"Hey, Mallory! Tea!"

I hurried over to the twins, and gave them a tray with a teapot, cups, and a small bowl with sugar cubes. They gave me a lousy thanks, and then I grabbed a cleaning spray and wash cloths to wash off some of the empty tables. It was getting late, and most of the guests were getting ready to leave.

Once I got all the currently empty tables wiped down, I went to the back and grabbed a broom to sweep the floor.

"Mallory! A group has come in!"

Who in the world would come here at six?

"Yes, Senpai!"

I stopped what I was doing, and ran to the back to grab a tray with tea and a second with sweets. I found the table with the group, and a Tamaki was there to host.

I set down the trays on the table, and stood up straight. One of the girls that came in had a mischievous look in her eye, one like that of a snake.

"Your doing quite well, Mallory. This will be all for tonight. You may play the piano now."

Yes!

I bowed to him, and said, "Yes, Senpai. Thank you."

I quickly grabbed my binder off a nearby table, and hopped onto the bench.

What should I play first?

I flipped through the sheet music, and found my favorite song, Canon in G minor. I placed my fingers on jet black and pearly white keys, and tapped a tempo with my foot. My other foot rested on the damper pedal, prepared for use.

Then, I started to play.

It was slow and quiet at first, but as it reached the climax, it got louder. All the sound from before began to repeat and build up into one grand, beautiful sound. I pushed the damper pedal to blend the sounds together, transforming the song into a melody of harmony. No wonder this pedal had the alias of "Soul of the Piano", it made every song more beautiful and into something no composer could just simply write on a whim.

This might also be why this is Her favorite song as well...

"Hey, maid."

I froze from the disturbance, and took my hands off the keys and my foot off the pedal. The person who disturbed me was not anyone from the host club, it was unfortunately the girl from earlier. She had brown hair and eyes, but her smirk was what caught my eye. Something about her was very familiar...

"Are you that new student I've heard so much about? Mallory Noir?"

I nodded.

She suddenly burst out laughing.

"Oh my god! I never thought that out of all people, you would enroll in Ouran!"

She is familiar, I know that I've seen her somewhere. But where? At what point in my life did I meet her?

"Um, could you tell me your name?" I asked, my tone lowering out of suspicion.

She cleared her throat, and said theatrically, "I'm Princess Seika Ayanokoji."

Ayanokoji? The royal family?! Then that means...

"You look just like your mother. I wouldn't doubt you will die as pathetically as she did, it was quite hilarious to me. I could barely stop myself from laughing!" She exclaimed, her voice reaching higher pitches as her little speech reached it's climax.

She was there. That night.

I stood off the bench and faced her, enraged with the way she spoke of my mother.

"I don't care if you make fun of me, but don't diss my mother! She was a great woman, and I live every day just because of her!"

Her smirk widened, and she snapped back, "Hm, like what? Teaching you to play the piano? What a lame excuse. She thought that the piano was the best thing in the world, but that was where she lay to rest. Seriously, just do me a favor and die already, your so pathetic."

She walked out into the hallway, laughing quietly along the way. I had nothing to say as a comeback.

Out of the corner of my eye, I could see a sillouette. It came closer, it's pitch-black eyes staring directly into mine. It's mouth was hanging open, nothing but silence ripping from it's throat. But the unmistakable blonde hair and thin frame kept me still.

Mom...

I--I

The sound of notes being plucked echoed in my brain. A silent crowd watched in awe, and I sat at a balcony in the auditorium as she played beautifully. My eyes were locked on her fingers, which danced along the piano gracefully and swiftly. Her own eyes were closed, immersed in a world of her own with the instrument.

Then, all the sound combined together into a sound that struck me like thunder.

A scream escaped my throat as a thin body lay on the notes, her hands frozen. The audience exclaimed in fright at the sight of the corpse.

I couldn't do anything except watch as the peremedics carried her away in a large black bag.

I--I

"Ugh... Dammit..."

I wiped away the tears that spilled on my cheeks, and I immediately grabbed my binder, other uniform, and key to my dorm. I didn't want the club to see me like this. Never.

I am pathetic.

The hallways were empty, so all I could hear was my beating heart and footsteps. The lights were dim, and the windows allowed the light of the stars and moon to shine through the glass.

I don't have any reason to keep living on.

I turned the corner, and looked for my dorm number. Droplets were dripping off my chin as I searched desperately. I halted when I found my dorm, and tried to jam the key into the lock.

Why do I even try? It's not like anyone will admire me for who I am at all.

I opened the door, and slammed it shut. I quickly locked it, and crumpled onto the floor, covered my face with my hands, as I wailed.

I'm just like my mom. Pathetic, weak. A disease.

SAD. Social Anxiety Disorder.

It was a diagnosis that I was given ever since I was young. It was three words that stitched themselves into my brain, and something that He found shameful and disgusting.

That's why I've been wanting to kill myself for so long. I was told by Him that I was worthless, pathetic, and that the piano was something forbidden to be played. He had tried to get that skill beaten out of me, but that ability was the only thing that made me who I was. Without the piano, I was nothing.

"You worthless piece of shit! I told you to not play it!"

"Stop it! It hurts!!"

I held my arms over my face to block the wooden bat as it hammered my arms, scratching and bruising them.

"I won't stop beating you until you stop playing that stupid instrument! I'll beat you to death if I have to!"

"Aah!!!"

Excruciating pain radiated on my back as blood splattered on the floor, tinting the musty carpet red.

A dusty piano rested beside me, the worn wood covered in dust. It's use was no longer needed from anyone except me. It was a part of me.