As soon as I came back home, I headed straight to my room, closing the door behind me with a quiet sigh. The weight of the day lingered, but I wanted to unwind, to reset. I filled the tub with warm water, adding a bit of lavender-scented oil. The steam rose around me, calming the tension in my muscles as I sank into the soothing warmth.
I closed my eyes and let myself drift for a while, the sounds of the water lapping against the side of the tub becoming a soft lullaby. My thoughts wandered, Aleah's invitation, the cello, my family. Each of them felt like pieces of a puzzle I was still trying to figure out.
I reached for the washcloth, the soft fabric gently sweeping over my skin. As I let the warmth and scent of the bath take over, I couldn't help but replay the moments earlier: playing Caruso again, the surprise of the clear, rich note, and the way Professor Elsher and Aleah had looked at me. It felt like a door was opening, even if I wasn't sure if I was ready to walk through it yet.
I breathed out slowly, trying to let go of the uncertainty, if only for a moment. The bath was my quiet space, where I could just exist, untangle my thoughts, and breathe without the pressure of decisions pressing down on me.
Eventually, I turned off the water and wrapped myself in a soft towel, a sense of clarity washing over me. Maybe tomorrow, I'd face the next step. For now, though, I could rest.
As I finished with my relaxing bath, I quickly grabbed my towel, the fabric still warm against my skin, and wrapped it around myself. My hair clung damply to my shoulders, but the comfort of the bath lingered, making everything else seem far away.
I headed straight to my closet, the soft creak of the door barely noticeable as I reached for my sleepwear. The cotton fabric of the oversized shirt and soft shorts felt comforting against my tired body. I slipped into them quickly, feeling the familiar warmth and coziness settle in.
Standing in front of my mirror, I dried my hair with a towel, my thoughts still wandering back to the events of the day. It all felt like a blur... the cello, Aleah, Professor Elsher, and even my family's reactions. I hadn't expected so much to unfold so quickly. The invitation to play at the birthday party, the way everything felt like it was pulling me in different directions...
I paused for a moment, the reflection staring back at me almost unfamiliar. Despite everything that had changed in my life, part of me still felt like the same person I was before. But another part of me, the part that had played Caruso today, was uncertain, unsure of what to do with this reawakened part of me.
With a deep breath, I shook my head slightly, trying to clear the tension. "One step at a time," I murmured to myself, knowing that whatever came next, I'd figure it out, just like I always had.
I walked over to my bed, pulled back the covers, and slipped under them, the soft sheets feeling like the final piece of comfort I needed tonight.
I was lying in bed, trying to shake off the thoughts of the day, but the invitation to play at Aleah's birthday just wouldn't leave my mind. The idea of performing again, of being in the spotlight after all this time felt both exciting and terrifying.
I sat up in bed, my heart beating a little faster as I thought about it. My fingers subconsciously ran through my damp hair, and I let out a small sigh. Should I do it? Could I do it? I couldn't stop wondering if this was an opportunity I should seize or something I was just being pressured into.
Then, a thought struck me. I remembered the calling card Professor Elsher had handed me on the first day of class. He had told me I could contact him anytime if I needed clarification on anything, but I didn't really think I'd need to use it. Now, though, the card felt like a lifeline, a way to ask for advice without the pressure of facing anyone in person.
I quickly swung my legs off the bed and grabbed the coat I had worn yesterday, which still hung by the door. My fingers slipped into the pocket, and I felt the cool, smooth edge of the card. I pulled it out, glancing at the number written in neat black ink.
"Professor Elsher," I whispered, running my thumb over the embossed name. I didn't even realize I was holding my breath. Maybe this would give me some clarity, an answer to whether I should even consider this invitation seriously.
I stared at the card for a moment longer before finally taking a deep breath and, with some hesitation, deciding I would call him. There was no harm in asking, right?
I was staring at the phone, my hand shaking as I nervously dialed Professor Elsher's number. The ringing felt like it was echoing in my ears, getting louder and louder until I couldn't take it anymore. The moment I heard his voice on the other end, I panicked and quickly ended the call.
"What the hell am I doing?!" I muttered to myself, feeling a wave of embarrassment wash over me. My heart raced as I realized how rude I must have seemed, calling him in the middle of the night, only to hang up the second I heard his voice. I could already imagine him thinking I was completely out of my mind.
Just as I was about to bury my face in my hands and pretend the whole thing hadn't happened, my phone buzzed.
I froze for a moment, then checked the screen. It was a text message from him. My eyes widened in disbelief.
Noa?
I could feel my cheeks burning. Why had he texted me? Had he noticed I had called? I wasn't sure what to do now. My mind was spinning, and I cursed myself for acting so impulsively.
I stared at the message, wondering if I should just leave it unanswered. But then again, maybe this was my chance to explain myself... feeling a mix of nervousness and something else, something that made my chest tighten just a bit.
I quickly typed out a reply, feeling a mix of guilt and awkwardness: Yes, it was me who called. My phone just died, that's why the call ended so suddenly.
I hit send and hoped he would buy the excuse, though I could already tell by the way my fingers trembled that it was a pretty weak lie. Not even a second later, his response came through: Really? Huh?
I could sense his disbelief, and a heavy sigh escaped my lips. There was no way he was falling for it.
Before I could come up with a better explanation, my phone rang. I froze when I saw his name on the screen. Hesitantly, I answered, and almost immediately, his voice came through with a playful, sarcastic tone.
"So, have you charged your phone already?"
I could almost hear the smirk in his voice.
I rolled my eyes, unable to suppress a laugh. "I'm not lying, my phone really did die." My voice wavered, and I could feel the heat rising to my cheeks. "It just… happened to die at the perfect moment, that's all."
He chuckled on the other end, clearly not buying it but playing along. "Sure, Noa. Sure. I guess your phone's timing is just that perfect."
I bit my lip, trying to think of a way to salvage this conversation without sounding too ridiculous. "Okay, fine. I didn't expect to call you in the first place, but… I was just thinking about the invitation. The one for Aleah's birthday. I wasn't sure if I should've accepted it or not."
There was a brief pause on the other end. "Ah, so that's what's really on your mind, huh?" he said with a slight teasing tone. "Well, I guess you can take your time to think about it. But if you're asking me... I think it'd be a great opportunity."
His tone softened, and for a moment, the teasing was gone. "But hey, just know that you don't have to do anything you're not comfortable with. It's your choice."
I felt a little better hearing his words, but the nerves still hadn't completely gone away. "Thanks, Professor. I'll think about it," I said, a small smile tugging at my lips.
"Anytime, Noa. Anytime."
I hesitated for a moment before asking, "By the way, when exactly is the party? And is there any specific music she wants me to play?"
He chuckled softly before responding, "She just wants you to be there, Noa. She's one of your biggest fans, and honestly, she's thrilled that you're even considering it."
I couldn't help but feel a small wave of warmth at his words. It was strange being a "big fan" of me. It felt surreal, like I was living in someone else's story.
"Wow, that's… humbling," I replied, feeling a bit self-conscious. "I didn't know I had fans."
He laughed again, the sound light and easy. "Well, you do now. Trust me, she's been looking up to you for a while. Just showing up will mean a lot to her."
I smiled, the weight of the decision easing a little. "Alright. I guess I'll show up then."
"That's the spirit," he said, his voice laced with encouragement. "I'm sure you'll make an impression, just by being yourself."
His words, simple as they were, gave me a sense of calm I hadn't expected. Maybe this wasn't such a crazy idea after all.
Just as I was about to hang up, he asked something that made my heart skip a beat.
"By the way," he said casually, "Would you like me to pick you up on Saturday?"
I froze for a second, feeling my face heat up. Why did that sound like a date? My mind raced, and I could feel my cheeks flush with warmth. I quickly cleared my throat to mask my nervousness.
"Uh, yeah, sure. That would be great," I managed to say, trying to keep my voice steady. But inside, I was freaking out. Why did I feel like this was more than just a ride to a party? Was I overthinking it?
He didn't seem to notice my flustered reaction. "Alright, I'll see you Saturday then," he said, his tone light and easy.
"Okay, see you then," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper as I ended the call.
I dropped my phone onto my bed and buried my face in my hands. What is wrong with me? Why did something as simple as that make my heart race?
I sighed, staring at my phone as if it held the answers to all the questions running through my mind.
Is Samantha right? Does Professor Elsher actually have a thing for me?
Or am I just overthinking everything and giving this more meaning than it actually has?
I groaned, falling back onto my bed. Get a grip, Noa.
Maybe he was just being nice. Maybe offering to pick me up was just him being a gentleman. That didn't necessarily mean anything… right?
Still, the way he spoke to me, the way he looked at me... it made me wonder.
I grabbed my pillow and covered my face, trying to push away the thoughts swirling in my head. But no matter how hard I tried, one question lingered.
What if Samantha was right all along?
I was snapped out of my thoughts by the sudden chime of a notification from my phone. My heart skipped a beat as I grabbed it, unlocking the screen to check the message.
It was from him.
Professor Elsher: I'll pick you up Saturday, 7 PM at your place. Just wear anything you're comfortable with, as long as it's formal.
Before I could even process that, another message came through.
Professor Elsher: Good night, Miss Schmid.
I stared at the screen, rereading his words more times than necessary.
Why does this feel like more than just a simple invitation?
I exhaled, shaking my head as I placed my phone on the nightstand. Pulling the blanket over me, I shut my eyes, willing myself to sleep.
But sleep didn't come easily. Not when my mind kept replaying his words.
And definitely not when my heart wouldn't stop racing.