I'd like to hear him play again

Chapter 16: Rooftop

"Why don't you give it a go?"

I asked Mina as she was humming with her eyes closed while resting her head on my shoulder.

"I'm not so good anymore"

"You seem to still enjoy singing though. You could do it just for fun?"

"I don't feel comfortable singing on a stage anymore"

"Well, I wouldn't push you. Just thought you could recover some joy of it again"

"Thanks. I know. You are always so kind"

A few weeks passed again, and I and Mina were on good terms.

We never talked about what happened before, and it didn't feel the same as it was when we first became friends. It felt almost as if we forgot everything from before and started anew.

We often came up to this rooftop during lunchtime and hang out, and when she was in good mood we sat like this and she hummed. It was beautiful and tranquil.

It was a very limited time we've had though. Mina hasn't changed at all with all the other people in the class, casually drifting in and out of social groups, but with Tasha and Mara by her side most of the time.

By now it was pretty obvious that Tasha had something against me, and I knew Mina knew it too. She once asked me if I felt bothered by how things were now like she was a bit concerned I seem alienated from everyone in the class.

I told her it was okay. I felt comfortable this way. I was on speaking terms with Juno again, and being able to make peace with Mina was good enough. I don't need any approval or validation from people I couldn't care less about.

On my hand was a leaflet I picked up earlier in the day. A band from the light music club was looking for a singer. It wasn't a rowdy rock band or anything. The leaflet said it was four girls who mostly like ballad music. A school talent show event was coming up and there were lots of people looking to team up for it or go solo if they are confident enough.

"Ah there you are"

We were startled by a sudden manly voice we did not notice approaching.

It was Juno.

Juno had absolutely no idea how things seemed to Mina on that day. I never brought up the topic again to Mina or Juno.

When Mina saw Juno, I felt that she was clenching her hands tightly onto my arm to the point that she was shivering.

So I guess she never got over it….

"What's up"

"I lost a bet with a friend and I have to now go on the talent show. What a pain, huh?"

YOU are the pain.

"Well, anyways. You know I'm useless and there isn't much I can do, so all I could think of was maybe doing something like keepy-ups with a football. Do you want to do it together?"

Juno, Kris, and I all loved football since we were kids and used to do keepy-ups all the time. I haven't been so sporty since joining high school but I guess I could still do it, but well, I don't wanna.

"Nah. You do it by yourself"

"Aw come on, just help me out this once"

"I helped you out 'this once' so many times. And I really don't want to go on stage and get laughed at"

"Hey, you ain't so bad"

"Just shut up and leave us alone. Why don't you just go and play violin or something :chuckle:"

"I haven't played it for so long though"

"Huh? What? You know how to play a violin?"

"And there I was wondering how you found out"

"When did you learn that?"

"When I was in elementary school. I knew you and Kris are gonna make fun of me and call me a sissy or something for playing violin, so I never told you, but I guess it's okay now"

"Gees, I never knew"

"Ha. I even played in a competition once. Although I failed to get any prize heh"

"Your mom must have been proud"

"Yeah yeah. Anyways, let me know if you change your mind. If not I might have to really dust off my violin and start practicing!"

"Ok. Now. Shoo, shoo", I waved him off.

"Er… are you okay Mina?", I was acting all casual but while I was talking to Juno I'd been nervous about Mina the whole time. What must have been going through her mind and heart…

"I'm ok…"

I knew I shouldn't, but I thought I'd ask

"Do you still-"

Mina cast her eyes down and just nodded her head.

:Sigh:

"Should I ask him to stay away…? If it makes you feel uneasy"

"I just need some time... But I'd like to hear him play the violin again"

Don't you go breaking her heart again Juno.