Ever Since New York [h.s au]

11

I was sitting at the kitchen counter. The sheet music Harry wrote sat in front of me. I pressed my fingers against the counter practicing the motions of the notes. Doing my best to imagine the keys. "A, b, c..."

The front door opened, and Devyn walked in. "What are you doing?"

I moved my hands under the counter. "Harry is trying to help me learn music theory and to play the piano. So I can be more helpful in the studio. I'm just practicing the scales he gave me."

Dev sat next to me, "You're practicing without a piano?"

"I don't want to practice at the studio, everyone there is already so gifted. It's embarrassing. I don't want to buy a piano to practice, so I'm just imagining the keys." I explained.

Devyn pulled out her phone and went to Google. "My mom wanted to learn piano, but we couldn't afford a piano. She started going to a church to practice. As long as you're not interrupting a service you should be good to practice at one. There's one not too far from here."

"Are you sure that's allowed?" I grabbed my water bottle and sipped from it.

"Oh yeah, you should probably talk to the pastor about it first though. I just texted you the address."

I grabbed the sheet music off the counter, ran into my room for my backpack, and grabbed my keys. "Thanks, Dev, I'll see you later."

"Wait, Lauren."

I turned around to face my best friend. "You know you don't have to understand music notes or instruments to be helpful in the studio. From the stories you've told me, you're more than helpful. If Harry doesn't see that, you can drop his sorry British ass."

"I know, I'm doing this for me. Not Harry." I rolled my eyes. "See ya later," I called as the door closed behind me. I readjusted my bag and started heading for the church.

I knew Devyn was right, that Harry valued me and thought I was helpful in the studio. He wouldn't have asked me to help him with the album otherwise. I wasn't learning the piano for Harry, or anyone on the

team. I wanted to understand music theory and learn the piano so I could be the best songwriter I could be.

I followed the directions Devyn sent me. When I got to the church I walked in to see that it was empty.

"Hello?" I called softly as I walked down the aisle. The architecture and design were beautiful. I couldn't help but stare at the stained glass windows and then run my hands against the oak benches.

"Is someone there?" A voice croaked, followed by a man wearing robes, walking into the room.

I waved at him, "Yes, hi. My name is Lauren. I'm a student at UCLA, and I was just wondering if I could play on your piano?"

The man stopped walking and pointed to the piano in the front of the church, "My name is Father Smith. You wish to use this piano?"

"If you have another one, perhaps in another room I'd be glad to use it instead. I don't mean to get in anyone's way. I just want to practice." I gulped.

The man waved me over, "Nonsense, the acoustics are best in this room. If you're going to practice you may as well do it here."

I picked up my pace and met him at the piano.

"What are you practicing for?" He asked.

"Um, I'm more so learning rather than practicing. My friend gave me a few pointers, but I don't have access to a piano during the week." I said.

The pastor pulled out the piano bench, "As long as there is no one here, you are welcome to practice."

"Thank you, Father Smith." I took a seat on the bench, "I'm eternally grateful."