The Heart's Song

Chapter Two: The Story Begins

It wasn't too long after the bell went for lunch. Alisha - one of my friends - had dragged me to the library to pick up a revision book for Music. I didn't need revision - it is planted in my memory as it is. English, Maths and Science? Pfft, I expect to fail all that. Music, I can appreciate but I'm not musically gifted. And in pretty much everything else, I expect B's or A's. I definately think an A+ is in order for Art, because I'm most passionate about it.

"Tiff? Tiff?? Tiff!!"

I jerked back to reality. "Huh?"

"Can we go to the stage? I need to practice for my exam. My teacher would kill me if I didn't." Alisha pleaded impatiently.

I nodded. "Fine." I didn't mind. I loved hearing others play instruments. Alisha was one exam away from becoming a Grade 8 violinist. Her parents are sort of pushy about her musical talents - they had her starting to play at 6 years old. Well, now we're 15, and Alisha still gets pushed by her parents. She was accepted into the Julliard School in New York, and she's moving there next month.

"Only had to say it eight times.." Alisha muttered, flicking her black emo haircut.

I followed her to the stage, where a lonely grand piano sat in the centre, and a music stand with an old violin laid next to it.

Alisha climbed up the stairs to the stage, and I took a seat at the front with the red plastic chairs leading all the way to the end of the hall.

I leant back and closed my eyes, waiting for the music to begin. Alisha finally began the piece I knew so well; Bach Partita No. 3 (Prelude).  She played in perfection - no wonder she was already Grade 7. 

Once it had ended, I heard the squeak of her sneakers against the wooden floor of the stage. I fell forward, flopping my hands on my knees and opening my eyes.

"Did it sound okay?" asked Alisha, with a flick of her black hair. I nodded and gave a cheesy line; "Enchanting". She grinned and packed away her violin, gathered her sheet music and made her way down the steps. "Whatever.. Let's go.."

I smiled, slipping my backpack on. Just before we exited the hall, we heard a few innocent chords on the piano. I stopped on my heels, eyes widened and goosebumps all over. Alisha was not as entranced as me, but stopped also to listen. It wasn't long before we turned around and peeked from behind the doorway.

There was an anonymous, mysterious boy at the piano.

He played six chords, and then repeated them. Alisha leant in and whispered in my ear: "I think that's Dylan Black from the 10th grade." I hushed her and continued listening to his genius. I stood in awe, gazing at the back of Dylan's head and watched his fingers flow care-free and light-heartedly across the keys.

The music filled my ears, and dazzled my mind. Alisha shadowed my steps towards him. Curse her stupid sneakers. Squeak! And the music stopped. In utter panic, me and Alisha hauled ass.

Alas, I never got to see the face of the pianist.