The tale of the shadow phoenixes

Chapter twenty three.

“So…what will you be giving me in return of my music lessons?” James asked Arianna, a glint of mischief in his eye. Arianna cocked her head at him and pursed her lips as if she was evaluating him. “Maybe…I could teach you….piano lessons?” Arianna asked. James gave an exaggerated sigh. “Fine.”

After what felt like hours and hours and hours and hours of skating with Toe crusher Tabitha, Cole finally got away from her and started home. Leah and Tom were still skating to their hearts desire. Cole was pretty sure that Tabitha had almost broken the ice with her unintentional stomping. Cole began to slowly limp home. He stopped for a second to catch his breath. Right by the musician’s house. Suddenly before he continued walking something caught his eye. The lights in the musician’s house were on and he could hear piano music coming from inside. Cole snuck to the door and peeked in through the crack. James sat at the piano with Arianna leaning over him, seeming to be instructing him. James was trying to play a melody but it wasn’t working out well. “No, no not like that.” Arianna said. “Well then, show me.” James said. He scooted to the edge of the bench so that Arianna could sit beside him. They were sitting very close together, because the bench was so small. Their hands were touching and…Cole turned away. What were they doing? They couldn’t be in love, could they? James and Arianna despised each other so…they couldn’t be in love. She was just teaching James to play the piano, right? These thoughts swam around Cole’s head. He took a breath and set his jaw, James would NOT take Arianna from him.

When they had finished James walked Arianna home. They talked as they walked. “…yeah I love listening to piano music, it’s so pretty and comforting.” Arianna said. James smiled at her. “Yeah…but not as pretty as you’re piano music.” James said. Arianna blushed. She went and stood on the doorstep of their house. “So…another lesson tomorrow?” Arianna asked. “Maybe the next day because tomorrow there is that youth event and your going with Cole right?” James asked. Arianna’s expression turned more serious. “Yeah, I forgot about that.” James grinned and gave her a small short bow. “Don’t worry my good lady. We will have another lesson later.” James said. Arianna giggled then covered her mouth, her cheeks a rosy red. “Goodnight James.” She said softly. Then she closed the door. James struggled to breath for a second, but why? He shook his head to clear his thoughts. They were friends nothing more.

-SunnyFox57.