Out-and-regretting-it comprehensive attendee Jayden Phillips turns his cast-iron plans for life upside-down by falling in love with private-school violinist Darren Peace, a sardonic boy with the craziest hair Jayden's ever seen.<br><br>But all is not what it seems, and Jayden's bullying problem becomes meaningless when he is confronted with what the music does to Darren. How do you stop a dangerous depression rooted in the same thing that makes someone what they are? Dark moods, blank apathy, and the undertow of self-loathing all simmer beneath Darren's dry and beautiful veneer, and Jayden feels powerless to stop them.<br><br>Then a mugging gone wrong takes the music forcibly away, and Jayden is finally given the chance to change Darren's life -- and, quite literally, his mind.

Vivaldi in the Dark

“I don’t think so,” he said, fumbling for his keys. Regardless of the banter, he didn’t fall to notice that Scott’s car didn’t move an inch until Jayden had opened the front door and Darren was in the hall. When it did, it peeled away slowly, almost hesitantly.


“He’s been hovering,” Darren said.


“I can’t blame him.” Jayden dropped his keys on the table. “Mum!”


“They must still be at work,” Jayden said and shrugged. “Well. I’ve been going straight to the hospital from school. I’d better text Mum and tell her we’re home. C’mon, let’s go to my room. If you fall asleep on my bed, you’ll be more comfortable.”


Chapter 103