Date: Sun, 17 Aug 2003 09:35:31 -0700 (PDT) From: M D Subject: The Silent Violin - Chapterp 5 (gay/highschool) Legal Notice: The following story contains descriptions of graphic sexual acts. The story is a work of fiction and has no basis in reality. Although the names of places used DO exist, they are in no way reflected factually in this story. Don't read this story if: * You're not 18 or over, * If it is illegal to read this type of material where you live, * Or if you don't want to read about gay/bi people in love or having sex. The author retains copyright to this story. Placing this story on a website or reproducing this story for distribution without the author's permission is a violation of that copyright. Legal action will be taken against violators. Note: This story will be slow moving, and plot oriented. It is not a porno, though sex will happen. It's a fact of life. Words in between <> are sign language, as text formatting does not support italics. E-mail responses to the story, questions, suggestions, criticism, and comments to: EquinusScorpius@yahoo.com Thanks to all my readers for the feedback so far! THE SILENT VIOLIN CHAPTER 5 When Aiden entered study hall just as the bell rang, Mrs. Witt had done a double take. She made to get up from her chair but then thought better about. The moody Goth boy she'd had in study hall for almost two years had changed somehow, and it wasn't just the lack of makeup. There was a hint of happiness in his eyes and on his lips. Pink lips, not black, and she could see the freckles across the bridge of his nose without that white paste covering them up. She watched him as he went to the back of his room and sat in his usual seat. He pulled a piece of paper from his pocket and sat staring at it for some time. She didn't think he knew he was smiling. Aiden must have met a girl, she decided. Aiden sat staring at the last note Bastian had given him. Bastian was in the orchestra and he wanted Aiden to see him play. What did he play? Aiden considered asking Mrs. Witt for a hall pass to go to the orchestra room, but he didn't think she'd let him. He looked up at the clock. Damn, 45 minutes until the bell rang. He sighed and stared out the window. He could actually see the windows of the orchestra room across the way. He fantasized he could hear music coming from there as well. He closed his eyes to listen, and his mind began to wander. After Bastian's accident and his subsequent move away, Aiden had become quiet and depressed. His father, Shamus, had been worried and tried to talk to him, even brought him to a child psychologist. But Aiden wouldn't talk to anyone about it. No one realized how much Aiden had been effected. He had nightmares every night, for four years, watching that sled hit Bastian. Different endings would happen. The worst was when the sled didn't stop, and Bastian would sit up, leaving his head resting on the sled. Aiden would scream and scream; knowing it was a dream. Sometimes the head stared at him accusatorily, saying "Why did you suggest we go sledding, Aiden? Why didn't you save me." He spiraled ever downward. When he was in 7th grade, Aiden spent his allowance on black hair dye and other gothic affectations. His mother was horrified and his father wouldn't talk to him for four weeks. Surprisingly, Aiden's oldest brother Connor didn't turn his back, and neither did his sister Caetlyn. Jaime and Cassidy, the twins who were a year younger, basically ignored him, as they usually did. It was fine with him. Caetlyn and Connor helped Aiden express his grief through his wardrobe and appearance. Caetlyn, who moved into her own place when she was 17, would help by altering his clothes to a more punk look and giving him makeup tips. Connor kept Shamus and Meg McKennough busy with college choices. He wanted to be an electrical engineer. It took a while for his parents to accept the way their son looked, but eventually the hurtful comments stopped. The initial shock faded away, and Aiden was still brooding and unhappy. His mother fretted over his behavior; worried that he might be suicidal or go crazy at school. But Aiden just kept it all inside. The bizarre shell kept people away and his emotions became stagnant and sour. Bastian had probably saved him. Aiden looked up at the clock and sighed again. Only ten minutes more. He began to think of Bastian. Something clicked in his head. "Oh shit," he muttered under his breath. Several of the kids around him turned to look at him curiously. I told him I loved him. What if he gets scared and never wants to see me again? Crap. The thoughts tore through his head like a whirlwind of pain. Inside he began to cry. As the last note of the Soldier's Chorus faded away, Bastian refocused his eyes to look at Mrs. Tolner. Not a sound came from her or the students in the room. He forced himself to keep looking at her. He heard someone begin to clap behind him, joined by a few others. He felt himself flushing, but strove not to react. Soon it sounded like the entire orchestra was applauding him. He heard the sounds of chair legs scraping across the floor. A standing ovation, they're giving me a standing ovation! I can't believe it. The thoughts raced through his mind. Mrs. Tolner glared at the room behind him. Eventually her face softened and she even began to smile slightly. Gruffly she said, "Not bad. Who taught you how to play? No matter. Take a seat next to Mariko Yatsuo. You're second chair." A petite Japanese girl with black hair to her shoulders raised one hand and beckoned him over. Bastian went over to sit next to her, shifting a pretty blond girl over one chair. "Congratulations, Bastian. I'm Mariko. That was really something! How long have you been playing violin?" she said in a high, excited voice. She looked to be 14 or 15, Bastian guessed, but later found out she was 18, and graduating in June. He grabbed for his notepad and began to write: Thanks, Mariko. I should let you know that I can't talk, so unless you know sign language, I'll have to write everything or pantomime it. I've been playing for 10 yrs. "You can't talk? Well that sucks. Well I'm glad you're here, you'll really boost the talent." She smiled at him. "I'll introduce you to the others. Jen, Mike, Michelle, Ian, Jason, Dan." as she said their names, they raised their hands and smiled at him. The introductions continued, but he quickly lost track of names and faces. Jen, the blond next to him laughed. "Don't worry, there won't be a test. You'll learn who we are over the course of time." She giggled and flipper her long blond hair over her shoulder. Bastian was sure if he'd been straight that he wouldn't have been able to stand up. As it was, he noticed Mike, the brown-haired bespectacled boy next to her, gulp and shift in his seat. From across the room, Harmony caught his eye and signed . He smiled back and signed . Mrs. Tolner rapped on her music stand with a conductor's baton and cleared her throat. Silence issued in the room. "Okay people. We have a new member of the orchestra whom you've just seen play. Sebastian Blackmoore is now second-chair violinist." There was scattered applause as she announced this. "Now its time to get to work. Arpeggios and scales: C, B-flat, D, E-flat, F, G, and A. Sebastian, I'll get you the music for the spring concert. For now, just look on with Mariko." She raised the baton, and the class brought their instruments to bear. They practiced for another 40 minutes before the end of period bell rang. She lowered the baton and glared irritably at the sound. "Seven minute break, people." She said, and disappeared into her office. The room erupted in sound as the students began to mingle. "You're pretty good, Bastian." Mariko said to him. Jen and Mike echoed her sentiments. "Have you played these pieces before?" Bastian blushed slightly and shook his head no. He saw Harmony coming over with taller boy following in her footsteps. He had blond hair, dyed black at the tips and styled into casual spikes. Blue eyes peered out from a smooth, tan complexion. He walked with an easy grace, his slender swimmer's body clothed in a black T-shirt belted into blue jeans. "Can I borrow Bastian?" Harmony said, smiling at Mariko and the others. Mariko pushed him out of his seat with a "Sure." "Congrats, Bastian. Way to win her over. Looks like you settled in fine with Mariko and the others." Harmony said, pulling him away a few paces to a quieter area of the room. The blond teen cleared his throat. "Oh, sorry. This is my friend Alex. Alex, this is Bastian." Bastian held out his hand in greeting and was repaid by a soft handshake. "Nice to meet you, Bastian. I'm Alex. I'm third-chair trumpet. Congratulations on getting the seat." His voice was soft and low, scratching occasionally with adolescence. "Harmony was telling me about you during chemistry, and I asked to meet you. She and I have band together opposite of orchestra. I hope you and I have a chance to hang out some time," he continued shyly. He looked around and saw Mrs. Tolner coming out of her office. "Back to the music." Bastian smiled and waved at him. He looked at Harmony curiously. ? She just smiled and shrugged before heading back to her seat. Mrs. Tolner handed him the music for the Spring Concert, and then called her students to attention. Without further ado, practice commenced. Bastian was distracted. He kept looking towards the orchestra room doors. Where was Aiden? Why didn't he come down and see me play? he wondered. He hoped something hadn't happened. He turned back to the music, and began to play his worries away. Aiden wandered the halls of the school, debating whether or not to go see Bastian. Part of him longed to kiss him again. But another part of him urged him to break his emotions off now, before he was hurt again; before Bastian left again. He went into an empty bathroom and sat on the toilet. Slowly, the tears began to come. After a while, they dried to a crust on his cheeks. He got up from the commode, and went over to the sink to wash his face. That done, he opened his bag to retrieve what he would need: a small white bottle and two thin black tubes. He cringed at the sight of Bastian's shirt folded neatly among his things and almost began to cry again. He fought back the tears that rushed to his eyes and resolutely began to work. Bastian was surprised to hear the end of school bell ring. He looked at his watch; it was almost 4:30 and still no sign of Aiden. Mechanically he began to clean the rosin dust off his violin, careful even in his absent-minded state. He loosened the strings on the violin and carefully placed it in its case. The chatter of happy teens surrounded him. Suddenly, he felt so alone. He zipped the bow up in its special compartment and latched the violin case. The music for the Spring Concert was placed in its binder and that placed in his bag. Staring at the floor, he saw a trendy pair of brown leather boots stop in front of him. Harmony tapped his shoulder and he finished closing his violin case before looking up. ? Harmony signed. She had a concerned look on her face, but he was thankful for her sense of discretion. . He signed back, looking down at the floor again. He heard her click her tongue in exasperation and sigh. She squatted down in front of him and lifted his head again so he was looking into her eyes. He noticed flecks of gold in the field of dark brown. ? She rested a hand on his knee. Bastian gulped and nodded, turning his eyes away. . He signed hurriedly, without looking at her. He grabbed his violin and messenger back and stumbled out the door, brushing past Alex and Mariko who looked on with concern in their eyes. Bastian ran down the hall and rounded the corner, ducking into a recessed doorway. He leaned back against the wall, eyes closed, gasping for breath. Tears began to leak from his eyes and he brushed them away angrily with the back of his hand. Why hadn't Aiden come? His pocket began to vibrate, and with a start, he realized his mother was calling him. No one else knew this number. He pulled it out of his pocket and saw: "I'm outside, ready to take you home. Come out to where I dropped you off this morning. - Mom." He typed a quick reply back: "Be right there." And then headed to the bathroom to wash his face. The door opened part way and bumped into something. Bastian heard an "Ow!" and peeked around the door to see who he had hit. Bright green eyes lined in black stared at him from a face painted stark white. "Bastian?" Aiden croaked. His voice was thick from crying. Aiden? Bastian's lips said. Slid inside the bathroom, locking the door behind him. One hand went up to touch Aiden's face, but he jerked backwards and turned away. "Just leave me alone, Bastian. I know you hate me. Just go. You don't need me as a friend. It'll just hurt us both in the end. You'll just leave me again." Aiden stood there, shoulders shaking. Bastian was slammed backwards into the door by Aiden's words. Anger, despair, and fear welled up inside of him. He took out his notepad and began to write in harsh lines to show his anger. Now just a minute! I've been waiting for you in the orchestra room for you to come see me play. Why are you wearing your Goth stuff again? I thought you said that it wasn't you? Why are you acting like this? Is it because I didn't say I loved you back? Well I DO! Bastian stopped writing, realizing what he'd written; realizing it was true. He tore off the paper and slapped it into Aiden's hands. Aiden gasped at the contact and studied the paper with bleary eyes. "Y-you do? I thought you would hate me, knowing I was -" Bastian began to write again in response to Aiden's words. GAY!? I kissed you first, remember? And I kissed you that second time as well. Do I have to kiss you again to make you believe that I love you? I don't care if you're gay. Maybe I'm gay too. I AM gay too. Stop doubting yourself. Stop doubting ME. You think this is easy on my first day here? I haven't even had a full school day, and already I'm in love with my best friend. If that Goth stuff is you, then fine, I'll love you that way. But don't put it on because you're going to go back to being the moody negative you. Once again he tore off the paper and handed it roughly to Aiden. Aiden read it slowly and began to sob. "I can't - I didn't - I'm sorry. Oh, Bastian, I'm so sorry. I'm so confused. I don't know what to do." Bastian didn't bother with his finger this time; he stopped him with a kiss. He took Aiden's hand and pulled him after him. Unlocking the door, they emerged into the hallway, still holding hands. The halls were empty. Bastian's pocket buzzed again. "Are you coming?" was all it said. He held it up to show Aiden, and raised his eyebrows. "Do you think your mom could give me a ride home?" Aiden asked. Bastian smiled and nodded. He replied to his mother with a "Yes" and pulled Aiden out the main doors. He could see his mom's car parked at the bottom of the hill. She was looking impatiently up his way. When she saw him, she started up the hill. He waved at her. She slowed to a stop before the two boys, rolling down the passenger window. "Heya hun. Who's thi- Aiden? My god, how you've changed! With the -" she pointed to his made up face, "and the -" his safety-pinned jeans and sheer shirt. "Y-you've changed!" She smiled. "Hop in, you two. Bastian's been non-stop about you, Aiden. Do you still live on Pine Street? Bastian, do you have any homework?" Marjorie Blackmoore jumped from topic to topic. Bastian slapped his forehead at her last question. . Bastian stuck his violin case and messenger bag on the passenger seat and ran back up towards the building. Aiden watched after him uncomfortably and turned to face Marjorie. "Umm, hi Ms. Blackmoore." To his embarrassment, his voice cracked. "Come on, get in the back." She said. "I can take you home, unless you'd like to stay for supper?" Aiden opened the door and climbed into the back seat. "That'd be great, but I have to call my parents first. I doubt they'll say no. And yeah, I still live on Pine Street; same house and everything." Excitement built in his chest. "Here you go, use my cell phone. If you want, I can talk to them too, to ease their minds." Marjorie smiled and handed him her cell. Aiden took her phone with a "Thank you" and proceeded to dial home. "Heya, Cass, is mom there?" Pause. "Okay." Pause. "Hey mom, can I eat over at a friend's tonight?" Pause. "Yes I do." Pause. "Sebastian Blackmoore, that's who." Pause. "Yes, they moved back." Pause. "Yes. So can I?" Pause. He got a disgruntled look on his face. He looked at Marjorie and handed her the phone, saying, "She wants to talk to you." Marjorie took the phone. "Hello, Meg? Its Marjorie Blackmoore." "Oh, it really is you, Marjorie. I thought Aiden was making that up. When did you move back to the Kingston area?" "A month ago. Bastian wanted to. So is it all right if Aiden comes over for dinner? I'll drive him home too." "Are you sure he's not being a bother?" "No, of course not." "Then okay. Can I talk to him again?" Wordlessly, Marjorie handed Aiden back the phone. "Yeah?" Pause. "Uhuh." Pause. "I know, mom." Pause. "Okay, I'll see you later. Bye." Pause. "Ditto." He hung up the phone. "Thanks, Ms. Blackmoore. I don't think she would have said yes if you hadn't talked to her. Thanks for letting me use your phone." He handed it back to her and saw Bastian running down the hill, his arms full of books. Bastian arrived smiling and breathless at the car, tumbling his books onto the passenger-side floor. Quickly, he signed to his mom ? Marjorie laughed. "I already invited him, Bastian. And he has permission to." Bastian smiled and got into the back seat. _______________ To Be Continued.