Silent Beauty ~12~

You woke to a hand shaking your shoulder. In your mostly asleep haze, you imagined it was Ludwig shaking your shoulder and urging you to wake up. You yawned and looked up. It was the janitor, you couldn't make out what his lips said, they were mostly hidden with a large bushy mustache. You blinked at him. Was that a string coming off of each end of it. Out of complete curiosity, you reached up and gave a slight tug on the grand 'stache.

With a little resistance, it fell off, and the janitor, who looked both angry and embarrassed began a long string of curses towards you. This time, you were able to make most of them out.

He was, as you could tell irritated that you had taken it off, in fact, he seemed almost panicked. He snatched it back and quickly fastened it to his face once again, but not before you saw one of the teachers turn the corner.

You recognized this teacher, his name was Mr. Carriedo, though he taught ELC to the Spanish-speaking kids. He smiled a large goofy grin and waved. You glanced over and saw the janitor stiffen. Suddenly, he whirled around and ran off, leaving the young and bouncy teacher looking slightly dejected. As you watched the retreating figure of the janitor, you felt a hand fall on your shoulder, making you jump.

Slowly you turned around to face the ELC teacher , who was looking at you with inquisitive forest green eyes. He started to talk, lips forming perfect words, which you appreciated, all too often, you had to read the lips of people who spoke sloppily.

“School is over, mija. Are you going home now? Be safe! I heard it might rain!” he said with a smile, though his words were clean, they were fast, so you weren't too sure of what he said, but it was close. Nodding, you turned and quickly retreated before he could talk to you further.

You sighed and walked towards the music room. You had to do something to get your mind off of everything. Usually music was your escape. The way your fingers pressed to the keys, the satisfying strain in your hand when you reached for a particularly spaced out chord, the simple to impossibly complicated beauty of printed sheet music.

Walking into the familiar space, you walked slowly to the back practice room. Your practice room. It was exactly how you had left it: your music was sitting erect on the stand, the lowest key was taped down due to some amateur reaching in and breaking it by accident, and a humorous comic slid behind the loose lettering of the logo sign.

You were so ready to relax and press your fingers to the slight resistance of the faux ivory that you almost missed the white note lying neatly on the  top of the bench. You didn't though, you snatched it up and glanced over it.

“Hi (first-name)! I need you to meet me in the library after school. I'll see you then! -your friend, Lily”

For a moment, you simply stared at the little quick scrawled note. Every doubt  pounded at your subconsciousness then, begging entrance, begging permission to ruin your mind. But this note, those 20 words, they brought about something different, something you couldn't place your finger on it, but what ever the wonderful, marvelous thing was, it cast out every negative feeling and pain.

Grabbing your backpack, you ran out the practice room, and out of the building, towards the library nestled at the far end of the school.

~~~


Antonio smiled, pulling her closer to him, "What about it, mi tomate? Do you want to be mi amour tonight?"
Serina couldn't help but feel her breath catch in the back of her throat as her heart pounded against her chest. Were her ribs going to break? Did she care? Carefully, she lifted her large white gown to expose a slender caramel brown ankle. Giggling, she looked away as the Spaniard disappeared under her dress, and soon emerging with a white elastic belt secured firmly in his teeth. He grinned and ran a hand up her thigh, sending shivers up her spine, and making a smile curl onto her lips.
"Tonight, amour, I make you mine, for real this time."
Smiling, Serina grabbed both sides of his tuxedo and pulled his lips to hers. She smelled of Serina, the very woman he fell in love with, a spicy blend of passion and zeal that he couldn't imagine living without. He gently pulled away and pressed her lightly to the bed,
"How about we get you out of that bulky dress...I want to show my wife the night of her life.”
Giggling, Serina nodded, “Take me away, Captain.”
Antonio smoothly unzipped her zipper and slid the long white dress of of her, “Oh I will, mi amour.” he mumbled, pulling her to him and mumbling sweet nothings in her ear, “My one and only, forever.”
Sighing happily, Serina glanced at the wedding ring that fit perfectly around her soft fingers, “And ever,” she agreed.