Baby Quad: XD My poor Elliot. And I know! I tried to make them as different as possible. I think I got it right!

Chapter 8

It has been two weeks since Jacoby read the letter from Mom in the Great Hall. It was nice arriving back home. My mother’s chocolate brown eyes sparkled when I came rolling out of the fireplace. I could never come out smoothly when traveling by floo powder. I shut my eyes every time I got that sick feeling in my stomach. She gave me a hug that I didn’t know I needed, when I stood up. I was even more thrilled when she said she had fresh apples in the kitchen.

The day was kind of chilly, but I really wanted to play my flute that Melody had given me. Deep down, I wanted to see if she would come like she said she would. Aleksander and Otto were playing Exploding Snap in his room, Jacoby was in the living room reading a book, Mom was writing a letter to somebody in her room, and Dad was out doing errands. So nobody noticed as I walked out of the kitchen door. It was sometimes a good thing having a house full of people, because it made it difficult for somebody to notice when one of them went missing.

Wrapping my charcoal coat tighter around my body, I stepped out into the nippy cold, and sat down behind the old oak tree placed in our backyard. It wasn’t really a backyard I guess you can say; there were no fences and I wasn’t all that sure where it ended. The house was older and there was no fence when we moved in. Dad has been meaning to build one, but was always too busy. I didn’t mind though, I was fond of the open expanse of land before me.

Resting my back against the old oak, I set the flute to my lips. A shooting thrill went through my body when the soft sound of music floated out. I took a quick look of my surroundings and saw that I was still alone. Had I really let my hopes get up that Melody would come?

I refocused on my flute and let a song begin to form in my head. It calmed my whole body, letting the sweet melody run through my veins. The tune was slow and serene, kind of like how the day was. Pastel blues and whites were the colors I thought of while playing. When I played my music, I usually thought of them in colors. I liked to think of it as me painting a picture, when I played. Music with a fast beat is usually reds and blacks, while soothing beats were lighters colors. What can I say? I liked colors as much as I liked music.

The song was just about done, when I heard the girlish giggle. I jumped and saw Melody watching me with satisfaction in her hazel colored eyes. She sat down in front of me and gave me a light smile. “Hello Elliot.”

“Hello.” I replied. She came! “How did you know where to find me?”

“I’m always with you Elliot.” She giggled. “Tell me, how are you?”

“I’m fine.” I said a little glumly. It would be a lot better if Loanna hadn’t left with her mom to her grandparent’s house for the day. I was lonely and longed for her presence.

“You don’t seem fine. What is wrong?” she tilted her head and a string of her raven black hair fell over her eyes.

I guess I wasn’t much of a liar. “I miss Loanna. She had to visit her grandparents today.”

“Oh, who is Loanna?” she asked excitedly.

“My friend from school. She lives close by, so I can still see her over the break.”

“How sweet. I’m sorry you miss her.”

“Not your fault.” I smiled gently.

“I see you like your flute.” A grin fell onto her face.

“I do. Thank you. It’s much easier to carry than a violin.” I chuckled.

“I’m glad you like it. If you ever need anything, I am here for you.”

This made me smile. I’ve never had somebody tell me they were there for me. I knew Loanna was there for me, but she had never spoken it out loud. We didn’t really have to tell each other, but it was nice to hear it out loud anyways.

I was really beginning to like Melody. We talked in my backyard for a few hours, just keeping each other company. A lot of things she said blew my mind. She wasn’t very musical, but she had a grand piano where she lived and a harp. I’ve always wanted to learn how to play the harp, and the piano was my favorite instrument. It was so beautiful, and brought me into a whole different world. I truly wished we had a piano at home.

She was also funny, and sometimes without meaning to. I haven’t laughed this much since the day in the library with Loanna. Without trying, Melody made my day significantly better by keeping me company. Warmth came off the woman like a grandmother does for her grandchildren. It was a pleasant feeling. Little by little, I began trusting this woman I barely knew, with all the matter in my body.