A part of me

Music has always been a part of me. My life without melodies and harmonies would be totally empty. I think it is like the memoirs to my life as it has been there throughout everything with me.

When I was younger, I didn't have the great love for musical as I do now. I mainly listened to whatever my Mom told me to listen or when she's playing the piano. I believe music has the ability to convey all sorts of emotion. Whether the emotion is joy and happiness or sadness and despair through rhythms, harmonies and the lyrics music shows it.

It's 7:20 A.M and here we go, the loud annoying beep of my alarm clock letting me know it's time to roll out of bed. As I wake up, slowly pulling the comforter off me and grasping every last moment of comfort, I rub the sleep out of my eyes and groggily stand up, dizzy and not fully with the world. I took a shower, threw in some nice clothes. Next, it's the walk to the living room to eat breakfast. This isn't bad as I've heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day and it certainly wakes me up. I go through the typically short line and get the same thing every day. Egg, sausage, and bread.

Today's Monday and that means I have piano lessons with Sir Ice, and of course, Aaron and Blythe. Our schedule for our practice is always Monday, Wednesday and Friday. But, I still practice everyday to improve my skills. We meet every 9-3 pm and after that, we're free to do what we want.

As I enter the room, it's filled with silence. I'm always the first person to enter so while waiting, I play the piano. The day is still long and so I fill the silence with the sound of the piano. Being at the piano is a powerful place for me to be because more often than not, I have found myself there. Playing piano has allowed me to discover and shape bits of myself that otherwise would've gone unnoticed. It gave me a channel for my emotions and a pathway to expressing my individuality.

While playing, I thought suddenly of Aaron. It has been a months since we've met and we have been going to different places ever since the day I knew that he's dying.

330 days before he dies.

"You're early as always, Louella" as he slides the door open, meeting me with his smiling face. "Good morning"

"Good morning. Have you decided what to do next on your list?" I asked. He has been writing what he wants to do on a notebook. We've done going to Amusement parks, the ocean, traveling outside town, and simple things like going home together and eating out. There are still many things to do.

"Hmm.. Yes. Let's go to watch a movie later" he suggested as he opens his case to get his violin in tune.

"Okay, sure. We'll practice first and be on our way"

"Have you talked with your mother?"

His question caught me by surprise. Ever since she has been hospitalized, she never talked to me once. She didn't bug me for not practicing piano as always. She has grown weaker because of her illness and is now still recovering.

"No..not yet" sighing. "I don't even know where to start..And I can't show my face to her unless I'm better than you. To me, my playing sounded clumsy and rigid" as I gaze at him, getting disappointed. "You should talk soon Louella. To be honest, you're a great pianist to begin with.. I really like hearing you play. It's soothing, making me want to hear it more" he smiles. "You don't know how capable you are, Louella. You have at least a thousand of capacities in you...Even if you don't think so" as he picks his bow and starts tuning his violin.

I apparently had been playing a piece delightful to his ears, but it's still not enough to satisfy my mother. For some reason, I got encourage in playing more before the lesson starts.

"Let's play together" with his violin on his neck, looking up thinking what to play.

"Meditation?" I recommend, he nodded as he raise his bow, a sign to prepare.

In that moment, as we started to play, everything that surrounded us slowly fades away, remaining the two of us. As the melody continues..we dive more onto the music, the notes relaxing me, enabling the song to call to my entire being. The whole room shines as we continue to play.

And there, my whole body felt excitement. Like it's wanting for more. I glanced over to see Aaron. His eyes closed but he was smiling, making me smile too. When the song was over, we both beaned.

"You're as great as ever, Louella"

"Oh, shut up" I laughed because of embarrassment.

A voice behind us said:

"Whoa!! That was an amazing play!" her mouth open wide as she claps, entering the room. I look behind to see Blythe, holding her folder filled with pieces.

She puts down her folder on the table and went near us. "You were amazing!! The best ones I've seen so far..well, except for prodigies. But whoa! You guys are a perfect duo!!" complimenting us.

"She's great, isn't she?" Aaron mentioned me, making her look at me. I stared at her, trying to hide my embarrassment. It seemed to take her back a few steps but she's still in awe.

"Yes, she is!" grabbing my hands, holding it tight. "I've been admiring you since then, Louella! Can I call you Ella??" she said with glimmering eyes.

I nodded slowly. I kinda felt uncomfortable on how close she was but I was more stunned when I realized I have a new friend.

"Sure..yeah" I murmured, nodding.

She envelopes me in a hug, "Great!"

Sir Ice soon entered the room making us prepare our piece for today's practice— Eine

kleine Nachtmusik composed by Mozart. As I press the keys, the surroundings were filled with joyous music. We practiced many more pieces and it was then time for lunch.

"I'll see you at 1:30. I expect you to memorize you pieces by later" Sir Ice announced as he goes out of the room. We were told to play a piece for an individual performance. We do this once in a while, to tell each other what we lack to improve.

"Let's have lunch together, Louella" with his case on his front. I arranged my pieces for later and said "Okay. Wait for a moment" he watches me arranging my pieces.

"Fantasie Impromptu, huh"

"Yes..What about you?" as I put my pieces in the folder, walking towards the door. He follows me and smiles. "Scheherazade" he casually replies.

We went to eat in a simple family restaurant. As usual Aaron orders his favorite chicken spicy wings while I order pasta.

"You should try eating different food. Don't you get tired eating the same food everyday?" he just glared at me.

"You're telling me this like you're any different" as he eats a big bite of chicken. I laughed at his reaction while he pouts. The same scene always happens while we eat. It's like the day keeps repeating, not moving forward. I guess I also want time to stop forever. So he won't go away. But I guess, I'm not that special to freeze time.

"We're gonna be late. Eat faster!"

"Weiff!! (wait!!)" with food in his mouth.

I went ahead to pay for my food and him behind me, waiting for his turn. I laughed again when I saw his mouth so full. He glared at me for laughing at him.

We walked back to the school and just in time before the music class starts. As Sir Ice calls for our name, we go in the middle holding our stand filled with pieces we will play. I was the last one to be called because the calling was in Alphabetical order in names. Aaron played first—Scheherazade. Watching Aaron play is indeed amazing. He controls his audience in a different way which I cannot do.

Blythe played Nocturne No. 20. A beautiful and relaxing song.

I sat down and let out a deep breath. I do it every time before I play. I started playing Fantasie Impromptu, a piece composed by Chopin. Then all the cares of the day fade away with the first note; any problem can be resolved by resolving a chord.Suddenly, emotions that, in my head, are swirling and confusing can be released through my fingers into musical patterns.

Playing piano gives me a voice that can stand out in a crowd, and I am confident in that voice. Sitting on a piano bench with my fingers on the keys is the calming and most familiar place for me to be because it is the easiest place for me to be myself. As the song was coming to an end, I glance to my right and saw Aaron. He was listening seriously, intently. It suddenly made me feel happy and continued playing.

When I finished playing, we discussed for a while and then it was time to go home.

"Movie time!!" he shouted with his arms above like worshipping someone.

"Yes, yes" as I grab my things before going to the cinemas.

He smiles, staring at me. I raise my brow when I noticed him staring at me.

"What? Do I have something on my face?"

He shook his head. "Nothing. Let's go!" while his arms on the back of his head, smiling.