Let's get out of this town baby we're on fire.
Ben touched the keys tenderly, closing his eyes as he pressed down on each one. He had practiced the musical score all day long. He had composed it quick enough, now he had to feel it. The melody played in his ears, soothing and gentle.
Life was always simple when he played the piano. It gave him confidence that faded as soon as he left the black and white keys. He wished he could hear Rey sing along with the notes he was playing. He could only imagine how wonderful that would be.
He loved the stillness in the auditorium. It was an enormous room, and the notes he played filled the entire atmosphere. So much so, that he felt like he was surrounded by the music. It was as if the notes tattooed themselves on his skin, marking him in a thrilling way.
It was one of her favorite songs from the movie. It was passionate and pleading. He could understand the appeal now. It was something he would have never seen if it wasn't for her.
He could see her playing Christine on stage, singing with emotion and longing. For a brief moment, he saw himself in an orchestra, playing piano along with her. The dream crushed a part of him, knowing it could never be a reality. She will go on to do great things, while he will be a music teacher.
He was picking her up later on, after she got out of school. She was late and had to stay in detention again. He smiled at the thought of her sitting in the library alone, reading books as happy as ever. His mother was probably in her glory, thinking of ways to make them be together.
He offered to pick her up and take her for coffee. He wanted to show her what he was playing. More importantly, he wanted her to sing for him. When the song ended, he looked at his watch. He would arrive a little early for good faith. He did not want to miss her.
Sitting outside her school, he saw kids standing around and talking. It must be a high school thing, because people practically run out of classes at college. Anything to get home and out of school. High school kids do anything to hang around each other. At least, most of them do. He was never like that.
When he saw her walk outside, his entire body shook to life. She was so beautiful, it surprised him every time. Her short brunette hair was curled slightly. She had a strong brow and serious eyes. She was looking for him.
He got out of his car and stood, waving his hand. She smiled when she saw him and ran towards him. It was a wonderful thing and he wished he could just kiss her. He swallowed the feeling away and walked to open her door.
"Hey," she greeted.
"Good to see you," Ben replied.
She thanked him for opening her door and ducked inside. When he got in, the smell of her freshly washed hair was intoxicating. He fought the urge to reach and touch a strand of it. He started his car and sped away from the school, driving towards downtown.
"How was detention?" he asked with a smirk.
She sighed, "Well, Mr. Rory has a personal vendetta against me, but it was alright. He wouldn't let me go to the library, so that was dumb. Thankfully, I brought a book with me so I could still read."
"What book?"
"Les Miserables. I'm trying to get through it still. There are some beautiful lines in it, but I'm still reading from the priests viewpoint. It's interesting, though."
"You'll have to let me borrow it when you finish."
She grinned, seeming happy at his statement. "Will do."
"So, is there any place you are particular to? I'm pretty hungry."
She thought for a moment. "I can go for a burger."
"I know the perfect place."
They never road in silence, it seemed. She asked him what he did before he picked her up, how his mother was, how his school was. He asked her how her audition was going and she told him it was in a month.
"I'm scared out of my wits. The closer it comes, the more my anxiety builds," she confessed.
"You'll be brilliant," he reassured, "you can always practice with me."
She rolled her eyes but smiled anyway. "So tell me how your music is going? Are you going to try to get into an orchestra or a band?"
Ben hid the tinge of sadness he felt. "Well, my father doesn't think it would be a sensible career. It makes sense, there are many good piano players already. I'm nothing special. So I'm going to try and be a music teacher."
Rey's eyebrows pulled together in confusion. "I have listened to a lot of people play piano, but nothing was like when I listened to you."
He blushed and didn't know what to say.
"Of course you are special. Anyone who can evoke emotion in people are special, it's as simple as that. I think the world would suffer from not having your talent in it."
"I don't think so. I think it's just a hobby for me."
She crossed her arms in defiance. "How do you feel when you play?"
He thought of how to put it into words. No one ever asked him that question before. "I feel... complete, I guess. Things are simple and easy."
"That means it is more than just a hobby or pipe dream. I firmly believe there are some things people were destined for. I think your destiny is sitting behind that piano and playing," she said firmly. "And I only heard you play once!"
He shook his head. "You're making me blush."
She chuckled, flashing her white teeth. "Well I apologize for that."
They arrived at the Burger Shack, a small hole in the wall Ben discovered one afternoon. Their burgers were greasy but the french fries were legendary. As they walked inside, he glanced at her quickly. She was so small next to him, but he liked walking with her.
When they got inside, Ben asked her if she could find a table. She told him what she wanted and tried to hand him a ten dollar bill. He made a face and refused to take it. She pouted but went to find a table. He ordered the burgers with fries and waited until the order was done.
The place was packed as usual, but when he peeked around the corner he saw she grabbed a table in the back. When the order was up, he grabbed it and walked towards her. She took her burger and devoured it, savoring each bite. He watched with amusement.
"These french fries!" she exclaimed, "They are amazing!"
"I know, right?" he laughed, "I found it one afternoon while searching for my mother's pharmacy. I come here a lot."
She moaned, taking another bite of her burger. Ben blushed and cleared his throat, averting his eyes.
"I have something I want to show you, after," Ben stated.
She narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "What?"
"You have to wait to find out."
"How cruel!" she teased, "You have to tell me!"
He shook his head defiantly. "Not a chance. Enjoy your burger."
She rolled her eyes with a smirk and took another bite of her burger. He noticed a spot of ketchup on the corner of her mouth. Without thinking, he reached his hand over and wiped it with his thumb. She stopped eating when his skin touched hers. Like before, his skin grew hot and tingly. He wished he could hold her face in both his hands, feeling the warmth of her blush. He let his finger remain next to her lip for a moment and then, coming back to reality, dropped it with a blush. She averted her eyes with a smile and took another bite of her burger.
He was impressed when she finished every bite of her meal. He did too, of course. She sat back in the chair in defeat, her hand resting on her stomach.
She cleared her throat. "So if you could do anything with your music, what would it be?"
"Hm," he thought for a moment. "I would love to be in a orchestra, for musical scores or movie scores. I always wanted to compose my own music, too."
Her smile was enormous. "That's beautiful. I think you should do it anyway."
"You don't know my father, " he rolled his eyes. "He can be intense."
"What about your mother?"
"She always supported me. She's the one who insisted I get lessons. For some reason she doesn't want me letting go of my music. She brings it up almost every time she see's me."
She tapped her chin. "That's interesting. You should ask her about it."
"Yeah, maybe I will," he grinned. "Ready to go?"
"Can I finally see what you want to show me?"
"Yes you can."
"Then what are we waiting for?" she cheered, standing from the table.
When they arrived at the college, she turned to him with an amusing sparkle in her eyes. She didn't say a word as they both walked inside. He was sure a part of her was thinking he would play for her. What she didn't know is that he would insist that she sings along. The very thought thrilled him to his fingertips.
Once inside the auditorium, he walked her onto the stage. He ran backstage and wheeled out the piano. Once it was center stage, he pulled up a nearby bench.
"Are you going to play?" She was ecstatic, jumping in her place.
He nodded but smiled deviously. "On one condition."
She dropped her hands in realization of what he might say.
"You have to sing along."
"What if I don't know the song?" she asked, in a foolish attempt to escape her fate.
"Oh no, you know this one."
She began to bit her fingers. "I can't!"
He made a face. "How can you perform in front of strangers if you can't perform in front of me?"
"It's different with strangers."
"That doesn't make any sense."
She sighed in defeat. "Okay, okay. I'll do it but I can't face you. And don't be surprised, I am not that great. I haven't even gotten training. I just sing in my room."
"Are you ready?" he asked, his fingers aching to press down on the keys.
She took a deep breath and nodded with her eyes closed. She walked beside the piano, facing the empty audience and tied her hands behind her back. He could tell her was very nervous, but began to play anyway. Once the notes hit her ears, she turned around to him with a big smile. She couldn't believe what he was playing and watched with wide eyes.
"You're incredible!" she yelled over the melody, "Did you love the movie, then?"
He nodded. "I loved it."
She clasped her hands together as if overcome with great emotion. He couldn't stop smiling as he played the melody. As her cue came up, he eyed her. She took a deep breath, turned back towards the empty seats and opened her mouth to sing.
"Think of me, think of me fondly when we've said goodbye," she sang.
Ben's mouth hung open as Rey continued to sing. He was thankful she wasn't facing him so she didn't see the goofy look on his face. She was greater than even he expected. She sang with the same innocence as Christine, her emotions showing clearly.
"Remember me, once in a while. Please, promise me you'll try. When you find that once again you long, to take your heart back and be free. If you ever find a moment, spare a thought for me."
He couldn't stop staring at her. She was magnificent and stayed on time for each note he played. He had never played along with someone singing, never knew what that felt like. The pianist and singer have to have some sort of connection or understanding. They have to know each other and walk down the same path of rhythm. Though they only knew each other for a short time, he seemed to know her thoroughly.
The two played together and it was as if magic was born. Ben could see real sparks and electricity bouncing between them. He wondered if she felt it too.
"Recall those days, look back on all those times. Think of the tings we'll never do, there will never a day when I won't think of you."
She turned, listening to him play the melody of Raoul's part. Ben couldn't sing to save his life and didn't even attempt it. But he focused on the keys and played it the best he could. He connected eyes with Rey and she seemed like she was about to cry. Whether that was a good thing or not, he didn't know.
"We never said, 'our love was evergreen' or 'as unchanging as the sea'. But please promise that sometimes you will think..."
He watched in amazement as she mimicked Emmy Rossum perfectly, hitching her voice to match each note.
"...of me!" she sang, her voice echoing in the auditorium.
Ben played out the last notes and they both stood frozen, staring at each other. Rey started laughing as tears fell down her face. Ben stood, laughing too, and couldn't stop himself from wrapping her in his arms. Her face buried in his chest and he held her tightly. He had never felt so connection to another human being, never so moved.
He was completely taken with her.
When he pulled back but still kept his arms around her. She frantically wiped her tears and he helped, wiping her cheeks softly.
"You are brilliant," he whispered, looking directly in her eyes.
"Really?" she asked, tears still falling from the rich russet color.
He nodded and couldn't help but look down at her lips. "You are going to make history."
She smiled through her tears and he wiped them again. "The way you play... Ben... it's..."
"I'm a fools monkey compared to you. You have to audition for your high school play, to hell with anxiety. You have to pursue this. It is meant for you."
She hugged him again, wrapping her arms around his torso. His heart was beating so hard, he was sure she could feel it. She was warm, heating his entire body. He wanted to kiss her, he felt it in his bones. She pulled away and looked up at him, as if sensing his thoughts.
He placed both of his hands on her cheeks, his long fingers lacing in her hair. He was looking at her intensely, his breathing uneven. He swallowed hard. "Can I kiss you?"
Her eyes softened and she looked down at his lips, as if in defeat. She nodded, parting her lips slightly.
His heart jumped for joy and in a gentle movement, he placed his lips on hers.
OH SNAP! I've been wanting them to kiss for so long you have no idea. I honestly, could not wait any longer.
Comment your thoughts and feels pahleeaaaseee!
-O