Chapter five! I finally am past what was written in the old version! I'm glad to say I am happy with the plot so far and feel that the addition of some characters was a good move. Enjoy as I write chapters six and seven. I have no inclination as to how long this story will be. But I think it might be a long one.

I must say that 'vkgoeswild' on youtube is a major inspiration for Allen's playing. Look her up to understand what I hear for his playing.

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Chapter Five :.: Music Theory for Advanced Placement

"L-l-l—l---Lavi! Get off of him!" A frantic woman clawed the larger boy off of Allen, who had fallen to the ground. To his surprise it was Ms. Lotto from earlier, though her hair that was kept in a neat bun was now disheveled, can Allen could swear that she looked a tad more sickly and wishy-washy. She brushed off her skirt after helping Allen up, the bags under her eye showing how exhausting being a teacher for this school really was.

"Now class. . . please, please, please, no more outburst about our new student! I am very sure he's over whelmed enough as it is." She tucked a hair that had fallen from her bun behind her ear.

"Jeez, Miranda. Chill out some. I was only welcoming the kid," the boy now dubbed Lavi claimed.

"Lavi, that was not cool and you know it." The soft voice came from elfin frame making its way towards him and Lavi. "I'm sorry about his misbehaviors. He does that when he gets really excited." The person extended their hand to touch Allen's shoulder. "I'm Lena Lee. As a joke, a lot of people call me Lenalee though." Allen had to think, why was that a joke?

"Neh, neh! What's you name and major?" Lavi bounced out, pointing directly at Allen.

"I'm Allen Walker. . . I suppose I'm a music major. I have this class for all my elective- er, rec classes."

"No shit? You're a keys player, right? Go play, go play now!" Lavi dragged Allen away from Lena to the first piano closest to them, which was a rather grimy one that majority of students used. He lifted the fall and shoved the boy onto the bench. He pointed at the keys demandingly.

"What should I play?"

"Anything!"

Allen's brows creased together delicately. Anything he wanted. There was a vast list of songs that could show his skill. But picking was hard.

'Click'

He had a song now.

His fingers wove over the keys forming a semisad melody. He hummed lyrics in a small accompaniment. It wasn't a terribly advanced song, but it suited his needs to satisfy someone he supposed. 'Darkness' by the American band Disturbed.

It became his favorite song to play after Mana had died. To be honest he never had heard the lyrics to this song, but the melody just spoke to him in ways that the verses probably never could. It always hurt. Playing a song that made him think about Mana. But he liked the pain, it made him feel something.

He played a little louder, feeling embarrassed that he picked this song, and not a more classical piece. But he needed to feel the familiarity of the song. He came to a close and looked at Lavi, expecting to be reprimanded.

"That was good." Lavi had a calculating look on. "A lot of emotion in that, I don't even think I hear that much emotion in the original. I liked that. Lena-chan! What'cha think?"

"He defiantly plays like Daisya. At least skill wise he does." Lena ran a hand through his hair, thinking carefully. "I think he might even play better than him, with a little more practice. There is a lot of potential here."

"He'll do." Allen whirled to see another person joining the critique. He had long black/blue hair and piercing eyes.

Lavi squealed in delight and ran to hug the man. "Oh! Yu! I knew we'd find a replacement!"

"Lala did speak highly of him." Lena confirmed.

"Wait." Allen stared at them all. "Are you guys that band. . . Black Order?" The trio nodded slowly. "I never agreed to an audition, you know."

Lavi stared at him, "Won't ya consider it? I mean, you play real well."

"You should at least think about it. With you we could probably bring back our fan base, maybe do some shows." Lena added softly.

"Kick St. Noah's ass at battle of the bands."

"No." Allen shook his head. "I don't play for fans, or for crowds, or even money."

"Then why even bother playing?" Lavi raised the question, as if those where the only reasons to play.

Allen couldn't answer to that. Had he not just said he had actual emotion in his playing? Didn't he at least see the pain Allen felt in that song?

"Nevermind." Allen shook his head again as he stood. "You clearly don't get it. . ."

Lavi stepped away from 'Yu', "Wait, what's not to get?"

"Signing up for this class might have been a mistake."

Taking brisk, sharp steps, the fair haired lad left the class room, heading for his dorm. He exited quickly and bolted. 'What's not to get?' Feh! That was like a stab to him. He opened the door to his shared room and dove on the only bed that look unused.

"Music isn't just about those things. . . not to me." He grabbed up his suitcase and pulled out the picture of a man dressed as a clown. Allen frowned and traced the clown's makeup. "I'm going to try and keep walking Mana. But it's hard. I don't act the same as when you were here. I feel like I've lost what made me smile. And scars don't help me forget."