Page 88 of Crescendo

“I’m not—it’s not like that.”

Eliza strained a smile at me. “Well, take good care of Hannah, then, Lydia,” she said. “You too, Ella.”

Dodge put his hands up. “What, like I’m not even here?”

Whatever was happening between them was nuclear, and I shouldn’t have weighed in, but I couldn’t help taking Hannah’s side just a little. Maybe it was about taking whatever side wasn’t Eliza’s. I strained a polite smile. “We will,” I said. “She’s a very talented musician.”

Eliza seemed to cycle through thirty different emotions in the span of a second, and when it looked like she might cry, she took a long breath and turned around. “Well, I’ll be staying somewhere else tonight, so you can have the flat to yourself, Hannah. Try not to throw too many parties. Ta.”

“Eliza, I’m not trying to start something,” Hannah said, half-standing from her seat as Eliza walked away, but when Eliza ignored her, striding down the hall and away, Hannah clenchedher fists on the table, dropping back into the chair. “Bloody hell,” she said, hanging her head. “I’m a fucking idiot.”

“If you are, so is she,” I said lightly, and Hannah shook her head, closing her takeout container and standing up.

“I’ve gotta… get back to my apartment. Thanks for the jam session and all. Talk later. Bye.”

And she was gone just like that, streaking past us and towards the front doors, food in hand. Ella half-rose, wild eyes, and I put a hand on her arm to steady her.

“Easy,” I said quietly. “Going after her’s going to make things worse right now.”

“But…”

“We let her know we’re available for her to come to us, and we wait for her to.”

She took a long breath, looking down at her food, and when she said, “I suppose,” her heart wasn’t in it.

Dodge gestured to the food. “Well, at least we’ve got curry.”

“Ever the optimist,” I said, sitting up taller, and I picked up an imaginary drink. “Here’s to curry.”

Chapter 20

Ella

I winced as Eliza hit another bum note—F without the sharp. She never made mistakes like this, especially not in front of an audience. Even Bansi cringed from where he sat beside me and he was so sweet he’d usually tell you your playing was beautiful even if all you played were bum notes.

It was more the way Eliza held herself, the way her usual composed, technically perfect self looked so stiff she might break. She looked like I felt the first time Lydia had me sitting at our upright, playing notes on a real piano again. My heart broke for her.

In our morning lectures, she’d sat alone, in the back corner. Hannah had looked miserable. I didn’t need to ask to know Eliza was still avoiding her. From what Lydia and I had heard, the only time they’d spoken was a yelled row and a slammed front door.

At least Hannah wasn’t in this practice group. I knew Eliza wouldn’t want her seeing this—she didn’t want anyone seeing this.

It was probably a good job Lydia wasn’t in this group either, actually. Lydia wouldn’t be cruel about it, but Eliza would hate for Lydia to see her falling apart.

Her fingers slammed down into another chord. E Major. The piece was in E Minor.

I watched the exact moment her resolve broke and tears filled her eyes. She shot up out of her seat, body ramrod straight.

“Excuse me,” she barked before fleeing from the room.

The instructor stared after her with wild eyes. She didn’t know how to handle Eliza breaking anymore than the rest of us did.

“I’ll be right back,” I muttered to Bansi as I patted his arm and got out of my seat.

The instructor’s eyes flitted to me and I watched her try to school her expression.

“I’ll go make sure she’s okay,” I assured her.

She nodded and turned back to the rest of the group—people either staring or resolutely looking away.

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