Their eyes met. Something passed between them. Understanding, maybe? Recognition? Raven didn't know, couldn't name it, didn't want to examine it too closely.
She looked away quickly, focusing back on Jamie's fingers on the fretboard.
"Right," she said, more gruffly than intended. "Let's try that G chord one more time."
THE REST OF the rehearsal was both better and worse. Better because Gloria had exhausted herself with the choreography disaster and was slightly less manic. Worsebecause Raven was now uncomfortably aware of Annabelle's presence in the room.
Every time she glanced up, it seemed like Annabelle was there. She was everywhere, bright and warm and impossible to ignore.
It was deeply annoying.
By the time Gloria finally called an end to rehearsal, Raven's patience was worn to a thread. She packed up her guitar with more force than strictly necessary while children scattered in all directions and parents began arriving for pickup.
"Raven!"
She turned to find Jamie running up to her, his face still lit with that smile.
"Thanks for teaching me," he said breathlessly. "That was really cool."
"No problem, kid."
"Can we do it again sometime?"
Raven hesitated. But he was looking at her with so much hope.
"Maybe," she said. "We'll see."
"Cool," Jamie grinned and ran off to find his mother.
Raven watched him go, then slung her guitar case over her shoulder and headed for the exit. She was almost there when Arty appeared at her side.
"That was nice," he said. "What you did with Jamie."
"It was nothing."
"Didn't look like nothing."
Raven didn't respond. They walked in silence through the school corridor and out into the car park, where the autumn evening was already drawing in.
"So," Arty said casually, "how's the love life?"
Raven stopped walking. "Excuse me?"
"Just making conversation."
"Well, don't."
"Touchy subject?"
"Non-existent subject." Raven resumed walking. "I'm not dating. Not interested."
"Sworn off women entirely, have you?"
"Basically."
"Shame."
"Why is it a shame?"
