Editor Note: Hello! I'm going to be the new beta reader for Hplvr, Saiwaiare. I've finally pestered him into letting me edit! Let us know if there is any mistakes and I'll edit them out, thanks... and I'm no professional, so don't expect perfection. The earlier chapters will be edited soon, also. Enjoy:
Chapter 3
Riku lived with his mother and father. They moved from a large city in a country neighbouring Entiness. They moved to Thamesville due to the harsh conditions of the war, as their city was the base of everything. He clearly stated that all he wanted to do was to live with his friend, since they had plans to move away so Riku could get away from his dreadful parents. They called him a mistake, and that he was never meant to be born. He was an accident, as his mother was impregnated accidently. He was forced to move with his parents because almost as soon as the war started, his friend died. It was quite obvious that my expression showed that I was sympathetic as he let us dive into his long, tragic life, and that was mainly what it was. The other part of me, however, was glad that his friend died, or he would of never made it to Thamesville. I did not voice my opinion however, as I did not want to sound like a selfish, little child, taking his friend's death for granted. I truly did feel sorry for him, though. I wanted to believe that. The argument with myself promptly came to a halt, however, as I had sudden urges to reach out and embrace him, and kiss him, as he was on the brink of tearing up. It was not yet the time for that though, I thought sadly, and the urges faded away with his abstracted voice.
That was all I learned from him that night, but I was determined to learn more. I swore to myself that I was to invade his mind, to find his most secret of secrets before we part in the afterlife. I swore to myself that at one time in my existence, whether it be tomorrow or ten years from now, that I would kiss him, and he would kiss me back, and oh, what a wonderful kiss it will be. I swore to myself that I would do anything in my power to win his love, and to be with him to my dying day. When I die, he will be beside me, holding my bitter hands, crying out for my survival, and we would kiss one last time before my heart ceased to pound. He would be the one to bury my body, letting the tears fall effortlessly from his eyes, and into my grave.
When Riku finally bade goodbye to me when twilight came, he told me he would see me tomorrow. I merely nodded, taking in every word he said like a sponge. With a small hint of sorrow, and an exchange of last minute farewells, he was gone. I quickly went to the window and pulled the curtains out of my way, and watched him walk down the dark street, the moon illustrating him.
My mind was like an ocean. Phrases he spoke flowing through it, entangling themselves with other memories and thoughts, making them whole. Horrible, ill-fated assumptions had a tendency of disrupting these sweet moments, destroying all last shreds of hope, leaving me standing in thick darkness, unable to move or speak. When all hope was lost, I promised myself I would find his cheerful face, beaming down on me.
Recollections of the best night of my life, and thoughts of the proceeding day found me wandering to my awaiting room, lulling me into a delightful, dreamless sleep.
--------------------
I was already madly in love with Sora. I love everything about him. His looks, his charm, and the way he acts around me. I have no doubt in my mind that he also loves me, too, but tomorrow will confirm that suspicion.
Sharps and flats on the music I played did not seem to process as my mind was spinning irresistibly. My fingers pressed so softly on the black and white keys, I was amazed that I was actually making sound. I play better soft than loud, my teacher told me many times. My piano was in an enclosed room, blocked from view and sound as my parents cringed at the mere mention of the piano. Their reputation would stammer if anyone found out I played, they have always told me.
When I lived in the city, I adored the piano, and wanted to learn it terribly. Luckily, my parents had an old, antique piano that previously belonged to my grandmother, who died when I was small. My parents simply refused to believe that I wanted to play, and they had their reputations to consider of course, so they concluded that they were going to throw out the "piece of junk". I pleaded, with every ounce of my strength, cried even. My mother only laughed, saying that I could not learn piano even if I wanted to, and that, even if I were to study piano, she would not help me financially. All of my begging surprisingly prevented my mother from throwing out the ancient piano. The following day, I applied for about three or four jobs, hoping dramatically I would be accepted at a young age. Two days later I did get accepted. and I worked for months and months, saving up my earnings to pay for the ridiculous amount of money it took for my piano to be tuned by the best. I took lessons by a man named Harry Oliver, though he forbade me to call him Harry. So I called him Mr. Oliver, like any student would. I was his only student, apart from his only son, Lucas Oliver. Lucas was the most talented pianist I laid eyes on, and I knew it was love at first sight when I heard him play.
When I first heard him play piano, when I first saw him walking graciously down the staircase to meet me, when I first saw him smile, I fell in love.
He was very first boyfriend.
I remember our first kiss like it was just yesterday, as he was born with the gift to play piano, and to kiss. After that day, my life was simple. Practice piano, to be as good as Lucas, or to be with Lucas, in his arms. From then on, my life was in his hands, as his was mine. Yes, we will be together forever, I thought.
I'm not about to explain what happened after that, as you already know.
Today I was missing several notes and forgetting key signatures and articulation on the notes. Generally, this was because Sora was still fixed into my mind, invading my concentration, but I was also very tired, and I decided to call it day. I exhaustingly exited the piano room, and walked up the stairs, to my room. There I collapsed on my mattress, thinking about tomorrow, and what I was going to play for Sora. I wanted to play something that was immensely emotional, to make him shed one or more tears. One song already came into my mind unhesitatingly. It was the song my boyfriend played for me, when I fell in love.
The raindrop prelude, composed by Chopin, also my favorite piece of music. It is a grade nine song, but when I first heard Lucas play it, I needed to learn it urgently. I loved it so much I learned it while I was in preparation for my grade six examination. Whenever someone played it for me, I can honestly say I cried every time. When I played it, however, it was a completely different story. I could not even begin to explain to you how I feel when I begin the song on that fifth line F, and finishing the song in a D flat major chord, second inversion.
Yes, that was the perfect song for him, I thought, as I slipped into my pajamas, and flicked the light switch so my room was in total darkness. I pulled my cold sheets over me and closed my eyes, falling asleep without further delay.
--------------------
My alarm this morning was the soft rapping on my bedroom door. Before I could respond to the call, Roxas barged into my room, and threw himself on my bed next to me.
"Good morning," was all he said, kissing me on the cheek, "are you going to Riku's today?"
"No, " I said sarcastically, also pecking Roxas on the cheek. He laughed at my sarcasm.
"Your nervous aren't you?" Roxas asked exuberantly.
"Is it that obvious?" I shot back angrily. Roxas took no acknowledgment of my sudden behaviour, and continued to speak in his cheerful mood.
"Aw! Sora, your so easy to read," uttered Roxas, putting an encouraging hand on my shoulder, smirking, "I'm sure everything will go fine. Riku seems like a nice person, and he's probably as nervous as you are right now."
"Maybe," was all I could express at the moment. Indeed I was horribly nervous, my stomach was turning inside out due to the vast amount of butterflies fluttering around, "but what if he doesn't like me like that, and he's just pretending to be over enthusiastic to see me?"
"Sora," began Roxas, his expression suddenly turning serious, "you were not there when I talked to him yesterday, and you didn't see the way his face lit up when I mentioned you."
"But," I retaliated, " things never work out this perfectly, not in the real world."
"If you think about it negatively like that Sora, things won't work out perfectly," Roxas pointed out, as I sunk deeper into my bed sheets, "there's surely no need to make any theories about him now, you've known the guy for a day. Just go there and act like yourself, okay?"
It was a command, typical Roxas, "Yes, dear brother," with a small hint of sarcasm in my voice. Thankfully he did not notice, but he threw my covers off of me energetically anyway.
"That's the Sora I know and love!" he said spiritedly, "now, I have to go to work, or I'll be late. I love you!" he added rapidly, giving me another swift kiss on the cheek.
"And I love you Roxas," said I, as Roxas closed the door behind him. I sat patiently on the edge of my bed, until I heard the engine of the pick up truck spring to life, and eventually fade away with the sounds of the wind, until I could hear it no more.
Throwing on my best pair of jeans, and a dress shirt, I sprang, lively to the bathroom, and took a short, but refreshing shower. The steaming water almost instantly woke me up, and I unexpectedly became excited to see him. His animated face and his rythmical voice, and his smashing looks that could turn any sane man or women crazy, like me.
Breakfast this morning was a piece of toast smothered in butter, since my stomach was already filled to the brim with, as you already know, butterflies. I hastily threw on my shoes as I threw the toast clumsily into my mouth, nearly choking on it. Soon, I was sprinting away from my empty home, progressing instantaneously to Riku's.
The sky overhead was full of black clouds, warning the town beforehand of the upcoming drizzle. It was already beginning to spit as I approached the vicinity of the house, looking as unwelcome as ever. The flowers in what someone could call a garden were slowly withering away. The encircling lawn was dreadfully uncared for, as the grass was extremely long and weeds covered every square inch of it. Most of the paint was peeled off, making it look like a typical haunted house in the imagining eyes of a child.
My heart was in my throat as I stood on the front doorstep, raising my arm to the doorbell cautiously as if it were really a monster in disguise, readying to bite my arm off the moment I got close enough. When the thought crossed my mind, I quickly withdrew my hand, and returned it shaking to my side. Concluding that I didn't know whether or not the doorbell worked, I decided to knock, and so I did.
No one answered my call. Disappointed, I made another attempt, this time knocking so forcefully my knuckles became red. No one answered, and I could hear no one stir on the other side, acknowledging my presence. But I was not about to give up. I would have to trust Riku. But when I lifted my hand to make a last desperate attempt, the door opened. It was not Riku however. It was a women.
--------------------
My alarm this morning was the loud knocking of someone trying drastically to get into my house. Who would want to come to my house, I wondered.
I shot off my bed as the realization flooded through me. Crap! Of all days to sleep in!
Throwing off my night wear psychotically, I quickly replaced them with today's outfit, and dashed to the bathroom. I learned that I was multi-tasked whereas brushing my teeth and ripping through my bush of a hair proved to be a simple task. As I had no time to take the shower I needed, I rushed out of the bathroom, taking one last glance at my feeble attempt to get ready in one minute. I have to say I was mildly impressed with myself. But the happiness quickly subsided when I saw the door already answered, by my mother.
--------------------
"Who are you?" asked the women rudely, who I took as Riku's mother.
"Sora," I said faintly, "is, uh, Riku home?"
She stared down at me malevolently, looking as if she were to choke me any second. She was very tall, like her son, and her hair was blonde in curls. She was wearing the most bizarre assortment of garments I've ever seen, both her pants and shirt varying in shades. She did not vocalize anything after I asked my simple question. I sighed in relief as Riku came into view behind his mother, saving me from uttermost awkwardness.
"Hey Sora," he said excitedly, looking me full in the face and completely ignoring the fact that his mother was present, "come on in, I'll take you to the piano room."
Riku's mother was furious as Riku ushered me into his home. Ignoring her glare, he pointed me to the direction of the piano room, without introductions between me and his mother. I could still feel her sinister glower watch me as we hurried away. I knew already, without a doubt, she despised me, and I despised her back. Anyone who would hate Riku has to have the blackest of hearts, I thought. I quickly shook off the brief visit as we entered the piano room.
The piano was the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. (apart from Riku of course) The room however, was small and much resembled a shack, as broken bits of glass filled the corners and abandoned nails and screwdrivers littered the place. The room was windowless, and no doors led to other rooms, except the one we entered through. The piano, however, seemed to light the place up, making it warm and comforting. It was carefully polished, giving it a shine even in the room, and the bench was tucked neatly underneath it. The white keys were whiter than snow, while the black keys spoke of the blackest night. I stared in bewilderment at the polished piece of art before me, mouth opened. I walked to it calmly, standing alongside it in seconds, and gently caressed it, savouring the moment and etching it roughly into my mind.
Riku made no movement behind me, letting me live the moment and it's significance to my life.
"It's... beautiful," I managed to express.
No response fell from his unmoving lips as he pulled out the bench and seated himself next to me, smiling at me, while I smiled back. I watched in pure astonishment as he stretched his fingers firmly across the keys of the piano. Then, without music, he began to play.
I was promptly thrown into a world of eternal bliss when it began. Both of his hands played harmoniously together, showing his utmost talent.The soft, peaceful melody seemed to attract me to him more and more, and I suddenly had the most powerful urges to reach out and stroke his magnificent, silvery hair. I could not act however, as I was hypnotized from the melody to have any achievement of moving whatsoever. As the song pressed on, it abruptly took a gigantic turn from a heart warming, innocent melody to a suspenseful, breath taking theme. Beginning quiet, but emphasizing each note to their fullest, he slowly increased in volume until it was so loud the piano was vibrating insanely. To my surprise, the floor did not move with the piano. Just before the hard striking of the keys were about to strangle me with their booming notes, the soft melody returned from what I recalled from the initial theme. That's when I cried. It was not due to the themes of the song, it was Riku. The way he performed took my breath away, and I wished more than anything to be in his arms. The urges were stronger than ever, and the temptation he was laying in front of me was too forceful to resist. They, too, began to disperse when the song ended smoothly.
The atmosphere was silent and still as I could not mutter a single word. All that was heard were my isolated sobs as I tried hopelessly to hold them back to save myself from embarrassment.
"Sora, it's okay," murmured Riku, as my head sunk to the ground, "I also cried when I heard this song. It's beautiful isn't it?"
I sniffed, but I nodded flaccidly.
"What's it called?" I mumbled.
"What does it remind you of?" Riku questioned.
I quickly recounted the entire song, as I already committed it to memory. The song started soft and peaceful, then the mood alternated dramatically to a loud, booming melody, but it revisited the primary melody. Riku waited patiently as I tried to find a suitable answer speedily. Then, as if it waited just to mock me, the deafening sounds of thunder made me jump.
Wait... that's it! Thunder!
"A Rainstorm," I replied.
--------------------
"Exactly," I said, impressed, "hence the name 'The Raindrop Prelude', one of Chopin's most famous piece of music. It also happens to be my favorite song."
He nodded in agreement. It really did move him, I thought satisfyingly as Sora continued to weep. I was startled when Sora got the message of the piece in his first effort. (with a little help from the thunder) I knew that he was not applying his focus to the music, but to the way I performed it. I remembered ever so clearly when I first played the prelude to Lucas. He told me he loved the way I played while on the verge of tears, even though he played the song frequently. It was after I finished when we had our first kiss...
"Riku?" asked Sora, startling me as I snapped back to reality.
"Yes?" I said, turning to him. The tears finally came to a halt and he no longer looked to the floor. He opened his mouth to respond, but was hesitant.
"Will you... " he started, falling into silence once again.
"Will I what? There's no need to be shy."
He did not progress however, lowering his head again to avoid my gaze.
"Come on Sora," I pleaded, desperate for him to pronounce those last words, "whatever it is, I'm sure- "
"Will you teach me piano?" he blurted out amongst my chaos. I, however, did not counter his request. Of course, I would give anything in the world to teach him piano. I would love to. But I could not articulate my response. All I could do at the moment was smile, and when Sora subsequently lifted his head, I knew he understood, as a wide smile stretched rapidly across his face.
"Yes," I said, "I would be happy to."
Authors Note - If you want to hear the Raindrop Prelude (which by the way is also my favorite piano song, as I play it all the time) it should be on youtube or something like that. It really is an amazing song. I encourage you to listen to it!