The Library at Midnight

Chapter 1: Cypress Conservatory Day 1

"I've been abandoned. I've been left for dead in a posh boarding school," I thought as I walked through the garish metal gates of Cypress Conservatory for the Arts: the latest school in my collection. I was supposed to be attending the regularity courses starting today, but mom spilled the beans about the piano competitions and my flight got delayed.

Truth is I'm a piano prodigy. The competitions, the awards, the whole sha-bang was my life five years ago. My room was the envision of music itself: notes everywhere, sheet music scattered on the floor, and a keyboard in the corner for when I was too tired to walk to the Petite Grand in the music room.

Then my father passed unexpectedly. It was a week before my next competition. Bet you could imagine how that went. We really were close. He was a famous pianist and to become close to him, I walked his footsteps. We talked music more than anything. He would take me to competitions, performances, far away concerts, you name it. We were fanatics together, but when he passed I gave up piano and went into hiding. Cliché, I know, but it happened.

My mom, went into a slump. She quit her job, slashed music books, developed quite the friendly relationship with whiskey and above all, shipped me to a conservatory for the thing I hated most all the way across the nation. I basically moved from the home of the quiet Pasadena, California to the bustling of West Hartford, Connecticut. Quite the move if you ask me.

Anyways, it's been five years since he passed. I took small steps down the winding paths leading to the front entrance where an arch of brick loomed and the rest of my two years of high school started.

I heard voices around me chattering excitedly.

"Lexa, did you do your math homework?"

"When's the Music Comp project due?"

No one tried to talk to me. Of course that was understanding. It was the middle of the second semester and all the cliques had already formed. Guess I was pretty late in the game. I gripped and rearranged the strap of my messenger bag.

"Ugh" I groaned. "Damn my necessities," I mumbled as I took three heavy steps.

I cursed the me that packed my bag this morning chockful of piano books, music composition journals, documentaries and summer homework that, for God knows why, had to be done. If I was supposed to appear as a prodigy, I might as well act the part.

Cherry trees littered the entire campus and lined most of the walkways. Ivy climbed the building and the gates. The campus was huge. I read it was to resemble that of a college campus, mostly meaning I had to run from class to class: another reason to resent my mother for sending me off.

Petals and blossoms fell over me as I continued the rest of my trek to Administrations. I had to admit the school was breathtaking, even if I wasn't.

My glasses were of the big nerdy style and I was currently dressed in light wash jeans with more than enough fringed rips going up both legs, a black v-neck t-shirt, a grey hoodie with the sleeves rolled up and my favorite black high tops.

Here I was, clad in my casualwear and everyone around me in their crisp and pristine uniforms. I have never stuck out so much in my life.

As I was contemplating why in God's name I was sent to the school for princes and princesses in training, not only had I found my way to Administration but I had also gotten a guide and was shown to my dorm.

"Thanks Luke," I waved over my shoulder as I entered the dorm hall. It was still during the day, so half the dorm was pretty much cleared out. Luke watched me leave as I disappeared into the dorm. I tossed a carefree wave of my hand over my shoulder.