Lily's POV

I woke up the next day, feeling like I had just cried for hours, slept and woke up. Basically, one of the best sleeps I had ever had. I quickly got ready and rushed to school without eating, as usual. I spent the entire day thinking about what Asher had said last night. His determination to help me made me feel butterflies in my stomach. Honestly, the fluttery little things needed to know that I wasn't their personal breeding house or something. I was half expecting my next fart to come out with the present of a tiny little butterfly.

Anyways, I had fun with the guys. I kept stealing glances at Asher throughout lunch and my classes and Ryan noticed because he nudged me, a smirk plastered across his face. I just rolled my eyes at him and went back to taking notes. As the day ended, I went straight to the ice cream parlor, did my shift and then went to the library. I always had fun at the library. The owner was a guy in his late forties called Steve. He was super nice and respectful, cracking jokes and making me laugh. As always, I had a fun time with him and then decided to go to the boxing gym.

On the way there, I passed by the music studio of my previous instructor. The place was amazing because there were many rooms that you could choose from, depending on the instrument you played. My hands twitched to open the door and feel the complete rejuvenation that I had felt when I first played the piano with Cole. However, I was still scared. Scared that the dream would become a nightmare and leave me broken. I ended my inner battle by deciding that I should give it a shot since I wouldn't ever know what would happen if I didn't try.

I sighed and pushed open the door. Penelope, my previous instructor was sitting there as she always did when I used to come to the studio a few years ago. She looked up and gave me a huge smile as she saw me. I returned it and went around the counter to hug her. Her warm, motherly arms closed around me as she exclaimed,

"Lily! It's been so long! I thought you wouldn't come meet me again. I'm so glad you're here honey."

Penelope had been one of my mom's best friends. After mom and dad's death, I had stopped not only playing the piano but also stopped talking to the people that me and my parents loved. They reminded me too much of my amazing past that I had pulled myself away from. As I pulled back, I saw that Penelope's eyes were filled with tears. She said,

"How are you honey? How are you doing without.... your mom and dad?"

I didn't want to worry her with my personal problems so I said,

"Ok, I guess. I'm doing as well as I can without them."

She nodded, wiping away her tears, and said,

"The usual room, right? Here you go."

I was glad that she had remembered. I would always get room number 9 because it was where I was first introduced to the piano. Penelope was the owner of the studio, an instructor and also the receptionist. She basically handled everything single-handedly except for the cleaning. She would usually hire a cleaner or two and two to three more instructors.

I took the keys from her, walked down the hall to Room 9, and twisted the key in the lock with a shaky hand. As the door opened with a click, I went inside, memories hitting me with a bang as the familiar room greeted me. The white wallpaper with the blue flower print, white grand piano, stool, wooden floor, white curtains and large bookshelf with hundreds of pieces of music ranging from classical Bach all the way to modern day "Baby Shark" were all still there.

I walked to the bookshelf, grabbed a book with Chopin's classical and turned the pages until I found what I was looking for, Nocturne No.20 in C# Minor. It was one of my favorite classical pieces since my mom was obsessed with it. She would listen to it at least once everyday on the record player. She was a vinyl collector and treasured her astounding collection probably even more than me. I loved the piece in turn because of her love for it. We would have days on which we would have a picnic outside and take our record player with us, eating sandwiches while singing along to songs. I smiled at the memories.

I opened the lid of the piano, and placed the sheet music on the music rack, before sitting on the comfortable stool. My shaky hands descended upon the smooth and cool keys of the piano, sending sparks up my arms. I took a deep breath and started playing the beautiful and relaxing piece, my fingers dancing along the keys. The music flowed through me, making me want more and more, not letting me stop. The biggest thrill of playing the piano was the fact that you were the one who was playing it which made you feel an emotional connection to the music. I played the piece, pouring all my energy into it and was breathing heavily by the end of it, just like last time. I wanted to play more pieces but knew that I had to go home.

I started walking back home, grabbing Chinese takeaway on the way there. I had been trying to spend as less of the money that I had and still manage to not depend on Asher's family for anything more than the place that they had given me. I bought enough for the next day too and continued my walk to the mansion. The cold weather had slowly been dissipating and spring was coming up so I didn't wear as many layers of clothing as I used to.

As I reached the house and said hi to Angelina and Simon, Asher grabbed me by my arm and took me upstairs. He put me down on the bed and said,

"Why don't you ever eat with us? Do you think that you can't because we'll have to spend money on you? Just know that we don't mind at all. In fact, mom and dad are already obsessed with you."

I just sighed and said,

"If you know the reason then why are you asking? If even the king was providing for me, I would try to depend on my own money."

He looked at me, his eyes burning holes into my face. My heart was thundering inside my chest because of his intense gaze. I avoided his eyes as I kept the boxes of takeout on the coffee table on the side of "my" room. I opened the boxes containing chicken and vegetable lo mein, the rice, and the crispy sesame chicken. I opened up the chopsticks, took out the small plates and offered them to Asher. He stared at my outstretched hand that was offering him a plate and chopsticks, and took them hesitantly. He was acting like I had put poison in the food or something. I decided that I would just buy something for myself again tomorrow.

As I watched Asher, he held the chopsticks, trying to get some lo mein, but failing miserably. After trying again and again without any success, he gave up and stabbed the sesame chicken with his chopstick, popping it into his mouth. I burst out laughing at his angry expression.

My unsuspecting self enjoyed the meal, not knowing about the horrible events that would happen in the next few hours.

You people have no idea how satisfying it is to add cliffhangers. *cue evil laughter. Even if it only leaves you in suspense for the next few minutes or something Anyways, if you have managed to get through my frustrating way of writing up till now, PLEASE comment, vote and share. Only if you haven't slammed your head into the wall yet.

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