I let out the biggest sigh there is to let out as I hear the front door thud from Elliot leaving. I’ve never shown this side of me to anyone. Especially someone I’ve only known for a few days and not even that well. I could smack my dad for allowing him into the house and then not even warning me about it. He let me walk into a room, looking the way, I always do when I wake up in my dad’s house. He knew I’d be a mess. Yet, he did nothing.
The donuts were good though.
“Dad, I’m so mad at you,” I walk into the study to yell at him.
“About?”
“You know what I’m talking about,” I prompt, “I’m going to get changed since apparently I had a date no one told me about until this morning.”
Tossing shirts, dresses, pants, everything I can pull out of my suitcase and left over’s in my closet – the clothes that never made it to NYC with me – I’m having one hell of a girly dilemma. I can’t choose. It’s not really like it matters; we’ll be talking instruments, letting the music speak. It’s not going to make a difference whether I wear a dress, jeans, or even sweats. Before I completely kill myself, I choose a black pair of ripped at only the knees jeans, with my white converse, and a vertical striped blouse. I put my hair into a pretty bun and apply little to none makeup. I’ve never really been one for a lot of color, a little mascara and some lip-gloss is just enough for me.
“You look pretty,” my dad notices me as I leave.
“I look like I always do,” I remind him so he doesn’t think I’m doing something on purpose. Honestly though, I am trying to remain calm because on the inside, I’m freaking out. I do want to impress Elliot. I want his head to turn, but not too much.
Ringing the doorbell at Elliot’s house nerves have kicked into overdrive. I’m not even sure why I’m so nervous, I shouldn’t be. A faint sound of the piano comes through the crack of the door as an older blonde female opens the door. She’s skinny and a very stunning woman, “Hi,” she smiles and I can see the exact smile cross her face that fills Elliot’s face when he smiles.
“Hi, I’m here to see Elliot?” I question unsure how else to ask, I feel like a teenager meeting my boyfriend’s parents for the first time. Heartbeat races a mile a minute.
“Melody, right?” she smiles opening the door further, “come on in, Elliot mentioned having company,” she shakes my hand.
“Yes, hi, you must be his mom,” I smile starting to feel a little more comfortable.
“You can call me, Janine,” she shows me the way to Elliot, although I could just follow the enchanting sound and would find my way there with no problems.
From a distance, I watch him. Janine respects him enough to wait to interrupt him until he finishes. He’s focused. In sorts drifted away. He’s in his own world and looks the way as I do when I center my attention to the music. His fingers move with the perfect motion, he flows into the notes and the sound can take you back to a time you didn’t exist in.
“Hey,” he notices me from the corner of his eyes but continues to play, “join me,” he says as I place the violin case on the floor and sit next to him mesmerized by the sound. He doesn’t stop playing. He’s continuing the song with me right next to him.
“Play with me,” he begs as I sit still watching him fidget with my fingers.
“I’ve never played the piano,” I admit not knowing anything.
“Find a beat and just push the keys,” he instructs.
I find the tune, the right moment to intersect and press the creamy white key.
“Perfect,” he states not once breaking the song.
Finding my groove, I get creative and play with the keys trying to find my place in the song. Together we’re playing a song I had never heard; yet I have no idea how to play the piano.
“I don’t know this song,” I admit.
“It’s because it’s not one yet, we’re just playing around,” he smiles at me never once looking at the keys as he plays.
“Oh,” I’m shocked and stop playing.
“Don’t stop,” he demands, but I’m more distracted by watching him play.
Breaking the song, he takes my hand and places each finger exactly where he wants it on the creamy white and deep dark black keys. This is the closet I’ve ever gotten to a piano. His smooth hand is placed on top of mine as he makes a sound with each finger. It’s an intimate moment and all I can think about is the shortage of breath he’s caused me. I can’t focus on the keys; I focus on not passing out. – Breathe in – Breathe out.
Staring into his eyes, I watch his lips describe what I should be doing, but I block his voice out. I’m not listening to his voice; I’m admiring the way his lips part and all I wish is to kiss him. Faintly I hear him say my name, but I don’t respond. He’s inching closer to me, his hands still on mine, his body formed into an awkward position just to inch closer to me. His eyes burn into mine and mine never flinch while I look into his beautiful brown eyes. There’s complete silence but there is one touch that speaks volumes. His lips against mine. His smooth, gentle, warm, and sensitive lips brush against mine. It’s a sweet kiss. No tongue, no groping, no nibbling, just a sweet kiss. But a long kiss. “Wow,” he whispers with his lips still against mine. “Wow,” I retort not pulling away.
His finger brushes against mine as he slowly pulls away and I feel myself take a deep breath trying to regain composure. The moment is innocent and sweet. We shared a kiss and until today, I didn’t realize how badly I wanted that kiss. I craved for it. I craved for his touch more than I’d like to admit.
“Let’s play music,” I distract from the moment or having to discuss what just happened.
“Let’s” he smiles.
With my violin placed in the perfect position, Elliot at the piano, and the urge to start making a musical creation, we’re both eager to start playing together this time. The keys are being pressed, the violin scratches against the strings, and we’re both fading away in the tunes. I’m playing with my eyes closed, but what I’m thinking of while playing is Elliot. The kiss. I’m dreaming of more kisses, feeling the smooth and gentle touch of his lips against mine. I’m craving it with the curiosity of more than just a gentle peck.
The windows are open and we’re in the middle of an open living room surrounded by white walls with limited wall décor echoing our sound tremendously. It’s an inviting sound though and we’re connecting again, the same connection I felt before I knew Elliot or of his abilities.
We’re enjoying this moment to the core. Reveling in our sound and unable to stop, even after Janine asked us to eat some lunch. We’ve been playing for hours. We’ve created our own sounds along with playing covers of the most popular songs. Here and there, the eye contact between us makes us both smile with glee.