The Low Notes (32 page)

“
It can wait for one night,” Nina breathed. They headed downstairs to let James' mother take a ridiculous amount of pictures before they left.

****

The banquet hall had trees wrapped in twinkling white lights, glittery stars hanging from above and sheer fabrics draped strategically, transforming the room into the
Night to Remember
the students of Wexley Falls High were promised. Nina and James walked in and had their photo taken under the horribly cheesy arch of shiny cardboard stars and metallic colored balloons. Music blared and the floor nearly shook. She glanced around the giant sparkling room, hoping to see Kevin. James took her by the arm and they walked out onto the hardwood floor with some of their other friends and he coaxed the first few dance moves out of her. In no time she was swaying her hips and moving her feet in time with the music, letting go for one night.

Eventually the music slowed and Nina felt her stomach flip. James gave her a weak smile, not knowing whether to pull her into his arms for a dance or not. Nina saw his face suddenly light up and she looked behind her feeling a sudden anticipation that maybe Kevin would be there waiting. Turning, she saw a handsome young man who was eager to dance, just not with her. Nick stood in a black suit with a deep red vest and tie, smiling sweetly at James.

Without a word, Nina stepped aside and watched as Nick took James by the hand to dance. She went to an empty table covered in confetti and took a seat. As she watched James and Nick sway to the music, the other students looking on curiously at the pair, she felt bad that as little as James knew about the relationship she had with Kevin, it was about that same amount of knowledge she had about the progression of James' relationship with Nick.

Still sitting alone at the small table, she shook her head and smiled each time Nick and James tried to invite her back to the dance floor. She was content to watch two people enjoy their prom rather than only halfheartedly enjoy it herself.

It was almost an hour later when Nina felt a tap on her shoulder. Her heart leapt, thinking for a moment it had to be Kevin. She turned her head and looked over her shoulder sweetly. Her eyes shut in frustration seeing Todd standing beside her in his tux.

“
Hello Nina,” he said.

“
Todd.”

He took a seat next to her and scanned the room with his eyes. “Where’s your date?”

“
He’s around. What do you want?” she asked annoyed by his presence.

He laughed and gave her a grin. “Just dance with me, okay? For old times' sake.”

She glared at him blankly for a moment and thought about how pitiful it was that she hadn’t danced a slow dance at her senior prom. Then she thought about how little she liked Todd.

Glancing around the huge space, she still saw no sign of Kevin. She’d been waiting all night. He hadn’t even called. Suddenly Todd had a hold of her hand and was pulling her out onto the dance floor not caring to wait for her response. Nina went with it, though she immediately felt uneasy. She wished she’d checked her phone one last time before getting up but it was too late, Todd’s arms were around her and they were swaying to the music.

Nina felt Todd’s breath against her ear, causing a sickened shiver to roll down her spine. “Why won’t you give me a chance, Nina?” he whispered.

She huffed and shook her head. “Drop it Todd.”

“
I know there’s someone else.”

Nina pulled back from him and looked into his eyes. Was he serious? Her heart began to race as Todd’s eyes narrowed on her.

“
It’s easy to see it, it’s written all over your face.”

Nina opened her mouth to speak but nothing came out. She was stunned and afraid of what he might say next.

“
The thing I can‘t figure out is, who is it?” Todd’s voice was becoming raw and cruel.

Nina turned her eyes from him, she was about to shrug out of his grasp when she saw Kevin over Todd’s shoulder in the distance. She wanted to smile but she knew what he was seeing. She must have looked so comfortable in Todd’s arms on prom night from where Kevin was standing. His face was heartbreakingly handsome but sadness was painted in his deep brown eyes. He looked like her prince charming in his suit and all she wanted to do was run to him. Todd turned the two of them with the rhythm of the music and took a glance at who she’d been staring at. A tear slid down Nina’s cheek, knowing Kevin‘s eyes must have stayed fixed on her.

“
Him?” Todd said incredulously.

She sucked in a sharp breath and another few tears fell.

“
Let go of me,” she groaned, trying to pull free.

He held her tighter and forced her to look at him. “I could tell you had a crush, but--you’re seriously crying over him?”

Nina beat her fists against Todd’s chest and finally pushed herself away from him. Her eyes flew open wide when she realized she hadn’t been the one to separate them. Kevin had Todd’s shirt balled tight in his two fists, practically holding him off the ground.

“
She said let go,” Kevin barked into Todd’s face.

Kevin let him go and took a deep breath, the entire room watching them. Other teachers and chaperones were on their way over but Kevin raised his hand to them, holding them off. The music kept on playing and it seemed as though their scuffle was over. James and Nick had pushed their way through the crowd and James caught Nina’s eye from far away.

Todd began to laugh, smoothing the front of his suit where Kevin had ruffled him.

“
Well I have my answer,” Todd muttered.

Kevin glared back at him while Nina stood motionless, shaken by the scene. Todd took bold steps toward Kevin and Nina, sneering and holding back his laughter.

“
Oh Nina, your hero’s come to save the day. How sweet?”

Kevin came back at him, shoving him hard in the chest. Nina yelped and moved for the door. James hurried after her, keeping a hold of Nick’s hand. Todd threw his hands up, a wicked grin on his mouth.

“
You really want to fight a student? Don’t you think sleeping with one is bad enough, Mr. Reed?”

His lips curled back in a snarl and Kevin lost control, pushing Todd once more, even harder than before. Todd lost his balance and flew back onto his elbows, separating a group of dancing students. The room turned to them again. Kevin stared down at him with fire in his eyes. He looked as if he wanted to kick him while he was down, or worse, pick him up and hit him square in the jaw. Kevin panted and glanced around at the crowd. Everyone was staring at the scene. He gave Todd his hand pulling him up fast, meeting him chest to chest.

“
If you know what’s good for you, you’ll stay away from both of us,” he said into his face, his eyes still raging.

Kevin walked to the door with the whole senior class staring at his back. His eyes searched for Nina but he already knew she was gone.

Chapter Sixty-Nine

Up the stone steps to the front of his house he heard her sniff and it nearly broke his heart. Nina was sitting on the porch swing, rocking gently. Kevin had no idea what he'd say to her. Would he apologize? Tell her about his resignation? Or just sit down in silence?

“
I didn't know where else to go,” she croaked.

Kevin’s brow furrowed and he nodded solemnly. Though the sky was dark, the lantern light outside his front door made it clear to see that Nina’s cheeks were flushed and her eyes were wet.

“
I’m sorry,” he whispered.

Nina glanced up at him, her bloodshot eyes squinting on him.

“
Me too. We have to talk...,” her voice trailed off into the faintest squeak. Kevin’s heart lurched in his chest for a moment. He took a seat beside her on the wooden swing and rested his hand on hers. Feelings of fear and regret filled him as he prepared for what he already knew was coming.

He could change her mind with a number of words. He could tell her there was no need to do what she was about to do because he’d quit his job at the school. They were no longer student and teacher. They could be just Kevin and Nina. He could tell her that the rumors and glares in the halls would blow over soon enough and then she’d be graduating. He could tell her he'd be able to find a job in New York. But Kevin held back because deep down he thought he needed to let her go.

He tried to prepare himself, he tried to remind himself of the thoughts and concerns he’d been stricken with lately, even if his love for her overpowered them most of the time. He had to let her go, let her move on. He didn’t want to be responsible for holding back a young girl from a full life. She sat up, wiped a few tears away and looked him in the eye. His breath stuck in his chest as he waited for her to say it.

“
I can’t do this anymore,” she said.

Her bottom lip trembled and his heart ached to see it. Drawing in a deep, calm breath, Kevin reached out and cupped her face in his hands. She leaned into the tender feeling of his thumb sweeping across the apple of her cheek, wiping her tears away.

Nina slowly pulled away and ran her hands over her face. “I’m leaving in two weeks. We haven’t mentioned it once since our trip. How can this work out? Everyone at school will know now because of Todd. Oh God, you’re going to lose your job.”

Kevin chewed the inside of his cheek before letting his eyes graze over Nina’s tortured face.

“
It’ll be alright. Don’t worry about me,” he said unconvincingly.

“
Maybe we were never meant to be. What if it’s too hard because we’re forcing it?” Nina’s words were now spewing out of her. Her shaking voice seemed to be keeping up with her undoubtedly racing thoughts but Kevin kept quiet, his heart feeling ripped in two.

“
I love you so much. More than I think I might ever love anyone else but...,” Nina stopped, a flood of tears welling in her pale eyes. She looked directly at Kevin for a moment. “I was crazy to think I could handle this. I can‘t. I just can‘t do it anymore.”

Kevin nodded slowly, his lips twisting as he forced himself to hold back tears.

“
I’m so sorry,” she whispered.

She moved in close to him, sliding her hands in his thick dark hair, keeping his face inches from hers. He tried to avoid her gaze, looking anywhere but her eyes, tears streaming down her cheeks silently. But as Nina held onto him he was forced to look at her. For an instant he took in her beauty, her dark hair, porcelain skin, heather gray eyes and perfectly pink lips. Her face mesmerized him from afar once then by pure luck, she’d become his for a time. He knew he’d never find anyone quite like her and maybe he’d never even try. But he had to say goodbye. He refused to keep her from being happy.

Kevin raised his hands and touched her face tenderly with his fingertips. Nina sighed at the feeling and with her sigh, Kevin’s eyes brimmed with tears. Soon her lips were against his and he felt himself burning the memory into his mind. Panic set in when he thought it might be the last time they'd kiss. His last chance.

He pulled away and blurted. “Did I tell you how beautiful you look tonight?”

Her face was streaked with salty tears, her eyes red and bleary. Nina laughed unexpectedly and turned her cheek playing timid before kissing Kevin once more. His shoulders slacked and he melted in her arms, relieved he hadn’t yet had his last kiss from Nina.

Their mouths separated again and Kevin felt a horrible tension in his chest. Once more she told him she loved him and his mouth went dry. His stomach was twisting in knots and he wanted to scream.

Instead his voice came out a soft, sweet whisper, his breath warm against her cheek. “I love you, too, Nina. I’ll love you the rest of my life.”

He prayed for another kiss, her hands gripping his hair, her heartbeat pulsing against him. Nina stood and let her fingers interlace with his and she pulled him to his feet. She wordlessly placed his hands on her waist. Her arms moved to his neck and they swayed to silence. Slowly her head found its way to his chest and Nina began humming a tune to which they had their first and perhaps final dance. He smelled her hair and memorized the curve of her hips under his hands and before he knew it, she was done.

The panic worsened quickly. “So this is it? Goodbye?” he asked as she stood ready to leave.

Her lips turned up at one side. “Well, I’ll see you Monday--at school, right?”

Kevin’s eyes tightened on her for a second. It was his last chance to be selfish. His heart and mind played a quick but intense game for the win. She'd be so angry with him when she found out. She'd question everything they'd just said. She’d forget all about how difficult everything had been if she knew they could be together. But would it really be easier? Would it really be better, as good? Worth it? He didn’t know and he was scared to see. And his fear helped his mind win.

“
Right. Monday,” he lied. He pulled her in for a quick but soft embrace. “Goodbye Nina,” he muttered into her hair.

Nina turned to step off the porch and looked back over her shoulder with a weak smile. “Bye.”

Chapter Seventy

Nina’s weekend consisted of wrestling with the decision she’d made. Her nights were sleepless and her thoughts were consumed by the gravity of what she’d done. She'd ended the best--and worst--thing to ever happen to her. And why? Because she was scared? As she sat in class Monday morning, thinking about Kevin being in the same building with her, her heart starting to flutter at the idea. Everything she said on prom night, it all felt like bullshit. With only a few days left in Wexley Falls, she didn’t want to be alone. She wanted to be with Kevin.