The Piano Boy

by Valerie Dohrer

The cool autumn air humbly glided over Becky’s exposed skin as she sat beneath her best friend, Herbal's favorite willow and drew her legs into her chest. What little sunlight there was wouldn't be much help in warming her. Why hadn't she thought to bring another jacket? Oh, well, at least she had her scarf.

Becky did not know how much longer she could stand this. She was incredibly bored and antsy as a result of the weather. Herbal, was working on a project with Alexa in their shared dorm so Becky had wandered down to the courtyard with a book to keep out of their way. She had tried reading but it wasn't until she had re-read the same passage four times and not known what it was about that she decided it was hopeless.

Maybe a walk will help, she thought in desperation. It couldn't hurt. Becky scooped up her book and hugged it close to her chest for warmth.

Since it was a Saturday afternoon few students remained on campus. The buses hadn't yet returned from the city day trip and the courtyard nearly resembled a ghost town.

As she rounded Dalby Hall, Becky heard the strangest sound. From the theater she could hear the faint sound of music. At first she thought a groundskeeper must be listening to the radio but as she passed by the theater, she heard a cry of exasperation followed by a loud clang.

Puzzled, Becky opened the rear entrance to the theatre and slipped inside. A student bent over the grand piano gracefully whisked his fingers over the keys projecting a fluid and harmonious sound. His brown hair bobbed with the tempo of the music. Becky's feet welded to the floor as each note captivated her, telling her their individual stories. Maybe it was the fact that someone her own age was so talented that stunned her. Becky was not classical's number one fan but the emotions in the song paralyzed her.

A loud thump brought her back to reality as she realized her book was no longer in her arms. The boy jolted from the bench, knocking it over and focused on Becky with wide fearful eyes.

"I'm...I'm sorry," Becky’s words rushed out still somewhat in shock.

"I have to go," he muttered and slipped away before Becky could find out who he was.

Privaton Boarding School was not that big of a school. Surely if he went here she would know him, right? Still this mystery guy excited her. Would she see him again? She was embarrassed for startling him and scaring him away and she was sure it would be awkward if she ever saw him again anyway.

Becky decided to go back to the common room of her dorm to think, but ultimately for the warmth. A few freshmen girls huddled together speaking excitedly in low voices as they kept an eye out for their surroundings. One of them pointed toward Dalby Hall and they giggled in unison.

Becky wondered if they were talking about the mystery boy but then realized it was probably just her wishful thinking. As she pushed their conversation to the back of her mind she moved her book into her left arm in preparation to open the dorm’s huge wooden door. Becky’s gloved hand left her insulated pocket as she reached out to lug open the massive door.

The hot air from the heater soothed Becky’s frozen face. Her cheeks tingled with what could only be hypothermia. The thick eighty-degree air made it hard to breath so she unwound the cashmere scarf from her toasty neck before she started overheating.

“Hey Beck, Herbal and I are done. She’s all yours now,” Alexa joked as she buttoned her wool pea coat in the foyer.

“Thanks Lex,” Becky laughed.

Becky decided to take the stairs to her third floor dorm room as she watched the elevator doors close twenty feet ahead of her. She didn’t feel like waiting for the next one and she wanted to tell Herbal all about the mystery guy.

1980’s pop filled the hallway and Becky smiled to herself as she heard Herbal’s faint, familiar voice singing along.

“You make my dreams come true!” Becky sang at the top of her lungs as she burst through the door.

Herbal was jumping on her bed in sweatpants and an oversized t-shirt singing into a hairbrush. Becky grabbed her brush from her dresser to join Herbal in dancing around the room and singing for the rest of the song. After it ended Herbal hopped down from her bed, skipped to her laptop and turned down the music.

“Hey, sorry we had to kick you out. We almost finished, though. What’d you end up doing?”

“Oh my God Herbal, something exciting actually happened to me today.”

“Well, spill then!” Herbal ordered bouncing back on her bed and crossing her legs. Becky climbed on the foot of Herbal’s bed and dangled one leg over the side.

“Ok, so I was walking by Dalby and I heard this music…” Becky filled her best friend in on what was sure to be the latest gossip.

“So did you get his number?” Herbal playfully teased.

“No, I didn’t even get his name. It’s pretty late in the semester for someone to be transferring here but why else would there be a new student?”

Becky and Herbal discussed their theories ranging from undercover spy to recently orphaned multibillionaire to alien from outer space.

“This is crazy! All we know about him so far is that he’s an incredible pianist, he’s shy, cute and mysterious,” Becky said interrupting the flow of their brainstorm.

“You have binoculars, right?” Herbal asked rolling off the bed, onto the floor and army-crawling her way to the window that overlooked the Western courtyard.

“Herbal,” Becky muttered knowingly and rolled her eyes. She too got up and joined Herbal at the window.

“We need walkie talkies in order to effectively use our super secret ninja spy skills to uncover the enigma that is presented in this strapping young fellow,” Herbal said slipping into a British accent as she remained on the floor.

“We are not stalking this guy, Herbal. He’s probably gone by now anyway,” Becky said offering her hands to help Herbal up. Herbal accepted and Becky pulled her to her feet.

A distant bell warned them they had five minutes to get to the dining hall for lunch.

“We’d better go. I really don’t want to be late again. It’ll be the second meal this week and we’ll have to wipe tables,” Becky warned.

Becky and Herbal bundled up in preparation to face the menacing cold.

****

“It’s freezing!” Herbal exclaimed.

“That’s because you’ve been inside all day. I’ll race ya,” Becky challenged and sprinted ahead. Herbal grabbed Becky by the arm and they ran together through the cold. Herbal’s boyfriend, Michael, saw them and jogged along with them.

“What are you guys doing?” he asked.

“We were racing, but Herbal’s cheating and won’t let go,” Becky yelled through her giggles.

“Here, I’ll help you,” Michael announced. He pivoted between Becky and Herbal, blocking Herbal from her path and forcing her to release Becky.

“Hey, That’s not fair. I demand a rematch,” Herbal announced as she and Michael met Becky by the dining hall doors, holding hands. Becky was in the process of completing her victory dance. She immaturely stuck out her tongue as she wrapped up her victory dance with jazz hands.

“Let’s go inside,” Michael said, holding the door open for them.

The three of them grabbed their normal seats at the table furthest from the door to escape the frequent gusts of wind that stealthily snuck in as students arrived.

The conversation eventually moved to the mystery guy so Becky excused herself to get tea and avoid being forced to retell the story of her account with the mystery pianist. Becky carefully added just the right amount of honey to her tea and turned around, quickly focusing intently on her mug. Her head snapped up in surprise as she crashed into a solid figure, which let out as cry of pain. Boiling hot tea sloshed over the rim and dripped down Becky’s hand. Her eyes followed the trajectory of the spill onto a maroon knit sweater. Her eyes met those of her victim and she stared in horror and embarrassment as she recognized the mystery piano boy.

“Oh my God, I’m so sorry,” rushed feeling every ounce of blood rush to her face. She carefully placed her mug down on the coffee bar and grabbed a handful of napkins.

“It’s ok, I’m fine,” he said with a grim smile.

Becky awkwardly handed him the napkins and he patted himself dry. “I’m so sorry. I should really be more careful,” she anxiously rambled.

“Don’t worry about it,” he said and walked away quickly.

Becky returned to her table humiliated. Just as she sat down she realized she’d left her tea on the counter but opted not to retrieve it. Who knew how else she could embarrass herself that day.

“Beck, what happened to you?” Herbal asked in confusion.

“I ran into the mystery guy again, literally this time,”

Herbal gasped in excitement.

“With hot tea. I scorched the both of us. God, I am just not good at making first impressions,” Becky decided.

“Well you were talking to imaginary friends when I first met you,” Herbal teased.

“We were three! And Olivia is a better friend than you are anyway,” Becky playfully shot back.

Herbal gasped in mock horror with her mouth gaping and eyes narrowed. “Well where is he?” Herbal asked suddenly breaking out of the mock fight.

Becky scanned the crowd three times but couldn’t find him.

“Well?” Herbal asked expectantly.

“I don’t see him. He must have left already,” Becky figured. She was a little disappointed but mostly relieved.

“I’m beginning to think that this guy is either imaginary or a ghost since apparently you are the only one who’s ever seen him.”

Becky trudged along back to her dorm with Herbal and Michael chatting away beside her. She tried to comprehend the fact that in a school of four hundred, no one seemed to have noticed the new kid. She couldn’t be going crazy. She was too young for that. Only old people with nothing left to live for went crazy. Right?

“Becky, watch out!” Herbal called frantically.

Becky froze as she was yanked back to reality. Her foot hovered over a giant puddle. Really Universe, really? After all the embarrassment she’d experienced that day, she was shocked that the Universe was still attempting to punish her for a crime she wasn’t sure she committed. What did I do? She wanted to scream.

“Thanks, Herbal,” She muttered as she glared towards the sky.

“Why so glum, chum?” Herbal asked in her fake British accent. She could tell something was bothering Becky and tried to cheer her up.

“Today’s just been a bad day,” Becky mumbled to dismiss her. She really didn’t want to talk about it. Talking about it would only remind her of the humiliation and frustration she acquired in these few hours.

Herbal shrugged, slightly disappointed but figured it was probably best not to make a big deal out of whatever was bothering Becky. If Becky wanted to talk about it, she would.

The rest of the weekend was much better. News of the new kid had spread all over campus by the next meal and Becky’s sanity was no longer in question. She hadn’t stopped thinking about him at all. It must feel terrible to constantly be bombarded by new people. That poor, mysterious boy.

By the time Monday rolled around, Becky was in a much better mood. She silently danced to music in her head as she half skipped to second hour English. This was going to be a better day, she decided.

Becky jumped and clicked her heels together just for fun as she rounded the corner and swiftly walked into her classroom. She went to her seat as if nothing had happened and retrieved her notebook from her bag. If anyone noticed they ignored Becky’s somewhat unusual entrance. Becky flipped through her notebook, looking for the last notes she had taken.

“Alright before we begin I want to introduce you to our new student, Adam Ga-den-za. Did I say that right? He’s just transferred here from the Italian-American Charter School. I want each one of you to introduce yourselves on your own time and make him feel welcome,” Ms. Easterbrook announced as the late bell rang.

Becky looked up from her work to see none other than the piano boy. Jesus, her life was turning into a bad romantic comedy. One more and she’d be drowning in clichés. Act cool, Becky, act cool. She couldn’t afford to make a fool of herself in front of him again.

Natalie tiptoed in late and tried to squeeze past Becky’s desk without being noticed but as she swung her huge bag over her shoulder it caught on Becky’s books and sent them crashing to the ground.

“Sorry, Becky!” Natalie exclaimed in a whisper.

“It’s ok,” Becky assured her as she reached down to get her things. At least this time it wasn’t her fault.

From across the row, the piano boy delicately reached out and picked up her fallen things.

“Thanks. I’m Becky.”

“Adam,” he said handing them back to her.

“I’m really sorry about, you know, before. I’m a total klutz. If you need anything let me know. I’d be happy to help.”

“Would it be wise of me to follow advice from a girl who’s tripped over, dropped or spilled everything she comes in contact with?” He asked lightly.

“Oh, god,” Becky mumbled adverting her gaze and wanting nothing more than to just shrivel up and die.

“It’s ok. Don’t worry about it. I won’t tell anyone,” He smiled.

****

Becky and Adam did not fall in love. They did not end up married with two perfect blonde-haired children. Becky and Adam remained casual friends until their first year of college where life got in the way and they gradually lost touch. It was not until many years after Becky graduated from NYU that she even thought about Adam again, as she was randomly flipping through an old yearbook.