Page 59 of Sweetheart

I held up my bow.

One of the older girls, Sydra, raised her hand, and I nodded.

"It's a bow," she said.

"Nice. Now, does anyone listen to string music?"

No hands up on that one.

"Why not?" I asked.

"Because it's old and boring," Zoe, a girl in the back,said. "How much longer till we leave?"

Freya leaned toward me and said, "I want that one. She's crabby and difficult—like me."

"You go it," I said quietly then grinned at Zoe. "Well, let's see if we can change your mind."

After that, we broke into our first song. It started out as classicalthen transitioned into a cover of Taylor Swift'sLove Story. The kids sat up a little straighter when they recognized the song. Our second piece was a sparkling rendition ofShake It Off.We finished our set with a mashup ofDrakes greatest hits, and by the end, the kids were all clapping. Even Zoe.

We taught the kids the basics, a little about music theory, a few of the most common fingerings, the correct bowing technique and posture. Luckily, I'd remembered to bring the practice violins my sister and I had started on, sothere were more to go around.Ourarrangements were typically made for five people, so I'd had to alter them to fit the three of us—but I loved doing stuff like that. By the end of two hours, each of our studentsknew several important facts about the violin and were able to play afew notes.A couple had even gotten a full one-octave scale.

The best part?

They all left looking happier than when they arrived.

"That went well," I said.

"It was so much fun," Aurora said. "The kids were all awesome."

"Yeah, but my group was the best," Freya said with a sniff. "Naturally."

I laughed at that.

"Did you ask her yet?"

Brows furrowed, I looked up to see Aurora biting her lip.

"Ask me what?" I said.

"Nothing," she said quickly. "I just sawsomething online."

"Okay…what was it?"

"Ummm…"

Freya grinned. "Ror'stoo polite to ask, so I'll do it for her. What's going on with you and Sam Bishop?"

I nearly dropped Yami YamiI was so surprised. "How did you hear about that?"

"I have my ways," she said cryptically.

But Aurora rolled her eyes. "Someone posted aphoto of you two."

"They did?" I blinked as shepassed her phone to me. Sure enough, there was a picture of Sam and me in the hall. It must've been right after our spin because I was still in his arms, looking up at him with stars in my eyes. And he was looking at mewith this gentle expression like… "Wow, good picture," I breathed.

"That's all you have to say?" Freya asked.

I shook myself out of it and shrugged. "Sam and I are doing a thing."

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