Notes: So this chapter is just the set up for the rest of the story and starts of based around the plot from the anime 'Your lie in April' but diverts pretty quickly.
There are some pretty heavy themes like an abusive mother (Poor Lexa:( ), so warning on that behalf.
This is just the first chapter of what I hope to be one long story and hope you enjoy!

Key after key, note after note; black, white, black, white, the endless pattern. Her curly hair was starting to slip from its tight braids, her brows were furrowed in concentration and sweat beaded her forehead as her fingers flew across the piano keys.

Perfection, always perfection.

Lights beamed onto her, creating the spotlight she was all too used to, the hushed audience making a tense atmosphere…waiting for just one impossible error, an error that could never come to be.

Play with your head, not your heart.

The mantra was ingrained into her mind, an anchor to earth as Mozart sung from her piano.

Lexa breathed in practiced rhythms as she felt the music flow through her and out her fingertips like a current of electricity, yet her mind remained calm and devoid of thoughts and emotions.

Emotions make you weak; love is weakness.

The last segment ended in a flurry, the technique and timing impeccable. They didn't call her the human metronome for nothing. Endless hours spent working the score into her brain made it possible for her to picture it with an effortless ease foreign to most, even her heart seemed to beat in time with the counts.

As the last note lingered in the air Lexa closed her eyes and savored the moment, her favorite moment, where she could almost pretend she was doing this for herself, in her bedroom with just the audience of her cat. There was no pressure, expectations or judging. Just music and herself.

But the moment never lasted.

Her stoic mask firmly in place, she stood. Back straight and chin raised proudly, she pivoted to face the masses, awaiting her judgment for a few terse seconds.

Soon enough the roar of clapping filled the room breaking through the shock filled silence, a thundering noise, yet it fell muffled onto Lexa's ears as she was far too busy concentrating on matching the merciless stares belonging to the front row sitters- the judges.

The rest of the crowd was shrouded in shadows making only silhouettes available to see, but these few faces were clear as the first time she stood in front of them at only 6 years old, 10 years ago.

The furthest on the left is Dante Wallace, his eyes squinting from too much use yet they still held their familiar kindness and serenity, as well as the look of disappointment Lexa long associated with him; to play with perfect precision but no emotion guaranteed a win but it was not a crowd pleaser. With his old leathery skin he was easily the oldest in the room and iit could also be said he was the wisest.

Sat next to him was Lorelei Tsing, her face almost as stoic as Lexa's, although a small satisfied smile slipped through the mask, causing Lexa to feel a small piece of pride to creep its way into her otherwise emotionless façade, as she happened to be the teacher of her rival Cage. She was a notoriously vicious judge so even that slight show of expression was a rare sight.

Thelonius Jaha held his usual superior expression, his smooth ebony skin gleaming under a layer of sweat, his hands were wringing together with the same sense of glee he always had once Lexa finished playing.

You would have thought he taught me himself with the look of pride that's on his face. She looked at him with a sense of contempt. He couldn't hold a professional expression, despite being sat next to two of the best pianist's in the country.

At the far right of the table sat the youngest judge at 34, Marcus Kane. Lexa hadn't played before him before, as he was a last second substitution, but she had followed his work as he was admittedly a very talented player even if his methods were less technical than she preferred. Last she heard he stopped his career in favor of teaching music at some kind of boarding school, what a waste.

He was slouching as if he was bored and his head was cocked sideways like if he was in deep thought, but Lexa didn't expect to get his approval anyway. It was common knowledge that he preferred music played through emotions and that were played to tell a story; although Dante felt the same way he could look past it in favor of the flawless performance.

Eventually the applause began to quiet and murmuring begun in the wonderstruck audience; Her cue to leave.

Lexa gave a rigid bow before walking off the stage. Her footsteps echoed loudly in her ears, the hollow sound matching how she felt. Empty.

Little did she know that would soon change.

Lexa walked into the empty locker room and sat on a bench with a heavy sigh. The notes were getting harder and harder to hear, it was as if a heavy fog descended over her, suffocating and blocking her ears from the sound emitting from the instrument below her.

It got worse the longer she played, eventually playing on muscle memory alone. It was a horrible feeling, to just hear the thud of the keys pressing down and not the music she used to love so much.

Shaking her head from thoughts she usually tried so desperately to avoid, she stripped and changed from her ankle length, purple dress to her much preferred black tank top joined with an open checkered shirt and jeans ripped from over wear.

She re-tied her braids, making them neat and smooth again before walking out into the lobby. She had been the last act so crowds of nervous and chattering pianists were hanging around with their family and friends, eagerly or trepidly awaiting the results soon to be released.

Loneliness threatened to descend on her again, so she picked up her confident stride and walked through the shows of familiarity and love which she tuned out and pointedly ignored.

Gazes fell upon her in a bouquet of emotions; awe, jealousy, hatred, and confusion. The latter was belonging to people who hadn't played against her before and didn't know why she was walking out of the building without seeing the scores which most eagerly waited for and annoyance belonged to players who were familiar with her rightful arrogance.

The answer was simple.

A cold half smile crept onto Lexa's face, she always came in first.

Anya was waiting for Lexa at home as she always did, taking her job as guardian more seriously than Lexa had expected. There was only a 3 year gap between them, Anya taking the title of older sister though she had always been more like a best friend, at least until their mother had died last year and a rift had started to grow between the pair.

''How was it?'' Anya needlessly asked from her perched seat on a sofa armrest.

''Fine.'' Was the only verbal reply, but Lexa's slightly downturned lips and creased forehead were all the tail tell signs Anya needed.

''Hmm. It's getting worse then?''

Lexa sighed and considered not replying until she looked at the deep concerned rooted in Anya's expression.

''I just…it feels like my music is fading and eventually I won't be able to hear it at all.''

Anya smiled sadly and looked at her with the mix of sympathy and pity Lexa hated so much.

''I might have something to fix that.''

Well that was unexpected. Lexa looked at her quizzically and an uneasy feeling started to grow in the pit of her stomach. Anya continued and held up an object she hadn't noticed before, a letter.

''You've been accepted to 'Arkadia School of Exceptional Abilities.' It's a very prestigious boarding school for students with high musical talent. You usually have to have an audition, but apparently they've already seen you play.''

Lexa stared at her in shock. How could I have been accepted to something I didn't even apply for. As if reading her mind Anya spoke again, taking in the look of growing anger on Lexa's face cautiously.

''I may have sent of an application for you, because I'll be going to Uni next year but I can't leave you on your own so a boarding school is exactly what we need and this one seems especially perfect for you. Besides I spoke to the headmaster Jake Griffin and he seemed ecstatic to have you, even if the school year has already started. You'll be in great hands.''

''And you just decided this for me? I already have a school Anya! I can look after myself just fine, but thanks for the concern.'' She couldn't contain the rage still steadily rising inside of her and knew she had to get away from her sister before she said something she regretted.

More things being taken from my control.

''I'm sorry Lex. But it's just the way it is. I think it will be good for you, maybe help pull you out of this fucking fortress you've built around yourself.''

Lexa closed her eyes, trying to hold back the thoughts threatening to drown her. I wasn't good enough for mum and now I'm not good enough for you. A sense of defeat filled her, her shoulders dropped, hands unclenched and a heavy sigh escaped her lips.

''Lexa…'' Anya trailed off, unable to find the words that would console her and instead lent forwards to place the letter in her hands.

''Just give it a chance please.''

Notes:

Let me know what you think:).