After the Storm

Chapter 17: Crumbling

**Luke Peters**

Watching Mirror talk to her dad on the phone and something she says slaps me in my face. Ms. Alicia Stone is her mother. I don't know why I didn't recognize it the first time, they looked exactly the same. Well her mother was much older and a little taller but besides that they could be sister's.

From what I remember, Mirror hasn't seen her mother since she was 12 so she would remember what she looks like.

Mirror asked me to leave her so she could think for sometime alone, which brings me to where I am now, alone in my room also thinking of how I could help. Then it hits me. Racing out my door, I run down the halls until I reach my class room where Alicia is practicing on the piano. Hearing her play is just like watching a reflection of Mirror, but still not everything about them are the same. Alicia's posture is more elegant, her left hand moves faster than her right unlike Mirror's.

"You know instead of standing there your more than welcome to come in." I signed, walking up to sit on the desk closest to the piano.

"Did you know?" She stopped playing and dropped her head onto her hands.

"I knew once I seen her at the piano but not before that. I had no idea she was here. I've came here for a few years and haven't noticed her."

"She just came here about a month ago transferring from Seattle."

"What happened for her to get transferred?" She continued to play softly.

"Um...I think you should ask her that. So no now that you know she's here what are you going to do?"

She stops playing and faces me. "Why do you care?"

"Well because first of all she's my student and I care for all my students and --,"

I was cut off before I could think of another reason that doesn't reveal too much.

"You guys are dating aren't you?" She smirks which only reminds me of Mirror even more.

"Why would you say that?" I was slightly, no I was definitely uncomfortable.

"I know love when I see it ...trust me. Dont worry i won't say anything unless you hurt my daughter. Anyway where is Mirror ?"

Love.... was it that obvious that I loved Mirror? Its only been few weeks and I know she is the one I want to spend they rest of my life with.

"She wants to be alone right now."

I wasnt sure if I should tell her or not... Definitely Not!

"I take that as in she doesn't want to see me," she may be hurt at the moment but none of her pain could mask Mirror's.

"Whether she wants to see me or not, she needs to understand something's about my sudden departure."

Somewhere in the conversation she made her way towards the door.

"I don't think that's a good idea at the moment."

"And why not?"

I signed, breathed in and out, not wanting to answer but I did." She called her father and he's on his way here."

****Mirror Rose****

It feels like my heart was fixed but showing the cracks that healed and now it shattered into a million pieces... once again!

Over the years I hoped that she would come back, that we could start out as a family again. Then most times I wished she would have been dead so I wouldn't have to worry about knowing the real reason why she left in the first place. Then again, I felt that if I ever came face to face with her, I would confront her and release the anger and pain that she caused.