Virtually in Love by A. Destiny Page B

on my geeky troubadour just a few minutes earlier.
    â€œRight,” I said. “Listen, I haven’t told Kaz about Trevor’s visit yet. I’ll have to let him down easy, I guess.”
    â€œOh.” She sounded troubled. “Right.”
    â€œDon’t say anything to him until I have a chance to talk to him, okay?”
    â€œI won’t. Are you going to call him now?”
    I closed my eyes, not looking forward to this. How was I going to give him my news without breaking his heart? The tune from “I Could Have Danced All Night” whispered through my mind, and I sighed. “I’m not sure this is something I should tell him on the phone,” I told Vanessa. “Besides, it’s getting late. I’ll talk to him in the morning.”
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    Mr. Graves had scheduled band rehearsal on Monday morning before school. We had extra morning rehearsals at least once a week, and more often before a big concert or whatever.
    When I walked into the band room, Vanessa was nowhere in sight. Kaz was there, though. He was goofing around with the percussionists at the back of the room. I dropped my clarinet case on my seat and headed that way, arriving just in time to witness Kaz playing a fast-paced jungle rhythm on the timpani with his oboe.
    â€œDon’t let Mr. G catch you doing that,” I said with a faint smile. “You know how he feels about respecting your instrument.” I cleared my throat, casting a sidelong look at the percussionists. I definitely didn’t want to do this in front of them. “Um, can I talk to you?”
    â€œIsn’t that what you’re doing?” said one of the other guys, grinning.
    â€œYeah,” another percussionist said. “That’s what Chloe’s always doing—talking.”
    The only female percussionist rolled her eyes. “Look who’s talking, Dave,” she said.
    Kaz laughed. But I guess he must have seen something in my face, because he didn’t join in on the joking. “Later, guys,” he said, following me away.
    Ignoring the hoots and razzing comments drifting after us, I led the way to a quiet corner behind the acoustical shell. Then I turned to face Kaz. This wasn’t going to be easy, but I knew I had to be straight with him and not leave him hanging. He’d do the same for me—I was sure of that.
    â€œWell?” he said hopefully. “Does this mean you finally have an answer for me?” He grinned. “Just kidding—it hasn’t been that long.”
    I lowered my gaze to his chin, not wanting to see the eager look in those familiar brown eyes. “Yeah. The thing is, I just found out that, um, Trevor is coming to town.”
    â€œOh.” He looked confused for a second. “Um, that’s nice, I guess?”
    â€œYeah. As it happens, he’ll be here the weekend of the dance.”
    Kaz isn’t stupid. He knitted his brow for a second, but then understanding dawned quickly.
    â€œOh,” he said, his voice quiet and a little sad now. “I see.”
    I chewed my lower lip. “I’m sorry, Kaz. I thought about it, I really did. Especially after that romantic serenade last night.” I couldn’t help a half smile at the memory. “That was really sweet. But don’t you think we’re better off as friends? I mean, I’d hate to mess that up, you know?”
    â€œYeah.” He wasn’t quite meeting my eyes anymore, instead staring down at the oboe he was holding. Kaz doesn’t show every emotion in full Technicolor the way Vanessa does, but he’s not exactly Mr. Poker Face, either. I could tell he was disappointed.
    â€œAre you okay?” I said, touching his arm. “I mean, we’re okay, right? This isn’t going to be weird?”
    â€œDefinitely not.” He finally met my gaze with a smile, though it looked sort of forced. “We’re totally fine.