Gizel quickly shook her head, "No please, feel free." She said. Might as well do some bootlicking, this is the future king of Windsor they're talking to.
Milly gave a tentative smile. Despite everything, she still liked Charlton better.
"Why are you here?" Serena asked smiling back at him amiably.
Geoffrey shook his head, "I wanted to find you. We will have our evaluation later so perhaps we can discuss a little before that."
Serena nodded. "Have you had lunch? We just finished." She asked seeing that it was just a quarter pass noon. They were dismissed early in swimming class.
Truthfully, Geoffrey haven't had his lunch yet, however, he nodded his head. He did not want to eat with them all staring at him.
Feeling that they were not needed, Gizel quickly stood up. "That reminds me, I also have to look for my partner later to discuss things. Milly can you please help me look for him?"
Milly knew what her friend was up to. Not wanting to stay as the third wheel, she nodded her head and stood up. "See you later Serena, uhm… bye Prince Geoffrey."
Then the two walked away quickly.
"I did tell them to just call me Geoffrey, right?"
Serena just gave an embarrassed smile. She did not want her friends to leave, but they already did, so she can just sit there with Geoffrey. "They still find it strange that you're talking to them now."
"Am I too intimidating? I did smile earlier."
"Maybe. Anyway, what did you want to talk about?"
"Ah…" in actuality, he did not come to talk about their evaluation later. He just wanted to spend some time with her outside their required activities.
Serena was not stupid. This time, she understood what he was doing. She wanted to tell him that she does not see him that way, but how could she reject him when he was not even asking? Also, what for? They were engaged. "I think you should not be nervous later. Don't pull me down." She joked.
Geoffrey laughed. "Yes, that. Anyway, I haven't asked before, but which club did you choose in the morning?"
"Swimming. How about you?" she asked just for the sake of asking. She knew from the start but did not want him to think that she was stalking him or was interested. She just knew it from the novel.
Geoffrey was struck speechless. She was part of swimming club? Were those boys from fencing club feasting on her with their eyes all this time?
Serena saw his look. "What? You want to say something about it?"
Geoffrey shook his head not wanting her to start hating on him again. "No, why did you choose that? By the way I'm taking polo."
Serena wanted to just tell him the truth but decided otherwise. "I just like it because it's a necessary skill for survival. Just in case. It's also good for exercise."
"Polo is too. How about you take it next year?" the words, with me, were at the tip of his tongue.
"I don't know how to ride a running horse."
"I can teach you."
Serena shook her head, "Honestly, I just don't like it. I don't like riding, and I don't like the smell of horses." Serena explained.
"Oh." He replied with a saddened expression, then there was a bit of awkward silence.
Serena seeing his expression felt a little guilty for being too harsh. She stood up from the table.
Geoffrey looked at her in askance.
Serena gave him a smile, "Wait here." She said then she walked away.
Geoffrey looked at her as she bought a sandwich and some juice. When she came back, she placed them on the table.
"Have these, I don't want you fainting on me later during the evaluation."
Geoffrey nodded his head and smiled at her as he unwrapped the sandwich.
—
"Good afternoon everyone! It has been quite a while since we last met. Hopefully, all of you are prepared for the second evaluation." Felix began. "Now, before I begin calling names, I just want to inform everyone that access to the private music rooms will continue to be available for the rest of the school year. That is to help you prepare for the 3rd evaluation activity which will require you to compose your own song. Furthermore, for that, I will ask everyone to work individually. Anyway, that's still a few months away so I trust you all can manage."
After letting the students digest his words, Felix asked the students if they have any question. Since there were none, he started calling the first pair. "Mr. Frederick Guyle and Ms. Gwyneth David, please come forward."
The two went to the front, Gwyneth sat in front of the Piano while Frederick readied his personal saxophone then they started playing minuet in G major.
After their number, everyone applauded. Then, another pair was called, and they started playing JS Bach's Prelude in C major. After a while, it was Geoffrey and Serena's turn.
Serena sat in front of the Piano while Geoffrey stood in front of it. He stood straight, and instead of facing the audience, he faced Serena. He positioned the broad end of his violin onto his left collarbone while the rest of it was supported by his left hand. He angled his head so that his chin was on the chinrest. Then he met Serena's eyes and gave her an upward tilt of his lips.
Serena taking that as her cue started playing Tchaikovsky's swan lake, then Geoffrey joined her. All the while he either has his eyes closed or was looking at her while she was concentrating on the piano. It was a very masterful duet that the listeners can't help but have goosebumps.
The whole time, Charlton was clenching his fist. Not wanting to see anymore of the display, he closed his eyes.
After their song ended, everyone gave a loud applause. "That was a marvelous display. Definitely exceeded my expectations. Very good." Felix said.
Geoffrey gave Serena a smile while she smiled back. She was just glad that that was over with.
After a while, Charlton and Emily's names were called.
The two of them reached the stage. Emily sat in front of the Piano while Charlton placed a chair in front of it to sit. Emily started playing the beginning of Paganini's La Campanella and Charlton, with his cello between his legs, joined her with his eyes closed.
If Geoffrey and Serena's display was marvelous, then the two should be called pure genius. Everyone in the room understood how difficult that piece was, and their display was nothing short of masterful.
After, Felix could not stop himself from giving them a standing ovation. "I knew that you two were a perfect pair in this! That was very beautiful. Truly a masterful display of two musical proteges!"
Serena raised her brow. It felt just like yesterday when he called her and Charlton that!
When Emily stood up, she was grinning from ear to ear, then she looked at Serena smugly, as if telling her, take that. She knew that she won this round.
Serena only gave her an eyeroll.
—
TBC
