How You Play It
"What has keys but can't listen to the beauty it unlocks? A piano."
-Jarod Kintz
Playing the piano was so ordinary. The world needed more diversity, like Didgeridoo players. So naturally she said no when her parents signed her up for lessons. And of course, an argument followed after. What she didn't expect was her grandma to side with the enemy.
"Et tu, grandma?" Sam looked shocked as her granny rolled over to her parents side. Her parents shared the same expression.
"Sorry sugar. Think of it as a compromise." The last word was shot at the other two adults, and it sure as heck wiped the smile off their faces. Sam smirked. Oh, how she loved that woman. "They support the choices you make in life and in turn, you agree to take piano lessons."
"...fine." Her mom huffed in relief.
"Really Sammykins, you act like this is going to kill you." Sam rolled her eyes.
"You have no idea."
Playing the piano was hard. The black keys only got in the way as she fumbled down the scales, bashing the notes in clanking monotones. She gashed her teeth at another mocking note, but felt slightly better when her mother cringed and dropped the pink vase on the floor. Her mother straightened up after seeing her smile.
"If you keep it up Sammy, you will do terrible at recital. And if you do terrible at recital, more piano lessons for you." Her mother frowned, wondering how much more their ears could take it, and Sam prayed that she changed her mind. But then that stubborn glint returned to her eyes, and she went to find a maid.
Years after much practice, Sam still hated playing the piano. She hated those black and white keys. But she continued to play.
"Why do you keep doing it if you hate it so much?"
Sam shrugged, not even missing a beat from Danny's question. He was like usual lying on top of the piano, feet swinging in time with the melody. Some days he would sit next to her and try to play along. Usually they would both cringe and laugh at his awful playing and she would teach him the basics, guiding his stumbling hands while ignoring her heart's fluttering at each touch. Right now she could feel him staring as she played. Feel his warm breath humming the song from time to time. And if she looked up, she would probably see his arctic eyes melting into hers. His raven hair would be haloed in the stage lights and his baggy T-shirt would be leaning forward, revealing a nicely toned chest...
The melody hitched a sour note, and Sam paused to hide the heat rushing to her face. She swallowed it down and put away the sheet music.
"Let's go downstairs. Tuck should be coming over soon."
Danny nodded and jumped off the piano, landing without a sound. He smiled and opened the door, doing an exaggerated arm sweep in a teasing manner.
"Madam, you never properly answered my question."
She scoffed and half heartedly grumbled something about her parents, but the real reason stayed deep in her heart. Because she could be by him without being in a life and death situation. Because she could spend time with him and him alone. Because she loved him.
So Sam continued to play.
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