Chapter 7

I really think the universe is out to get me. Next class I had was Music. I'm thinking that it would be more about the history of it. Not even close. Its a class that involves singing. When I walked in, Mike patted the seat next to him. Looking around the room, my opinions were either to sit next to the kid who smelled like pot or the kid who talked to himself. I chose to sit next to Mike. He smiled and went to grab my hand, I turned to him "Listen, this hand holding is getting out of hand, and your ex already hates me so please don't make it worse". I was proud of myself. He would stop doing it. Maggie would never bother me again and I would live a care free life. Or so I thought. Thinking he's proving a point, Mike does the exact opposite of what I said. This time, he had a speech. " One, who I hold hands with is no ones business except mine. Two, Maggie is my ex of course she's going to be jealous of any girl who's within a 10 foot radius of me. Three, I like holding your hand, is that a crime? Friends hold hands too you know? Its not just limited to couples. I like spending time with you and I know you like it too. Whether you like or not, we're friends. We're drawn to each other and you know it , because guess what I am interested to you". He then leaned over and kissed my cheek. The teacher came in then with a girl next to her. She was in her mid 40s with blonde hair and blue eyes. The girl next to her looked around my age. She was petite, wore glasses and had  soft features. The teacher stood in front of the room. " Since last year, we did solos. This year we are going to be doing duets. The girl next to me is going to be our composer for the songs you guys will be performing.  Please welcome, Ms. Kelsey Neilson. She is a junior at Julliard and has composed many pieces including musicals at her high school. She is currently on break right now and will be assisting us for the time being". This girl sounds accomplished, why is she wasting her time here? I noticed she kept staring at me and Mike. I decided to ignore it and focus on the teacher. "As I said before, we are going to do duets, so would two people like to volunteer to start us off?". No one raised their hand, most of them just looked at her with a blank stare. The teacher looked determined though. " Very well then, I will pick the two students then". She looked at the roster and closed her eyes, stuck out her finger and chose the names. " Sam Montez and Mike Gold". Just kill me down. Why did this happen? I don't sing anymore and now I'm forced to? I can refuse. But, nope. Mike pulled me from my seat and went towards where the teacher was was. "  Great ,OK now I just want to hear how you guys sound together.Duets are about having an emotional connection with your partner".  Kelsey started on the piano. I recognized that it was Begin Again by Taylor Swift  The only reason I know the song is because Charlotte sent me a playlist of her current favorite songs, and that was one of them.  What the hell. Its only for today. I started. (Sam's lines are in italics, Mike's are in bold, when they harmonize, it's underlined)
Took a deep breath in the mirror
He didn't like it when I wore high heels
But I do
Turn the lock and put my headphones on
He always said he didn't get this song
But I do, I do
 Mike joined in. His voice was strong.
Walked in expecting you'd be late
But you got here early and you stand and wave
I walk to you
You pull my chair out and help me in
And you don't know how nice that is
But I do
And you throw your head back laughing like a little kid
I think it's strange that you think I'm funny 'cause he never did
I've been spending the last eight months
Thinking all love ever does is break and burn and end
But on a Wednesday in a cafe I watched it begin again
And we walked down the block to my car and I almost brought him up
But you start to talk about the movies that your family watches
Every single Christmas and I want to talk about that
And for the first time what's past is past
Cause you throw your head back laughing like a little kid
I think it's strange that you think I'm funny 'cause he never did
I've been spending the last eight months
Thinking all love ever does is break and burn and end
But on a Wednesday in a cafe I watched it begin again
But on a Wednesday in a cafe I watched it begin again
When we were done, the teacher was clapping. " amazing, absolutely amazing. Are you sure you guys never sang together before? Because you guys have amazing chemistry". Mike smiled at that. "um no this is the first time", I said. The teacher smiled. " Well, I am impressed. You guys were incredible. In fact, I've decided you two will perform two songs in our end of the year ceremony.Kelsey will work on them with you". 
I'm sorry, what? No, not happening. Kelsey looked at us and gave us a smile. When class was over, Kelsey walked towards us. " I'm sorry if this sound weird but you guys look a lot like a couple I know, they had the same chemistry you guys have". Well, it is possible to have doppelgangers in some parts of the world. Mike and I looked at each other. " Can we see a picture of them?", we said together. Ok, that was weird. "Sure", she said and took out her cellphone. She scrolled through her phone, and stopped at a picture. No way. In the picture, it showed a couple who looked identical to us. The girl was wearing a flowery dress and her hair was in curls. The boy was wearing a tuxedo with his arms around the girl. They were both smiling and laughing. 
 " You guys could their twins or cousins, their names are Troy and Gabriella. They go to separate colleges.", Kelsey said. 
" That's sad", I said. I didn't want to sound insensitive. " Huh, oh they didn't break up, they're still together, actually they're engaged", said Kelsey smiling. Wow engaged at I did the math in my head, 20. That's not much older than me and Mike. I'm 18, my birthday is in the summer. We were still walking in the hallway.
Mike was walking next to me.
 " Well, that's great, good luck to them", Mike said. I nodded. " Yeah, they want to finish college first and then they'll plan it. So for now it's a long engagement", she said. She continued, " I'm telling you guys have the exact same chemistry they have, I'll show you tomorrow. They were the leads in the musicals that I composed in high school, so I have a lot of the songs they did", she said. Mike decided that it was the perfect time to put his arm around me. " We would love to see it sometime," he said smiling. " Great I will bring  them in tomorrow", she said.  Kelsey left and then it was just Mike and me. " You can get your arm off me now," I said.  " hmmm no thanks, I'm good", he said. I decided to change the subject. " So, do you really want to do the songs,?" I asked. I didn't want him to feel forced to do it. If he didn't want to, then that was fine with me. I'm used to working on my own. " Yea, I think it would be fun", Mike said smirking. " You didn't tell me you could sing". I stood quiet. " I didn't think it was important", I said. " I saw how you sang and it did not look like your first time, you were comfortable", he said serious. He's going to find out sooner or later. Might as well be now. I sighed. " Bandslam, I Can't Go on, I'll Go On", I said softly. 
Mike looked confused. " what does that mean?". he said.
" Youtube it", I said. With that, I left him standing there with a confused expression on his face.