She definitely likes Malkiel. That was my initial thought as I caught Galene staring at Malkiel not just once but almost every day after that. I felt another wave of irritation wash over me.
"Okay, that's a wrap"
"Oohh Malkiel didn't do any improvisation today"
"Well, he better not do it at the gig tomorrow"
I said shortly to which the whole group laughed. My gazes landed on Malkiel who was staring at Serenity while wiping his sweat away. I was still standing in front of the microphone when my gaze landed on Galene who was busy flipping through the clipboards.
"By the way, are you sure it's alright for you guys to perform at the gig tomorrow?"
"Galene relax, Drys said that he had another song planned didn't he?"
Her attention shifted to me, her eyes almost showed no emotions but I knew she was going to bring up the topic that we talked about before. Because that was how she had always been. She could never forget about anything. If you don't tread carefully around her, you'll get caught in your own words.
"Love, that's your final theme?"
The whole room instantly went silent. I raised an eyebrow at Galene and gritted my teeth.
"Is there a problem?"
As an answer, I saw how she stole a glance at Malkiel before letting out a sigh.
"No, just make sure you finish it early so the group can practice it"
My eyes widened as she turned her back on me with not much of a fight. I was so sure she'd start to argue with me again but it didn't happen. Everyone seemed equally shocked as Quincey's laughter was the only thing that could be heard inside the room.
"I can't believe Galene stood down today"
"Yeah I was shocked, I was so sure that they'd start arguing like always"
I listened to Kenzo and Koa while we were walking home but didn't bother to interrupt them. Until now, it was weird how a prideful person like her actually backed down. I glanced at Malkiel who was walking beside me. He still had this gloomy aura around him.
There was nothing to complain about his performance because he could really maintain his professionalism. But, I am starting to get worried about him. There's also the issue with Galene. She's definitely attracted to Malkiel or maybe she already likes him but then won't that complicate things? I can't have this issue breaking the harmony of our group.
"You still doing good, Malkiel?"
Malkiel just turned to me and smiled at me sadly. He let out a sigh.
"I didn't know it was this hard. I never have even given a thought about love even though almost all your songs were about them. That's why I don't know what to do with these feelings"
The reason why I changed our song for the gig was because of Malkiel. Since it was exactly like this, not having any first-hand experience could be overwhelming and I didn't want my best friend to feel like no one understands how he feels right now.
"But anyway, Galene said it'll get better with time, so I'll just have to trust that"
My attention quickly shifted toward him.
"Galene? That Galene said that to you?"
Malkiel nodded at me and smiled.
"It also feels like she was looking out for me these days, like a sister you know"
I pursed my lips. How do I tell him that it probably isn't like a sister? That what Galene might be feeling is something more than looking out for siblings. I let out a sigh and just continued walking. It's frustrating but I guess I should talk with Galene about this. If she could kill those feelings of hers right now, it'll help a lot.
But wouldn't it be too harsh to just tell her that outright? Then again, it's Galene we're talking about, that devil of a woman probably would be all right.
At least that's what I thought.
"What? You know if you were going to drag me all the way to the clubroom at least speak"
I let out a deep sigh, I was an idiot for dragging her in here first thing in the morning. But, the situation had gotten worse.
Last night during the gig, Serenity introduced her boyfriend to the group and Malkiel's growing insecurity had just become worse. I couldn't get it off my head last night so I went to get my music sheets here at school even though it was the weekend. It was a stroke of luck that I met Galene here.
"What are you doing here anyway? It's the weekend?"
I asked her. Instead of answering she just raised an eyebrow at me.
"I could ask you the same thing you know, why are you here?"
Even when the irritation was growing on me, I replied by pointing to the music sheets on top of the piano. She glanced at it before she took something out of her tote bag. It was the clipboard that she always used for band activities. She handed the clipboard quietly to which I flipped through.
Even from my perspective, I saw how disorganized the schedules for gigs and practices were. I looked up from the clipboard to her.
"I wanted to go to a quiet place, okay? I couldn't exactly organize my thoughts at home"
I raised an eyebrow at her explanation, it certainly seemed like she was trying to avoid us arguing which was new. She would always instigate all of our arguments so this one was new to me.
And yet I had this urge to pry through. It was rare to see her out of it and disorganized. There was a reason why Ms. Emily chose her as the manager. If I didn't even know better I would have thought she had OCD with how organized she wanted everything around her.
"Why couldn't you organize your thoughts?"
Galene looked at me as if I had just said something so ridiculous.
"What?"
"It's rare for you to be so out of it so what is it?"
Galene raised an eyebrow before sneering,
"What? You think this would get in the way of the band's activities? Don't worry it won't"
She took the clipboard from me and sat on the chair just near the piano inside the clubroom.
"That's not what I mean"
"Oh so you're telling me that you seriously care? That's not you though"
I felt the anger rise up inside of me, why was it always so hard to talk to this woman.
"I just want to know"
Galene turned to look at me, her expression sour, like she didn't like what I just said.
"Why?"
Oh for heaven's sake.
"Fine, you know what, I'm just gonna ask you right here, right now. Do you like Malkiel?"
Galene's expression turned from surprised to confused in just a matter of seconds.
"Excuse me?"
"I'm asking if you like Malkiel and if the reason why cannot organize your thoughts is because of your feelings for him"
Galene blinked twice, thrice before letting out a sigh.
"I swear, you're the second person to ask me that. Does it look like I have any romantic feelings for Malkiel?"
She shook her head as if she couldn't believe what was happening but my head was just starting to wrap around what she said.
"Second?"
Galene turned her back to me and started organizing her papers.
"Serenity asked me the same question a couple of days ago. I'm giving you the same answer I told her, I do like Malkiel but it's more of an affection for a little brother rather than a romantic one."
It was my turn now to blink multiple times. I walked towards her and stopped in front of her.
"You don't like Malkiel? I mean you don't have any romantic feelings for him?"
Galene glared at me, to which I was taken aback. I wasn't expecting her to glare at me.
"Malkiel's not my type okay? If I have to say Koa is more of my type"
"What?"
"Malkiel looked like my younger brother, innocent, naive, and somewhat pitiful. That's all there is to it."
I don't know if I should be glad that she cleared what her feelings for Malkiel is or feel scared at how she just admitted that Koa was more of her type. Nonetheless, I guess I was worried for nothing.
I looked at Galene who was now focused on rewriting the whole schedule. Somehow she seemed less intimidating when she was quiet like this.
"Then I guess I'll go ahead"
I walked towards the piano to pick up my music sheets and stuffed them into my bag. I glanced back at Galene only to see that she was now putting on her earphones. I squinted my eyes, I couldn't believe she didn't even care that she'd be left all alone in this room.
But then, who was I to even worry about her? She's old enough to handle her problems.
That was the day that I had walked away from her without even looking back. Not knowing that I shouldn't have left her all alone there that day.