*This book is specially dedicated to my true friends (myusernametho, Universe protecter and Rarity Lannister) also my family. Thank you for their support*

Chapter 1 --- Andante

*Andante: A piece that should be played quite slowly --- Cambridge Dictionary*

I open my eyes. Every single day, the first thing I see is this pale blue ceiling. Although I have lived in this house for quite a while, I mean 9 years, 8 months and 29 days, sorry for the mistake... Every day is the same. In my mind, people come to the world, they take, they contribute, they meet and they leave. That's life. And what I want to do is to make my life special but this day is just a day. I take a glance at the clock which is hung on my pale blue wall. It's a cuckoo clock, with a cuckoo bird. The bird comes out and makes 'cuckoo'es for seven times and it just goes back.

"Vanessa sweetie, it is time to get up! You heard the cuckoo!" Everyone, meet my mum, Katherine. It is just the same sentence for the same life routine.

"I am out of bed already! What are we having for breakfast?"

"It's your favourite, salad. I am making some coffee, Vannie. Would you prefer latte or mocha?" Meet my dad, Patrick and for your information, Vannie is a name that only my dad uses, don't ask me why. If I am not wrong, which I usually am, my dad has been calling me Vannie since 16th September, 2002, while I was 4.

"Mocha please! Thanks dad!" I yell.

"You are welcome, kiddo!"

I lean over the windows. A breeze goes by, a few leafs come off from the tree. The sky is quite beautiful, with some white cotton on a long piece of sky blue silk. A few bangs covers my eyes as the wind comes. I inhale deeply. A new semester, but the same old routine. However, the air is fresh and it causes this thought to go away. It is now September and in here, New York, it is averagely 60-77 in Fahrenheit, 16-25 in Celsius. Fall is soon coming. Although people call me a nerd, I know what is PSL, pumpkin spice latte and I love that. It is just one of the reasons I love autumn. I walk into my washroom and get myself freshened up. The cold water splashes over my face, the cold mint toothpaste brushes through my mouth, just a perfect combination for a good old morning. I walk over to my wardrobe and get my clothes which was already hung there yesterday. I put on my black drape top and my jeans. I am never the kind of girl who puts on makeup so it doesn't take me a long time to prepare in mornings. I know that there are many chemicals in cosmetic stuff such as diethanolamine, parfum, petrolatum etc which may cause cancer or damage to the wild. I open my backpack and double check every single piece of homework and textbooks, which are sat in my backpack peacefully. I grab my brown leather backpack and my flute, then walk downstairs to the dining room.

"Morning!"

"Morning, darling!"

"Morning kiddo! Go and grab your breakfast!" my dad is reading his morning newspaper.

I go to the kitchen and greet Clara. Clara is my domestic helper, also a dear friend of my family. She is just 22. She could go to college but her parents are in debt as her dad often losses in gambling. She chooses to work and my parents adore her a lot as she is clever and kind. They promise her that they are going to sponsor her to college when the debt is over. Clara is like a sister to me. We often talk and she is very nice. She hands me a plate of salad and smiles. We talk for a minute and I have my breakfast with my parents.

"Can't believe my Vannie is growing up! It is your last year in high school..." My dad says.

"Yea... Later, she is going to college..." My mum says.

"And I probably end up going to medical school like I have always wanted to if my grades won't slip." I put a vegetable into my mouth.

"Your grades won't slip! And you definitely are going to study in a medical school!" Both of them say in unison.

"With your great intelligence, course you will." My mum says.

"Yes!!! You are so clever that you are actually studying a year ahead of the others."

My dad is right. I have been invited to study with the seniors while I was a junior. Yes, I have skipped junior year. This year, I am going to an advanced level so I will be studying some college stuff. If you are wondering why don't I just graduate immediately, here is the answer. It is because I am a huge fan of Criminal Minds. If you have watched it, I think you can recall a smart guy named Spencer Reid. And Spencer is a genius who has an IQ of 187, an eidetic memory and the ability to read 20000 words per minute. Reid goes to university when he is 14 but he was bullied and that gave him bad memory. Although I know this is just only a TV show, I worried this would happen to be. I don't want to be a girl who can't get any friend because of an age gap and letting people knowing that I am some sort of a 'genius' as some people might say. Yes, yes, I know the age gap isn't actually that big but still... One of my best friend Nick is in the same class with me, yeah the advanced one. Originally, there are six of us that can study in that advanced class but three of them chose to graduate which left me, Nick and another student. Luckily, the three of us also want to go to a medic school so we are in the same class. I am really curious who will be the other student because our principal told us that the student was only promoted to the advanced class last year so yeah.

"Whatever! All I care are the people that I can help not the money, kay?"

I hate the thought that society always gives us. Parents want their daughters and sons to become doctors and lawyers because both jobs will give them a stable and high salary. Some rich families always force their children to be the CEOs of their company. I sometimes really do wonder whether they are happy or not. People seem to live for money. They are just slaves of money, in my opinion.

My parents trained me to think independently and not to blindly follow the trend and that helps me to develop such kind of theories. However, my parents are opponents to this particular theory.

"Hey! We are just being reasonable and caring. Every parents in the world also would like their children to be happy and have a comfortable life!" My mum says.

"Sorry Vannie but I am with your mum. In this realistic and materialistic society, money is a source of solving cases. Money is important and you have to work hard to earn those. You will know once you work."

"Fine, I don't want to start an argument here because we often end up unhappy if we keep on discussing that. The aim for all of us is to help me to go to medical school. Although our points of view are different, the aim is still the same." I pick up the coffee cup from the saucer.

"We can live with that." My parents say in unison.

"Yea... I am just proud of our education for you, ya know? You can think differently and independently. It is good and important as it helps you to be successful in different things." My dad.

I murmur a yes and drink my coffee. It does taste good. It doesn't have that kind of bitterness and I love it. It is really a shame that I don't have time to slowly to drink and enjoy it.

"Hun, you are going to be late if you don't go now." My mum says.

I glance at my watch, 7:28. "Alright, I'll go now but let me call Nick. He seldom comes over this late..." I take out my phone.

"There's no need. He is sick. He called when you went to get your breakfast. I will go over and check him later." My mum says.

I slip into my flats and pick up all my belongings. I take the car key from the rack.

"See you later Sweetie!" My parents say together. "See you later! Love you!"

I close the door behind me and hit that black button on the key. The light of my car flashes.

I start the engine and put on my favourite classical album. It isn't too hot so I just let the windows to be opened. There is a little breeze and my bangs keep covering my eyes and blocking my sight. When I see the red light, I quickly stop and gather all my brunette locks into a ponytail.

Another classical is up but it is from my phone so I pick it up. It's Angie, my best friend. Remember a guy , Nick that I mentioned before? He is also a part of us. The three of us have been best friends since elementary. However, Nick is closer to me as we are also neighbours. We appear to be a family. Our parents are very close and we often go to vacation together.

"Hey Van!" Angie says.

"Morn'in Angie!"

"On your way?"

"On my way."

"So I will meet you guys in the lab?" I know you might be confused. Yes, I study advance level in literally every subject but they will start a week later because of some school policies, I don't know. Don't ask me. But the main point is I am still going to a normal class now.

"Technically, it is only you because Nick is sick. Second, sure, we will meet in the lab."

"Oh really? Kay! I also sense that something isn't right. I mean if I call, Nick is definitely going to have a debate with me or something. You know, he is talkative but also a geek at the same time. He is a weirdo." Angie says and I chuckle.

"Hey! I have almost arrived, see you later!"

"Later, Van!"

I hang up the phone. My campus is quite big to be honest. I am a bit lost when I first came here but I am good at Geography so the three of us could still find our classroom. Although some people hate school days, the campus is filled with excitement. Students are in groups chatting and laughing. This is going to be my last year in high school and next year, I am in college. Being senior makes me feel that I am already a grown up and there are more responsibility that I have to take. You know, a few years, I will be working. Life is something like this: You come, you take, you contribute, you meet and you leave. And that is life. An endless script, an endless play, an endless drama. When everyone has the same experience, then we should try our best to make our life more meaningful. That is what keep me on and tell myself to study harder and harder. I drive to the parking lot. There isn't many people waiting as in New York, you can only drive once you are 17. I get my driving license and this baby a few months ago, technically 5 months and 2 days. I love driving around and get a good cup of coffee but my parking skills is super bad. If I have to mention it in a scale from 1 to 10, it will be negative 10, really, super bad. I spot a parking space. I take a deep breath and I start to go a bit backwards but all of a sudden, a black Ferrari rushes by and take that space!!! That guy actually took my space!!! Unbelievable!!! A guy comes out from that car. He walks to my car and knocks on my window. He then take off his sunglasses. Who does he think he is? Only Aaron Hotchner, Derek Morgan, David Rossi, Emily Prentiss, characters from Criminal Minds do that!!! Who is he? Morgan? He knocks on my car window and I roll it down.

"Are you from those rich families? Did you pass the driving examination because of corrupting? Not saying anything , muffin, but your parking skills is scary. Who drives like that? Are you sure you didn't cheat? Or is that an illegal driving license? If yes, my dad is a lawyer. He can charge you." He puts his hands on my car hood. "First, my driving license is completely legal. Second I didn't cheat. Third, my parents are both lawyers too and I believe that they will defend me because I am stating out the truth. At last, get your filthy hands off my car!!!" I point at him.

"Not intending to, muffin. I just come over and ask if you need any help."

"No, at least not from you!!! And stop calling me muffin. Also get your filthy hands off my car! Don't you know any manners?"

"Nope! The word manner isn't in my dictionary. Now if you don't need any help, I am going to go." Oh! You think you are getting away?

"Hey! You ought to apologize!" I hoot at him.

"I never do apologies, muffin." He winks and walks away! He freaking walked away! Damn it!!! I hit the honk with frustration and take a glance at the radio, 7:49. Fine! I don't have time for some random guy. I continue to look for a parking space and park my car(I nearly hit another car). Phew!!! I press that lock button and leave the parking lot along with my belongings. I swing the backpack over my shoulder and grab the handle of the flute bag. Who is that guy? If you are a fan of Sherlock Holmes, you will know that Sherlock once said that we have a memory palace and I search through my memory palace. After a while, I finally come up with a name (I sound like Penelope Garcia from Criminal Minds), Austin Tanner. Yes, I am a bit socially awkward but I still know the school's Mr. Popular because Angie often forces me listen to her stories... I really don't want to use foul language but that bastard is really arrogant. Who the hell cares whether he is hot or not? Damn it! BTK a famous serial killer kills and asks for fame and does this guy also wants attention? By this cocky way, he wants fame and attention? Fine! I get it! Is that also the reason why the Mr Popular and Miss Popular are often so damn impolite? Does that make a person look more attractive? I really am in a bad mood right now. I stomp into the lab and don't care about all the stares. Who the hell cares what people think? I grunt and seat beside Angie.

"Somebody is in a bad mood. What happened? Don't tell me that the reason why you are grumpy is because someone disagrees with your Jack the Ripper theory. Please, something normal. Jack the Ripper theory, I think Nick will be dying to discuss with you but gossips equals to me, Angie. Now why?" she demands.

I tell her everything that happened in the parking lot.

"Oh my god! Do you know how many girls will try to do things to get his attention and talk to him? You really are lucky!!!!"

"First 'Oh my god' is against the Bible. According to..."

"Here we go again! Okay! Fine! I apologize. Second?"

"Second, I don't need or want or like his attention. He got my damn parking space! I just want him to apologize. Also, I don't actually consider myself lucky when I bumped into such a selfish and cocky scumbag."

"Did you actually call him a scumbag? Ouch! I love him."

"Yup, girl, you are right. Although love is a powerful feeling, I still have to say this. You might not want to hear this but I really hate him. At least, he doesn't give me a good first impression."

"Whatever!" Angie says.

"Good morning, class." Miss Adams walks in.

"Good morning Miss Adams." The lesson starts. It is quite boring because I have learnt all these before but I consider it as a revision. It isn't too bad after all.

"Goodbye and thank you Miss Adams." All of us say.

"Goodbye class. Miss Walsh, please stay for a while. I would like to have a few words with you."

I nod.

"Miss Walsh, this is your timetable. Please also hand this copy to Mr. Davis. And in this year, you are going to have lessons with a few more students. Including you, three of them. Now, I won't be teaching you because I can't be at different places in the same time. When the other students are having Biology Lesson, you are also having Biology Lessons but only in a different room and taught by a different teacher and studying advanced things. Do you understand?" Miss Adams asks.

"Yes. Thank you Miss Adams." I say.

"You are welcome. It is a pleasure to meet such a bright student. You now can have your rest." I nod and go to the locker area to look for Angie.

"Sup? Everything cool?" Angie asks.

"Cool. Miss Adams just gave me my timetable." I say.

"I am going to be lonely..." Angie pouts.

"Don't lie. You have like 816 friends in this school. You have a strong friend network and you have experienced this for quite a few years. Perhaps, I have chosen to study one more subject this year, English Literature. So, we will be having some classes together." I smile.

"Great!" We head to the library.

"What is this? Prosencephalon? Mesencephalon? Rhombencephalon? What the hell?" Angie groans.

"Need some help?"

"Course! But PLEASE! Don't you try to just recite some information from Wikipedia. You have to summarize them. Thank you!" Angie says sarcastically. I roll my eyes.

"So Prosencephalon is actually the forebrain in another word..." I explain.

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"Wow... I finally understand. Thanks genius. Having a genius as a best friend is amazing."

"Look, I don't really consider myself as a genius."

"Seriously, with an IQ of...

"Well, according to Spencer Reid from Criminal Minds..."

"You believe that intelligence can't be accurately calculated. Blah, blah, blah, I know. But you are definitely a genius." Angie says.

"Shhhhh... Please lower your voice." the librarian says.

I look at him. It is Alex, well my friend. Yes he is my only not-so-close friend but a good friend.

He is pointing at a making out couple. And for your information, they are the one and only Austin Tanner, a.k.a. 'Mr Popular' and APST (Arrogant Parking Space Thief, yes a new name for such scumbag) and obviously, one of his toys.

"My dad pays tax and I can do whatever I want." Austin says. Alex definitely sucks at rebutting. He doesn't know what to do. He is starting to sweat and play with his fingers. Oh no... He is scared...

"What, can't rebutt? Ha! Idiot!" The fire in my body is flaring. The flames are going off. I don't know when the bomb will explode...

"Do you know why you can't rebut? Because first, you suck. Second, I am good. Third, what I just said is reasonable." Austin smirks.

What the hell? Reasonable? Alex isn't scared. He is just not talkative towards strangers or people he doesn't know well. I can't stand this anymore. I slam my biology book at the desk. All of the people in the library look at me. I stomp towards their direction.

"What the hell, Austin Chad Tanner? That is complete nonsense. First, Alex is just doing the things that he has to do. He has to ensure that all the other students can have their right to read and study in their library in quiet environment, without any making out session interrupted. Second, your dad pays tax. So what? My parents also pay tax. I also have my right to ask you to keep quiet. You are being unreasonable. Third, if you still want to make out with your girlfriend or your toy, get a toilet and don't contaminate the innocent and pure students' mind!" I blurt out and point at him. Arrogant!

"Well, well, well... Hello there, muffin. Can't believe we meet again. What a lovely day! Are you actually suggesting that your mind is contaminated as you know that we are actually making out? And, are you protecting your lover boy? Well, Alex... You really are a timid little coward. You contaminated her mind by making out with her but you need your little girlfriend to protect you... Oh... Three years old are usually protected by their mama... Oh my... Did I go to the wrong school? Is this a kindergarten? If not, then why do I still see some mama protecting their son? Oh... Poor you..." Austin says sarcastically and pretends to wipe some tears. Damn it! Alex's cheeks flush.

"First, literally everyone knows that you are making out. I don't even need a contaminated mind or to make out with someone to know this . This is considered as a general knowledge. Second, I am being a friend and I am just not protecting Alex but also everyone's right. Third, I am single. I am not, not ,not Alex's girlfriend which means, we have never, and never will make out!" I say.

"Van, never mind..." Angie pulls my arm.

"Oh... Even your best friend isn't on your side... Too bad... That must hurt... Hold on... Are you Angel? I think I have had a drink with you before... In Connor's party?" Austin says.

"It is Angie! Not Angel! Angie, seriously? It is illegal to drink at the age of 17!" I tell Angie. But she isn't listening, She is literally drooling all over Austin... Help me!

"Oh my... You actually remember me... Oh... My... This is the happiest day in my life!" Angie says. I look at Alex. He raises his brows.

"Do something!" I mouth.

"Mr Austin Tanner, I am going have to ask you to leave. You are seriously disturbing the order of the library. Please." Alex points at the door.

"Tin, Tin! I hate this Angel girl! She is clingy and annoying." That girl pouts.

"Me? Clingy? Annoying? What the hell?" Angie says.

"Baby, you don't insult people like that, okay? Be polite." Austin pats her head. Psttt.

"Miss Angie Mitchell, please also leave the library. And also you, miss." Alex points at Austin's partner and says firmly this time.

"Psttt. Let's leave baby." that girl holds Austin's arm and says. They leave the library, followed by a cross-armed, grumpy Angie.

"Thank you, Van. You're the best." Alex hugs me.

"You are welcome. Nick will be proud of us!" I hug him back.

"Now, if you excuse me, I have to grab all of my things and go and look for that grumpy girl." I say. Alex gives me a huge grin. I wave at him and pack all of our stuff and leave.

I search the canteen and I am right. She is here. She will eat a lot when she is very grumpy but she isn't fat at all. Nick told me that she often goes to the gym.

"Angie..." I walk to her table.

"I am happy that Austin remembers me but I hate that girl clinging to him... " Angie bites her burger.

"Angie... Never mind...." I first want to scold her for drinking underage but I guess now isn't the right time.

I grab a burger from the canteen and sit down. My phone suddenly rings.

"Hello?" I say.

"Hey! Have you guys already forgotten me? I am slightly disappointed." Everyone, meet the one and only, Nick Davis. I elbow Angie and put the phone on speaker.

"Are you feeling better?" I ask.

"Great, just miss you guys a bit..."

"Hum... Then you should attend classes and come back to school!" I say. I never really get that why people hate schooldays so much. I mean there are lots of people who can't receive any education. We are very lucky to have such opportunity and we should be grateful and study hard.

"Nah! Doctor tells me to rest more."

"Then you shouldn't be watching Mentalist!" I say.

"What? How... how do you know..." he is shocked.

"I bet she can hear Simon Baker's voice miles away." Angie joins our conversation.

"Yup!" I say.

"What? I have turned down the volume already." Nick groans.

"Well, you know our girl. Her ears can hear things clearly, even though they are miles away." Angie says. I nod, that is so true.

"Fine. But did you help me to collect my homework?" Nick asks.

"Yea. Miss Adams also gives me your timetable. I can't wait to study the college syllabus."

"GOD! Why both of my best friends are all nerds?" Angie murmurs under her breath.

"Who are you calling as nerds?" Nick and I yell in unison.

"First, I use Facebook and Twitter. I know what is going on. Second, I know a lot of Internet slang, better than somebody who doesn't even know what is idk and ttyl. Third, I am just worried about my homework because I don't know whether the teachers are strict or not!" Nick fights for himself. Vanessa, think... Think!

"Fine! You aren't! You?" Angie points at me.

"Well... I also use Facebook and Youtube so I also know what is going on. And according to information from Wikipedia, the term 'nerd' is to..." I start babbling.

"SEE! Only nerds will recite information from Wikipedia!" Angie points at me.

"Well, I also watch Youtube clips!" I argue.

"Yes! Watch some Science videos!"Nick says and Angie just laughs. Great! I have just made her smile! I am happy about that but I am also sad that I am tagged as a nerd...

"Well... I..." Oh no...

"Haaaaaaaa!!!" Both of them laugh.

"See! I told you! Give me a phone high-five!" Angie says.

"High-five!" Both of them yell in unison.

"Sorry for interrupting your lovely moment but it is nearly time for next lesson so... Ciao!" I immediately end the phone call.

"There is still 23 minutes till lessons..." Angie pouts.

"Technically, it is 22 minutes and 19 seconds. Hold on... It should be 22 minutes and 15 seconds." I give her a small grin while she rolls her eyes.

We go to lessons and have a lovely first school day except the experiences that involved Austin Tanner.

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"So I guess I am going to leave first. Have fun in the Senior Orchestra!" Angie says.

"I will. Love you!" I wave.

"Love you too!" She waves and heads to the parking lot to get her car. I take all my belongings to the hall, where we are going to have orchestra practice. I am a bit excited. You see, because there are many seniors in our school that join the orchestra so Freshman, Sophomore and Junior are in the Junior Orchestra while Senior have their own Senior Orchestra. I am sure that I am going to learn more because someone told me that the conductor of the Senior Orchestra is very famous in the USA so I am sure that we will learn a lot. I am actually a good musician. I play piano, flute and piccolo. I have reached Grade 8 for both piano and flute while Piccolo is just an instrument that Miss Rush asks me to play for the orchestra. My parents are proud because I have talents in music. Miss Rush once asked me to join the Senior Orchestra but I rejected because I am afraid that I might be bullied...

I walk into the hall and darkness is everywhere and there isn't anyone but only a dim of light at the corner. That probably is the conductor. I put my belongings into a tray in the locker of the hall. I get my flute and connect all the sections of the flute. After connecting the flute, I look for my tuner but I can't as that dim of light suddenly goes out. The darkness is swallowing me to a world of unknown. I suddenly feel a bit scared because I can literally feel that the darkness covering and wrapping my body. Damn it! I should have known! I should have taken precautions! I don't know whether I am affected by Criminal Minds to have such paranoid behavior but I am afraid that person can actually be BTK or Jack the Ripper. Well, although BTK has been brought to custody while Jack the Ripper happens to kill during the 20th century, that doesn't mean there can't be a copycat. Oh my... I don't my throat to be slashed or my body being stabbed or die of strangulation... Damn... I pick up my flute case and clutch it to my chest. I should have damn taken precautions... But I try to push away all those killing scenes away from my mind and focus on the current situation. I follow the trail of the wall and walk towards the switch of the lights. Slowly and quietly, I tiptoe. I am literally sweating, both my head and my hand. I can hear my heartbeats. My heart literally can burst out from my chest. God, please bless me. I pray. It's not like I am afraid of death, just... I want to say my last goodbye to my beloved ones... I can finally reach the switch of the lights. However, all of the sudden a hand wraps mine. I can definitely tell that it is a male hand as mine is an artistic hand. I have long fingers and big hands and that hand nearly warps mine. My first instinct is to use my flute case to hit that unsub (unknown subject) and turn on the lights.

A broad male figure stands in front of me. Oh no... Oh no... This is so bad. So, so bad... Oh my...

*So yea, that's it. Please tell me what you think. Please do vote, comment and share this with your beloved ones. Yes, this book is related to music. It might not show as much as it seems in this chapter but I promise, it will later. Wish you all the best and thank you for reading:) *

Ally