Professor F novel Chapter 64

Beep! Beep!

That horning sound from Aunt Ruth's car broke the awkward silence embracing August and Pierre.

Aunt Ruth extended her arm and opened the front seat, calling Pierre's attention. They both looked at her. "Pierre, you can put your cello on the front seat. And you both sit on the back, okay?"

"After you." Pierre said as he pulled the door open of the back seat.

She blushed and awkwardly got in before he puts the cello on the front seat of the car. He then gets in the back seat of the car.

"Are we good, kids?" Auth Ruth asked with a big smile on her lips. "I know this great restaurant nearby. Let me put it on wayz." Her aunt being her usual talkative self filled the awkward atmosphere she and Pierre has.

She was silently listening to her aunt talking to Pierre. "You're really good up there, Pierre. Have you joined other competitions in the past?"

"N—No. It was actually my first." Pierre answered politely.

"Oh! And you're that good already! I'm so amazed! Of all the competitors, you have moved more people than the others. You even got a standing ovation! I wonder why that guy won."

Her Aunt Ruth speaks her mind as if she's known Pierre since he was a kid and it made her feel uncomfortable. Pierre must feel the same and uneasy talking about not winning when he got that standing ovation.

She opened her mouth to stop her Aunt Ruth but Pierre discreetly and gently holds her arm, as if telling her that it's okay.

"Anyway," Her Aunt Ruth drives out of the highway and followed waze. "Let's just enjoy the rest of the night. It's really surprising to see you there!"

He chuckled shortly. "I'm surprised myself."

The conversation stopped when her Aunt Ruth answered an incoming call from a friend on her Airpods.

"Sorry, I have to take this." Her Aunt Ruth said. "Yes? Hi! Congratulations again to Becky! Oh, that's fine. We're on our way to have dinner with a friend, anyway. Oh, really—"

Her Aunt Ruth's conversation slowly faded as her mind started to wander and her heart is beating so loudly—realizing it's been a month since she was this close to Pierre during their tutor sessions and that she would catch him staring at her.

She looked at him unintentionally and saw him looking at her. "Are you okay?"

She nodded and forced a smile. "Why wouldn't I be?"

It was a quiet drive going the restaurant and they were left alone in the table while her Aunt Ruth went to the restroom.