Willow

3 - Secrets

My eyes popped open and stared at my fingers, the last notes sounding through the air. I blew out a breath before peaking up, noticing the wide eyes and open mouths from those before me. It wasn't new and it wasn't unexpected, and as bratty as this makes me, I just didn't appreciate them.

I get it, I played good. But there are others that play just as well, and deserve so much more than me. My mother takes the money and blows it on the stupidest shit, including vacations she doesn't tell me about, and leaves me all on my own for days at a time.

I peaked over to Ronan, his eyes wide and understanding. It hurt my heart to see that he understood, almost like he understood my sadness and longing for love, for affection, for a fucking normal family. I smiled softly as the teacher began to clap, standing up and making my way back to my seat. Mr. Lovette beamed at me as he stood in the front, his eyes wide and full of amazement.

"That was wonderful Willow! Alright, everyone else, you know what to do." Everyone dispersed into groups with sheet music, walking towards the practice rooms. Mr. Lovette walks up to me with a small folder in his hands, smiling the entire time. "These are several songs, mostly etudes, and I want you to chose one you like and get working on it."

I smiled and nod, taking the folder from him as I shift through them. I've played almost all of them before, my eyes wandering over the notes and the melody starts within my head. I look back up and find Ronan right in front of me, his eyes glancing over me the entire time.

"I remember you now." My entire body locks up, my eyes wide as he continues to talk while I stare at him. "You play professionally, I saw you in concert when I was younger."

I wince internally, rolling my lip through my teeth as I look down. "Please don't tell anyone."

He looks at me bewildered, his eyebrows scrunched over his blue eyes. "Why not? It isn't a big deal – "

"It's a very big deal! People hear the words 'famous' and they come running. They only care about popularity and money, so yes, it is a big fucking deal."

He watched over me, eyeing the way I pretty much just blew up. I shut my eyes and shake my head, turning around and walking to the practice room in the corner. If he tells someone, he tells someone, I just seriously hope he doesn't.

-

The bell rings while I'm in the practice room, just staring at the piano. It was worn down and old, the keys untuned and the casing wooden; but I loved it more than the brand new one I had at home.

The entire top of it has hearts carved into the wood, with people's initials directly in the center of the hearts. I run my fingers along them, tracing the shape of the hearts as I feel my own clench painfully.

I'm pathetic.

I stumble out of my sad darkness and bottle it back up when a knock on my door catches my attention, a smile forcing its way up as I open the door. It falters slightly when I see Ronan, but I make it stay as I hoist my bag up higher and shut the door behind me.