Chapter 8

• I walked downstairs to the living room with my bag over my shoulder, I was already dressed for school and was sure my mother was still at home and hadn't left for work.
• I heard some sound coming from the dining room so I walked over in thought to find Ivana there, but was suddenly disappointed since she wasn’t the one. “Good morning, mom.” I greeted her as I made my way over to her and pecked her cheek.
• “Morning son, how was your night?” She handed me a coffee she had just made for me and I took a sip while I glanced around the dining room to see if I could catch a glimpse of Ivana.
• "It was good, yours?” I asked, joining her on the dining chair, if we were to have breakfast then Ivana will be down soon, then I could see what her reaction will be after she has avoided me for so long.
• “You look happy this morning.”
• I blinked when I heard my mother’s voice and turned my attention to her. I was unaware that I was smiling all this while. “Nothing, mom.” I cleared my throat and took a bite of my bread after applying some jam on it.
• “You sure?” She smiled while she ate. I glance upstairs wondering why Ivana was not coming downstairs, did she want to make my mother go find her. “She had left for school.” I turn my head quickly to my mother.
• “When?” I asked without hesitation.
• “She left early, and said she has some early morning classes.” My mother sips her coffee and I frowned.
• That girl dared to lie to mother. I scoffed and glanced at the time. It was barely 6:00 in the morning, she must have sneaked out of her room because I didn’t hear her door open or close. She was a little mouse.
• “She left something for you.” I looked at my mother curiously as she stood up and placed a little recorder on the table. “She said she likes it.” My mother returned to her chair and looked at me. “What is in it?”
• I stared at the recorder for a long time, this should have been an excuse to look at her again, but she was really good at making plans, she thought she could hide forever by telling my mother to hand this over to me instead of doing it herself, I told her that her body was not appealing, why does she keep hiding?
• “A song Ivana sang, I was asked to modify it. I was the one who played the guitar while she sang, we want to make it into a real song.” I explained to my mother.
• “That’s awesome, I didn't know she was that good.” My mother said softly while biting down her meal.
• “You would be surprised.” I smiled, putting the recorder into my bag, I will have to turn it over to Hinn Carlos when I get to school, that way I will have nothing to do with it again, also I wouldn’t have to spend my night listening to her enchanting voice, if I keep it with me it will only become my addiction and I didn’t want that.
• “I see you are getting along well with her.” My mother flashed me a smile and I frowned.
• “Mom, I still want her to leave this house, I am not getting along with her either.” I put down my coffee and got up, picking up my bag and car keys. “I will leave now,” I said softly but my mother only nodded with a smile and I rolled my eyes, if only I could imagine what she was thinking right now.
• “Come home together after school with her and have a nice day.” My mother called out as I made my way to the door, I didn’t reply, I just left the house.
• I arrived at Larry High and headed straight to the practice room. I could hear loud laughter coming from the room which belongs to Hinn Carlos and the other two. I didn’t know what was exciting them, but I knew I would find out once I was inside.
• “Morning Robin, have you heard?” Lukas asked me as I sat down, putting my bag on the floor next to me.
• I looked at him. “Heard what?” I had just arrived at school, was I supposed to go about hearing all the gossip? “Just say it.” I lean back to the chair, crossing my legs.
• “Hinn Carlos is now Ivana’s boyfriend, she said yes to him,” Nicholas said the words before Lukas could. I rolled my eyes, this wasn’t news to me, Hinn should have told them that I am already aware of it.
• “Okay.” I simply said and their smiles disappeared, were they expecting me to jump for joy when they said that this was quite insane, they should better focus on something important.
• I took out the recorder in my bag. “Hinn, here is the song, I have modified it,” Hinn took it from me. “You should listen to it, then you know what else to do.”
• “Okay, you did good man.” Hinn smiled. “Alright boys, it’s time for the practice, Mr Donald would want to see us in five minutes.” Hinn got up and so did the others, but I didn’t. “Robin, aren’t you coming with us?”
• “I didn’t sing at the audition,” I told Hinn and he scoffed.
• “I didn’t want to say this, but…” Hinn touched the corner of his brows before lifting his eyes to meet mine. “Mr Donald specifically pointed your name out.” I blinked. I have not even had a one on one discussion with that man, how true was this
• I rolled my eyes. “He doesn’t know my name so there is no way what you are saying is true.”
• “To be honest with you Robin, I think everyone in this school knows your name, and it hurts my pride to say this…” Hinn looked from Lukas to Nicholas. “You are the best, Robin you beat me to music and instruments.” I was confused, but I could see Hinn’s honesty. “Let’s not do this now, let’s go.” He walked out of the practice room.
• “Is Hinn Carlos embarrassed?” Nicholas asked Lukas who shrugged, demonstrating that he had no idea as they both went after Hinn Carlos.
• I exhaled sharply, if we were going to do this then, I won’t only get to see Ivana at home where she will avoid me for life, I will have to see her in the practice hall where she will never have to run or hide, but since she was now in a relationship with Hinn, I will have to brace my heart.