He was never one to hide his disdain for her in the past. When had their relationship shifted to this level of intimacy?
The first time I met Mia Blake was during one of my coach’s classes.
She had been only twenty years old at the time, a quiet girl sitting alone in the corner of the classroom, practicing the violin diligently.
I had stood at the door, pointing her out to my coach with a casual question. "Sir, class ended ages ago. Why hasn’t that girl left yet?"
My coach glanced over, shaking his head. "That’s just how she is. Every time, she stays behind to practice a little longer and asks me for extra guidance."
"If you don’t have natural talent, you have to work harder."
I listened to the girl playing the violin and she played Scarborough Fair with a few wrong notes here and there.
"Her technique needs work, but her emotional depth is impressive. That’s crucial for a performer."
My coach gave me a dismissive look, clearly unimpressed by my assessment.
I smiled knowingly, aware of what he was thinking.
After all, by the time I was twenty, I had already been selected to play in the first violin section of the city orchestra.
Even my coach’s violin class was adorned with my posters.
"If you want to join the orchestra, your pitch still isn’t good enough."
The girl froze mid-motion, then turned toward the voice. Her eyes widened in recognition the moment she saw me.
Her eyes widened as she murmured, "Claire…"
Maybe it was the longing in her gaze, or how much she reminded me of my younger self, that made me act on impulse.
"I’ll be visiting my coach next month. Prepare in advance and I’ll guide you."
She nodded eagerly, like a child savoring an unexpected treat. Finally, she mustered the courage to add timidly, "Thank you, Miss Dawson."
From that day on, I began coaching Mia more frequently.
Gradually, her title for me evolved. First, it was Miss Dawson, then Coach Dawson and eventually, she called me Coach Claire.
However, Lennon was not pleased after another missed date.
"That girl’s talent is mediocre at best. No amount of coaching will change that."
"And today of all days. It was our anniversary and you’d rather spend it coaching her?"
At the time, I only knew Mia’s important exam was approaching.
I reassured Lennon, promising to make it up to him the next day.