As I expected, Gene was waiting for me out back. I hadn't changed out of my dress, mainly because I would feel bad if he was all dressed up and I wasn't. He approached me with his hands slid into his pockets, a grin had been stretched across his face. "Well you ready to go crazy?"

"You make it sound like we're going to take shots."

"Maybe a few won't hurt," he winked and I clutched my violin case tightly. "Just teasing, wanna take my car?"

"S-Sure." I nodded and he lead me to the black Chevrolet that I had seen in the parking lot of the apartment complex. He swooped in front of my and opened the door for me. "Thanks..."

"M'lady," he bowed his head as I sat down in the seat, shaking my head. He closed the door and ran to the other side as I set my violin case in the back seat. He sat down next to me in the front, starting the car.

"Where are we off to first?" I asked, putting on my seat belt.

"I'm not sure. I've only lived here for a few weeks."

"Wow. I feel like I've been tricked." I laughed as he rolled his eyes.

"Well shall we see what New York has to offer for us?"

"Why not?"

"Alright, where to first... oh, I just remembered you just moved here too..."

"Then just drive around until something catches your eye."

"Sounds good to me." He winked at me and drove out of the parking lot, into the trafficking streets. There were a few moments of silence between us before I laughed. "Something funny?"

"No, I just felt like laughing... also do you mind turning on the radio?"

"There's probably nothing you'll like on, considering you're a classical musician."

"Turn it on. I like all kinds of music." He shrugged and clicked the butting to turn on the radio and Welcome To The Black Parade by My Chemical Romance came on and I quickly found myself air playing the song on my air violin.

"What are you doing?" He chuckled, looking over to me.

"Shut up, I'm playing the air violin." I snapped. He pursed his lips and quickly pulled over, causing me to lurch forward. "What the heck?"

"I found a park!"

"That's Central Park."

"Still a park!" He exclaimed, jumping out of the car. I grabbed my violin case and quickly followed him. Gene was practically doing cartwheels as I jogged slowly trying to catch up. After several cartwheels Gene sat down on a bench, quietly, I sat next to him. "You brought your violin?"

"I bring it everywhere."

"Well since we're alone, do you mind playing Teenagers on it for me?" There was a pleading look in his eyes, that was almost adorable, but even if it was, I wouldn't admit it to myself... even though he was practically begging, I never pass up a chance to play.

"Fine. Just give me a minute to tune." He clapped excitedly, as I set the case on the cement and raised the violin to my chin, checking the notes, seeing what I had to fix and what not. Once it was tuned perfectly I raised my bow, resting it gently on the strings, placed my fingers and slowly moved the bow across the strings.

The sound of the energetic song on a violin was something strange, yet appealing to me. I'd never tried to play any songs like this one, but I knew how to match chords and notes. My eyes eventually pressed closed as the music seemed to suck me in. As I played there was more violent sounding notes that matched the song.

As I finished the song my eyes fluttered open, and I saw Gene staring at me, wide eyed. His blue eyes were shining, so beautifully, it was hard not to stare back. "That was amazing!"

My cheeks flushed crimson as he clapped louder than needed. I moved away, my shy instincts telling me to keep a distance. Quickly, my instrument moved back into the case and I stood up, grasping the case to my chest. "Where are we going next?"

"Well would you like to go get some dinner?"

"Sure." We walked back to his car and sat back down. We ended up going to a steakhouse, it wasn't too fancy that it wasn't affordable.

We were seated in a small corner, the room dimly lit and it was the kind of place I liked. We ordered our food along with our drinks, and Gene tried to start a conversation. "So do you have any siblings."

Touchy subject number one. I had no family.

I responded by shaking my head, no. I might as well tell him the truth since we're neighbors, and we might be hanging out more. "I have always lived alone. Since I was ten. I was actually homeless for a few years. Then I managed to snatch a job, it payed a good amount. It was a cleaning job, I cleaned houses for a living, and after a year of saving up I managed to buy an apartment, and a violin."

"Why'd you buy a violin?"

"There was just something in the way it felt in my hands. Like it was meant to be with me. It was supposed to be me who played it, so I bought it. Then I took lessons, caught up quickly and here I am. Moved from Minnesota to New York."

"Wow, that's kind of amazing."

"What about you? Have any siblings?"

"One. His name is Dante. He's a very energetic boy, only a few years younger than me, but I was a bad influence on him..."

"What are you talking about? You're plenty good." A sad look crossed his face.

"No... not always. When I was in middle school I was best friends with this girl named Kate. She was everything to me at the time, being my only friend and she got caught up in a car accident and didn't make it back to school. Then when I got to high school I got associated with the wrong kids, and I was a total jerk. Rebellious even. I blackmailed, vandalized, basically tormented kids."

"Wow... I guess we both have a bit of a past..."

"Yeah..." He stood up and my eyes drifted up to him. He had his hands on his hips... smiling. "C'mon."

"What are we doing?" I asked as he pulled me to my feet.

"Well I have a few secrets of my own that I'm still willing to share, but we need to go to an instrument shop!" My eyes widened with joy.

"Okay!" We ran back to the car, my case swinging with my arms. Once we got in the car I laughed. He pulled out of the parking lot and into the streets. We were driving for twenty minutes, eyes peeled, looking for any music store. I spotted Meijer Music and it was still open. "There!"

"Good!" He took a sharp turn pulling into the parking lot. He was the first to get out and jog towards the building. I left my violin in the car this time and jogged in after him. When I entered I was meet by a cool breeze from the air conditioning, and the soft beats of a drum. My eyes wandered, but couldn't seem to find a drum set.

I began to walk around until I found, Gene in the corner, sitting on a stool, playing the drums. A smile crossed my face as he looked up. "My secret. I can play instruments too."

"Any others?"

"Maybe, but drums are my favorite," he tapped a few more times, playing in harmony, "do you play anything else?"

I gently listed a bass guitar off the wall, placing the strap across my shoulder. I plugged it into one of the speakers and my fingers flew across the strings, playing the chorus of Fix You by Coldplay. Gene's eyes sparkled a bit as I set it back. "Now we go to the classical instruments."

I dragged him over to the cellos and sat down, tuning it to play Fur Elise, in a mocking manner. Gene sat down with the bass and joined me. It was strange not playing the violin, but I didn't mind playing cello or bass guitar. Once we finished, I shook my head laughing. "How many instruments do you play?" He asked.

"Ukulele, cello, bass, viola, bass guitar, guitar, electric guitar, synthesizer, and violin."

"Wow, so string instruments?"

"My entire life. My only friends." A small smile crossed my face, until my eyes turned, and I saw a piano. My feet sub consciously moved towards it, leaving the cello, and Gene behind. I stopped right in front of the bench, my fingers brushed the key cover.

"Do you know how to play?" Gene asked, his voice suddenly seemed so small and it made me feel even smaller.

"I never had the money, just violin. I learned the other instruments by myself... but I just couldn't learn piano. It never made sense to me."

"Do you want to learn something?" I nodded and he guided me to sit down on the bench and stood behind me, his warm hands skimmed the top of my own. Slowly, without speaking he guided my fingers and played Chopsticks. Something so simple, but lovely, then Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, then Ode to Joy. So many more followed and every minute I was loving, not only the music, but the feel of his skin on mine, his breath on my neck. I felt like there was no place in the world I'd rather be. Soon I found he was leading me to play, Love's Joy.

After playing several songs he pulled away and his absence felt cold, I almost immediately missed his embrace. I turned to him, both us seemed to be at a loss of words. "So... do you want to go get second dinner?"

My face felt flushed as I nodded. We both exited the store, quietly. We made a connection there, and I was never going to forget it. We made it to the car I'm silence before sitting down. "Where to?"

"Let's just find somewhere that seems like it should be good."

"Okay..." He started the car, and we were silent again.