Author's Note: I am sooooo sorry to have kept you all waiting for so long. Things have gotten a little difficult on my end and it took a long while for me to decide what to do with this chapter. I'm still not quite as satisfied with it but I can't think of anything else. I'll probably edit this again later. I am so tired /headdesk. In case anyone was wondering:

physics teacher - America, Alfred Jooonnneeessss
violin teacher - Claude Halter of the New World Symphony Orchestra
clarinet teacher - Timothy Dodge of the New World Symphony Orchestra. I got private lessons with him when I was in high school. He's much younger than what I wrote him as here. His character is a combination of my old college clarinet professor and his namesake. Does that make any sense? I hope so because I haven't had any sleep.

I really love everyone. Truly. I'm beginning to feel more comfortable with this. Hopefully this chapter will still satisfy you all~

Btw, I have a writing livejournal where I'll be posting previews for "Song in D Minor" chapters, fanmixes for the chapters, and other Hetalia drabbles/oneshots. Check my ff profile for the link.

NOTE: I did actually write more dialogue for the scenes with Feliks, Ludwig and Gilbert but ehhhhh. I wasn't happy. They'll have much bigger parts to play later. I just need to get this moving already. -_- sorry guys, I'm just so tired.

EDIT 08/03/2013: GUESS WHAT ELSE HAS BEEN EDITED? Yes, this chapter too.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

It took her twice as long as it usually did to get home that day. Her mind continued analyzing everything that had happened during her encounters with him, trying to make up some logical excuse for his actions and hopelessly failing because not even that worked. Every time she envisioned him, she felt her heart flutter; almost forgetting what time it was beating in at the mere thought of him. She glanced at her phone whenever she was at a red light, fervently hoping it would ring.

He didn't call.

Eliza finally arrived at her apartment and sat there in her parked car, drumming her fingers against the steering wheel. 'Okay, don't freak out Lizzie. He's not calling because he's probably busy. Why would he call so soon anyway? He's just your professor, nothing else.'

A figure had crept close to her side of the car and knocked three times on her window. "Hello, Liz? What are you doing in there? Come on out or I'll drag you out myself!" they said as they peered in at her.

"What, Feliks! Don't scare me like that, jerk!"

Feliks backed away from the car as she crawled out and slammed the door, hinting at her anger.

"Well, what do you expect me to do? I see my friend sitting there in her car like some loser and I've been waiting for you to come home and you like, haven't responded to any of my texts and," he clicked his tongue in annoyance as they climbed the stairs to their apartment on the third floor.

"I'm fine, really. I've just been a little out of it. That's all." Elizaveta smiled at him, hoping that would reassure him a little. She dug around in her purse for the key to the apartment while Feliks stood by with his arms crossed.

"Yeah, well, that wouldn't have anything to do with the new music teacher would it?"

Eliza roughly jammed her key into the lock and swung the door open.

"Ah, so it is about him. You're going to have to tell me about it later, I've got a date with Toris." He brushed past her and headed straight for his room, shutting his door behind him.

Feliks was a close friend of hers. They got along fantastically well and when they were both admitted to the same university, they agreed on sharing an apartment together. She was used to his pushy behavior and although they did get into arguments once in a while (over things like what color the living room should be, whether buying a pony for his friend Toris was a good idea or not, etc), she knew that he cared deeply for her as she did for him.

Eli kicked off her shoes and walked into the living room. She shrugged off her jacket, draped it over a chair and sunk into the couch.

She lay there, listening to her breathing and concentrated on the ceiling. The sound of Feliks humming in the shower and laughing cut through the easy silence of the room. There was that familiar sensation of drifting – as though waves were pushing and dragging her back under the ocean – that she felt whenever she started to truly relax. She found that the pattern of the "waves" seemed calming, almost metronomic.

Music always found a way into her life; it never interfered with her daily activities. Instead, it drifted in, like the perfume of a flower on a spring day, or the notes of a song as it ended. It never forced itself on her. Music was like the embrace of a quiet lover, beckoning her to a world of comfort and understanding.

It wasn't a surprise to Feliks when he stepped out of his room to find her dozing off.

"Silly girl," he scoffed as he ruffled her hair. He got out his bedazzled phone and checked the time. There was a knock on the door, which meant it could only be one person.

Feliks opened the door and crept past Toris outside, closing the door behind him.

Elizaveta slept for about an hour until her phone rang. She groaned, hand searching for her phone until she remembered she left it in her jacket's pocket. Dragging herself off the couch, she trudged to the chair and answered the call.

"What."

"Hey Eli, it's me. Look, I need a ride babe, and Luddy can't do it because he's out with Feli and I'm too cool to be prowling the streets this late at night."

"Gilbert," she sighed, "can't you just call Antonio? Or Francis? I mean that's if they actually exist.."

"Nah, they're out doing other things." His voice seemed slightly softer. "I was out at the park and I'm too lazy to walk back, even though I could if I really wanted–"

"Fine," she cut him off. "Where are you?" She slipped her arms through the sleeves of her jacket and combed her fingers through her hair.

"Um, outside your door."

She hung up on him. Gilbert being outside her door was never a good thing and it was best she got this over with as soon as possible, just in case he called.

Grabbing her purse, she took a deep breath before opening the door to see Gilbert with his hood on, standing before her, looking around nervously.

"Gilbert, what are you doing outside my apartment?" Eliza hissed at him, slamming the door shut.

"Ha, I just thought I'd do you a favor by walking here since it was nearby. Next time I won't be so nice," he laughed.

Eliza grabbed his shirt collar and pushed him against the railing of the stairwell with her body, her hips forcing him slightly over the edge.

"If I find you here again like this, I'll be taking you home in pieces." She jabbed her finger into his chest which made him lean even further back.

"Hey! Alright, alright. Geez, keep your panties on before you end up throwing me off here!" Gilbert grabbed the railing, trying to stabilize himself. "Or maybe, you like this position?" He added slyly, pushing her hips with his.

Elizaveta felt something brush against her thigh which caused her to fling herself off of him.

"NO, GODS WHAT ON EARTH. JUST...ARGH, WE'RE LEAVING." She ran down the stairs, quickly unlocking the car and jumping in.

"Awe, but we were just getting started, Eli." Gilbert whined from the top of the stairs.

"Gilbert, just get in the fucking car already!" She yelled outside her window.

"Fine, fine, whatever." He took his time coming downstairs which only aggravated Eliza even more. When he finally reached the door and climbed in, she was already backing out of her parking spot and driving toward his house.

The lampposts flickered on and off along the sidewalk as she drove past. Her apartment building was fairly close to the campus; about five to seven minutes away. Gilbert, who roomed with Ludwig, lived in another set of apartments that were further away. Still, they were nearby her friend Lili, so Eliza considered paying her a quick visit.

"So, about today…"

"Gilbert, I don't want to talk about it. You embarrassed me in front of my music professor. How could you? You know how much that class means to me." She glanced at him, seeing if her words were having any effect.

He ran a hand through his short, silvery hair.

"Look, it's not like I knew he would be there that early. It's no big deal. If he can't handle me, then he's a pansy! I could kick his sorry ass into next Tuesday!" Gilbert's voice was rough, almost sounding like a garbage-disposal; metallic, thick and shallow at the same time.

It was nothing like Professor Edelstein's.

She bit back the Hungarian obscenities she was tempted to yell at him.

'Just a few more minutes and we'll get there.'

"When's that stupid concert of yours anyway? The one with the tiny-ass group of musicians?"

Elizaveta gritted her teeth. "In September. I know Ludwig is taking Feliciano with him. I would ask for you to go but you'll probably end up drunk and throwing stuff on stage like you did during the last concert."

"Hey, I just gave you guys an awesome finale! Doing it my way is always better because you go out in style." Gilbert leaned back in his seat, looking at the buildings that passed them by outside.

"Whatever," Lizzie muttered. She turned onto his street and pulled up into the driveway.

There was Ludwig, standing outside his door with his cell-phone to his ear. Gilbert's brother was bigger, stronger and healthier looking than he was. Once he saw Eliza's car, he heaved a sigh of relief and immediately headed to the passenger door.

"Gilbert, where were you? I've been trying to call you this whole time. You asked me for a ride and I said I would have no trouble picking you up." Ludwig's clear blue eyes bore into Gilbert's ruby red.

"Wait, you mean he asked you for a ride beforehand?" Eliza cut in.

"Yes, about an hour ago. He called and left me numerous voicemails. I'm sorry for any annoyance he might have caused you, Eliza." Ludwig opened the passenger door and gave Gilbert a pointed stare, indicating that he should get out before Lizzie pummeled him.

"Alright, so thanks for the ride babe! Hey Luddy, is Feli still here? I'm in the mood for some pasta and beer." Gilbert climbed out before Lizzie could attempt to strangle him.

Ludwig gave her an apologetic look and quietly closed her car door, leaving her by herself. He hesitated before knocking on the passenger door window. Eliza lowered it so he could lean in.

"Are you alright, Eliza?"

"Hmm? Oh sure, yeah fine. Why the concern, Lud?"

Ludwig was pensive before offering his response. "You seem to be a bit agitated. I hope there's nothing troubling you."

"Oh! That's very sweet of you but no, I'm fine. It's nothing really." She grinned at him. Ludwig was always a secret softie.

He waved goodbye to her as he headed back inside his place.

"So I guess it's time to go see Lili," she sighed, putting her car in reverse and heading down the street.

Lili was a sweet girl who lived with her friend Vash who acted as more of an older brother figure toward her. She was not yet old enough for college (Lizzie did have some classes with Vash) however, she was Lizzie's best friend. Eliza wasn't sure of how Vash would feel about her stopping by for a quick visit however.

He was very protective of Lili.

Very. Protective.

The moment Eliza's tires touched the gravel of the drive way, Vash was outside, tapping his foot impatiently on the porch.

She turned off her engine and climbed out, eyeing Vash warily.

"You know you're supposed to call before you come over. We've established that rule," he said as Elizaveta approached him.

"Vash, come on. I was just in the area and I thought I could stop by for a bit. Is Lili home?" Lizzie asked, maintaining a safe distance from the blonde who looked somewhat irritated.

"Yeah yeah, hold on. Let me just bring her out." He walked back inside the house in order to retrieve her. Eliza stood there on the porch, trying to focus on anything other than the sound of crickets that filled the night air.

Suddenly, the sound of the prelude from Bach's cello suite No. 1 came from her jacket's pocket. It started off soft, its crescendo setting her on edge as she tried to find her cell.

"Ah, hello?" she asked, wondering who could be on the other line since it was an unknown number.

"Good evening Miss Elizaveta, I hope this is not a bad time," Professor Edelstein replied.

Oh hell. Roderich Edelstein.

"H-hi Professor, actually this is absolutely fine." She did her best to keep her voice even.

Vash emerged from the house with Lili right behind him. Eliza motioned at her phone and mouthed the words, "I'm sorry, this is important" to the two of them.

"Yes, well, I called in order to discuss the times when we would be meeting for our lessons. I hope you have not forgotten."

"No, not at all. I'm free Monday through Thursday. Fridays, I have my clarinet lessons but I am not sure when my violin lessons would be." Lizzie glanced at Lili who smiled sweetly at her.

"There he is, in full view of the neighborhood. Can he at least put on some more clothes or at least draw the blinds?" Vash muttered, looking at the house that was next to them.

That certainly caught Eliza's attention. She crept closer, with her phone pressed close to her ear and peered over Vash's shoulder.

There in the window, in full view of Vash's house at least, was Herr Edelstein. He was leaning over his piano, organizing sheet music as he spoke into his phone.

"Ah, yes. I've already spoken to Halter. Your lessons with him will be on Wednesdays. Are you available on Thursdays at 3?"

She could read his lips as she heard his voice. Eliza really didn't want to be near Lili and Vash at that moment. It made her uncomfortable to be experiencing certain feelings while still being near them.

He placed a hand on the keys of the piano, stroking them as he waited for her reply. She gasped at the image of him caressing her as he did those ivory keys.

"Miss Elizaveta, are you alright?"

She bit back a groan which was still audible to everyone else. Vash glared at her, herding Lili back into the house while trying to hide his own blush. Professor Edelstein's back had stiffened as soon as he heard it.

"Yes, Professor. Thursdays are perfectly fine."

She eyed his form through the window, unaware that she was visible to him if he turned around.

"I look forward to our first lesson, which is next Thursday." His massaged the back of his neck before scribbling a few notes on the manuscript paper that lay before him.

"Yes, I do too. Thank you." Her voice trailed off.

"Good night, Miss Elizaveta." He got up and stretched before heading to the window. Lizzie turned around, hoping he wouldn't recognize her in the dim light of the porch.

'Oh please, don't notice me,' she begged silently.

She had to say something.

Anything.

There was too much silence.

"Good night, Herr Edelstein," the words rushed out of her. She quickly hung up and stood rooted to the spot, slightly trembling with anticipation.

She could feel his gaze on her figure, heating her skin, and making her limbs feel heavy.

And then it was gone.

Nothing.

She dared to check behind her and saw that he had closed the blinds and the lights were turned off in his living room.

'Breathe.'

"Lizzie, I think you have something to tell me," Lili called out to her from the doorway of her house.

She looked up, surprised to see her friend after what felt like an eternity waiting for her professor to turn away.

Eliza's lips curled upward into a smile.

"Actually, I do. Tell Vash to go to bed early, I've got some news for you."