House entered the store during lunch hour, to his surprise he didn't see the old man anywhere. Usually the old man would do something nearby during his date with the piano. He shrugged and took a seat at the piano. He began playing, a sorrowful melody, reminiscence of what he had loss, his darkest and lowest point of his life. Then the melody changed to a sweet, cheery and calming. He thought about all the things that he had been through, his survival in detoxing for a second time-gosh that was not pretty at all, his pain that has reduced significantly and most of all his last moments with Wilson before his death.
He never admitted it, but the chance to stood by Wilson, to be there for him when he needed him the most has made him feel worthy. He needed to do that. While playing, he can feel eyes staring at him, he smiled. Enjoying the last moment as his fingers glided along the keys.
And he did it again. He spoke the first thing that crossed his mind. Why he always do that he didn't know but as he watch the woman walked away, he felt like a complete jerk and he knew he needed to do something.
Gosh what's wrong with me? His mind was berating him.
He followed her, close but not that close, but still if someone were to follow him at this distance he would surely notice. House was amused that this woman didn't notice him. From his distance he can scent her nectarine perfume. A delicate whiff of her shampoo, apple and a mixture of another scent that he can't figure out.
Suddenly the woman stopped, but he didn't expect for her to turn around and walk back but when she did it was inevitable. Her forehead collided with his chin, House grasped both her arm on auto pilot to catch her from falling backwards due to the impact. His heart literally skipped a beat at the contact, making him brace himself for the impact of his body with the floor as he thought he was having a heart attack. That was when he got to really look at her. The first thing that captured his eyes were her round hazel eyes. Her hair that fall just above her right eye make him want to reach out and just tuck it behind her ear. On cue, the woman slipped her hair behind her ear. If he was less miserable and wanted a relationship, he can see himself fall for this woman, long legs, nice figure, sexy, confident. Okay maybe not that confident if she just walked out like that. However, he was happy with his life, or so that what he think.
"ergh! Why are you following me?" Alex said, taking a step back putting a distance between them and immediately regretted her action as his hand automatically return to his side.
"I…I just wanted to say that I'm sorry. I was a jerk"
"yes, you were" Alex said looking him in the eye. House smiled "I'm House, Greg House. Where's the guy that…you know…" House said while making a gesture with his forefinger making a circle "around".
"Scott. Alex Scott! He's down with the flu." House raised his eyebrows as she introduced herself like him. "where were you going? I meant why did you turn around?" House said after he saw a look of confusion on Alex's face at his first question.
"I…nothing, never mind."
"You should say it. The things that you wanted to say" House smiled flirtatiously, taking a step towards her.
"Gosh!you're full of…" the bell chimed and you can hear someone running and calling mommy. House turned towards the door in time to see a little girl came in, making her way straight towards them. House took a step back and watched as the mother and daughter hug. And that action, this scene now made him think of Cuddy and Rachel, just like that. After so long he repressed his memory of them, never thought about them in years (okay that's not true, it was just 6 months ago. He saw a woman trying to multitask and thought that damn Cuddy can do that easily) that he's convinced that they were never in his life. He made his way to the door, and turned his head, Alex looked up and smiled towards him and House nodded his head and walk out.
"Hey. How was the lesson today?" Cuddy said as Rachel climbed into the car.
"Hey…it was fun. I learned a new song today" Cuddy raised her eyebrow and glanced at her.
"You're awfully quiet today".
"No I'm not!" She fidgeted and mumbled "I met Sara's dad just now"
That's why. "oh yeah?" Cuddy said. This is just that day. The day where Rachel met her friend's dad for the first time. Not really any friend though, she would usually be upset when she met the father of the friend that she's really attached to. Luckily there's not many people that she's fond of. There are three now, including Sara. "yeah…he's nice...and tall. He was the one who teach me today"
"Really?" Cuddy furrowed her eyebrows. Alex didn't mention anything about switching instructor.
"ouh..yeah! Ms. Emily had an emergency and Sara's dad was there so he substituted for her." Cuddy nodded and reminded herself to call Alex later.