The sun was setting through the cherry wood windows as I sat down onto the leather seated bench that was my domain. The feeling of being "home" filled my stomach with butterflies as I lightly stroked the white ivory keys.

Darkness surrounded me through the room filled with pews and the only sign of comfort, were the few rays that kept me company as they shined through the windows. I welcomed them.

I placed my foot down gently onto the pedal and pressed down. That was the cue for my fingers. They moved elegantly as they pushed down each key they came across. Music flowed into the air and I smiled.

I looked up from the keys and out to the shadows that were my audience. There was a crease in the door and a sliver of light was present from the room next door.

As I continued my ballad, another, different shadow came and stood beyond the door, trapping the light behind it. The shadow shifted from side to side and I immediately recognized it as a person.

My heart slammed into my chest, but my fingers did not falter. They never did. The stranger listened and became a part of the darkness as my melody grew into the climax.

I could feel nothing but pride for myself as the mysterious person stood at the door, witnessing my performance.

I played four complete songs for ten long minutes as the stranger stood shifting their weight when I heard a noise. It came from the other door that occupied the opposite corner of the room.

A boy walked through the door and smiled at me. I ceased my playing as he walked towards me.

"Do not stop on my account," he said.

I laughed and my gaze shifted towards the door where my fan had been standing. There was no shadow in the crevice of the door.

"That's alright," I said. "I was quite finished anyways."

I gathered up my books and stood. As I stepped off the ledge and onto the carpet, the boy approached me with a smirk on his lips.

"Did you know that a guy had been standing outside that door staring at you for at least ten minutes while you where playing?" he asked.

"I thought I saw someone," I said. "He must have just been curious."

He snorted. "More than curious, I'd say. It looks like you have an admirer on your hands."

I stepped forwards and he followed. The mere thought of an admirer in my midst made me giggle with irony.

"So it would seem," I said, still laughing.

By: Emily Norden