Page 9 of Solo

“Thanks, Russ,” I say as I start to pack up my things.

He takes a seat in front of me and I can tell he’s got more to say. I don’t have to guess what about.

“So, I hear that Drew Markham gave you a hard time this morning.”

I swear this guy has ears everywhere in this school. “It wasn’t a big deal.” I shrug as I close my score and stuff it into my bag.

“That’s not what I hear. What happened?”

I stop what I’m doing and take the seat next to his, recounting the morning’s events with minimal emphasis on what an ass Markham was to me. But Russ isn’t stupid. He knows there’s more to this than I’m telling him and he’s getting angrier by the minute. His ghostly white skin is growing crimson from under his collar up to his hairline. His hands have clenched into fists and he’s trembling.

“He’s got some fucking nerve, threatening to fail you,” Russell spits. “Who the hell does he think he is? He’s just a little shit who teaches music theory. Music fucking theory! Does he really think he has the authority to keep you from graduating?”

“Apparently,” I say, a little taken aback by the venom in his tone. I don’t often see this side of Russell Atherton, thankfully.

“Well, I think it’s time I disabuse him of that notion.”

I lean forward and put a hand on his shoulder.

“Please don’t,” I beg him softly. “Russell, it’ll just make things worse if he thinks you’re trying to protect me. Please.”

He shakes his head either in disgust or disbelief. More likely both. “Stop it, Kate. You’re not some frail, abused little girl. You’re a strong, confident conductor. You just proved that in the way you handled that rehearsal.”

My stomach tightens with the prospect of Russell confronting Dr. Markham about this—or anything involving me. After a long, uncomfortable minute, he stops his ranting and takes a good look at me.

“I’m sorry, Kate,” he says after drawing a long, deep breath. “I didn’t mean to upset you.” And then there’s concern in his voice and his expression. “You know, you don’t look so good, kid.”

Now that the conducting adrenaline has left my body, I realize that I don’t feel so good. My forehead has stopped bleeding, but the aching throb has morphed into a dull pounding behind me eyes that makes me wince when I blink too hard.

“Yeah, well, it’s been the day from hell. I think I’ll feel better after I get a good night’s sleep.”

“Then I suggest we cancel our lesson for tonight so you can go home and get one.”

“Really?” I ask, trying not to sound too relieved.

“Absolutely. Go and try to get some rest. The last thing you need is to get sick right now.”

He couldn’t be more right about that. I get back to my feet and snatch my sneakers from where I’d tossed them down on the stage.

“I will, thanks,” I say, slipping them on without bothering to lace them. “And Russ?”

“Hmm?”

“Please don’t go chasing down Dr. Markham. I just want to graduate and get the hell out of here.”

A chilling smile crosses Russell’s face and it makes me stop in my tracks.

“Kate, I was chasing Drew Markham a long time before you came into the picture.”

I have no idea what that means. Something tells me that I hope I never do.

Chapter Four

Drew

“One grande, half-caf latte with almond milk and two sugars,” Tessa Morgan says cheerily as she hands me a steaming white cup.

“Thanks,” I say, trying to make a little more room for her as she slips into the seat next to mine. We’re all shoehorned into the small conference room, waiting for our boss to arrive for the weekly faculty meeting.