The Rosebud Academy by Juliet Vane

Author:Juliet Vane [Vane, Juliet]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Juliet Vane

The rest of the day passed quickly—I had my personal practice time, then the individual lesson with Kolnikov, who looked impressed with my handling of the “melodic signposts” in Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini. The entire time, my email to Karl’s mom was in the back of my mind. Had she already responded? My phone felt huge and obvious in my pocket, as if it were expecting something, but I was afraid to look.

I paused outside the dining room, just before dinner. From one of the tall front windows, I could see Mr. Abbot, the groundskeeper, talking to several other men in matching khaki shirts.

“They’re getting the amphitheater ready,” a deep voice said.

I looked up to see Tyler and pasted a smile on my face. “I can’t believe the recital is so soon.”

“I can’t wait to see you in another pretty dress.” He gave me a gentle nudge. “So, gorgeous. You haven’t asked me how my day went.”

I looked up at his beautiful green eyes. “Oh, sorry. Just preoccupied, that’s all.”

“Well, since you won’t ask,” he said, “I’ll tell you. Bethany Whiel, the visiting cello instructor, has said she will mention me personally to the head of the Orvallium Conservatory in New York. Apparently, they are very good friends, if you catch my meaning.”

I raised my eyebrows. “Yes, I do.”

“Lissa,” he said seriously, “are we very good friends?”

We still hadn’t gone beyond kissing. It wasn’t that I was against doing more in principle, but I was cautious by nature…well, after everything I’d done in the past year since Chloe’s death. When I came back from that, I’d decided to be more careful in everything—no boyfriends, no drinking, focus on studies, focus on music. Already I’d broken my rules, because I’d realized that walling myself off from everything sucked all the joy out of life. However, I wasn’t ready to have sex with a guy unless we were in a committed relationship, and honestly, things with Tyler hadn’t been making me feel very secure. I was trying to give him the benefit of the doubt with all the jealousy stuff, but I definitely wasn’t ready to let him get in my pants.

“We’re good friends,” I said to him, and kissed his cheek.

He narrowed his eyes, but softened the look with a smile. “I feel like I might’ve just been friend-zoned.”

“Ha, you’re the one who asked the question,” I retorted.

He bent his head halfway toward mine, and I closed the distance between us, meeting his lips with my own. Heat wove its way through my body, and I clutched his broad shoulders. His hands went to my waist, and he pulled me closer.

Footsteps echoed down the hall, and I broke apart from him, panting.

“Someone’s coming?” he asked.

I looked down the dimly-lit hallway, but I didn’t see anyone. “Ugh, this place gives me the heebie jeebies sometimes. Let’s go eat.”

He threaded his fingers through mine and we went into the dining room, and all thoughts of eerie footsteps faded from my mind.

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