Lessons || Chapter 5

                                    

                                          
            
                          
Author's Note: Only one man plays "The Kid." Enjoy!

                          
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DARRYL 
                          
We crushed our football game tonight. The stadium erupted at our final touchdown. Cheerleaders as well as fans and the marching band chimed with their own slice of happiness. Turk and Fredrick whooped along with everyone else in the stands. Max and Leslie bumped fists with the biggest smiles on their faces. 
                          
I shivered in the night air while everyone planned to leave. My eyes scanned the buddies I'd known forever as they bid farewell to other classmates. Max guided Leslie out of here by holding the small of her back. If didn't know any better, Leslie winked in my direction. 
                          
We all grouped by Max's truck once more. Other classmates moved onto different places or just hung around here. I almost scoffed at the view of Max and Leslie standing closely to each other. Her arms folded in another Cosby sweater while she nodded intently for Max 
                          
As soon as space closed between them, I walked over. My heart pounded with every step, but I somehow stopped myself, from punching Max dead in the face. The shadow of my own cold but firm body taunted both him and Leslie. 
                          
Max excused himself from her, only to shove me with a gloved hand. Turk and Fredrick rushed over to hide the possible altercation from wandering eyes. I'd never been penalized on campus, either. All four of us partly huddled away from our guest. I'd prayed she'd wise enough to just leave us all alone right now. 
                          
"What's your problem?" Max clenched his teeth and expected to shove me again. Turk barred him. Fredrick stood close enough to stop me from plunging Max. My blood boiled once more. Skirting wheels halted us from attacking each other any further. 
                          
This entire parking lot hushed. Max continued yelling at me. Fellow student gawked beyond reason. I didn't even care. Fredrick and Turk still guarded around us. My own eyes shot daggers toward Max without shame. I shook my head inching closer to him and finally spoke up.
                          
"Camille." I hissed. 
                          
Max squinted. "Don't you dare. We're not even together anymore." 
                          
"But she'd do anything for you!" I hissed back.
                          
"Times have changed, Darryl." Max had the nerve to roll his eyes. 
                          
 "I still don't trust you around her." I pressed my lips together. "It's only a matter of time before you get tired of Leslie. Just like every other girl." 
                          
"Don't do that. Camille traded me for Germany. What was I supposed to do?" Max failed to give me a valid reason for stepping out on such a great person. She graduated with us as well and I'd never seen Max so invested with someone before. 
                          
"That's not a good reason to break up with someone. You should've supported her through and through." I shook my head once more. My cheeks turned red from the cold. 
                          
"She couldn't just leave me like that." Max pushed up his sunglasses to hide the tears that surely rained down. "It wasn't fair. But his voice never whined somehow. 
                          
"You know exactly what she wanted to do." I folded my arms. "I remember when you couldn't wait to start working on photography, Max. What happened?"
                          
"I don't know." he hopped into his favorite jeep and left us all in the dust. 
                          
Fellow students gossiped or walked away as if nothing happened. Fredrick, Turk and I all piled into our own vehicles and rolled out of here. Honestly, I just wanted to see Leslie again.  
                          
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LESLIE 
                          
A sophisticated hideout. 
                          
I passed at least five burly men. The sixth walked me down another corridor. Music rumbled under my feet. We soon halted at the view of an elevator and this same guard led me in first. I'd never realized how polite they'd despite their angry exteriors. 
                          
Or maybe The Kid threatened everyone with bullets if I ever showed up. He never explained security behavior protocol to me. Not that I truly expected him to do such a thing. Floor after floor, we stood in the awkward silence. The musclebound guard with another Santa Clause beard only coughed in between. Bass of the music I'd heard before pulsed under the heels of my feet, loudly. 
                          
Elevator doors finally opened. The guard excused himself from my side and found a different corner to lurk in. I scoffed and rolled my eyes before long. This open warehouse like space stretched until my eyes locked on the view of a performance stage. Propped up instruments remain untouched, other than the magical sound of a piano. 
                          
Without hesitation, I walked up to the front of that stage and halted at steps. The Kid shut his eyes with passion as he pressed down on those ivory and black keys. A repetitive but soothing melody found its home in my ear. I folded my arms, but nodded to the rhythm of his remarkable voice. 
                          
I keep your picture beside my bed. 
 And I still remember everything you said. 
 I always thought our love was so right. I guess I was wrong. 
 Always thought you'd be by my side, mama. Now you're gone... 
                          
At first glance of me, The Kid fumbled on the on those piano keys and slide off that rightful bench. His trademark heels punched down each step in a careful manner. As he inched closer and closer toward me, I immediately noticed relief and pain in his suddenly bloodshot eyes. He planned to embrace me with love. 
                          
He just cried in my arms.