne didn't seem like someone who would turn her back on me after being nice, she seemed like she wanted to be my friend, that she was interested in getting close to me. So sitting next to me for the first two classes of the morning, we talked nonstop, even exchanged numbers, and she became my first f*******: friend. And while it sure must have seemed weird to her that I didn't have more friends on social media, she didn't ask any questions about it. The third class of the morning Anne was not with me, and somewhat depressed thinking I would miss her, I was surprised when I found her waiting for me outside the classroom for lunch. Anne is good to me.

And for a person like her, so charismatic who talks non-stop and makes everyone laugh, it's normal to know she's popular. Not as popular as the cheerleaders or sports stars at school, but in the halls of the school, she always says hello to a lot of people and even stops to talk to many of them. I would lose count of how many people he has introduced me to today as we walked to the cafeteria for lunch. When we arrived at the cafeteria, we were approached by girls from a higher grade, who super happy to invite us to have lunch with them. This is how I realized that Anne had no plans to go to lunch, she just showed up at the cafeteria and sat with random friends, she had no set group of friends to eat with, she hangs out with everyone.

Anne told me privately that she is trying to earn more points with the students, as she aspires to become the next student council president. She had run for that position this year, but didn't get enough votes and ended up as vice president. So this year she will be more involved with the students and the council projects, hoping to become the new president for the next administration. Hearing this surprised me because as I explained, Anne seems to know and be liked by half of the school, can anyone be more popular than her? I feel overwhelmed just thinking about it.

—The music club is a little different from the other clubs, as it takes itself more seriously because it goes to competitions representing the school. The club has two divisions —Anne explained to me after lunch in our last class of the day, when I asked her about the music club—, one for advanced students who already know how to play an instrument, and one for those who want to learn. The two parts of the club are controlled by different teachers, and the one you are interested in joining is the club for advanced students, the competition club.

Sighing somewhat nervously, I quickly said: —But I'm not interested in competing, I just want to look for that song.

After realizing that I couldn't get anywhere unless I started being a little more honest, I ended up telling Anne about my intention to look for a specific song to play on my piano, hoping she could help me with it. Though of course, I didn't mention my dreams or my suspicions that this song is related to my biological parents, it sounds crazy even to me, so I didn't want to say it.

—Well, if you go with the beginners I doubt anyone can help you, they are just learning to play and know little about music. You should look for someone who knows a lot about piano songs, someone who has so many songs in their head that they can help you look up the name or the sheet music of the song you are looking for —Anne makes me reason, as she quickly types on her phone.

I sigh again, not very happy about it. I was determined to find that song, but... My determination had a certain point, and that included too stressful situations or playing in front of others, I never did something like that before, I didn't know if I could do it so easily now.

While reading messages that are coming to her little by little, Anne tells me: —The music club is very curious... Not only because it is the only one that has two divisions, something I had never heard of before in a club. Also because it was the only club that was not founded by a student, it was the teachers who founded it, and it was one of the first in the school. Besides the fact that it is very successful, they have several awards in inter-school competitions.

—That's great...

—Oh... —Anne whispers from one second to the next— You're not going to like this.

—What? —I ask in alarm.

—To enter the club they have auditions, it's one of those clubs where they don't accept just anyone, even for the second level you have to have a certain skill playing an instrument; something like the debate club —Anne explains to me.

–Does the debate club also ask for auditions?

Nodding, Anne replies: —Yes, they do. Well, they wouldn't be auditions as such, but to join the debate club you have to demonstrate certain good communicative characteristics, which are determined by the president. In my case, when I joined the club a year ago, they made me debate with one of the other new girls who was also an applicant, although they admitted both of us and they were pretty lax with their selection standards. I don't know if they have low standards in the music club as well, so maybe it's a little tricky to get in.

Hearing those words I get even more nervous, feeling so far away from finding that song... I wasn't a concert pianist, I didn't even consider myself as someone good at playing the piano, just someone occasional who learned to play piano because she was bored a lot. Would someone like that make it into a serious club where they asked for auditions? I don't think so...

—I think it's going to be tricky —Anne tells me sincerely— Professor Porter is the one who runs the club part for the advanced group, and he's a very demanding teacher. If he is taken as someone "evil" teaching physics, I guess he won't be any better at teaching music.

—Maybe I should give up... —I moan despondently.

—Of course not —Anne denies me, holding my hand affectionately—, even if you fail the audition, you won't lose anything trying, will you? You told me you want to have all the experience of a normal student at this school, and that includes joining a club. So cheer up, you can make it; besides, I'll go with you...

Watching Anne's hand move away from mine, turning back to her phone, I feel a little embarrassed. Anne was my friend after only one day, and she was doing so much for me... She is amazing.

—How do you know all this? Didn't you tell me you didn't know about the music club this morning? —I asked curiously, after a few seconds.

Looking away from her cell phone in my direction, Anne said: —I didn't know. I asked one of my fellow board members about it, she's the secretary now, so she knows more about it than anyone... You should thank her actually, I just read her messages.

Anne is truly amazing. Knowing that she had gone to so much trouble for me, to help a simple stranger, made me smile like a fool. I know now that I can trust her, and that she will never betray me.

After school, knowing that I wouldn't be able to go home on the bus because I would be staying to add to the music club, I thought it would be the right thing to do to call Mrs. Kramer and tell her about it, which she seemed extremely excited about.

—That's wonderful, honey! Sister Denisse told us that you were very good at it, so I'm sure you will be admitted, good luck! —She said to me happily over the phone.

—Thank you, Mrs. Kramer —I said a little self-consciously, glancing sideways at Anne, who was waiting for me across the hall at her locker.

—Call me when your time at the club is over and I'll come to get you right away —Mrs. Kramer told me since her store was close to the school—, we can stop by for any fast food you want, to celebrate your admittance.

—I haven't been admitted yet...

—But you will be, just go with confidence and a big smile, I know you'll do great. I will tell your father right away, he will be very happy too. Good luck dear, I love you —she said before cutting me off.

—Thank you so much... —I answered in a whisper, feeling embarrassed and encouraged.

Finishing putting her things away, Anne returned to my side, smiling at me amused: —How cute is your mother, very adorable. When I told my mom I was accepted into the debate club she scolded me for not staying in the athletic club because you know... She wants me to lose weight.

—Mrs. Kramer is very kind and sweet to me, but I'm sorry your mom is so mean... —I tell her honestly.

—Mrs. Kramer? Why do you call your mom like that?

—I'll tell you later —I answered to Anne, wanting to go to the club right away.

According to what Anne told me, the clubs did not have a specific day, the teachers in charge of them went every afternoon after school for an hour or two, and the members of the club could go at any time they wanted and on any day they wanted. However, the most dedicated went every day, and those were the ones who were considered "most important" within the club.

Following Anne down a hallway on the second floor, we both had to cross a very dark hallway almost to the end, where we opened a door and came to a completely different room. It was a room with red wallpaper on the walls and a dark wooden floor, having lots of light from large windows at the top, which gave it a beautiful and calm atmosphere. According to Anne, this was the room where the art class was held in the first year of high school; so since it was an optional subject and only obligatory for the first year, I, unfortunately, would not take classes there unless I took the subject the next term.

When we arrived we saw how there were already several students in the place, who went around the desks to have more space to practice, settling in with instruments ranging from trumpets to electric guitars; being what mattered to me a large electric piano stationed on the teacher's table, at the front of the whole class. Predictably, Anne knew people among the kids in the club, so introducing myself to her friends, who played violins and cellos, we waited for the teacher in charge to arrive amidst quiet chatter.

Apparently, Professor Porter, who was also in charge of the physics class, took a long time to get to his classes, so everyone already knew that it would take at least 30 minutes for him to show up. And although waiting wasn't so unpleasant because of the good company I had by my side, it did increase my nerves, which were on edge because I knew what I would have to add. Anne was always there though, holding my hand to calm me down, and making silly jokes to try to distract me.

So after almost 40 minutes, the door to the club opened for the last time and let the teacher in charge in. Professor Porter was a man with thick-rimmed glasses, who looked like he had a good few years on him, dressed in a plain but well-pressed suit, and a shiny bald head somewhat sweaty from running here.

And although I wanted to approach him right away to greet him, trying to make a good first impression, I stopped when I saw who was behind him. It was that boy, the same boy... With that dark brown hair and those ice-cold eyes, plus a gleaming beauty and a serious face, he also looked at me right away. Remembering everything that had happened between us when I saw him, I thought I turned pale, why was he there? And although I couldn't know completely, as I exchanged glances with him at the door, I could tell that his serene face quickly transformed into an angry grimace.

He didn't want me here either.

—Ugh... I didn't know that demented Luka Zaitsev was here —Anne complained in a whisper, talking to her friends.

—Luka? —I asked curiously, turning in Anne's direction.

—Oh don't bother meeting him, he's a jerk, stay away or you'll be in trouble —she immediately warns me.

—You'd be surprised, Luka is the best pianist and musician in the club —one of her friends commented to Anne.

—Luka? That crazy guy? —asked Anne incredulously.

—Haven't you ever wondered why he doesn't get kicked out of school after all he's done? He's a genius —her friend replied.

I didn't say anything else, however, keeping my eyes fixed on Luka, who stopped looking at me and advanced behind Professor Porter, carrying an old box in his hands. Completely losing my concentration at the sight of him, trying to find a way to run away, I thought about saying that I was sick, or that I just came to visit with Anne to see her friends. But I was not going to play in front of that boy, I would rather join the English literature club and read "Pride and Prejudice" than that...

It was too late though, as Professor Porter noticed I was there, so he quickly turned in my direction: —A new member, welcome.

Remaining silent, frozen with fear, I came to myself only when I felt Anne tap me on the back to make me react.

—Oh... Yes, thank you very much —I said immediately, looking at the teacher.

—Are you coming to add? —asked the teacher.

—Yes... —I answered a little bit unsure.

—What instrument do you play? —he asked me.

—Piano, sir.

—Sir, that sounded good. You don't have to be formal with me here girl, you can call me Bruce if you wish —the professor indicates me, making a slight mockery of my words—. A pianist, interesting, did you hear Luka? If she passes the audition you will have your first rival for solos.

Feeling unhappy, Luka didn't respond to his words, avoiding looking at me at all costs, visibly irritated. And that didn't make me happy either, as it put a lot more weight on my shoulders, would I have to be his rival? Is he serious?

—Well girl, go ahead and show what you've got —the teacher says to me, putting down his things and moving away from the piano to the front of the class.

Seeing the teacher walk away, Luka drops the wooden box noisily on the wooden floor, looking in my direction for a second, then turning away as well. Feeling like I would have a heart attack, I didn't know if I could move to the front, not knowing if I could touch anything in that condition.

I wasn't ready to add to all this pressure.