Counting Stars

chapter 7

(Amy POV)

I couldn't believe how beautiful the outside of Justin's cabin was. There were rose bushes on either side of the stairs, and hand made chairs sat around a table on the porch. It was like a dream. The inside was just as beautiful. My favourite part was the fireplace. What shocked me most, however, was not the stone fireplace, or the lovely rose bushes, but the writing desk littered with music, and the piano with open books. Not to mention the guitar.

"Do you play?" I asked when he showed me the room.

"Hmm? Oh, yeah, Mostly the guitar, the piano is my mother's, but I can play a little." He gave me a little smile that warmed my heart. "Do you?"

"I can play the piano, not super well, but I'm decent." I said, "Maybe you could play for me."

"Umm.... ok," He responded. He picked up the guitar and strummed a few chords. He played a song I'd never heard before, but he was so obviously in sync with his music. It was a sweet tune, soft and soulful. It made me think of my home and my Foster Family. I wanted to cry, because he put his whole heart into this one song. When it ended, No one spoke.

It was comfortable, sitting in silence with the last chords ringing in our thoughts. But someone had to speak eventually, and I figured I was the best candidate. " that was amazing," I sighed.

"Really?" he asked, eyes wide behind his dark-rimmed glasses.

"Yeah, it felt...... just wow!" The look on his face was that of pure shock.

"Why are you so surprised?" I asked.

"I just..... I never thought anyone would like it," he chuckled and blushed.

"Justin," I said, "you're are incredibly talented, the world should hear this, what's it called?"

"Counting stars, but it's still missing something." his green eyes met mine.

"What?"

"It was meant to be a duet, but I was too nervous to ask anyone to sing it with me."

"I could do it,"

To be honest, the idea scared me, but I knew that if I could help him get out, he could make a difference. The way I felt in that moment was indescribable. The way he made you feel worth something. Next thing I knew, I was crying. Reality hit me like a thousand pound dictionary to the face. Justin didn't know who I was, and yet I felt this connection to him. But I had been rejoicing when my dad had just died. Yes he was cruel and vindictive, but he was my father. I should feel some sort of remorse.

"Amy?" Justin was immediately in front of me, holding me up. "What's wrong?"

How do you explain to someone you care about that your father died, and you felt free? So instead I just wiped my eyes and blinked back tears. "I'm fine, sorry, I'm not sure what came over me," I said, but I was lying through my teeth.

I sat down on the piano bench, taking deep breaths as I regained my composure.