The Pianist

The Arrival: Part II

The train pulled into the Gare du Lyon station at 7 a.m. sharp, hissing and puffing with steam. You, Jennie, Rosé and Jisoo stood on the steps of the train and were the first to dismount.

A rush of excitement washed over you as you took in the grand opulence of the train station. You were finally in Paris! The huge clock tower at the far end chimed the hour, and you straightened up at this reminder that you were on a schedule. Classes started at 8:30 a.m., but you still had to go get settled at Lisa's apartment, and then sign in and get registered at the École des Beaux Arts.

Trains came and went in the busy, bustling station, and you led the girls over to the end where it opened onto the street. You all looked up in awe. The streets of Paris were beautiful.

"Well! Shall we get going?" Rosé said brightly.

"We're walking?" Jennie said, aghast.

Jisoo frowned. "We couldn't possibly walk from here all the way to Lisa's apartment. It's at least 15 minutes away!"

"Don't worry! we'll take a carriage." You reassured, already scanning the streets for an open one.

You quickly located one, whistling and hailing it. The carriage led you through the streets of Paris, driving past the Seine and crossing over a bridge. You could see the famed Notre-Dame Cathedral in the distance, and excitedly pointed it out to the girls.

The carriage finally deposited you all in front of a tall, beautiful building. It was on a quiet, elegant street.

"Mon Dieu. This is where Lisa lives?" Rosé said in awe.

Jennie shrugged. "She's a top model for Louis Vuitton. Must pay well."

After lugging your suitcases up the four flights of stairs, you rang the doorbell to Lisa's apartment.

"Hello mes chéris!!" Lisa opened the door with a bright grin.

"Lisa!!" You all greeted brightly, hugging her and stepping into the apartment.

You happily chatted about your trip here as Lisa showed you to your rooms. Your room was the farthest from the door, with a beautiful four-poster bed, a window overlooking the street, and, to your delight, a beautiful carved wooden piano in the corner for you to practice your music.

"Just don't play it at 3 am and wake us all up!" Lisa said with a laugh.

You wished you could've stayed longer to catch up, but you all had to head towards the École des Beaux Arts for classes now. Lisa waved you off from her door.

"Good luck! I probably won't be in the apartment all day, but whenever you come back just let yourselves in with the key under the mat!" She said.

You all waved goodbye and agreed to meet at the Café du Flore later tonight to catch up over drinks.

The walk to school was short and pleasant, and the girls talked and laughed all the way. But the closer you got to the school, the more nervous you felt. Your heart was pounding, and your hands were sweating. You had been the best piano player in your village, that much was true. But this was Paris. Would you ever compare to the great masters?

Sign-in at school was a blur, a rushed affair of signing papers and handing over documents and sitting through a speech by the School Director. Before you knew it, you were being handed a schedule and were splitting ways from the other girls.

You sighed, looking down at the neatly embossed paper. Your first class wasn't until another half hour.

You chose to wander through the halls in the meantime, exploring this place that would now be your second home. Your hand trailed on the carved wooden walls, and you savored the quiet hush that lay over the empty hallways. Pinpricks of dust swirled in the air where the sun illuminated every window, but in the golden glow they looked like minuscule points of light, making the hallway look mysterious and magical. All was quiet.

Until it wasn't.

~•~Play video in header for scene music~•~

All of a sudden, beautiful, floating strains of piano reached your ears. You froze in your tracks, utterly swept away by the achingly beautiful melody. Your heart pounded, though this time it wasn't from nerves. There was a strange feeling, vast and bittersweet, in your heart, and you couldn't quite put a word to it.

Longing? Nostalgia? Desire?

Whatever it was, it was the most beautiful melody you had ever heard in your life.

Where was the music coming from? You had to find the source.

You rushed blindly through the empty halls, chasing that ephemeral tune. Your heartbeat quickened in excitement. You were getting closer, you could tell. The melody was growing louder. Clearer.

You hesitated as you reached a twisting staircase, tucked away into a corner of the hallway. You had wandered way past the halls where all the classrooms were held. This was an entirely different part of the building. Were you even allowed to be here?

But you were so close, so close to that hauntingly beautiful melody. The piano notes twirled and flew down the staircase, making you shiver.

You decided. You were going up, damned be the rules.

You rushed up the stairs, heart pounding as you reached a dim attic with a boarded-over skylight. You pressed up to the walls, hardly daring to breathe, as you peeked over the bend in the wall, finally seeing the mysterious piano player.

It was a young man, slender and elegant, bent over the piano with intense concentration. You watched in mute fascination. His long, graceful fingers flew over the keys, playing with so much ease and confidence. He swayed to the music, eyes closed, a blissful smile over his face.

And he was playing the most beautiful music you had ever heard.

You stepped out of the shadows, heart pounding in fear and fascination and some strange longing that tugged you to him, to this mysterious pianist hidden away in the attic.

Who was he?