Last night was not fun. After the fiasco with Bethany and the door, then the one with aunt Liz and my first kiss, I went to bed to have the worst nightmares I've had so far. It was so bad that I had a panic attack on the floor in my bedroom but this time there was no one to hold me.

I awoke at ten to find a note on the fridge telling me everyone had gone to grandmas. I ate leftover pancakes, took a quick shower, then headed next door to practice piano.

Janessa opened the door and happily led me to the music room. I gasped at the expensive violins in the corner but the true beauty of the room was the black grand piano. I walked over to find Toby asleep with his head resting on the keys.

"Toby." I poked his shoulder. Nothing. "Toby." I poked him harder. Still nothing. I shrugged then played a dissonant chord.

"What the-" his head snapped up and he spotted me. "Oh. It's you."

"Yeah.. Are you okay?" I asked in concern. His eyes were bloodshot and I noticed a jagged cut on his arm.

"I didn't sleep well last night." He shrugged.

I sat on the bench beside him. "I didn't either. I kept having nightmares."

"Nightmares?" He tensed up. "Why are you having nightmares, Eliana?"

"It's nothing." I said trying to act nonchalant but I can feel my hands shaking.

"Eliana your shaking." He said seriously. "What are your nightmares about?"

"When my dad is drunk he can be mean and it scares me. I keep dreaming about him hurting my mom and the little kids. But that's not the worst ones." I took a shaky breath. "The worst is the ones about Danny. I keep dreaming that he pushes me over a cliff and laughs as I fall or that he drowns me." I stop talking an focus on breathing.

Strong arms wrap around me. I melt against the hard chest, a feeling of safety enveloping me.

"I have nightmares too." Toby mumbled against my hair.

"What are they about?" I asked snuggling up against him.

"Mostly about my parents." He said in a husky voice. "But sometimes their about other people who are close to me."

"What about your parents?" I asked looking up at him.

"I can't tell you. It's too painful." He looked away.

"Toby can I ask you something?" I played with the hem of my shirt.

"Yeah sure." He replied.

"What do you do when you have a anxiety attack?" I asked timidly.

"Why do you ask?" He looked uncomfortable.

"I had one last night and-" I started but Toby interrupted me.

"Why did you have a anxiety attack? Did Connor hurt you? Did-"

"Nobody hurt me." I said. "I had a really bad nightmare and it set off an anxiety attack."

Toby looked relieved. "I can't tell you how to control them because I don't know how to. But I'll tell you what. When you have one call me. No matter what time it is day or night. I'll talk to you until your okay again." His eyes locked with mine.

I suddenly felt self-conscious and shy. I blushed slightly and looked away confused by the emotions running through me.

"I-I need to practice." I mumbled awkwardly.

"Yeahh.." He said equally as awkward.

I waited for him to leave but he didn't so I start playing my scales and arpeggios. When he still didn't leave I sighed and began to play moonlight sonata from memory.

"Excellent job young lady." An unfamiliar voice said.

I turned to see a man in the doorway. "Thank you sir." I blushed subconsciously scooting closer to Toby.

"I hear your interested in Juilliard." He said sitting across from me.

I nodded. I always feel really nervous around adults but this time was worse. I felt a hand squeeze mine gently.

"Why are you interested in Juilliard?" He asked almost harshly.

"I really love music. I feel like going to Juilliard could make me an even better musician." I said quietly.

"What makes you think you can get in? Are you special in someway? Different than the others who want to go there?" He asked.

"I-" I didn't know what to say. I scooted back and bumped into Toby. "I think I can get in because I've been perfecting my skills for years and because I'll do anything to get in there." My voice came out like a squeak.

Toby's uncle studied me before replying. "Time will tell us if you are strong enough for the life of a real musician."

I nodded close to tears.

"Uncle Samuel stop it. Eliana is a real musician!" Toby said furiously.

"Hold your tongue boy!" He glared at Toby. "

"Can't you see how nervous she is?" Toby exclaimed.

"I said hold your tongue, Tobias." Samuel said through gritted teeth.

"Don't call me that!" Toby yelled making me jump in surprise.

"It's been six years since your parents died. It's time to move on!" His uncle yelled back.

"They were my parents! I can't just move on!" Toby sounded almost hysterical.

"It was my brother you know. Your not the only one who lost someone!" His uncle yelled.

My eyes shot back and forth between them in fear. I had no idea where this was going.

"Shut up! You don't understand what it was like! I saw it happen!" Toby was breathing heavy.

"Don't tell me to shut up! I'm the head of this house!" Samuels face was red with anger.

Janessa ran in. "Stop it you two!" She yelled.

We all turned to look at her. "Your scaring this poor girl and acting like a couple of children." She exclaimed.

"Oh god Eliana. I'm sorry." Toby wrapped me in a hug. "I didn't mean to scare you."

"It's fine." I said in a shaky voice. "I'm sorry about your parents."

He ran a hand through his hand. "It's okay. It's not your fault."

"Toby why don't you walk Eliana next door and give your uncle sometime to cool down." Janessa suggested.

Toby nodded and we left the house. We went inside and sat on the couch.

"I guess your wondering about my parents." Toby said staring at the floor.

"You don't have to tell me if you don't want to." I said quietly.

"It's fine." He said listlessly. "My parents worked at a big music school in Israel. One day I went with them because they were having a big show. It had just started when the first bomb went off. I was terrified so I ran to find my parents. Just as I saw them another bomb went off and I was knocked on the ground." His voice cracked "I woke up later in a hospital completely alone. I knew they were dead before anyone even told me."

"I'm so sorry." I said my eyes watering up. "I had no idea. No one should have to go through that."

He shrugged. "Everyone said time would help but it hasn't. Uncle Samuel doesn't understand either. Him and dad were never close." I could see him blinking back tears.

"Toby?"

"Yeah?" He asked avoiding my gaze.

"Is that what you have nightmares about?" I asked quietly.

He nodded. "Yeah." He sighed. "I need to go home. Bye."

"Bye." As I watched him go it suddenly dawned on me that I had a boyfriend. And it wasn't Toby...