Never Without You

This was a narrative I wrote for English. The teacher didn't even read it before she made me read it in front of the class. They liked it, so I hope you do too.

Never Without You

I worked tirelessly. There was one thing missing, just one. Was it a note out of place? Was it the rhythm? I couldn’t figure it. There was something missing. Then it hit me. It felt lonely. This wasn’t a solo. It was duet, and I knew exactly what was needed.

“Good evening, Lisa,” Tristan said as soon as I walked into the band room. We had been friends since the third grade. Ever since they “found a cure” for cooties. We told each other everything, and I mean everything.

“Well good evening to you too, sir,” I replied. We walked into the backroom where the instruments were kept. We parted, and I walked to my cubby hole. The front of my dark red clarinet case in bright gold letters read ‘Accent’. It was the brand of my clarinet. I grabbed my case and met up with Tristan. We were never apart for long.

We were laughing at some joke he had told when we parted again to move to our instrument’s section. Tristan played the trumpet so he sat two rows behind me. His section was loud and annoying, but Tristan’s playing was different. It was almost heavenly. I loved hearing him play. He was the best player in the band.

I sighed when he started playing. Chrissy, my only other friend, rolled her eyes. “He plays so loud and obnoxiously. It’s getting on my nerves,” she complained. She always complained. If I didn’t know better, I would say she hated him. But that was just the way she expressed herself. “He thinks he is best, that cocky jerk.”

“He is the best, and you know it,” I told her teasingly.

It was only a couple of minutes until our concert and only two days until contest. We would move to the auditorium as soon as the band director was ready. The band was good but it wasn’t great, yet. We had little things to fix like, accents and dynamics, before we would be truly great and could get gold at contest. We would play until we got it right.

The band director came in and told us to move to the auditorium. I gathered my music and clarinet. I made sure to keep my clarinet close to me, so as to not damage it again. I had only recently gotten it fix. My clarinet is one of the most important things in my life, and it had been hell not being able to play with my fellow band members.

I walked down the hall while talking to Chrissy. We were talking about something trivial. I never paid attention during these simple conversations, and it made Chrissy angry. I couldn’t help it. My eyes were always looking for someone. Tristan was the only person whose conversation I could remember, and I could remember almost all of them.

I felt someone poke my side. I yelped in surprise. I knew exactly who it was and smiled inwardly. “Oh! Owe! My side!” I yelled overdramatically. I placed my hands over my side for even more dramatic effect.

Tristan put his arms around me and hugged me tight. I turned my head to look into his dark blue eyes. My nostrils flared as his scent filled my nose. He smelled . . . warm. It was almost comforting. I love his scent. “I’m sorry, Lisa. I didn’t mean to hurt you,” he apologized sincerely, “I didn’t think I poked you that hard.”

I started giggling. He leaned forward and looked into my chocolate eyes. We stared a moment into each other’s eyes for just a moment. My breath was caught in my throat. He turned away, breaking the eye contact. “You’re a cheater! I thought I seriously hurt you!” He sounded offended, but he didn’t let go.

“How am I a cheater?” I asked. “I didn’t copy your answers or anything.” I replied. I was being a smart aleck. I knew it would annoy him.

“I’ll show you a cheater,” he said playfully. He picked me up off the ground and into the air. I dropped my music which Chrissy picked up for me. I was grateful she did. Tristan started walking down the hall.

I struggled against him. “Put me down! Tristan, I said put me down!” I commanded. He ignored my plea and continued walking. I struggled against his grip half-heartedly. To be honest, I enjoyed it, and he knew it.

Chrissy followed us to the auditorium. Finally when we had reached the door, he let me down. I straightened my dress. Chrissy handed me my music; I thanked her. I moved over to Tristan and punched him as hard as I could. He looked at me. His face said, ‘What did I do?’ I ignored him and moved on.

I took my seat in the front row, right in front of the band director. We only had three songs to play. I took out the first piece. I was nervous. I had a duet with another player. Originally the band director had picked another player, but she didn’t want the part. I didn’t either, but he had guilted me into it. It didn’t help who was playing with me.

Tristan moved up to the front, in front of a microphone. I slowly moved up and took my spot in front of the other. My heart was pounding in my chest. It was the first time we would be playing the duet together in front of the rest of the band. I practice it every night. I practice for hours, or until I couldn’t feel my lips anymore.

The background music started nice and slow. I wanted for him to start. He would come in a few measures before me. I heard him open on a g. I closed my eyes and listened for a few seconds. I took a deep breath and started in. I played my first note softly. I didn’t want to mess him up. He just sounded so perfect.

I opened my eyes and took a peak towards Tristan. His eyes were filled with pure, the joy of just playing. He was truly amazing. He didn’t seem to see the crowd. All he could see was his music. All he could hear were the notes he and I played.

He caught me gazing at him. He smiled briefly. That’s what finally did for me. That is what finally got me to let go. I started to play louder, more sure of myself. I knew this song inside and out. I played my heart. I played out for him.

Soon the room fell silent as the duet ended and the music faded. I didn’t dare breathe. A tremendous roar soon engulfed the room. People were clapping, whistling, and even crying. They had been touched by our playing, my playing.

Tristan turned to me. The joy I had seen earlier was still there, maybe even intensified. A big grin spread across his face. He grabbed my hand. “Lisa! That was amazing! You sounded perfect! It was like the duet was written,” he said excitedly.

In response I simply said, “It was.”

The band director picked up a microphone and addressed the still clapping crowd. He waited for the clapping to lessen before speaking. “That was Never Without You, a duet composed by own Lisa Drake.” The crowd immediately started clapping again with vigor.

I stepped forward still holding Tristan’s hand. We looked into each other’s eyes. It was then that we both realized that would we never be without each other, and they that we never wanted to be without each other.

Author's Note

I had already typed this so if it has the weird text before sorry