Chapter Two

           Closing my balcony door, I stood there for a while thinking about what he said.

How does music make me feel?

No one has ever asked me that before…

How was I supposed to answer that?

It totally threw me off.

Walking over to my desk, I looked at the pieces and flipped through them:

Vivaldi Concerto in A minor.

Paganini Kreisler- La Campanelle.

Scarlatti Sonata in D minor.

I hate to admit it but they were good pieces, the first one and the last one was piano pieces whereas the second one was a violin piece.

“I guess I’ll start on the first one,” I walked over and grabbed my mini piano from the closet.

Sitting back on my bed I started on the first piece. As the noted began to flow, the sick feeling came back and the sound became inaudible, I tried my best to ignore it but after a while, I stopped playing. I pushed my piano to the side and laid back on my bed, every day was terribly boring. I had nothing to do, I wasn’t allowed to go outside because I’d been risking injuring my fingers.

The theater was a prison…

And I was the prisoner.

How does music make me feel?

It makes me feel trapped, that’s what I’ll tell him the next time I see him.

If I see him.

I didn’t move when the door opened and my mom came in dressed for bed.

“What?” I grinned.

She came over to me, “I just want you to go easy on your father… he’s trying to protect you.”

“From what? Having a normal life,” I scoffed.

She touched my leg, “We do it because we care.”

“No, you don’t,” I turned away, “You don’t care if I’m happy or not.”

She got up, “I’ll talk to him.”

“Another lie,” I grumbled, “You always say that but you never do.”

She sighed and left me alone.

I curled up under the covers and tried to sleep.

***

       Two weeks had passed since I saw Apollo, it felt like I was locked in my room all day every day bored out of my mind.

Oh my bad…

I was practicing the three music pieces.

It sucked.

Late that afternoon, I laid in bed finalizing the music pieces I had to perform when the door opened and my mom came in.

“Yes?” I didn’t look up.

She sat on the edge of my bed, “I need to tell you something.”

I waited.

“I talked to your father about you attending classes,” she began.

I popped up, “And?”

“And he’s allowing you to attend classes…”

I jumped out of bed, “Awesome!”

“As long you stay in the back and keep quiet,” she finished.

I paused, “Seriously? How am I supposed to make friends if I don’t talk?”

“One step at a time dear,” she kissed my forehead, “Get some sleep, you have a big day tomorrow.”

I climbed under the covers and watched as she turned out the light, once she closed the door I buried myself in my blankets and giggled.

This is it! I’m finally able to make some friends… I yawned and set my alarm to seven am.

“I’m guessing he wants me to thank him tomorrow,” I laid on my stomach and looked out my window.

I watched the clouds for a while before going back to studying.

***

           I woke up minutes after my alarm went off, I jumped out of bed and quickly took a shower. I came out and started going through my closet to find something cute to wear, I decided to go with a pink and light blue flowy dress with my white wedges. Going over to my makeup stand, I tied my hair in two ponytails and did a clear coat of gloss on my lips. I grabbed my notebook and placed it in my bag before rushing downstairs, my mom and dad were sitting at the table going over their lesson plans.

“Good morning,” I opened the refrigerator.

They just nodded.

Wow… you could at least say something, I thought while grabbing the orange juice.

“I assume you know how to act when going to class with me,” my father said finally.

I ate my toast, “No talking.”

“Yes,” he got up, “I trust you’ll be on your best behavior.”

I rolled my eyes, “I know daddy.”

“Good. Now let’s go,” he headed for the door.

Mom waved, “Have fun.”

I shut the door behind us and followed him down the steps and to his classroom when we went in it was empty except for a student who was in the back.

I paused when I saw that it was Apollo.

“You’re here early as always Apollo,” my father chuckled.

Apollo walked up to us and smiled, “Of course, I take your lessons seriously sir.”

“I’m going to sit in the back,” I muttered.

My father didn’t respond.

I moved past him and went to the back of the room, I sat at one of the empty desks and watched them as they talked. I’ve never seen my father relaxed and smiling before, I supposed he’s putting on a show for his students.

Annoying, I took out my notebook along with my songbook and began writing.

“Is that the song you told me about?”

I jumped and looked over to see Apollo sitting beside me, I snapped my head forward to see if my father was watching.

I relaxed when I saw that he had left the room, “Yes.”

He smiled, “Will it be a duet piece?”

“I haven’t decided yet,” I shrugged.

He chuckled.

“What?”

He shook his head, “I’m just glad you showed up.”

“I practically had to beg him,” I grinned.

Apollo crossed his arms, “I see.”

I shifted awkwardly in the chair and looked down, for some reason the way he said it made it seem like I beg my father for everything.

“I know the answer to your question,” I mumbled.

He whispered, “After class.”

I breathed out.

When father came back in, his students were behind him. I slouched in my chair not wanting anyone to notice me, but I knew that wouldn’t help. A few paused and stared at me while the others ignored me just like I wanted, I buried my head in my songbook and tried not to focus on anything.

“It’s going to be fine,” Apollo assured me in a low voice.

I felt my cheek heat up so I just nodded a little.

“Everyone please have a seat,” my father spoke boldly, “Turn to page thirty and let’s begin where we left off yesterday.”

As the class was progressing, I secretly took notes on everything my father said or wrote on the board. He went into details on topics I’ve never learned before, like the muses of Italy and what it takes to become a proper conductor. To be honest… I kind of hated it, I mean he acted completely different from the strict father I know.

Talk about a personality disorder, I thought bitterly.

When the clock chimed, he closed his reference book, “That’s all the time we have for today, please finish your assignments by next class.”

I didn’t move as everyone gathered their things and walked out with him, once they left I sighed heavily.

“What do you make of your father’s class?” Apollo wondered as he placed his books in his bag.

I grinned, “Aside from him acting like a perfect teacher, it was good.”

“That’s good,” he got up.

I made sure the coast was clear before following him out into the hall and down the steps to the front entrance where I wasn’t allowed to be.

“Apollo you're done already?” a girl called from one of the lounge chairs.

I watched him walk over to her, “Yea, you didn’t have to wait for me though Onyx.”

“It’s no big,” she shrugged.

Who is that?

She was a little bit shorter than him and had black pixie hair and honey-colored eyes, she wore pink lace-up flats and a pink and white corset frilled dress with a matching choker.

Seeing them together made my heart stiffen.

“I’d better go… I’m not allowed out here,” I stuttered.

They turned to face me.

She moved closer to him, “Who are you?”

“No one,” I backed up a little.

She hissed.

“Easy Onyx. I told you about Celesta, remember? She’s the conductor's daughter,” Apollo chuckled.

She said sarcastically, “Oh… the ghost daughter.”

“Onyx,” he warned.

She rolled her eyes, “What? It’s true.”

He sighed.

“I should go,” I interrupted lightly.

He turned, “You should hang out with us sometime.”

I bit my lip and glanced at Onyx who did not like that idea, “It’s ok but thanks though.”

“C’mon Apollo let’s go,” she pulled his arm, “I booked that hotel you wanted to get in for this weekend.”

There goes my chance… they’re clearly together, I looked away.

He seemed pleased about that, “Awesome.”

Not wanting to get further involved, I turned my back to them and headed back upstairs only to be stopped by his voice, “Tell me your answer.”

“Answer to what?” Onyx wanted to know.

He whispered in her ear, “I’ll tell you later.”

She pouted.

“Trapped…” I muttered, “Music makes me feel trapped.”

I heard him come up the steps, “I’ve never heard that answer before.”

“It’s true,” I glanced back at him and frowned.

He smiled and placed a piece of paper in my hand, “If you ever need a place to vent, come here.”

“Thanks,” I didn’t bother looking at it.

He patted my shoulder, “I’ll see you soon Celesta.”

I didn’t answer and ran upstairs, I bypassed the workers and went upstairs to the house. My parents didn’t say anything when I ran past them and straight to my room. I closed my door and collapsed on my bed, I should’ve known he’d have a girlfriend… she was so cute too.

A perfect couple.

I groaned and buried my face in my pillow, aside from my beating heart I was happy that I was allowed to attend class. I heaved myself out of bed and into the bathroom, I got undressed and took a long hot soak in the tub. After getting out, I changed into a nightgown and went downstairs for dinner.

“How was your first class?” mom came up to me.

I was surprised dad didn’t tell her yet so I just smiled and said honestly, “I loved it.”

“I’m glad sweetie,” she pulled me over to the table, “That’s why tonight I went all out.”

This is a first, I was shocked to see fresh food laid out on the table. A tossed salad, steamed potatoes with butter, baked fish with carrots and rosemary, and fresh iced tea.

“Wow, mom…” I sat down, “Everything looks amazing.”

Dad came in a moment later, “Indeed, now let’s see if it’s edible.”

“Of course it is,” she scoffed and sat down.

He chuckled and sat across from me.

Is it a full moon or something? I have never heard my father laugh before… it was a little weird, I smiled and filled up my plate, “Thanks for letting me go to class today daddy.”

“Of course… and since you behaved in a proper manner your mother and I have decided to let you attend classes on a regular starting tomorrow,” he touched her hand.

I gasped, “Seriously?”

“Yes,” she smiled softly, “Your father and I realized that we were wrong in trying to keep you from the world, you deserve to go out and make friends.”

He silently agreed.

“Also, if you want to continue talking to that boy you can,” she winked.

My neck heated, “I don’t know who you're talking about…”

“I think you do...:” mother giggled, “I couldn’t help but notice you talking with him at the front entrance, you looked so lively.”

I blushed, “Oh him.”

“He certainly seems interested in you,” she made my plate, “What’s his name?”

Dad smiled when I didn’t answer, “His name is Apollo, he’s a smart one and is highly educated on music”

“Sounds perfect for you dear,” she placed my plate in front of me.

“I guess…” I looked down.

She folded her arms, “On another matter, your father has agreed to make new rules.”

I turned to him, “Really dad?”

“Yes. Rule one: take care of your instruments. Rule two: don’t stay out past twelve. Rule three: don’t travel outside of the city unattended,” he glanced at me, “Are those less trashy?”

I jumped up and ran around the table throwing my arms around his neck, “Yes! Thank you so much, daddy.”

“You’re welcome honey,” he patted my head, “But I expect you to keep up on your performances.”

I nodded eagerly, “I will.”

He smiled and kissed my forehead.

After a delicious dinner, I danced back up to my room and fell on my bed. I can’t wait to go to class on a regular… and see Apollo.

No… don’t think about him, he clearly has a girlfriend.

“Maybe I’ll ask him tomorrow,” I rolled over and drifted to sleep.