Julian was in his study when I arrived at the penthouse. I made him a cup of coffee and prepared some cookies I had purchased earlier so I could contribute a little to his place. As I approach the front door to his study, I see him rubbing the back of his neck and bending it from side to side.
“Tired?” I ask, setting the tray of snacks on his desk.
When he looks at me, his expression relaxes. “Thank you. How was your day?”
“Good, and thank God, I finished my song. Lora and Kristoff helped.”
“Really?” He smiles. “Would you mind showing me?”
“I’ll practice the whole thing later, so you’ll hear it anyway. Besides, you’re preoccupied. What is that, anyway?” I look at the mountain of papers on his desk.
“Professor stuff. Come here.” He grabs my hand and pulls me into his lap. I wrap my arms around his shoulders. “You’re a cure for this... exhaustion. Did I tell you that?”
“No, but your coffee will get cold.” I kiss his cheek.
“Right.” He takes the cup and drinks from it. “And with a latte, of course.”
“You should put on some color once in a while,” I say with a grin. “I was the best assistant barista at the coffee shop where I used to work.”
“You are, indeed. It’s delicious.” He tucks a strand of my hair behind my ear. “Why is it whenever you’re near me, I’m unable to work?”
“Perhaps I’m a bad influence,” I joke. “That is why I think staying here is a bad idea. You make me feel the same.”
He laughs. “My vigor appears to have been restored.”
“Good, so you can keep working.” I step off his lap, move the cookies close to him, and then pick up the tray. “I also need to take a shower.”
He raises a brow. “Can I join you?”
“No, stay here and behave.” I march to the door, but I leave him a warning before I leave. “If you don’t finish that, we’re all in trouble.”
He chuckles. “Yes, ma’am.”
***
Julian comes to bed with me while I read his grandfather’s lyric book. He doesn’t know how much it helped me finish my song, so thank you, Julian’s grandpa!
“Are you still studying?” Julian asks as he slips beneath the sheets. We’re like a married couple. I giggle inside.
“No, just reading. I was waiting for you.” I place the book on the nightstand and turn my attention to my beautiful professor. I straddle him, and he grasps my waist, his darkened gaze fixed on me. I lower my head and kiss him. He’s surprised, but I take it as a positive reaction.
“Naughty girl,” he murmurs between our lips, but I don’t let him say anything else. I bite his lower lip.
“Quiet. I’d like to finish my meal.”
I just love how he sometimes gives me power.
***
The rest of the day has been hectic for everyone in the class. We’re not just preparing for the big day; we also have other classes to attend, and some professors assigned us mountains of homework.
My string instrument class is the least frantic. We basically just played in pairs in the studio for a string duet.
Lora is outstanding today. She’s ecstatic to have finished her contest entry. And Kristoff is working nonstop with his quartet band to prepare for their live performance as guests in Ophelia Grant’s concert on Sunday, so he’s also excused from class.
“Oh, God. My head is exploding,” I whine as we sit at a table in the cafeteria in the afternoon.
“I swear to you, Professor Cooper wants to kill us.” Lora rolls her eyes and bites into her clubhouse sandwich, and then she leans closer, “Can you believe she listened to Maria’s idea to have three solos instead of just one next week? She even accused me of being lazy! What the hell?”
“Maria is simply a good pianist, singer, songwriter, and composer, so she had the guts to request that. She’s our biggest rival.” I eat a spoonful of my chocolate ice cream. “She’s fine, okay? We can’t argue with that.”
“But the issue is her mouth. She can influence a professor’s views. God forbid she doesn’t win on Friday, or she’ll brag about it in our faces. She ruined my perfectly good mood.”
“Even Julian thinks she’s good.” I shrug. “But, yes. I don’t like her either.”
Lora purses her lips. “Her evilness has to stop. I’m going to make sure she embarrasses herself the next time. Mark my words.” She shoves an egg into her mouth and swallows, but she chokes.
I give her a glass of water. “God, Lora.” I laugh at her. “I’m glad you’re my friend. I’d never wish to be your enemy.”
She heaves an exhale. “No matter what happens, accept Mr. Greenwood’s offer. If she wins, she won’t be able to use it on us... on you.”
I shake my head. “I will not use that against her. Until the song is officially released, nobody should know. Julian is rearranging my song, so we’ll be writing together.”
“Wow, that’s incredible. His name linked to yours will certainly impact your future career.”
I chuckle at the idea. It is making me giddy. “That is still too early to say.”
“Whatever. I’m already proud of you. Hey, can I have some of that? I need sweets in my life,” she says, looking at my ice cream.
“I’ll get you a cup. Just relax and take it easy, okay?” I leave our table and walk to the counter to get another cup.
***
The next two days went exactly as the day before. I’m staying in Julian’s penthouse, but we barely see each other except at night. I can’t remember the last time I slept so soundly.
I’m also nervous as hell today—the day before the competition. Anyway, I’m proud of my song. It’s influenced by people I care about and love, but I’m sure there’s more equally great music out there, so I need to at least appear more confident about it.
Mr. Melnard sent me an email in the afternoon. And then I noticed his profile picture. I pout as I realize it’s not really him.
To: Miss Anya ScottFrom: [email protected]: The competition and your apartmentDear Ms. Scott, Mr. Pitch wishes you good luck in the competition tomorrow and sincerely hopes you make it to the finals.I stop reading for a moment. God. We have about a hundred students for the composition and songwriting department, and only one will be chosen. How am I going to win that? What happens if I don’t win? Then Mr. Pitch won’t meet me, right? I continue reading...
He believes in everyone in his scholarship program, but he believes in you more, so he is sending me to meet with you in person after the school event tomorrow. To make this happen, I need you to promise not to tell your friends until Mr. Pitch is ready to see you.Finally, we’ll talk about your new place tomorrow. I’d like to recommend three available apartments close to your school.Please meet me after the competition at Cafe Des Artistes.Sincerely,Dean MelnardExecutive AssistantJohn Pitch ScholarshipI clasp my mouth with my palm. Oh my God, finally! I’ve been waiting for this for like a lifetime. If not Mr. Pitch, Mr. Melnard will come to see me...
My tears fall, and I’m not holding them back this time. It doesn’t matter if it isn’t John Pitch. Mr. Melnard has been extremely helpful to me throughout my time on Whitlock.
I suddenly feel very special. I’m curious if this is his first appearance to anyone in the scholarship.
“Anya, are you crying? I don’t see anything sad in that scene,” Lora says as she panics beside me. I’ve almost completely forgotten where I am. We wanted to unwind the night before the competition, so we watched a rom-com in Kristoff’s place.
“What is it?” Kristoff asks, staring at my face.
“No, just nervous.” Unfortunately, I can’t tell them why. I laugh in between sobs. “Don’t worry about me.”
“Oh, we’re nervous, too.” Lora wraps her arms around me. “It’s fine. We’re going to rock the stage tomorrow.”
“Thank you so much, guys. I’m actually excited.”
I’ll finally see Mr. Melnard tomorrow. The only thing left to do is win.