Mark Me, Shawn Bailey [classic novels for teens .TXT] 📗

think you’re at an actual performance for a world-class orchestra.” He adjusted his jacket to his hips and sat back in his seat.

“These are some talented young people,” Dimitri said. “Wait until you hear them. Some of Mr. Dubisson’s students have gone on to play for those world-class orchestras.”“You think Eli has a chance of becoming a professional violinist?” Jose asked.

“I think so. Wait until you hear him play.” Moments later the lights lowered and the performance began.

After two hours of classical music, Eli and Randall were introduced and they performed a duet with the rest of the orchestra accompanying them. The song, “Violin Concerto Number 1 in B flat major” was one of his favorites and up until a couple of weeks ago, he envisioned himself playing it with Eli one day. The crowd applauded wildly for them.

The band next played a Japanese song, “Shinjitsu no Uta.”

“Strange selection,” Greer said to Dimitri. “Isn’t that one of the theme songs from InuYasha?”

Dimitri nodded. “It’s called ‘Do As Infinity’.” He chuckled. “I think it’s cute.”

“You would,” Greer said. “You’re like one of the biggest InuYasha fans in the world.”

The curtains were drawn and Mr. Dubisson took the stage.

“Ladies and Gentlemen. Thank you for coming out tonight and supporting these young people.”

He received another round of applause.

“It is my honor to introduce a young man who I’ve had the pleasure of instructing since his grandfather brought him to me at the age of five. At first I thought his grandfather was insane when he told me that this young man could actually play a difficult piece until I heard him perform. It shocked me, because I didn’t think a five-year-old could play a violin like a trained adult. So I jumped at the chance to be his teacher. Thirteen years later he’s still surprising me. Ladies and Gentlemen, I would like to introduce to you the recipient of this year’s Loyola University’s prestigious scholarship in music, Master Eli Coleman.”

Mr. Dubisson left the stage and the curtain opened. Eli stood center stage dressed in a form-fitting black tuxedo with tails. The rest of his classmates sat in the orchestra pit. Eli placed his chin in the chin rest, raised his bow and began to play, “Danse Russe.” Dimitri sat riveted in his seat as Eli played and made the strings sing harmoniously, filling the air with music. Behind him, on a white backdrop, someone played pictures of Eli performing with an older man, probably his grandfather, and then with another dark-haired child that resembled Randall. In each picture Eli had that same angelic smile that he’d grown to love. At the end of the song the audience rose to their feet and applauded Eli, while Dimitri wiped the tears from his eyes.

“The little princess is truly talented,” Greer teased, watching him wipe his eyes.

Dimitri nodded. “He’s going to take the world by storm.” Randall rose from his seat, and then disappeared. He returned a couple of seconds later carrying a huge bouquet of roses. Randall walked up the stage to Eli, dropped to his knee and presented the flowers to Eli.

Jose elbowed Dimitri, but Dimitri ignored him, not able to take his eyes off the stage or the way the two young men looked at each other.

Eli accepted the flowers to the applause of the audience. And then he did the most uncharacteristic thing. He helped Randall to his feet and then hugged him tightly. To anyone else it might appear like one band member congratulating another. But to him it looked like two lovers congratulating each other. Dimitri’s heart felt like it shattered into millions of pieces. He rose and walked quickly out of the auditorium.

* * * *

Eli narrowed in on Dimitri as he walked out of the door. So he did come. Oh well. He and the other students went down to join their families as the other guests went home. His mother and Randall’s made a big fuss over their performances, causing both young men a lot of embarrassment. His father shook his hand and Randall’s and both families posed for photographs. A couple of the talent scouts came over to talk with him and his father. Both father and son listened but didn’t make any commitments. Like Eli, his father knew the importance of a college degree. There were a lot of talented violinists in the world, and Eli knew it wouldn’t be easy for him to come out on the top of the heap without a backup plan. If he didn’t land a job with an orchestra, he planned to teach music to kids like Mr. Dubisson.

“Are you two coming home?” Mr. Coleman asked Randall and Eli when they finally made it outside.

“Nope,” Eli said. “We have a little celebrating to do. We’re headed to the lakefront for our last hurrah.” He and Randall said good-bye to their parents and watched them drive away.

Randall took his hand and dragged him farther into the dark parking lot toward Eli’s car. Then he put his arms around Eli’s neck and kissed him.

“Wow, what was that for?” Eli asked when the kissed ended. He couldn’t control his heartbeat or the way his body reacted for being pressed so intimately close to Randall’s.

“It’s just my way of congratulating you for tonight’s performance.

And I’ve always wanted to know what it felt like to kiss you.” Eli leaned against his car. “So what do you think?” Randall smirked. “I liked it. Your lips are so soft.”

“Get into the car and let’s go to the lake,” Eli said playfully.

“You’re growing up much too fast, Master Watkins.” Randall smirked at him.

The lights to another car came on in the parking lot and drove past them quickly.

“Hey, isn’t that Dimitri?” Randall asked as the car zoomed out of the lot.

“Yeah,” Eli said. He thought Dimitri left earlier, but apparently he hadn’t and had witnessed the touching scene between him and Randall.

“I thought he said he couldn’t make it to the recital.” He climbed into the passenger