The Chairs Between Us

Memories

My step-dad and mom went out for the night. It really did not matter to me because I never really like being around them. My step-dad always tried to bond with me and mom never talks or even looks at me. My life just feels confusing when they are around.

I walked to the end of the dark hall and stood in front of the door that hasn't been opened in months. 

My brother's room. 

This isn't can't be that bad. It is just a room.

My hand slowly turned the knob. A burst of air brush over my skin as the door opened. The first thing I saw was his piano covered in dust with his violin case sitting next to it. 

When I walked in it felt like I was traveling back in time. 

His shelves were still packed with various things he collected on trips and music competition trophies. All his pictures were stuck on the wall. Everything was in it's place and will always stay there. 

When my brother died my mom closed the door to his room and never went back. 

I sat down at his black baby grand piano. I took my hand wiping some dust away, leaving a shiny black trial. 

The poor thing hasn't been touched in forever. 

An instruments whole purpose is to be played but, the player abandoned it. 

Now it sits here waiting for someone else. 

I lifted the lid revealing the worn keys. He used to play for hours. 

The only thing I know how to play is Clair de Lune and he used to play the low parts for me. 

I pressed down on the keys and began to play. The piano at first was hesitant but, it seemed to remember me and the notes filled the room. They were slightly out of tune but it will never be tuned again.

I saw my brother next to me. He sat smiling then, placed his hands on the keys. He began to play with me. The room began to shine as the piano sang. The song came to an end and my brother slowly disappeared. 

Please, don't leave me. Not again.

Everything thing seemed normal when he was there. Life seemed a little more in tune. Music was always part of us but, when he left, the music left me. 

I wish you could come back to me. Why did you have to leave?

I fell asleep leaning against his piano, until my phone alarm woke me up for the morning.

Do I have to go?

I heard my stepdad yell out to me, "Dominic? Where are you at?"

Ugh, I better get out of here.

I closed the piano lid and then walked out of the room, closing the door quietly.

My stepdad came out of my room, "Ah, there you are. Are you going to get ready for school?"

I nodded.

He gave me an awkward look, like he was unsure what to say. He nodded too and walked down the hall, "Okay then. See you tonight. Have a good day at school."

I went to my room and threw on some clothes off my floor. Grabbing my things, I ran out the door and went to school.

The next day at school blurred passed. 

At lunch I sat by myself as always. My usual spot was under a tree at the far end of the quad, away from everyone. I had plugged into my headphones listening to my collection of various emo music to block out any sounds.

I am probably going to lose my hearing if I keep listening to my music this loud.

Liam spotted me and walked over. 

I pulled out my headphones as he sat down next to me, "Hey Dominic." 

I smirked at him, "Wow, you decided to sit with the loner today. Don't you normally hang out with the popular kids?" 

Ugh, why did I say that? 

He laughed, "I wouldn't call them popular? They like to think they are... You look a little run down today, I thought you want company."

"What makes you say that?"

He smirked, "Well your hair is a mess and your eyes look like you have been crying all night...  Also your clothes are wrinkled. Meaning you got them off the floor."

Dang he is good.

"And? I can look this way if I want to."

He smirked again, "Yes you can... Anyways, I thought you might want a change for practice, considering what happened last night... Instead of doing it here, where do you want to go?"

I looked over at him, "Changing where we practice won't help me and we can't practice at my house." 

He stood up, "Where do you normally practice?" 

I shook my head, "I normally don't practice except at the park." 

He got up and ran off, yelling back at me, "Great see you there after school!" 

"Wh-," I gave up.

Ugh, he doesn't even give me enough time to say something sarcastic.