Lost in Time ~ Five Hargreeves

Chapter 15

1998:
November 10th, 5:45 p.m.

Another fifteen minutes, Riley thought, looking almost longingly at the clock.

They had been in a bad mood all afternoon since everyone else could do whatever they felt like.

Only Riley sat at the old piano while their music teacher walked around them, paying close attention to every single note.

The middle-aged woman had a small smile on her lips.

Riley was her best student.

She was always happy to teach them, even if she felt sorry for the child and their siblings.

The children's father didn't seem particularly… caring.

The blonde woman pushed the thought aside as Riley played the last tone.

"Very good, Riley. You're getting better."

But not good enough, Riley added in their head.

The child dropped their head for a moment and turned to Miss Sheffield, who had stopped next to them.

"Would you like to try again?" asked Miss Sheffield.

Riley shrugged.

They didn't want to. But they would do it if Miss Sherffield asked them to.

Riley's music teacher nodded and decided to end the lesson for the day– the child deserved it.

Grace accompanied Miss Sheffield to the door while Riley remained seated at the piano and continued tapping on the keys.

"She's right," came a voice from the door.

Riley turned around, startled.

"Vanya, you scared me."

"I'm sorry. But Miss Sheffield is right. You're getting better."

Vanya didn't want to admit it, but sometimes she secretly listened in on Riley's music lessons.

She also hoped to be able to play a musical instrument someday, but first she had to find the right one.

Vanya sat down on the small stool next to Riley.

"Would you play some more? Please?"

The corners of Riley's mouth twitched upwards and they nodded.

"Of course. Any request?"

"No."

The child turned back to the piano and began playing one of their favorites.

Riley didn't know the name. Miss Sherffield played it every now and then when they had some time left at the end of the lesson. And maybe they played the wrong note sometimes.

But that didn't seem to bother Vanya.

She seemed to like, whatever Riley was playing, and listened attentively.

Riley was glad that Vanya had sat down with her.

Unfortunately, the two didn't spend as much time together as they would have liked.

So after they finished playing the first piece, Riley decided to play a second one.

This was a little faster than the first.

But halfway through, Riley stopped abruptly, when the vase that was on the piano, suddenly broke.

"What was that?"