Rhythm and Blues

Leaning against the lockers, Mina browsed through her feed on her phone, the screen glowing palely on her cheeks. The smell of industrial cleaner and the subtle tang of cafeteria food filled the air as students shuffled to their next class, creating a low murmur in the hallway. With a sigh, she closed her phone and looked around for Lalin in the crowd. It was as normal as clockwork that they always walked to lunch together, but Lalin had been slipping away lately, her justifications as flimsy as tissue paper.

As Lalin turned the corner with her bag slung over one shoulder, Mina saw a flash of silk and straightened. With deliberate movements, she avoided eye contact with the groups of kids who parted for her like water, taking short, clipped steps. Mina fell into step next to her after pushing off the lockers.

"Hey," she said in a light-hearted but inquisitive tone. "Where've you been sneaking off to at lunch?"

For a brief moment, Lalin's stride faltered, but she quickly got back on track. "Nowhere noteworthy. All I needed was some air.

"Air," Mina echoed, raising her eyebrows. "For the last two weeks, every day? Are you not going to join the track team?

A brittle giggle escaped Lalin's lips. "Very difficult. I just wanted to clean my head. You know, dance things.

Mina squinted, not convinced. She had known Lalin from their childhood, long enough to see the weaknesses in her defences. "All right. Maybe we can have dinner together today if you're finished with your enigmatic walks."

Lalin paused and gripped her bag strap more tightly. "I—well, there's something I need to do. "Check for rain?"

Mina's eyes flashed with pain, and her jaw tightened. "Yes. In any case.

Lalin was about to say something, but the words caught in her mouth. Instead, she nodded slightly and headed off in the direction of the music wing. Mina felt a knot in her chest tighten as she watched her leave. She didn't like being in the dark, and something wasn't right.

Kiet's violin lay across his lap as he sat cross-legged on the music room floor. The room was a haven, with faded pictures of composers lining the walls and the low buzz of fluorescent lights overhead tinging the air. The door swung open as he was adjusting the strings, the pegs groaning beneath his fingers. With her cheeks reddened from the vigorous walk, Lalin slid inside.

She dropped her luggage beside the entrance and apologised for being late. "Got held up."

Kiet looked up, but his face was unreadable. "Don't worry. Are you prepared to attempt the next piece?

Eager to get rid of the guilt that was eating at her, she nodded. She accepted the violin from Kiet with a respect that had not been there in the beginning. With the bow poised in her grasp, her fingers found their spots on the strings.

"Remember," Kiet added in a rhythmic whisper, "it's about flow, not force." Allow the notes to breathe.

With a sigh, Lalin pulled the bow across the strings. Initially wobbling, the music eventually became smooth and nearly melodious. A shadow of a smile flickered across Kiet's lips.

"Better," he said. "You're getting it."

The compliments warmed her like sunlight, and she smiled. "Guess I'm a fast learner."

He retorted, "Or I'm a decent teacher," in a dry but polite manner.

With Kit leading the way and Lalin stumbling through the scales with increasing assurance, they settled into a groove. The unadulterated, sincere sound of her attempts filled the room, a contrast to their silent concentration. The world outside the door vanished for a time.

Then the bubble was broken by a violent knock. With a dissonant shriek, Lalin jerked, the bow slipping off the cords. Kiet stiffened, looking quickly at the door.

His voice was tight as he called, "Who's there?"

With his basketball uniform rumpled from practice, Chai stuck his head in as the door creaked open. A smirk tugged at his lips as his gaze shifted between Kiet and Lalin.

He said, "Yo, Kiet," as he leaned against the frame. I've been trying to find you. The coach asks us to return to the gym.

Kiet's shoulders loosened, but not much. "I'll be there in a minute."

Chai's smile grew sharper as he continued to stare at Lalin. "I had no idea you were now teaching lessons. I assumed you detested teaching.

Kiet gave a cautiously neutral shrug. "It's not a big deal."

Lalin shifted and became acutely aware of the violin she was holding. She said, "We're just messing around," in a slightly too-bright voice.

Chai grinned more broadly. "Yes. Don't let me interrupt, then. After giving the doorframe two taps, he retreated, leaving the door open.

The easiness of their instruction was broken by the sombre stillness that followed. Lalin put down the violin, her fingers quivering a little.

She remarked, "Maybe we should call it a day," avoiding looking at Kiet.

His jaw was clenched as he nodded. "Yes. Most likely.

Later, with his violin case bouncing off his leg, Kiet walked slowly in the direction of the gym. Chai dribbled a basketball with slow accuracy as he waited outside the entryway.

"So," Chai said in a playful tone, "what's the deal with you and the princess?"

Kiet became agitated and gripped the case more tightly. "No deal exists. All she wanted was to learn.

Unconvinced, Chai raised an eyebrow. "All right. Additionally, you're merely being kind."

Kiet paused, growing impatient. "What's your point?"

The ball was caught by Chai and held against his hip. "See, dude, I understand. She's... unique. However, remember your origins. Those wealthy children will eat you up and then spit you out.

There was a rare flash of rebellion in Kiet's eyes. "She's not like that."

After examining him for a while, Chai shrugged. "I hope you're correct. Simply keep an eye on your back.

Kiet instinctively caught the ball after he threw it to her. His smile returned when Chai gave him a shoulder clap. "Come on now. If we are late, Coach is going to have our heads.

Mina was sitting on a bench in the courtyard with her half-eaten lunch next to her. The gurgle of the fountain filled the air, providing a calm background to the storm that was building inside her head. Once more, she had witnessed Lalin slip into the music room. Now that Kiet was in the picture, everything made sense. A pain of betrayal mixed with a knot of jealousy knotted in her chest. Everyone had been drawn to Lalin, who had always been the star. But this hurt more than she wanted to acknowledge—sneaking around, cutting her off.

She tossed her shredded serviette into her tray. Perhaps she should quit waiting for Lalin to open the door. Perhaps it was time to separate herself from the shadow cast by her best buddy.