"Welcome to our humble dorm"

Adam took little time to send me the address to their dorm. He said that I could go there tomorrow.

It’s been so long that I have been nervous about something. I lived in stress since the day I knew about life. I was always running after the perfect image. I was different, and I didn’t want anyone to see it on me, so I was working so hard for the sake that others say that I am perfect in everything, which I figured after that nothing deserves to live in anxiety because of it. I changed, I became indifferent about anything. But now, I am back to the little mouse I was.

At the company, I passed by the large white piano in the hall. I had some urge to go there I couldn’t. Describing what I am going to try tomorrow by hard is a big understatement.

I head to the house so I can change and get ready for my new adventure. I opened the door to two little angels playing with cars on the hall’s floor.

“Sarah! You’re here!” Nadia grabbed Aiden’s attention when she shouted. The two of them ran and gave me their signature tight hug. I didn’t know about them coming today.

“Big sis, you didn’t miss us?” Aiden said, pouting.

“Oh no, darlings, I missed you so much. It just I am surprised by seeing you coming today.”

“We asked mom to bring us back,” Nadia said, eying her brother.

“Why? You didn’t have fun at the beach?” I asked.

“We did, but my mom was sick, and daddy stayed with her. It was only us and Nanna,” Aiden responded.

Nadia frowned at him, “Mom wasn’t sick, she was crying all the time,” She corrected. Problems in heaven?

“We felt sorry, mom missed home, so we asked her to come back. We want her smiling all the time,” The little boy said proudly.

I love how innocent they are. “We wanted you there, can you travel with us next time?” Nadia said with pleading eyes. Well, I can’t say no, can I?

“I will if you two behave as good kids and don’t trouble your nanny,” I said, and they screamed happily the loudest they could. They run to continue their car racing. What I like about Nadia that she doesn’t care about cars for boys. She’ll play with every kind of toy. Dolls and knights.

I went to my room and ate the last bag of chips on the shelves. I took my computer, and I spend the night playing video games. They are another way to avoid sleeping.

Morning came, I took a shower, pull on my clothes, and take some vitamins, so I focus on whatever I must do today. I took a cab to reach the dorm since I am not in the state to drive. My head is full of thoughts that I can’t concentrate on anything right now.

Adam clearly said it’s a dorm but, what I am in front of is a massive skyscraper, and apparently, they have the whole last floor as a penthouse for them. Yeah, who can name penthouse a dorm?

It took me a while to get to their floor, and not only that all my heartbeat was loud and fast, I was sweating. I hate elevators. They’re irritating with the voice they make on each floor and trigger my anxiety because of the less oxygen. If the penthouse wasn’t in the last floor, I would’ve taken the stairs. It’s the same, sweating and hard breathing.

I found Liam waiting for me in front of the elevator. “Welcome to our humble dorm,” Liam greeted with his signature smile.

“Yeah, humble you say.” “Says the one who lives on a mansion,” The both of us roll our eyes at the same time. That house everything but humble. The house is all gray and white, modern with not much furniture which is cool. A lot of couches and vases suffocate me. I’d love to live here.

Liam led me to the living room, where all of them were sitting. I might get killed by the girls at school if they know that I am here at their house. I stood in front of them. It was awkward for a moment, but, Ethan cut it when he stood and march in front of me.

“I know that I am the last person you’ll want him to be here. I am glad that you agreed to help my friend. I didn’t know about what happened to you after I left. I want you to know that I regret that day more than anything in my life. I was selfish and blamed you because. I envied you for your parents, for your mom. I am sorry for what I did. I’ll go out so my presence won’t bother you,” I saw raw emotions of sadness and sorrow in his eyes. They reflected the same looks that day. I couldn’t see them because I was in pain and was young to read other’s eyes. I would’ve stopped him before it was too late. He was heading to the door; I look around me, and the others wore apologetic looks.

“Stop right there, Ethan,” I half-shouted, and he froze at his place, yet he didn’t turn to face me. “Look, I am no one to make you leave your own house. It’ll be hard for me to forget your words but, I’ll try. I wanted to talk to you after that day. I wanted to apologize, but you weren’t there anymore. I’ll say it now. I am sorry that I disappointed you”.

I wasn’t aware of what I was saying. The words just flew out of my mouth. I repeated many hurtful words at my bed when I remember his face. I was ready to shout them at him, but they didn’t come out. His eyes killed every damn hard feeling I had for him.

A warm body crash on me. It was his, and this time, I didn’t resist the steady hands around me. “Never say that again. I am the one on fault. I am sorry. I won’t forgive myself for what I did, and I’ll stick next to you from now on”.

“Now, let’s stop this drama here. You said that you'd try to help, so I need to talk to you in private before we go to the room where the piano is,” Noah said calmly and left the room. Was he waiting for me to follow him? Who the hell he think he is?

“Go, we’ll talk after that,” Adam's words made me move. Let’s just get this over with. I went out of the living room following the shadow of the guy who didn’t bother to guide me to his place.

I reach the room; he was sitting at the couch near a bed. Before I could attar a word, he started, “I know that the guys asked you to help but, I know for a fact that you can’t do that. So, if you’re going to leave in the middle, do it now because if you confirm it, no backing out,” He clarified.

“I thought you didn’t care,” I said, and he scoffed, “I don’t, I care about my reputation. Let’s go play something for me before I let you listen to the song,” I am getting impatient with the bitter note he’s talking with, but he stays the person who saved me.

I found Daniel and Adam at the room where the piano is. Great, audience. That’s what I need now.

“Ethan and Liam went out for work, they’ll come back soon,” Adam spoke out. “Well, sit. We don’t have the entire day here,” Noah said and I am going to snap at him soon.

I moved in front of the piano. It’s a glorious one. I believe it’s from the ‘Black&White’ music instrument company. Ours is also from there. I can’t believe I am going to do that. My fingers traced the fallboard. I remember how many times it crushed them. I lift it; I see my reflection in the black keys.

I sat; they’re eyes on me. I never thought I’d play again. I hit the first note, it’s the middle C and with it sound all terrible memories came rushing to my head. Bullies, mom, horror movie themes, even me and dad playing came back as a not good one.

“Just say you can’t do it, and you’re free to go,” Noah spoke but, it wasn’t as rude as the other times. It’s like he saw my struggles through the blank face I was putting.

“NO! I said I’ll do it, then I will,” I half shout. I don’t know if that shout was for him or for me.

“Take your time, Sarah, we know it’s hard for you to take this step,” Daniel put his hand on my shoulder, assuring me it’ll be okay. How would they know?

I took a deep breath and last look at the three guys. I turned my back to them and faced the keyboard again, then hit the first note pop in my mind. Second after, I started playing the memory; I have it graved in the back of my head. The feelings of nostalgia and euphoria got me high that I forgot about my surroundings or where am I.

But it didn’t last long because a hand grab mine brutally stopping me from playing. “What in the earth is wrong with you?” I yelled. He pushed me to it. I was preventing myself from snapping the entire time.

I looked at the furious guy who’s fuming and at two shocked guys with mouths dropped to the floor.

“From where in the hell do you know about this song?”