Chapter 3: After and Ashford

Clap! Clap! Clap!

I stood up from my seat, and I bowed to the audience. I played Mozart's Sonata, but I don't remember the full name of it. Then I stood up straight, and looked at the people; men were wearing tuxedos and women were wearing extravagant gowns. Me? I am just wearing a simple red dress.

When my mother left me, I decided I could gain money by playing in front of people instead of selling newspapers. I started when I was twelve years old and I am playing for 5 years already and because of that, I am already known because of my talent.

My first time was, in a birthday party. The mother of the birthday celebrant was stunned by my ability; and invited me again to her niece's debut.

The mother or aunt is rich so obviously, the guests were also rich. That made me nervous. My hands were cold that time and my fingers were stiff. When I walked to the stage, I sat down on chair of the black, shiny, grand piano. I pressed one key and took a deep breath. Then I started. As I was playing, I looked at the people. Some were smiling, and some were serious and some has faces that cannot be translated.

When I was finished, I bowed in front of them. I closed my eyes tightly so I would avoid embarrassment because I thought no one is going to clap for me, but I heard one clap then another then I heard cheers and then I heard more claps. I glanced at the people and some stood up from their seats meaning for respect. I was so happy that time.

After the debut, some women and some men asked who I was and asked me if I could play for them. And that's the start of my career.

Yeah, yeah, let's get back to the present. When I walked down the stairs of the stage, they surrounded and me and said, "What's your name young lady? How long have you been playing? You're nice! You have some serious talent!"

I just smiled at them and said nothing. That's enough of course. Instead, I just sat on my seat and waited for the event to end. After the event, I changed my clothes into shirt and pants. I put a jacket over my shirt and I wore boots that I usually wore whenever I'm going outside. In addition, I wore my white cap over my tight tied hair.

When I got out, I walked past the guard that's standing before the glass doorway and then the guard greeted me. I just smiled at him.

Just then, I heard an old woman shout at me. "Miss CC, wait!" I turned around and looked at her; she was the one who invited me to play again.

"Sorry I forgot!" she said, and then grabbed my shoulders, then she gave me the money. I did bother to count it since I know it's already a big amount.

That old woman is a little bit getting fond of me. First, she has been giving me dresses. Second, she has been inviting me for many times and even giving me big amounts of money even if it's really unnecessary.

"Thank you ma'am," I said nicely and began to turn around and walk away when she suddenly calls out to me again.

"Miss CC, where do you study? I heard you were just studying in a public school but I think public schools don't suit you," she said.

I was shocked at her sudden question. "What do you mean ma'am?" I asked and turned around to look at her again. She has a blonde, curly hair with shimmering blue eyes. She wore a sparkling dress with a fluffy boa around her. Even if she is already around 60's, she still looked young.

"I mean- would you like to go to a nice school? I mean, the finest school here in Britannia." She told me. What she just said surprised me.

"I heard that school is where the prince and princess of Britannia are studying ma'am; which is prince Lelouch and princess Nunnaly vi Britannia; and sons and daughters of dukes or noble men. If not, some that has not a royal blood are rich kids..."

"So what? I will make you study there if you want."

"…."

"Don't worry about the expenses! It's all free!"

"Why so ma'am?" I now asked her, not trying to look stupid. I examined her blue shining eyes. I still remained being polite towards her.

"Why? That is because I'm one of the owners of that school. Have you seen the prince? He's such a handsome kid you know? I heard that even some young ladies like you are also transferring to our school just because of him! I bet you'd like him! Milly, my granddaughter is a good friend of him, I want her to be his fiancée but she's already engaged to Mr. Lloyd Asplund. It's okay anyways. Sooo, would you like to take my offer? I don't really invite people you know?" she said, patiently waiting for me to answer her, with still a big smile around her face.

Even the guard seems interested at my 'future' answer. I didn't know she owns that school. So stupid, I should have noticed it long time ago, her last name is Ashford and that school is named Ashford Academy. How stupid of me.

Anyway, this old lady is a weird one. I don't really understand her. She even thinks I will like the prince if I will see him; but I am not that type of person. Nonetheless, I would like to come to that school because I'm tired of my own school since some of my classmates were disgusting and some were totally weird. I decided that I must meet other people in my life; so…

"Deal." I said, shaking her hand, which she just reached out for me to seal the deal.

She smiled at me. "You know the name of the school, right?" she asked me.

"I don't ma'am." I answered her, not caring if I will embarrass myself.

"Its name is Ashford Academy. It's a nice school. I bet you would like it." She said.

"Thank you, but when am I going to attend school ma'am? And what about my old school? How am I going to transfer?" I asked politely.

"Don't worry dear!" she said, very amused. She patted at my shoulders to stop her laughter. "I'm going to take care of it all! Just come to school as early as Monday! Today is Saturday, right? Then that means that you're going to attend school the next two days!"

I smiled at her. For rich people, transferring to a noble school was just that easy. Just like buying a candy to a store, handing them the money and getting what you want. Then I looked at my watch, it's already past 9 o'clock.

"Sorry ma'am-"

"Stop calling me ma'am! Instead, call me Mrs. Ashford." She said, still laughing but I do not know why.

I let out a sigh. "I'm sorry Mrs. Ashford but I better get going, or else I can't find buses anymore." I said.

"Wait dear," she said. Then she walked towards the guard. And whispered something to his ear.

"I'm sorry Mrs Ashford, I'm afraid you forgot to bring your car today." He said. "Is that so?" she said, there was a hint of disappointment in her voice.

"It's okay, Mrs Ashford, I can take care of my own." I said, getting what they have been talking about.

"Is that so? Well take care then." She said; then waved her hand to me. I nodded at her then walked away.

As I was walking down the road, it began to rain. I'm glad I brought my umbrella. The street was silent and no cars were passing by. I decided I must find a place where I could wait for buses that I could ride on. I scanned the place and saw a tree with a bench below it.

What a relief.

I ran towards it and went under its shade. Even if I'm under a shade of a wide, thick tree, it cannot completely stop the rain to fall down beneath it. Therefore, I still held the umbrella below me.

I stared at the street for a long time. I'm thinking about going to Ashford Academy; where rich and noble people are studying, where the dukes' sons and daughters are studying, even the famous prince and princess of Britannia, Lelouch vi Britannia and Nunnaly vi Britannia. I will soon meet them.

I don't care anyway, aristocrats are always the same. Ignoring the commoners and acting cold towards them. I wonder what would happen to me when I will study there on Monday. Would they ignore me? That's okay anyway. Would they be disgusted at me? I don't care anyway. Will they act cold towards me? They are all the same anyway. I laughed at myself. It seems I will be okay when I will go there soon. I can ignore all of them just like nothing. I am used to ignoring people now, ever since my freaking mother left me. I always wore a mask of nonchalance and blankness (not all the time) so I will not get hurt when they will disappear because they didn't stand me because of my attitude and just ignored me.

I looked at my watch, it's already ten o'clock. I did not know I have been dreaming for a long time already. "I hate this, no buses at sight," I mumbled to myself.

Then as if on cue, a bus appeared right in front of me. I beckoned them to stop, so they did. The bus's door opened automatically. I stepped inside. I looked at the driver and he smiled at me like a dear father. Maybe he was in mid forty's. I smiled at him too. I looked inside the bus and saw only few people there. Maybe we're just twelve. I then sat at the vacant seat near the window in front. I looked at the corner to see if the seat is for disabled and seniors but no.

The conductor came to me and I told him, "Tenth avenue, please."

The conductor is maybe in mid thirty's. He was amused at my sudden response even though, he still didn't begin to speak. He just simply pulled out the ticket, punched holes in it, and gave the ticket to me. I gave him the money and he returned to his seat right in front of me, near the driver. I closed my eyes…

"Ma'am, we're already here on Tenth Avenue." The conductor said. I didn't know I have drifted to sleep the time I closed my eyes. I groaned and yawned lazily. I didn't care about what the conductor's expression is. But I looked at him, his face is weird. I then stood up and stretched my arms without any manners. The driver saw me at the mirror in front and I saw him laugh slightly. I walked past the conductor and driver and told them, "Thank you for the pleasant ride," without any emotions.

The rain has stopped. So I kept my umbrella in my little sling bag and began walking. I walked past the storeowner's house. I saw the old man sitting outside the balcony of his house; maybe waiting for his granddaughter. "Another performance again, CC?" he asked me. All of my neighbours know my talent due to hearing my playing. However, I didn't know how they knew my performing. I stopped slightly. "Yes, Mr. Free and it have been a tiring day," I told him politely.

Sheesh, my tongue is aching due to polite words. I need a candy. He nodded and I began walking again. I walked past two houses with a green lawn just like mine. I improved our house when I was 15. I know those because I grew independently, didn't I?

I opened the white, wooden, little gate of my house. I walked at the stone path, which is headed towards the door of my house. My house is a few metres away from other people's houses. I reached out for my key in my little bag and opened my door. I then opened the lights and saw my piano in the corner. My hands wanted to press the keys so badly. What? You want me to play? No, no, no… I'm too tired for that. I want to take a hot shower already. Don't worry for my towel, it's already at the bathroom.

After taking a bath, I put on my robe and left my towel on the bathroom. What a relief, I had taken a bath already. I looked at my lonely ivories. My hands were tempted. Nevertheless, my body is screaming for me to wear my nightdress and sleep. My ears want to hear music, but my eyes want to close already and take nap. My fingers want to make music, but my feet wouldn't want to go there, telling me to sleep already. What a decision! Finally, I decided to tap the keys, even if only for a minute.

I sat on my seat and opened the lid carefully. I then put a finger to a key, then started playing Mozart's piano sonata, no. 16 in C major. The piece is a playful piece with a hint of a person's childhood. It was slow and cute at first, but then it was fast. My fingers were playing quick but began to play slow again. Both of my hands were busy. I love Mozart. I love his music. I only hated the time when he died. Then, the music I was playing changed to slow, still childish but with the hint of care on it. I played the part for maybe three times. Sadness then was started to be created. Nevertheless, the cute playful thing never died but it was mixed with sadness and revenge.

Then I played the most playful and fastest part of it. Hey, be glad I am narrating this thing for you. However, you owe me a pizza. Anyway, my fingers never stopped playing. They didn't protest also and they didn't ache; even if I'm playing the fastest part already. Two medium taps, then it ended. I played for more than 9 minutes. I stood up from my seat and headed to my room. I changed my robe to nightdress, slumped on my bed, and thanked the Lord for this day and drifted to sleep.

a/n: Do you like it? Is the explanation of the piece okay? I wanted to add story in it while CC's playing but that would be very long. Anyway, the song that was mentioned in this chapter really is a good music of Mozart. I loved him and his music. I just hated it when he died, but I'm glad that people are loving his music. If you want to hear it, the title is 'Mozart's Piano Sonata no. 16 in C major'. I'm sure you'll like it! J