“I can’t play anything beautiful.  I don’t practice enough for that.”  It was true that Julia was not playing anything in particular.  She’d slung her bag onto the floor when they came in and was just plunking around on the keys of the piano, bits and pieces and daydreamy sort of thoughtless stuff.  It was also true that she didn’t practice enough to be an exceptional piano player.  During the school term, she typically didn’t practice at all except when she and Jamie were hanging out in here, and that never amounted to serious practice.  Julia had been taking lessons at home since she was quite small, however, and she was certainly capable of playing some decently pretty pieces when she made an effort.  Despite claiming she couldn’t do it, Julia did begin to warm up properly and eased into a melody she’d learned forever ago.  

“This year has barely started,” Julia replied to his pity party.  “It’s not a bust yet.”  She continued with the song, stumbled over a bit, but righted it again, playing it a little too slow as she went.  Julia had heard an interesting piece of gossip earlier in the week.  Apparently, she and Jamie were involved in a sordid affair.  It was embarrassing to be talked about like that, and it was a little weird and uncomfortable to think about actually dating Jamie.  This wasn’t weird because he was unattractive or somehow unappealing, but simply because he’d been her best friend for so long that he felt more like an extension of herself at times than like a real boy. 

“That bit you were playing in the commons last night was lovely,” she told him.  “And didn’t you see those girls getting all misty eyed watching you?”  Julia stopped playing and turned on the bench to grin at him impishly.  “They were falling in love,” she added, drawing out that last word long and lilting.  Never mind the fact that the girls were second years.  They were adorable.  



Life unfolds in proportion to your courage.  

Last Edited By: Pasmosa Nov 14 12 4:39 AM. Edited 1 times.