The Pianist

Chapter Two: Bring Me To Life

TW: biphobia/homophobia mentions

He said he wanted to remain anonymous. I sighed, but it didn't quell my curiosity. I understood why he wanted to, but I really wanted to get to know him. Well, I assumed this person was a boy. I don't really know why. It's probably because I'm bisexy. I hoped they were a boy.

I pocketed the note and left the music room. On the way out, I ran into another boy in my grade, I think his name was Daniel. I looked back at him, but he walked straight inside, like I wasn't even there.

--

I never went home right after school. I always hung out in the music room, playing piano, so I could avoid spending more time at my house. It was where I lived, but it wasn't a home. I didn't have many good memories there...

When the final bell rang and all the senior students poured out of their classrooms, I had to join them. I gathered up my sheet music and left. I made it home just before my dad did. My brother, who was sitting at the kitchen table having a bit of a snack, gave me a small smile, but I headed to my bedroom before my parents could see me. I would've just been ignored anyway. Shutting people out was better than letting them ignore me. It felt like I had a say in it.

It all started when I came out as bisexy. My parents didn't understand and treated me like a disgusting abomination for liking boys. They tried to deny it, but I told them I'd never change, and this was who I was. I knew the only reason they still let me live here is because I don't talk, and they know my chances of getting a boyfriend are impossibly low anyway, so who cares if I'm a major homo? Since they don't have to pretend to be supportive or hear me preach my "gay agenda", they could just pretend it didn't exist.

My relationship with dad was already ruined, but I thought I could I still count on mum, and my brother, but after I came out, I could tell it'd never be the same. My brother didn't treat me badly, but I knew what he thought of me. What mum and dad had told him about me.

I flopped face-first into my bed and just lay there in silence.

--

I awoke to the smell of the American Dream- bacon and eggs. I went downstairs, greeted by my mom, and chowed down while I still had the time. She offered me a Pop-Tart but I said no. I often overslept and didn't have much time before I had to get on the bus. I quickly got dressed. On the bus ride to school, I scrawled down another note for the pianist.

"Hello Pianist, I understand if you want to be anonymous. If you ever change your mind, I wouldn't mind :) I was wondering, do you have the sheet music for Bring Me To Life by Evanescence? It's an emo classic. One day I'd like to play for you :)"

The next day, the sheet music was left atop the piano. At first, I thought someone had just forgotten something, but it was Evanescence, so I knew that the Pianist had gotten my note. I sat down and started playing. I hadn't played for fun in a long time, usually I only played piano to pass my music class.

After a few practices, I heard someone singing the words from outside the door. I looked over, but I couldn't see anyone- The window was too blurry. I stopped playing and want to the door but nobody was there. They must've gotten embarrassed and left.

Later, I returned to leave a note at the piano, but there was already someone inside the music room. It was a boy in my grade, the one I'd bumped into a few days ago, but now I'd confirmed his name was definitely Daniel. He was playing the piano. I wondered if he was the Pianist.

I asked him what song he was playing, but he didn't answer. Instead, he pulled out his phone, typed on it and handed it to me. Kinda rude, but whatever. The screen read "Airplanes by B.O.B ft Hayley Williams". I don't like pop music, so I didn't recognise it. I thanked him and simply left.

--

It had to be him. Phillipe Lester was the one who asked for Bring Me To Life. He's the one who sent me the notes. He was the :) and he'd just left the room.

I sat still for a while as the realisation dawned on me, but I quickly got back to my music. Music was the one thing that calmed me down and helped me feel at peace, even if I was on the verge of a panic attack. I'd just play American Boy as loud as I could and drown out the feelings. Music was better than any drug or party. Even better than havin' a shag. Music was my escape. And right now I was trying to escape my thoughts of Phil Lester. Him sending me notes didn't change anything, he didn't know he was writing to me. He was only being nice because he'd obviously created an idealised person in his head.

People like me don't have friends.