Second Bite of the Apple

Chapter 3: Lost in Music

Chapter 3: Lost in Music

I made my way to the room at the end of the corridor where I knew I was least likely to be disturbed and discarded my bag and jacket in the corner. My fingers were restless and my heart was pounding. It was almost as though my body could sense what I was about to do.

I made myself take a few steadying breaths before I took my place on the piano stool. I knew playing when I was worked up never ended well. With my eyes closed, I brushed my fingertips over the ivory keys and a tingle ran through my body.

Slowly I began to play. The keys giving way to my experienced touch and the tension I had previously felt ebbing away. Everything just seemed to melt from around me. Space and time ceased to exist. When I play, nothing else matters. I don't have to be anyone. It's almost like I give myself to the music until there's nothing left in me. It's the only way I can clear my head.

I moved seamlessly from one piece to the next, altering the tempo and modality in keeping with how I felt internally. My hands were subliminally flowing through Debussy's 'Clair de Lune' when a crashing in the corridor outside brought me out of my reverie.

Urghh. People are so inconsiderate! I stood up, thrusting the piano stool backwards in the process and wrenched the door open. I was just about to impose my Head Girl status on what I was sure was some naive first years, but when I looked into the corridor it was empty apart from a petite mousy haired woman. She was on her hands and knees scrambling to pick up a pile of worksheets and a few small percussion instruments (which were clearly the source of the loud crash I'd heard).

Being Head Girl, I knew I was expected to make a good impression so I rushed forward falling to my knees beside the pile of papers.

"Are you okay, Miss...?" I trailed off.

"Foster", finished the stranger, looking up and meeting my gaze.

My breath caught in my throat momentarily as I found myself staring into the most beautiful laurel green eyes. She smiled.

"I'm sorry, I'm such a clutz", she muttered apologetically, breaking the moment.

"No worries, we've all been there", I replied knowingly.

I reached out to pick up the last few sheets from the floor, just as Miss Foster did the same. Her hand brushed softly against my skin and once more, everything around me seemed to fall away. I'd never felt anything like that before. It wasn't just a spark, it was like electricity.

Papers sorted, she looked up, her green eyes fixating upon my own. I realised I was staring and quickly stood up, turning back towards the door of my practice room.

"Sorry, gotta go. Umm - class, I - I have a class." Coherent sentences got the better of me as thoughts quickly flooded through my mind.

"Thank you..."

Then the door swung shut behind me and silence fell.

I slumped against the wall, face first, forehead pressed against my hands. My heart was racing and my breathing was erratic. I could feel the blood coursing through the veins in my hands and wrists. I could feel tears rising in my throat. I held my breath for a few moments until my heart rate slowed and I'd regained a little composure. Then as all the fire left me, I slunk down against the wall until my ass met with the rough carpet. I pulled my knees in tight to my chest and took a few more steadying breaths, eyes closed, praying that I could hold it together. Not that I had much choice.

I'm the girl that holds it together. I'm the girl that isn't phased. I'm the girl who keeps going even when the world is crumbling from beneath her feet. That's the girl I'm supposed to be. I am NOT the girl who goes to pieces over... a moment!