We laugh as we move slowly around the circle, the boys walking ahead.
“I met Jake’s nan this morning,” Ada whispers.
“How did that go?”
“She was nice. Said she loved my music and knew all about me already from Jake’s Sunday calls. Pulled out my Christmas CD for me to sign.”
“A CD?”
“Yeah, it was nuts. It felt like I was signing a gramophone.”
“But you liked her?”
“Yeah, I really liked her. And she said she’s looking forward to seeing me again soon. Asked what we were up to for King’s Birthday weekend. I think I might be about to meet some cousins.”
Happiness fizzes up inside me. “She sounds lovely.” I pull her in for a hug, squashing her face against my boobs as she laughs.
“Oh fuck, your juice!” It’s running down my wrist from where I knocked it with my aggressive embrace, and I raise my hand to lick it off. “Have you told Aggie yet?”
“No. I’m scared of how many cakes I’ll get when she finds out I’m engaged.”
“Oh shit, that reminds me. I got a call from some cop in Auckland. One of the nice student stoners caught Jenny on camera coming into Afterglow with a mini cage of mice. They showed it toAggie, and she went to the cops. I’ve got to make a statement when we get back.”
“Mouse-bitch is going down.” We do a little dance, before Ada blurts, “Oh, speaking of karma, Jake punched Tristan in the face last night...”
“Good. I bet he deserved it.”
“He did.” Ada makes a face. “I don’t want to be one of ‘those girls,’ but it was pretty hot.”
I open my mouth to agree that, unfortunately, good men punching shitty menishot, but we’re interrupted by Principal Friezen. “Ada? If you’re ready, it’s almost time.”
“Fuck.” Ada downs the remainder of her juice, and they head off together towards the stage.
I grab Davis’s hand. “I can’t wait for you to see Ada perform.”
“You ever heard her before?” Jake asks, keeping pace as I drag Davis after Ada and Principal Friezen.
“Of course,” I say, as Davis shakes his head.
Jake rubs his hands together. “Either way, you’re in for a treat.”
We are. It’s been forever since I’ve heard my best friend play music. And after everything that’s happened since we arrived in Pukekohe, this is not how I thought our weekend would end, but I’m so happy it is.
We stand right in front of the makeshift stage as Barry Friezen taps the mic. “Kia ora, everyone. Welcome. I’m thrilled to be able to introduce one of Pukekohe High School’s former students. I’m sure a number of you will recognise her from school or last night’s celebrations. She’s gone from our school to Juilliard, to the London Symphony Orchestra. She has achieved many outstanding musical accolades, and today, it is my honour to welcome Adalasia Renaldo back to perform for us. Please join me in showing our appreciation.”
I wedge my wineglass between my knees and applaud, as Jake lets out a piercing whistle that deafens me. Ada steps up to the mic and shoots us both a small smile before fixingher eyes on a spot in the distance.
“I’d like to dedicate this song to Rhys Muldoon,” she says, before raising the flute to her lips.
The first note is an aurora borealis, lighting up the sky above us. Her song soars through the air, a shimmering rainbow of sound. It burrows into the depths of my soul and shines its brilliance onto the shadows that linger, brushing away the darkness. Ada closes her eyes as her fingers move, at one with her instrument. The music flows over the gathered crowd, invisible threads weaving around us, holding us together for a moment in time.
“Shit,” someone breathes next to me. I glance across to find Betty, tears forming at the corners of her eyes. Gavin stands behind her, an arm wrapped around her waist. I reach for her free hand and link our fingers together, squeeze, then let go.
Ada’s crying too when I turn back to the stage, and although Rhys and I were never close, my heart clenches for him. I wish he could have felt how loved he truly was.
Ada’s final note lingers, long and low, like she doesn’t want it end, like she’s afraid to let go.
There’s a beat of silence where the mana of the moment is almost tangible. Then the applause starts, building to a crescendo. Ada doesn’t seem to hear it at all, just steps off the stage and into Jake’s waiting arms. She buries her face in his chest, and he strokes her hair.
