Free London Harmony: Feel the Beat by Erik Schubach

as we approached a corner, I could hear familiar harmonies coming from just around the building. I moved away from Isabelle, still holding her arm at arm's length and walking backward, tugging on her, urging her to hurry. Giving her my best smile.
    We stepped around the corner to see a small crowd gathered around the Robinsons. Amy was harmonizing Water Gypsy by Tabby Cat with a sped up version of the operatic Ave Maria, which her brothers were vocalizing. Just how the heck are they able to take two things that nobody in their right of mind would ever think are similar and make them mesh seamlessly like that?
    I gave a tiny wave to them and Amy waved me over with a grin. I looked at Belle. “Watch Percy? I have to say hi.” She nodded, and I couldn't read her expression as she looked at me then Amy. I pulled her through the gathered people to beside my friends. I was already dancing and swaying as I tapped out a beat on Belle's arm.
    I handed her Percy's lead then stepped beside James, the youngest brother and shoulder bumped him, he grinned and nodded at me as he sang. I opened my mouth and harmonized with the warm purple undulations of Amy's voice. I twirled behind the brothers, rolling my back against Amy's and dropping my head backwards over her shoulder to belt out the refrain with her.
    She grinned and I rolled around to beside her then bumped her hip and she started to move like me, bumping her brothers to get them dancing as we all sang. After a moment I giggled and stepped away from them, now they had their bodies into it, much better! I winked at them then stepped back to an annoyed looking Isabelle.
    I retrieved the lead and hugged her arm with a questioning look on my face. I smiled at her and the look on her face melted away into a reluctant smile. Then she brightened and the smile reached her eyes. The Robinsons finished their number and we and the crowd clapped. Amy bounced over to us, literally, she hopped like a bunny, it was cute.
    She said in a chipper voice, “Hi Abi!” Then she gave Belle an appraising look turning her head to talk to me but not looking away from the blue haired vixen. “This your girl? Very nice.”
    I started to say, “She's not...” but Amy, hyper as ever blurted out as her hand shot out to Tink, “Amy Robinson. Part of The Robinsons vocal group. These are my brothers. Good on you landing our Abigail here, it's about time someone did.”
    Shell-shocked, Tink shook her hand and started, “I'm not...” But Amy was already talking again, “Oh! We should double date. Jake and I were thinking about karaoke later this week. You two game?”
    It took both of us a couple seconds to realize that she had stopped talking. Where to start? Well before I embarrass Belle too much, I need to set the record straight. But she started before I could Tink replied, “Isabelle, Isabelle Riker. But just call me Belle.”
    Then she shot me a wicked grin while still talking to Amy. “And we'd be delighted to join you and Jake.” There was a playful glitter in her eyes as I cocked my head at her in question.
    Amy clapped her hands together then said, “Great. I'll call you later to set things up Abi.” Then she turned to Tink. “It was a pleasure meeting you Belle, but I better get back to work, we only have the corner for another five minutes.” Then she was gone and the Robinsons started another inspired number.
    I blinked at Belle. “You realize she thinks we are together.”
    She shrugged. “Well we best not disappoint her then.”
    I stared at her for a long time, not breathing. Then I blurted out, “Isabelle, are you gay?”
    In answer, she tucked my hand into the crook of her arm and grabbed my equipment case and started dragging me along with her. Then she threw my own words back at me with a self-satisfied lilt to her voice, “Gay? I'm as happy as a platypus on a water slide.”
    I grinned down at her smug look. Then it hit me. That look she had on her face when I was singing with