-James Fletcher-

That girl was mesmerizing.

I would watch her interviews, not that I really know why. I wasn't interested in the piano, nor did I like to waste time when I could be practicing the violin or out with friends. But there was something about her. Maybe it was how she was unreachable, because her way of life was so different than mine. Or maybe it was because of her smile. I had seen a lot of smiles but hers was different. Her's shined like the stars in the sky, with no bright city lights to dim them.

I had never expected her to actually meet her. Even when the soft melody floated down the hallway to where I was, talking to this girl in a green dress. Even when I opened the door and saw that smile, and her fingers shifting from key to key.

But there she is. In the studio I've practically grown up in with the piano my sisters are learning on. She's sitting, in a place I have sat thousands of times. The heater comes on, as it has every day at 5 pm. But this time its different, this time she's here.

"That's who I want as a partner." I whisper once she comes to a stop, turning to us as if just now feeling the presence of another. The look on her face reminding me of a deer caught in the headlights as she stands up quickly.

"Sorry I-"

"Evelyn Augustine," I begin, and her blue eyes narrow in on me, body stiffening.

"You know me?"

"No, well I know of you. Your Evelyn Augustine, famed pianist, winner of who knows how many competitions and my new parter"

"Who said I wanted a partner?"

"Well.." I took a step closer to her, smiling, "why are you here then?"

"I had a performance, heard you playing from the street and decided to check it out."

"Is that so?" I raised an eyebrow. Evelyn Augustine coming here because of a small concert doesn't seem likely.

Evelyn hummed, "I thought the girl in the green was going to be your partner."

"Things can always change." I hope

"She seemed pretty sure to me though."

"It doesn't matter how sure she is, because my parents are looking for the best," I boasted, taking a small step closer to her.

"And I'm that? The best," she smiled but this time it was different. Is she teasing me?

I hummed at the thought, smile widening, "I don't know, but according to my sisters your pretty good. So I'll take my chances with you."

"Take your chances?You don't sound to sure about us as a team."

Another step closer to her, and then another until we were standing only a foot apart.

"Well I haven't gotten to know us," I breathed down her neck, "as a team."

I could feel her stiffen against me, waves of heat rolling off of her and onto me. She took a step back, and then a few more until she could look me in the eyes. Then she turned, picked up her purse and said, "Well, I guess we will just have to figure out."

"You know I've never played with anyone before, right? Like as a team,"Evelyn asked as I began to walk out.

I didn't know that.

"Yeah."

"And your not worried about how we will work together? Or if maybe I cant get used to working with a partner in time?"

I was

"No, why are you?" I turned to look at her.

She reluctantly shook her head, "no."

"So tell me, how are you liking our charming little town? Not what your used too?" I asked as we walked out of the room and down the hall.

"It is actually. I was born in Jackson Wyoming. I moved a bit later but I find this town..."Evelyn trailed off, looking out the iced windows and out at the mountains, "refreshing."

"Thats good."

I stop in front of a doors, the loud voices behind them trailing into the hallway. With one last glance at the blonde headed girl by my side I opened them and saw: green.

I took a step back, blinded for a moment before squinting. Standing before me was a girl in a bright green dress that only got brighter as the sun hit it and a man-presumably her father standing next to her. The girl turned to me, her smile widening at the sight of me. But as she looking to Evelyn her smile faltered and I could see anger lingering in her eyes as she turned back to me, "James, you played wonderfully today."

"Really?I made a few mistakes you know. Five to be exact, if I make them in nationals I doubt I would win." I smiled to her before turning to Evelyn, "But I guess that means I need to practice with my partner. A lot."

Evelyn avoided my gaze even when my eyes bore into her, so with a sigh I turned to face them, "Sorry how rude of me, this is Evelyn Augustine, my partner for nationals. And your name is?"

The girls cheeks went red, "Abigail Beltane."

"Ah, well nice to meet you, now if you wouldn't mind I have to talk to my parents. Just get some last minute contracts signed, you know how it is." I gave her a smile before shooing Abigail and her father out.

"Have you lost your damn mind?"My fathers voice bellowed once the door closed.

"Conrad,"My mother pleaded, grabbing a hold of him as he stood up. The two of them shared a look, one that said everything and nothing at the same time.

"No. That deal with the Beltane's was going to help the business

"Conrad," Mother said again, this time more stern, "do you not realize who our son has brought to us? This is bigger than our business with the Beltane's. Plus he chose her, I always wanted him to have the freedom to chose his partner."

I turned to Evelyn who was watching the two of them hesitantly. I could see from her stance she was wondering if she made a mistake by following me, or by agreeing to be my partner. Not that I could blame her, but...I did want this to work.

Abigail Beltane was good- I had done my research on her like everyone else who was coming to this. But Evelyn was better. She was all the twins talked about, I would be an idiot to not try with her.

"If your worried about me winning don't be," I smiled, looking at my grumbling dad.

This caught the interest of both my parents, as there heads turned to us as if just realizing we were still in the room.

"Right Evelyn?"

"I.." Evelyn began as she turned to my parents, '"We are behind the other partners who have been together for years. It wont be easy, long days of work, but... there is a chance."

"That sounds great, see Conrad?" Mother turned to him as he nodded.

"All right. Fine" Father looked to the two of us, "You guys have till nationals to prove you are...good together. If your not than James, your going to do as we tell you- and that includes being partners with Abigail."

I knew they were talking about sending me off to live with my aunt in France, and that I would have to follow their plans for me-whatever that included.

"James going with her will be a risk, this is the last chance you have to prove to us that you can achieve greatness on your own" Mother looked at me with a certain sadness in her eyes, the kind that made it harder to look away.

"After last time," Father began before trailing off.

"I know," I whispered knowing this was it.

Images of a plane crash blurred through my mind, and of my father talking with the people in charge, screaming about the design flaw that led to the crash.

I wondered if he knew it. Sometimes I think he did, when he had that wise owl smile, or that glint in his eyes. But he didn't know. He didn't know that it was my fault, that I was the design flaw in the Fletcher family, the one who isn't quite like the others, the one who crashes and burns more often than not. And now Evelyn was my partner, my last chance, and this time, just this time I was determined to not crash and burn.