Nothing To Do With The Seniors

Riley got up as soon as he heard the door open from the outside. Just some while ago he had come to meet with his piano teacher, but he was asked to wait in the office, since the teacher was busy with the seniors.

"Riley, please do sit "

Mr Mekaly said as he entered along with Bram.

Mr Mekaly was surprised to see Riley looking calm even after seeing Bram. He watched Riley's face as Bram sat beside Riley, he thought Riley would flinch, but he remained calm and collected.

"You were absent yesterday?" Mr Mekaly asking, trying to hide his surprise.

Riley adjusted in his seat as he directed his attention to his teacher.

"Yes sir."

"Was it because of what we discussed?"

"Oh, not at all sir. I caught a cold."

"I see."

All that passed after was silence.

Riley could not understand why Mr Mekaly brought Bram along, but it was not like he did care.

"You said you have something to tell me." Mr Mekaly was forced to say, since Riley decided to remain silent.

"Yes sir."

"Go on."

"I would like to withdraw from the competition."

"What!"

That calmness on his face as he said it had taken both Bram and Mr Mekaly by surprise.

"Is this because of me?"

"This has nothing to do with you senior."

"I do think it has everything to do with Bram. Before the seniors got involved, you were so enthusiastic about the competition, you wanted to come out best. But ever since the seniors got involved, you felt conflicted. I do understand that you are not trusting of the seniors because of what you've been through, but as your teacher, I can't have you throwing your dreams and talent away all because you do not want to have anything to do with the seniors. You can't be distrusting of them all. The fact that the ones you've encountered ended up ruining your life does not mean that all seniors are gonna end up ruining your life. Riley do not let your hatred cloud your judgment."

"I appreciate your concerns sir. I do hope you understand that this has nothing to do with the seniors. I would have left music lessons later on anyway, I only figured out what I should have earlier, so I would love to quit it now that the damage that would be caused won't be much, than to wait and let the damage increase."

Mr Mekaly was getting confused. Did Riley just say he would have left music lessons later on? Did he mean that or was he just confused?

"Do you want to quit music?" Bram asked, saying the words out of Mr Mekaly's lips.

"Yes. That's why I'm here. To withdraw from the competition and quit music."

Mr Mekaly did his best to remain calm. This came as a surprise to him. He could remember how delighted Riley was when he first joined, and the determination he had whenever he played. It was obvious he played, not only because he loved it, but it also seemed he was determined to prove something. Did he lose his determination or was it the live for music he lost?

"Fine. Your name shall be withdrawn from the competition. And I do hope you find a club you will love."

"Thank you sir."

Mr Mekaly watched Riley walk out with a smile on his face, a happy smile, a pure one, the kind he saw when Riley entered his office for the first time to register.

"Well, I guess we just lost another good player." He said as he looked at Bram, who was looking lost.

"What? Are you going to quit again?"

Yes, was he forgetting Bram had also entered his office to quit, but the day he entered, he saw Riley, and cause of no reason, he decided not to quit. But did he think Mr Mekaly was blind? Mr Mekaly was fully aware that his best pianist was in love with Riley. Now that Riley had quitted, was he also going to quit?

"Bram."

It was obvious that Bram's attention was not in the room.

"Bram." Mr Mekaly raised his voice.

Bram blinked his eyes and stared at him. Mr Mekaly found it hard to read his expression.

Bram got up abruptly, nearing giving Mr Mekaly a shock.

"I'll get him to open up to me, just you wait and see."

Saying this, he walked out of the office, leaving Mr Mekaly puzzled and confused.

*****

As Riley stepped out of the music room, he let out a sigh of relief. He saw Natasha approach him with two bottles of orange juice in her hands.

"How did it go?" she asked as she neared him.

"It went well. I nearly panicked when Mr Mekaly raised his voice at me. He was so pissed off, thinking I was quitting because of the seniors."

He said, all the while collecting a bottle from her and trying to open it.

"Why won't this thing come open?" he said, while trying so hard to open it.

Natasha collected it from him, she opened it easily and returned it to him.

"I think the nervousness you hid back there just got released."

"Maybe." he said after he drank from the bottle.

"You know, when you think of it, you'll figure out that the involvement of the seniors was what made you realize you didn't have to force yourself to please others." she said as they started walking.

"Yeah, I think so. You're right. If the seniors didn't get involved, I guess I never would have bothered to think straight. Well, thank goodness the rules got changed, and my eyes got opened."

They both chuckle as they walk away.