The Boy with the Blind Eyes

ONE

Hello there! 

Here is chapter one for you all. Can I also just say before you start reading that sometimes it takes a couple of chapters to get into a book, but most of the time it's well worth it and after you've finished reading this I hope you feel that way. 

And without further ado... 

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Tamsin kept her arms by her side as she walked back into the house. This time, when she had checked the mail, she had been pleasantly surprised. There, sitting in their crappy tin mailbox, was a fat letter from Hamilton Music Academy.

Hamilton was Tamsin's dream. Ever since she had got her first piano, there had been a certainty that rushed through her blood when she played, a quiet, soothing feeling that rose goose-bumps on her skin and forced her eyes to water. There was nothing quite so extraordinary as making music.

For a moment, her thoughts drifted to Eli. The way his eyes sparkled when she played. The way he'd clap and encourage her, the way he'd kiss her cheek before he left for home. She had never understood Eli back then—they were both just children; best friends, even—but now, she tilted her head to the clear sky in remorse. For not knowing better, for not stopping it. For not being able to do anything but watch helplessly as Eli screamed in pain on the hospital bed. She remembered the nurses shoving tubes up his nose, watched as Eli's nose bled terribly. And then, a few minutes later, he wasn't screaming anymore—wasn't even breathing anymore. And then this horrible emptiness had filled her chest, and she remembered screaming. Like, maybe, if she screamed loud enough, Eli might wake up and start screaming again, too.

Tamsin pulled open the front door and walked back inside, her thoughts of Eli scattering away like frightened birds. She pasted a smile onto her face and quickly walked into the kitchen, where her mother was already at work, scrubbing at dishes from breakfast.

'Mom,' Tamsin said, touching her shoulder. Her mother turned, her grey eyes watery. She was often like this—sad for no reason, always mopey. She'd stare out of the kitchen window and into the garden, silently crying. Tamsin didn't think her mother knew when she cried anymore. It was just a natural thing she did, like breathing.

'Yes?' Her mother's eyes fell on the fat envelope in Tamsin's arms, and she frowned ever so slightly. 'What've you got there?'

'It's an acceptance letter,' Tamsin breathed excitedly. 'I got in!'

Her mother's frown grew deeper. 'To where, dear?'

Tamsin's heart plummeted into her stomach. She knew why. She'd forgotten again.

'To Hamilton Music Academy. Remember? I applied there last spring...'

'Of course,' her mother touched Tamsin's arm, breathing a sigh of relief. 'That's right. Congratulations, sweetie.' She turned back to the soapy dishwater behind her and picked up a skillet, immersing it into the water and scrubbing away at it. 'I can't imagine how your father will feel.'

Tamsin felt her heart skip a beat. Right. Her father. Would he let her go, or make her stay? Hamilton was a big deal to Tamsin, and he knew that, but she had applied behind his back, thinking she might not get in. She hadn't thought of what she might say to him if she did.

'Dad?' Tamsin's mouth turned dry. 'Well, he'll have to let me...I worked hard to get in. I want this more than anything.'

'Yes, but you're only still a student at school, dear. You haven't finished your last year yet. I wouldn't hold your breath on this one.' Her mother turned around again to face Tamsin, her face sympathetic, and drained the water from the sink. The suds clung to the sides of the basin, trying to avoid getting sucked down the drain. Tamsin sighed. She and the suds had something in common.