The Apprentice.

Chapter Seven

Carly arrived at the grand doorway just like she had for the past week, coming over to spend the evenings with Annie to allow Mia time to go and see Charlotte. She enjoyed trying to get on Mia's good side and if she was honest she enjoyed spending time with Annie, there was something about this girl that just made Carly feel seen, they'd spoken about her eating disorder and Annie had taken it upon herself to ensure whenever she came over she always had a fresh supply of Carly's favourite snacks and some snacks she'd had never tried before, food that Carly called her 'fear foods' and Annie would encourage her to try them. Carly smiled, thinking about the girl who, despite everything she'd been through, still took the time to try and help. 

April, the maid, opened the door. "Afternoon Miss" she called stepping back to allow Carly in. Carly nodded. "Thanks April" she spoke handing the lady her bag and coat as she was about to walk into the living room where Annie could usually be found Mia walked down the stairs "She's not in there" Her voice came out in a teasing tone. 
"Oh really where is she?" Carly asked turning to the red head who was being helped into her jacket by April. Mia motioned with her head up the grand staircase "Follow the music" she smiled before taking her bag and walking past the apprentice and out the door. April smiled at Carly and hurried off into the kitchen.

Carly looked up the staircase she'd never been anywhere else in this house other than the living room and the downstairs bathroom. She placed her hand on the ornate staircase and listened, as she did she realized the music that was playing, it sounded like a piano. It was faint but Carly could hear it, as she walked up the stairs she listened, it wasn't a song she knew but it sounded sad. Her heart sunk what kind of music was Annie listening too? they'd been talking the other day about their favourite artists and Annie was very similar to her, very much a pop girl. But this song the notes, Carly was surprised, that without words it felt like she could still feel the music, it was slow and soft it sounded...Lonely. Like darkness. 

As she got to the top of the stairs she turned to her left where the music was coming from she approached the door which was open slightly. She could see the brunette sat at a large grand piano, it was Annie playing. Standing outside the door for a moment she watched the fingers dance over the keys, an imagine flashed into her mind of those same fingers dancing over her own skin. Carly shook her head that wasn't an image she needed of her friend, certainly not the friend right in front of her that she would be spending the evening with. Carly opened the door slightly and walked in careful not to disturb the girl. As she walked in and around the piano she noticed Annie's face, her eyes were focused on the keys closing every now and again, her cheeked were tear stained. Carly's breath caught in her chest Annie wasn't using any sheet music she was playing this from memory? She gently sat down in a seat beside the piano and caught the gaze of Annie who gave her a limp smile as the tune faltered and stopped. 

"Please keep going" Carly almost whispered. "you're really good"
Annie smiled gently. "Thanks"

The younger girl got up from her seat and moved over to sit beside the pianist on her stool. "Where did you learn to play?"
Annie glanced at the keys and ran her hands over them gently. "My mum taught me, she used to play around the world in an orchestra". 
"Wow" Carly said "Was that one of her songs she played?"

Annie's face changed at this question. "no, that was my own" she spoke softly. 
"But it was so sad" Carly spoke before even thinking and then cursed herself. "I-mean its-"
"- I know Carly" Annie continued "It is sad" she smiled meekly. "I wrote it last year after having lost my parents and then loosing the siblings and Mia" she took a quick sip from the cup of water next to her. "I'd lost everyone, even myself" she admitted.

Carly now understood why the music sounded so lonely and dark. Annie had been alone, she'd lost everyone she ever cared about and there was no one to take care of her. She placed an arm around the girl and hugged her. "I'm right here" she whispered as Annie began to sob gently. "I'm not going anywhere" she continued rubbing the girls back in slow calming circles. 

Annie turned to look at her, her beautiful blue eyes were bright with tears. Carly could feel her own heart shattering at that look. She wasn't sure what happened but the next thing she felt was the girls face in her hands and her soft lips against hers. 

Author's Note: I'm so sorry it's taken a while to get this part, life has been busy with new jobs and planning my wedding but I kept coming back to this story. I know currently in cannon Carly is straight but I always smile at the video where she said she wished she had a love like Charlotte and Mia and well this is my take on that statement. :D