Well...This Is New - 36

I got back to my seat, and Tom came over.
"Uh, what are you doing?" I asked, picking up my second music book and flipping to "Nelly Bly".
"It's still mixed parts," he said. "And I thought I'd pop on over for a visit. Are you okay?"
I pressed my lips together, looking away.
Then, I noticed Jason walking towards the front row, where I was.
He was heading straight for me. In fact, he was only about three steps away.
Was he coming to stand next to me again?"
"Jason!" A giggly sophomore soprano cried. "Come stand next to me!"
He looked at her, and then looked back at me.
I wondered what he'd do.
He went and stood by her.
"Whatever," I thought. "If she hadn't asked, he'd be next to me right now."
My tears were still in my eyes and I hadn't forgotten Paul again. He was on my mind the entire time we sang Nelly Bly.
"Nelly-y-y-y, Bly-y-y-y-y-y!" I didn't have much difficulty hitting the high A - I was a Soprano One after all.
"Hi, Ho, Nelly, Oh, Hi Ho, Nelly Bly!" the basses sang. We ended, our mouths open, and looked at Mr. Andrews for a reaction.
His smile was the only thing we needed to see. "Have a good afternoon, everyone."
We knew we had given him a satisfactory performance.
I went to put my folder and book away, grabbing my backpack and coat.
I couldn't take it anymore. One way or another, I was going to cry.
Tom caught up to me.
"You wanna tell me what's up?" he asked, smiling gently at me.
I wasn't sure what I wanted to tell him. Part of me idly wondered why he had lied to me about Paul and Heather holding hands.
"I...I think that if I tell you, I might cry," I said softly.
"You don't have to tell me if you don't want to, but--"
Suddenly, I lost it.
I found myself with my head in my hands, and the tears spilled out.
"Oh, no, no," Tom whispered. "Emily, you don't have to tell me. No, it's okay. Don't cry."
I lifted up my head, trying to wipe at my tears, but more came out.
"Don't cry, I can't stand seeing you cry," Tom begged. "Please--"
I heard bass voices behind me, and sniffed, trying to control myself and get a grip.
Suddenly, a boy began singing out, loudly.
"Hi, Ho, Emily, oh, Hi Ho Emily Davis!"
It was Jason.
I was in too much of an emotional whirlwind to say anything, even though I was shocked.
Then, he sang it again!
"Hi, Ho, Emily, oh, Hi Ho Emily Davis!"
He sang my name! And it wasn't off key! If I hadn't been sobbing, I would have thought it was so cute!
Jason hadn't noticed my crying, or the way I looked up at Tom, begging him to forgive me for falling apart in front of him.
He was too far away, I could tell from where his voice sounded like it was coming from. I wondered if he'd see me. I wondered if he'd stop and ask what was wrong.
Half of me hoped he wouldn't, and half of me hoped he would.
Then, I felt a hand slam into my backpack, and Jason walked by, not even looking at me.
My throat was tight, and I couldn't speak. I wanted to say something, anything.
I opened my mouth and out came a sob.
But he didn't hear, and just kept walking, no doubt annoyed that I had ignored his little song.
"Crap," I thought. "I wanted to do something but...I just...I'm crying...I..."
Tom put his arm around me. "It's okay, Emily, don't cry."
"Th-thanks, Tom," I whispered, wiping my eyes. "I...I'm okay. I'm sorry. I...I'll see you later."
And I walked away, shaking my head.
I'd been so caught up with Paul and all my pain that I wasn't able to pay attention to Jason...and I wondered if he was annoyed or hurt that I'd ignored him.
I hoped I hadn't ruined things. I really really hoped that I hadn't.