3. Brett 15-19 / Eddy 14-18

10 months later. 

Eddy is 14 and Brett 15.

Eddy and Brett are at the Queensland Youth Orchestra music camp. It's Day 3 and while they have been enjoying every minute of the company of their like-minded friends, they decided to go outside for some quiet time together on their lunch break. They found a quiet spot in the shade behind the main building and they lied down side by side on the grass, with their hand touching each other's cheek.

"Hey Eddy, this is nice."

"Yeah, I think I can finally hear myself think."

"..yeah I know what you mean."

"..Brett, your tenths today"

"Yeah, what about them, Eddy?"

"They sounded great."

"Thanks."

"..Do you remember that time you dislocated your pinky last year?"

"Of course I do, Eddy. How could I forget."

"I'm so sorry that happened.."

"I know you are. You hyperventilated from all that crying, the doctors had to treat you first."

"I know.. I'm sorry about that too."

"It's okay. You heard my tenths today, all back to normal."

"...Brett, I've been feeling so guilty about what we were doing."

"Huh? What are you talking about ?"

"Before you hurt yourself. You know, before we fell off my bed."

"??? We've never done anything to be ashamed of, have we ?"

"You don't remember ?"

"Hmm.. no I don't think I do. Whatever it was, I don't think it was anything bad ?"

Brett's palm that was resting on Eddy's cheek suddenly felt warmer.

Next, Brett felt Eddy's palm move away from his cheek and rested very gently over his neck.

"Brett, say something."

"Um...E..ddy?"

"Speak some more. Speak really softly at low register"

"Um...Okay, so, lemme try to remember what happened that day. ..it was after our usual Saturday busking... that's right, you told me your voice was breaking and you put your hand on my neck and said you really liked my new low voice and when I tried to speak reaaaally low like this you went all weird... Eddy, were you turned on by my voice?"

Brett's palm never felt so much heat from on Eddy's cheek, EVER.

"Oh fuck."

Eddy tried to pull away but Brett grabbed his hand.

"No Eddy, don't pull away from me ever again. I don't want to dislocate another pinky trying to catch you."

Brett grabbed both of Eddy's wrists and pulled him in close. Eddy tried to face as downwards as he could and wailed.

"Don't look at my face!"

"Okay, okay, I've got my eyes closed. I swear."

Their foreheads gently made contact.

"Damn it, Brett, this is so embarrassing."

"It's okay y'know. I'm kinda flattered."

"..Isn't it weird ?"

"Nah, not really. You've always said you liked my voice. Like, ever since you were tiny. Oh Brett, I like your voice so much!"

"Hey stop that..!!"

"Like I said, it's okay. I've gotten used to it, I guess."

"So you don't mind if I listen to your voice?"

"What do you mean ? Of course I don't mind"

"Like this..??"

Eddy nuzzles his face into the crook of Brett's neck. He places his ear next to Brett's throat. His dishevelled hair tickles Brett's face.

"Say something."

"..no I don't mind at all..."

"Say something, more"

"OMG Eddy what am I supposed to say?"

Eddy smiles.

"I've always wanted to do this. I could listen to you all day.."

3 years later.

Eddy is 17 and Brett 18.

They are hanging out in Brett's room, lying side by side on Brett's bed, hand on each other's cheek.

"Eddy, have you thought about what you wanna do when you finish school?"

"Well, for as long as I could remember, I've always wanted to become a teacher at my school."

"That sounds great! I think you'd be great at that."

"Thanks."

"...What ?"

"What, what?"

"Eddy, you flinched. What's wrong?"

Eddy grabbed Brett's hand and peeled it off his cheek.

"Brett, you're reading me too much"

"WTF, I'm meant to. You do it to me all the time. Tell me Eddy, what is it."

"I... oh just forget it."

"No, tell me."

"..since I saw you start studying music at uni this year, I've started to think I'd like to do the same."

"...seriously?"

"Yeah I know it's stupid..."

"Huh?? No, no, it's not stupid. That is a great idea ! Like why wouldn't you ? You're one of the most talented musicians I've ever known."

"They wouldn't accept me, would they ?"

"Why the hell not ? If they don't, they must have rocks in their heads for not recognising real talent."

"But.. you know, my disability adds complications. There's so much extra stuff my violin teacher organises for me."

"So ? They should have resources for that. Besides, of all people, you should know it's based on musical talent and not any other "ability". It's no different from your violin lessons or auditioning for the QYO. Heck, I'll help you with anything you need.."

"No!! I don't want you to help me !!!"

"..Eddy?"

"I don't want to be a burden to you."

"Fuck, Eddy, that is the stupidest thing I've ever heard you say. You're fiercely independent, dude you couldn't be a burden to me if you tried. The only thing I can do that you can't is ...shit, seriously, I can't even come up with anything! Oh, you suck at MarioKart and I suppose you can't drive, but really I'd say it's barely an edge I have on you, is it?

Eddy laughs.

"Thanks Brett."

"Have you seen the TED talk of the deaf percussionist who went to music uni?"

"..no"

"You should watch, I mean, listen to it. We'll watch it together. It's beautiful."

https://youtu.be/IU3V6zNER4g

1 year later.

Eddy turned 18 and Brett 19.

Eddy auditioned to study music at university and got accepted.

"Eddy, Eddy, Eddy, congratulations! OMG, we get to study at uni together!"

"Thanks, Brett. Thank you so much for influencing me to pick up the violin all those years ago.  And now this.  I couldn't have done it without you with me."

to be continued to Chapter 4...