Anvi followed the sound of gliding music to the open auditorium. She descended the room to the piano and sat in the first row to watch Isaac play. He paid her no mind, enjoying the melody as it spiraled in a graceful waltz. When it came to an end, he didn’t look up.
“How do you play like that?” she murmured to herself, but the larger room carried the echo.
He looked up, for the first time acknowledging his company,“Practice.”
She sighed,“I practice. I used to compete actually. And I play pretty well when I’m on my own, but it’s not the same in front of people.”
He peered down at her, quizzical eyes forming a plan,“Come sit with me.”
She thought to deny his request, but couldn’t think of any excuse that made sense. It was painfully obvious what would happen next: he’d challenge her to play in a way her pride couldn’t resist, then scrutinize her when she inevitably fails to meet his expectations. Nonetheless, she obliged.
“Care to play me something?” He didn’t slide off of the bench, just over to the edge to give her space. It was long enough for the both of them, but too close to Anvi’s comfort.
“Sure.” Anvi hovered her fingers over the keys, feeling sweat drip to their tips.“Just don’t laugh if I fumble.”
“Then don’t fumble.”
Anvi didn’t fumble, and she was half sure it was out of spite. It wasn’t nearly as graceful as when he played, but she didn’t fumble and for that she was grateful. When she was done, she looked up at him, expectantly, sure he might criticize her playing.
“You’d probably enjoy an audience more if you weren’t nervous.”
“Really?”
“I’m gonna get in your head. Then I want you to play as well as you can. Keep playing until you get through it without fumbling.”
“I didn’t fumble.”
“You will.” He assured.“Can I get in your head?”
“Go ahead and try.” Anvi challenged peering back up at Isaac. She wasn’t nearly as intimidating as she’d like to be, but she amended herself for maintaining eye contact.
His eyes were black to their core, almost as if there were no margin between pupil and iris. His expression held less attention than an apathetic stare into the space through her. Gail wondered how long she’d have to hold eye contact before he got into her head.
“Are you burrowing into my subconscious yet or—”
“When you start playing, do you take a breath in or out on the first note?”
“Out.” She returned.
“How many stumbling notes do you forgive before you get frustrated and start over?”
“About three.”
“Such short patience. It must have been difficult being raised by a cold mother.”
“My aunt made me cookies when I cried.”
“Rewarding failure. That explains a lot.”
“You should know.”
“How’d you do on that last math test?”
“That’s personal.”
“So you failed?”
“No.”
“Then why won’t you say—”
“Because it’s personal.” Anvi repeated flatly.
A shadow of a smile grew across Isaac’s face. “I can tutor you. I did well.”
“What’s the catch?”
“I want your lunch money.”
“But I’ll starve.”
“That’s the idea.”
“You don’t need the money?”
“MaybeI like seeing you suffer.”
“Kinky. You should see me do math.”
“So you’re failing.”
“I’m not. It’s just painful.”
“Masochistic addiction? Now who’s kinky?”
“Still you.”
“You think so?” He raised a brow.
“No—Do you?” It was stupid. She fumbled, just as Isaac had predicted she would.
He said nothing in reply, just shook his head, smirking, and turned back to the keys.“Play.”
Anvi played, reading the notes carefully while paying mind to her fingers. Half way through the song, she became aware of the pace at which she was reading the notes and wondered if her fingers could keep up.
No. Don’t fumble—
“Do it again.” Isaac snapped when Anvi’s fingers inevitably slipped.
“I said I permitted myself three fumbles.”
“Well I’ll give you none.” Isaac said impassively, “Do it again.”
Anvi started over. This time, she tried to pay less mind to the notes, paying attention to her fingers instead. It was a mistake as the notes were not committed to memory as of yet. She fumbled before she got to the second line.
“Again.”
When she tried to focus on the notes and her fingers, she managed to make it further, but not to completion. She tired again, starting at the wrong key. Again, she tried, but her sweaty fingers slipped. Then she briefly forgot what scale to start on. When she got the scale right, her mind felt too scattered to continue.
“I can’t do it.” She felt her eyes sting.
“Then fail.”
“No.”She sniffed. Breathed deeply and tried again. Her fingers glided over the keys, and she allowed them to carry themselves without thinking much about it. She feared that if she thought about it, she’d fail. When she realized she hadn’t fumbled yet, she panicked, stopping dead in her tracks before she had the chance to make a mistake. She started again, but this time she fumbled within the first thirty seconds. Her balled fists stuck the keys.
She sat still, holding her breath to calm her pulse for several minutes. She could feel her company paying her no mind. He might have been staring at the clock on the wall for all she knew. After the silence between them stretched uncomfortably, he asked, “May I play?”
She sniffed,“Go ahead.”
Anvi listened to the melody built gradually in soothing circles. His slender fingers glide over the keys effortlessly. His pale knuckles shifted like pedals in a machine. It was like he was programmed with all of the right steps. When he finished, he looked down at her and said,“Meet me at 4:30 at the library everyday. I can help you.”
“They don’t have a piano.” Anvi shook her head.
For a moment, he looked down incredulous, “You know how to play, Anvi.” He shook his head,“But that math class isn’t gonna pass itself.”
She blinked.
“Bring your textbook with you.” He turned back to the keys,“Now leave. I want to be alone.”
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