Verismo by Lindsey E.M

Author:Lindsey, E.M. [Lindsey, E.M.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2015-08-30T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fifteen

Presto

“My office,” Emmaline muttered, leaning over Cedric’s desk. “Directly after class.”

Cedric looked around at the other students who were engrossed in reading the print-out she’d given them to decide what project to take on for their final. “I have class,” he whispered back.

“It’s English. You can skip it. You look like you’re about to pass out.” She stood up straight and walked away.

Cedric’s eyes went back down to the black writing on the lavender paper, hating her for choosing something without enough contrast. His eyes wouldn’t focus on the letters, and he’d have to get someone to read it for him.

Luckily class was out minutes later, and he put his things away slowly, hanging back while the other students filed out. When they were the last two, Emmaline beckoned him toward the door. “Seriously.”

“Seriously, I shouldn’t miss class,” Cedric argued.

“You are my only student who hasn’t missed a day. Trust me, if you can get to the end of the semester with less than ten absences, you’re doing well. Especially your first semester.”

Her tone didn’t give him any room to argue, and like a chastised boy, he followed her down the hall, to the elevators, and eventually to her office. She unlocked it, set up her Do Not Disturb sign, then locked the door once he was in.

Cedric collapsed on his usual chair, leaning his head back against the wall, and he heard her starting the kettle.

“So. Spill.”

His lips pursed and he took off his glasses, grateful when the room turned into a blur. “It was a long weekend.”

“Something happened.” Cups clinked, and after a second he had the handle pushed against his knuckle. “Look, I’m not going to make you tell me, but the longer you hold it in, the worse it’s going to get.”

He let out a puff of air and sipped. This tea was more spicy than usual, but it settled in his stomach comfortably, letting a warmth blanket him from the inside. “Well, you bailed on the after party.”

“I had a date,” she deadpanned.

Grasping for his glasses, he threw them on to get a read on her expression. She didn’t look like she was joking. “Isn’t your…your girlfriend in Russia?”

“Yes, and she’s not coming home. It’s over.”

“Oh my God.” He sat up a little further. “I’m so sorry.”

Emmaline waved her hand. “It was a long-time coming. I did my mourning years ago. That’s not what we’re here to discuss.”

Cedric groaned and leaned back again, staring at the dark liquid in his mug. “I played. Music.”

Emmaline’s eyebrows raised. “Is that so?”

“Your friend, Nicolas. He sort of… caught me playing his score.”

Emmaline was silent for a long moment. “You played it?”

“I have this thing. Once my old music teacher told my papa it was eidetic memory, and later called it absolute pitch. Either way, since I was a kid I’ve been able to replicate sounds after hearing them once.”

“Singing?”

“No,” he said and sipped his tea. “Piano. It happened when I was about six. My best friend from London was playing Beethoven and I just sort of… felt it out and figured out how to do it.

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