A music school - op 1

The first time when I saw a piano, I was only four.
"Look, Mommy! What is that?" I'd bounce around as I tug on my mother's shirt, staring at a grand piano being displayed, probably for showcase.
She laughed, "That's a piano, dear."
She went into the shop & asked the sales assistant whether she could play something on the piano.
The minute I heard that beautiful piece my mother played - coming from just something made out of strings & wood, something so beautiful, I stared.

The next day, my mother took me for piano lessons at Zellar, supposedly the most famous (& priciest) children's music school in the city.
& that was how I ended up on that stage, performing infront of everyone a piano piece twelve years later.




You might be thinking "What is so great about music? Bor-ring!"
Yea, I get that response alot so, I don't mind. Much.
To be honest, Zellar is actually like another world for me. In school, my friends always think I'm the quiet, shy type.
When I go to class at Zellar, I'm a little more outgoing, but only those who I know. Other times, I'd be ten times more shy & quiet.

Asides from learning about Mozart & his life, or even Vivaldi & his last opera, we do theory too. It's not that bad.
It's gaining knowledge.
After studying at that music school for nearly 16 years, my teacher signs me up for orchestra.
I loathe it but now, I love it.



I've been labelled "Percussion Girl" eversince. I never took up a second instrument because I didn't put much effort into the piano, nor did I have the time.
But the teachers make such a big deal that I can cope playing the tambourine. Really, I don't understand.
They say that I can "learn so quickly".
One of the teachers, Vivan - she's the most respected. After Mrs. Zellar, of course. Vivan has been in the school since SHE was eight. Now, she's a happy mother & a wife - always give me percussion solos. I enjoy it but I don't like taking up the limelight. It's a little embarrassing.


When I packed up my glockenspiel - don't try to pronounce it - I got up & nearly knocked over someone... Or more likely, that someone nearly knocked me over.
He was cute, (the boy cute, not baby cute) his brown, shaggy hair nearly covering his eyes, which were emerald green.
"Oh, so sorry." he said. I noted that he had a British accent.
He kneeled down to pick up his case - a flute case. He was a flutist - & passed me by.
I didn't so much as turn around to apologize.

I hate myself.






3 months after that incident, my teacher, Wenno, arranged a piece for us - by "us" meaning my group class - to perform.
I was stuck with the marimba (surprise, surprise), my friend, Chulian with the clarinet, Steff & Key Nee playing the violin & a guy named Allary to play the flute.
This was unusual, was the first thought that I had.
Wenno invited someone to help play the flute - an accompaniement for the marimba.

A knock was heard at the auditorium door.
"Come in." we all said in unison.
There I saw the boy who I knocked over was walking over to the grand piano, most likely to greet Wenno.
At that time, you could have just tip me over with a feather. I was that surprised.

He looked at me & gave a small smile.
I returned the smile back & hid my face with my long hair.




"That was quite good as always, Leila." Wenno gushed.
I shrugged it off - compliments always made me feel uneasy.
"Yea, you were pretty good." a voice said.
It was him, Allary. I gave a small smile & blushed.

"We have another surprise, though. Lets perform the second piece, Loving You."
"But Medine isn't here! Who's going to sing? We all have to play our instruments." I said.
"Why don't you sing, Leila?" Allary asked.
"Oh, but I've never really s-"
"Actually, Allary's right. Why don't you sing? We always perform. Allary, go play the flute. Just accompany Leila sing."
He nodded & went to get his flute.










It was like an angel singing. I had never heard a voice as beautiful as that.
Leila striked me as one of those shy types. But when she sang, it was as if the heaven broke open, just like in that Mr. Bean show.
The melody helped too. It was so catchy.
I couldn't believe seeing that girl, though. I had thought of her as a snob when she didn't apologize for nearly bumping me off.
But there she was, singing.
All because of me.









His flute was amazing. It was as if he's the world's greatest flutist.
Really. He could've just played the "Bumblebee race" & wouldn't miss a note.
Three weeks later, we performed the pieces.
I ended up singing, since Medine had lost her voice.

A day after that, I started going out with Allary.
You might even just say I had my first ever boyfriend.
Who was a flute prodigy. A cute one, no less.




I discovered that he & I are so opposite - & alike.
By alike, he & I are pretty quiet.
By opposite, he secretly composes songs for himself so he could play more on his flute. I just like to play songs on my piano - especially from the Romantic era. But now, I've found a new pastime, thanks to him.







We broke up after a year. Not really but in a way, we did.
I was there at the airport when he went off to London, to accept the invitation of performing with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra whereas I just played part-time keeping my Percussion Girl reputation alive at home & my singing reputation worldwide.
That was the last time I saw Allary, walking to the Departing section, GateA72.
I couldn't stop crying & smiling, at the same time.
The night before that, he told me it would be fine. Everything would be fine.
He even gave me a token from his heart - his words. A small chain necklace with a heart-shaped pendant.
He wore one too, only it was just an empty circle.
When put together, our pendants fit perfectly.

As he put the necklace on me, he said those words.
"Everything would be fine."

But I couldn't believe he wouldn't wait.
But we were already 17. Well, I was 17. He was already 18.

"Leila?" I turned around & saw Chulian, looking embarrassed & uncomfortable.
"Hmm?"
He handed me a rectangular parcel, my name written on the brown paper by a scriblly writing.
I opened it eagerly & nearly choked up.
It was a manuscript, filled with original songs composed by someone.
At the back page, he wrote:

"To someone special. I hope you sing as well as I play.
-Allary"

Chulian handed me two tissue boxes, I think.
The book's now framed. Sometimes I take it out to sing the songs he'd compose for me, or play on the piano.
That was my first closest friend I had in a long time.

He still sends me manuscripts, as a hobby from travelling with the Orchestra so much.
I always finger the necklace that was always around me.