The Sound Of Your Heart

THREE

MILES

I was sitting quietly in my chair, tucked away in the shadows of the classroom, listening intently to the discussion led by our teacher, Mrs. Rose Dorsett. With my assigned seat in the very last row of the school, I often went unnoticed, allowing me to freely engage in whatever I pleased.

Mrs. Dorsett, a kind-hearted and knowledgeable woman, had a knack for sparking curiosity in her students' minds. Her words flowed effortlessly as she delved into the complexities of English literature.

While seated in Mrs. Dorsett's eleventh-grade English class, I was torn between her discussion and the Piano sheet chords before me. The dulcet tones of Ruth B.'s "Dandelions" filled my ears through my earphones, and I couldn't resist the urge to follow along with the musical score.

As Mrs. Dorsett passionately explained her lessons, I wondered about the beauty of the piano arrangement on the sheet before me. The delicate swirls of notes seemed to float magically across the page, beckoning me to dance my fingers along their ethereal melody. Unable to resist any longer, I surreptitiously executed the gentle movements of a pianist on my desk, pretending to press the invisible keys.

Undoubtedly, I play the piano with assistance. It seems unusual for some stranger to place a piano sheet in my locker. Additionally, this time, I'm including notes from Ruth B.'s song Dandelions, the piano version I received from a stranger.

Suddenly, someone threw a crumpled piece of paper on my desk, causing me to look at it. I glanced around the classroom, but everyone was busy listening to Mrs. Dorsett's monotonous lecture. Curiosity piqued, I unfolded the paper cautiously, careful not to draw any attention to myself. Because I failed to find whoever threw the form at me, I checked it to see if there was any writing, and I was not wrong. Written in messy handwriting was the word 'Hi.'

The bell rang, resonating through the quiet classroom. Instantly, my classmates and I sprang into action, rising from our seats in unison. While my peers hastily packed their belongings, I calmly put my things away with practiced efficiency. Slipping on my headphones, I pressed play on a carefully curated playlist that transported me into my world.

As the melodies enveloped my senses, I ventured out of the familiar walls of our classroom and into the bustling corridor. The cacophony of footsteps, laughter, and indistinguishable conversations filled the air, but in my secluded audio paradise, it all faded away. My music became my secret escape, enabling me to detach from the trivialities of everyday life and delve into my realm of solace.

It was a typical midday rush at Adamson High School. As the bell signaling lunchtime rang, students hurriedly dashed towards the common ground outside the bustling canteen. This open area, surrounded by not-so-tall shady trees and dotted with picnic tables, was a popular spot for students to eat lunch. Overhead, the sun was shining brightly, warming the atmosphere and igniting a sense of lively anticipation.

As I stepped foot on the common ground, I started scanning the area for Erin and Charles. Erin's hand was lifted to get my attention, which attracted my focus abruptly. I strolled over to where she and Charles were already seated at our usual table. However, I was suddenly pushed into, and my headphones were knocked off. Fortunately, I caught them right away.

I turned to look at the person who had brushed up against me, but all I could see was the back of a guy in a red hoodie. Curiosity sparked as I watched the mysterious figure disappear into the bustling crowd. I was about to call him out, but it looked like he was in a hurry because of how fast he was walking. I just shook my head as I fixed the headphones around my neck and finally approached my two friends, who had already sat at our usual table.