After lunch Jess, Sky, and I all went our separate ways.

Thankfully I only had to walk to the second floor for my next class, biology. If I had to walk back up to the fifth floor I would've lost it. All these stairs were killing me.

Once I got to class, two minutes before the bell. I took a seat at the back and got out everything I needed for this period. So far there was no sight of Matt, Cody, or Drew, meaning that they probably weren't in this class. When the bell rang, signalling the beginning of class, I let out a big sigh of relief. I was free of the jerks for another period.

The teacher started teaching moments later, and I took down notes and listened intently like the good little student I was. But all that stopped when someone walked into class, twenty minutes late.

"Matthew Bishop, it's nice of you to show up." Mrs. Clark spoke up when she noticed him.

He nodded and scanned the class for a free desk. Unfortunately the only one left was right in front of me.

He tensed and grudgingly walked towards the table, flopping down loudly when he got to it.

I internally groaned at my luck. Not only was I now in another class, sitting right behind, one of the three jerks, but he probably thought I was obsessed with him after what happened at lunch.

Sorry about lunch. It was nothing personal :)

I scribbled on a piece of paper, then folded it neatly and tossed it over his shoulder onto his desk.

A minute later the paper was crumpled up and thrown over his shoulder back at me.

I unfolded it and read what it said.

I figured.

That was all he had to say? He figured. Obviously he was mad at me.

Look I'm sorry but you guys were bugging me and I knew Drew put you up to it. So I got back at him. It made you two leave me alone, didn't it?

I wrote back, and threw it onto his desk again.

I saw his shoulders rise and fall, like he was taking a deep breath, then he hunched over to write down his reply.

Moments later the paper was thrown back at me, and I quickly unfolded it again.

I get it. You're forgiven ;)

I smiled at the message and rolled my eyes. That was such a Cody reply. I didn't know Matt had it in him to flirt a little bit, but that wasn't saying much since I barely knew them.

After that I actually paid attention to what the teacher was saying again, and before I knew it the bell was ringing and I was on my way to the first floor for my music class. And oddly enough I was accompanied by Matt, who decided he was skipping his English class today.

As we walked we talked and teased each other, and I realized that he wasn't actually that bad. Despite being one of Drew's little minions, he was a pretty decent guy.

Once I got to the music room I shot him a quick goodbye, and walked in hurriedly because there was only one minute until the bell.

Just as I took a seat in the first open chair I saw, the bell rang and I smiled a little at the fact that I was only late for my first period class.

"Okay group, I have a special announcement today." The music teacher started.

"We have a new student who is extremely unique and talented, and I'm very excited to have her. She'll be our piano player. Everyone give a warm welcome to Cora Steele."

I sunk in my seat a little, my face heating up from the sudden attention on me.

I heard a few people greet me, and I looked around the room for the first time since I got in here. It was the same one I heard Drew playing in, but this time it was filled with six people, including myself.

And Drew Bates.

Of course! It just had to be him.

Despite the fact that I was furious about having a class with him, I almost started laughing when I saw the pout on his face. He looked like a little kid that just got their lolly pop taken away.

"Welcome to the class Cora, I'm excited to have you and your unique talent with us." The teacher I have yet to learn the name of, said.

I smiled at him but didn't say anything.

"Okay class, today we're going to work in three groups, Kyle and Jordan, Louise and Elle, and Cora and Drew. You'll be trying to make some kind of tune together that sounds good." The teacher explained, and I internally groaned. Of course we'd be paired up together.

I slowly made my way to the piano at the back of the room, where Drew was already sat with his guitar in hand.

"Drew." I greeted stiffly.

"Corey." He replied, just as stiff.

"Excuse me?" I asked, shocked that he would get my name wrong, unless he did that on purpose. But Corey was a boy's name!

"You heard me. Now lets get to work, Corey." He said, smirking as he tuned his guitar.

I closed my eyes and started off doing some basic chords and a couple popular songs I knew, and Drew started doing the same.

I stopped playing and opened my eyes to look at him play, which made him stop very quickly.

"What are you looking at?" He snapped.

I shrugged, "I was waiting for you to start playing something so I could add in the piano. Since that is what we're supposed to be doing."

He rolled his eyes and started playing a catchy little tune with some chords and individual notes.

"Are you gonna add in or what?" He asked when I didn't immediately start playing.

Instead of answering him I just closed my eyes and started doing some chords that would compliment what he was playing, and every once in a while I would add in some high and low notes that sounded great with the tune we were making.

We played this for quite a while. Not once messing up or playing out of sync with the other.

"Very good you two. With the way you're playing now, I'd say you're going to be partners this whole year." The teacher suddenly said, causing Drew and I to stop playing.

"We're not that good." I said. We couldn't be partners for the whole year. I couldn't deal with that much Drew.

"Yes you are. And it really is remarkable that you don't mess up at all when you play, since your eyes are closed the whole time." The teacher replied, looking awed.

It really wasn't that impressive. The only reason I closed my eyes was because I saw my dad playing every time my eyes are open.

I just shrugged in response and shifted uncomfortably on the piano bench. I hated talking about my talents like this.

"You know, you and Drew are the perfect pair." The teacher stated.

I coughed, choking on my spit, and by the sound of it Drew did the same thing.

"What?" I half cough, half breathed.

The teacher let out a loud laugh,"I didn't mean like that. You two are both very talented and on the same skill level, so you can keep up with each other. And the way you played together today just proves that the musical side of you two compliments each other." Mr. What's His Name explained.

I let out a little sigh of relief, but for someone to say that Drew and I were connected in any type of way had me stressed.

When the teacher saw that we weren't going to reply, he shook his head with a knowing smile on his face, and went on to the next group.

As soon as the teacher was gone Drew started playing again, but not the song we just made up. Now he was playing the song I heard him play when I accidentally spied on him.

I listened to the sad song for a few seconds, and then decided to add in some piano.

I closed my eyes and played the chords that went perfectly with his guitar.

I smiled as we played and the beautifully sad music filled the room. I was so into it that I didn't notice that everyone stopped playing their instruments, nor did I hear the bell go.

In that moment it was just me and the music. I saw the notes swirling in my mind, in colours of purple and blue, and I felt the chords run through the piano and into my fingers.

As the music filled my body I finally realized why I was here. Why I continued to play even after my parents died. It was the rush I got when I started playing, followed by the peace I felt when I really got into a song. This must've been why my dad pushed me into piano, because he wanted me to feel what he felt when playing.

If only my parents could be here right now to see how much I'd grown as an artist and musician. I just missed them so much. Every day when I woke up I hoped that I was back in my room and realize that this had all just been a nightmare. I'd get up and go downstairs to find my mom cooking breakfast and my dad sat at the table talking to her.

When I stopped playing, I opened my eyes and looked down at my shaking hands. I took a deep, unsteady breath and stood up, wiping away the tears I didn't mean to let fall.

I didn't look at anyone as I stormed out of the room and back to my dorm. I didn't want to see their faces filled with confusion or pity.

Why was I crying in the first place? Sure I started thinking about my parents, but they didn't die yesterday. I could think about them without breaking down, so what was different this time?

As soon as I got to my dorm I changed into a sweater and leggings, and decided to go outside for a jog.

I had no idea what possessed me to do that because I hated any form of physical activity, but I just needed to get away from everything, and in that moment I thought running was the answer.

I walked around the school grounds, trying to find the track they must've had. I mean what kind of rich school doesn't have a track?

Eventually I did end up finding it, and started jogging once I stepped onto the rubbery surface.

I ran for what felt like hours but was probably no more than a few minutes, when I started getting tired. I was slowing down with every step I took, and eventually I was just walking.

"You're really out of shape." A familiar voice said from beside me.

I let out a small squeak of surprise, not expecting anyone to be here.

I turned my head to look at Matt, who was now walking beside me, smiling lightly.

"I'm more of an artistic person." Was all I said, training my eyes on the track in front of me.

"So why are you out here then?" He questioned.

I just shrugged in reply, not completely knowing the answer.

A few minutes went by before Matt spoke again, breaking the comfortable silence.

"So uh, I heard what happened in music."

I stopped walking and let out a sigh, "Drew told you."

"Yeah, he seemed worried." Matt answered, walking backwards in front of me so we could talk face to face.

I scoffed. Drew? Worried about me? Yeah right.

"Do you want to talk about it?" He asked quietly, his tone soft and soothing, his eyes warm and gentle.

I shook my head, "I'd rather not."

He smiled at me and replied, "That's fine. You barely know me anyway."

I smiled back at him gratefully. He really was a good guy, and I could learn to like him.

"Look, I know I've already said this but I am sorry for what happened at lunch today. It wasn't right and-"

"It's fine, I understand why you did it." He cut me off, smiling and shrugging it off.

"Do you want me to coach you into better shape?" He offered, changing the subject.

I rolled my eyes and smiled, "Sure, but don't go too hard on me."

"Alright, training starts now. Catch me if you can!" And with that he took off running, with me trailing behind him.