The Hero they thought was a Nerd

Vis a Vis

Leilani's POV

I was sighing against my locker.  It's hard to think about what to do or how to finish what you've started once you started to do it.  Carol told me that I should have been aware of it, even should have prepared for it but I was so naive that it would not be a possibility.

I lost my bestfriend.

I slammed my hand onto my locker's door and yanked it open.  How do you react when you've suddenly found that the person whom you thought who will be with you forever could not follow up on your promises because they found something or someone else to put their world onto?   We were having a simple conversation between friends when she was suddenly grabbed from behind and the manly hands were hugging her very tightly as if they didn't want to let go.  The man's arms were like vice as he kept my friend in his grasp.

"Mine."  He muttered and my friend gasped in reply.

Who would lay claim on my friend like some piece of furniture?  Why the heck did she act like she liked it?  She even smiled at the man widely and they left me hanging speechless and tongue tied.  I thought that I should be happy that my friend had found the guy of her dreams and was, maybe, having the time of her life with him.

Now, I'm a b***h for even thinking such bad things about her boyfriend.

I really don't want to see them necking in my face during lunch break so I made my way towards the music room to start on the assignment Ms. Vale had asked us to finish.  We were supposed to prepare a piece to perform since we have already finished the Salut d'amour last week.  So I think working in a piece now would be better than thinking of how to avoid meeting my bestfriend's boyfriend.

Since I have a little background with the piano, I decided to try that one first before shifting to the harp if need be.  I asked for a room from the receptionist and was given one that has a grand piano on it.  I can hear the strains of the violin coming from one of the rooms but decided to ignore it.  If a student was practicing there, then I should leave them in peace.  I sat down on the chair and heaved a sigh of defeat.  Guess, I have to think of ways to spend my spare time since I'm sure my friend would not be sparing any more time with me.

The thought may be depressing but the piece that I decided to play was Liszt's Piano Sonata in B minor.  It was the first piano piece that my mother taught me and was also considered the most versatile of Liszt's pieces.  I found it to be the most amazing of his piano pieces and was always left in wonder at the beauty and complication of it.  As my fingers lightly threaded the keys, I emptied my mind of the things that bothered me.

My non-existent love life.

My best friend's love life.

My parents' expectations.

My heart bled as I felt all the pain that I was feeling.  Even though the piece was far from depressing, I was utterly depressed.  I felt that I just lost my only confidante and I am turning into an old maid.  By God!  Why do I have to suffer the utter loneliness of not finding my own destiny.  Why is it so hard to find the one person that would be my one and only?  Am I too prickly?  Choosy?  Do I look like a washer woman?  I mean some say that I am a gorgeous girl but I do try to believe it even though they were my relatives.  As some would say, love your own.

My fingers hovered over the keys as the notes died down as I thought of how selfish I seem to become.  I realized that Carol couldn't possibly devote her time on me.  I should be more supportive of her and try not to be a buzz kill.  Who knows?  I might be able to find my true love one of these days.

"Awesome.  You have skill."  A voice drifted from the doorway.

I gasped and saw Carol smirking along with a tall dark haired man.  He was dressed casually and holding Carol's and his backpack in one shoulder.  Another guy was standing beside them who was openly smiling at me.

They entered the room and stood beside the piano.

"I didn't see you during lunch so I thought you might be here."  Carol explained as she pulled a chair to sit on.  She pointed to the man standing beside her.  "By the way, this is Maxim Driscoll my ma- boyfriend.  This is Jace Briz, his - assistant.

I muttered a how do you do as I shook their hands, the other guy looked deflated somehow.  But he seemed to wake up after shaking his head and just smiled at me.

"I hope you don't mind but I am looking for acts to perform for the assembly this week so will you play for us?  Carol here has been talking non-stop about you and now I can see why."  Maxim explained.

I could only stare at them on hearing what they wanted from me.

"Hey, I even registered you on the music concourse for next month.  If this is how good you are then you'll kill it for sure."  Carol added her opinion.

As they were busy talking about what I could play for the assembly and for the concourse,, I thought my whole life has already been turned upside down because of their connection and now I have to deal with preparing to play in front of other people.  I would prefer to kill Carol first before I could think of doing this whole piano thing for her.

"I think we should inform Mr. Winters about finding Leilani for the event.  I'm sure it would ease his worries."  Jace piped up.  They helped me pick up my things and we made our way to the Teacher's Lounge.  As they were speaking with Mr. Winters, I decided to ask Ms. Vale for help on a coach.  After all as my music teacher she would be able to help me prepare for this shindig that they wanted me to do.  Unfortunately, just as I was about to ask for her assistance, her eyes lit up on someone who entered the room.  I heard his deep voice and I shook my head, thinking it was just a dream.  Imagine my surprise when I turned and saw him.  My worst nightmare and dream come true.

"Can you be a dear and help out this young lady?  She was asked to perform for the guests of the principal and to take part in the music concourse The Golden Virtuoso had won in."  Ms. Vale suddenly asked the young man who looked anything but helpful.

I couldn't help but drool at Bryce Latimer.  He looked so unassuming that anyone would think he's a nerd but I have already seen him in his musical glory.  To think that this amazing man can be my coach makes me pee in my pants.  I almost swooned when he replied

"Oh, alright.  I'll work it in my schedule."