Check it out. This is a story I wrote for English. The problem: It's not long enough for several chapters, but too long for one. Oh well, one it is! Read it, my duckies! You are under my spell! Read and review it, and I may spare your humble life! Mwahahahaha!!! Oh, and Kudos to GakiToki, for giving me an idea that pianos are cool and angsty boys who play them are sexy. Okies, then, that's it. Ta!

“Wait here, sweetie,” Tali’s mom told him lovingly.

“Just wait here and look at the pretty guitars,” his father added.

Tali nodded once and turned around, admiring the beautiful acoustic guitar, famous to the historic music hall. He soon got tired of following the patterns on the necks and wandered over towards the grand shimmering pianos. His eyes glowed excitedly as he ran soft, thin fingers along the smooth white ivory keys. How he longed to climb onto the rich brown leather stool and begin to play.

The soulful melodies of the towering black piano filled Tali’s mind. The urge was too strong to resist. He began to play. The sounds and echo’s filled the hall as the boys hands ran up and down the keys, Bach’s “minuet in G” sounding gracefully around the room. He smiled and closes his eyes, allowing the lights notes to surround him.

Tali’s concert was cut short by firm hands pulling him away.

“What are you doing?” the security guard asked him sternly. “This is an expensive piano! You can’t play with this.

“S-sorry, sir,” Tali stammered softly, his eyes towards the floor in shame. “I couldn’t help it…It’s a beautiful piano.”

The guard sighed and his voice softened. “Listen, lad, your pretty good.” Where are your parents? They shouldn’t let you wander around alone in here.”

At his question, Tali faltered. “I don’t know…They said they’d be back soon...but its been awhile.

“Well, what’s their names?”

“What are their names?” Tali corrected. “And I don’t know…mom and dad.

The guard taken back at being correct by a fourth grader, frowned and thought for a moment. “Well...I’m sure they’ll be back soon…”

“Tali!” “Are you listening to me?” his aunt’s sharp voice cut into Tali’s daydream.

“Nope” he answered absentmindedly.

“Well pay attention. I’m not coming home till later, so here’s money for pizza. Don’t spend it on cigarettes.”

Tali nodded and went back to his notebook where he was scribing a new song frantically. He had paused briefly lost in a childhood memory, but now he needed to finish. Of course, it was hard for him to compose a song when he had to think of the notes in his head.

His aunt on her way out to work, held the door for a pretty girl with long red hair. “Hi, Ms. Robinson, How are you doing?”

“Oh I’m doing okay, girl. Tali’s in a mood though.

Hecate laughed; the sound was like the chime of bells. “Oh I’m sure I can fix him. You have a nice day.”

“You too dear, if you’d like, Tali’s ordering pizza and you can share.”

“We’ll see.” When she had shut the door, the girl, Hecate, sat down across from Tali. “How’s it coming?”

“Hm.”

“Really? How’s your day been?”

“Hm?”

“You’re gay?! Really?!”

Tali’s head jerked up. “I didn’t say that.”

Hecate laughed again, her blue eyes twinkling. “I know, but it got your attention.”

“Hecate, I’m busy okay. Not now”

She sighed and smiled. “Mozart at it again.”

“Ha ha not funny.”

“You laughed.”

“It was sarcasm, Hecate, are you that dense?” Tali frowned and glared at his head as he beat it over the notebook.

“Nah, I just like to bug you.”

The boy allowed himself a smile and asked, “how do you think an a minor chord would sound with this?” he pointed towards the sheet. Hecate leaned over the table and read the music then sat back and thought.

“Try a D instead,” she answered finally. Tali smiled and nodded scribbling away.

Hecate brushed her bright scarlet locks behind her ears exposing several sparking earrings going up her ear. She stood and walked to the windows, opening the curtains to display a drizzling city scape below. Cars zoomed up and down soggy streets like zippers on a coat and lights glared too bright through the foggy clouded sky.

“Have you sat here all day in the dark?” the girl asked her friend.

Tali shrugged. “Does it make a difference? It’s raining again anyway.”

“Still...” her voice trailed off. “Do you want to order the pizza?”

“Not really. I’m not hungry.”

“Then I’m going to go. I guess you’re busy anyway…”

Tali looked over at her. “You just got here,” he complained.

Hecate walked back to the door, ruffling his hair on the way. “Yeah, but I gotta get to my yoga class. I don’t want to be late…”

“Yeah…I guess driving’ll be tough today.”

Hecate smiled. “Nah you get used to it.” With that she left, leaving Tali alone in the apartment. He sighed. Alone again. Although it seemed like he always was. Hecate was his only friend and even she couldn’t give him what he needed.

Tali finished his song and crossed to the window, gazing over on the dreary streets. “They’re out there somewhere,” he said softly. “Maybe they just don’t know where I am. Maybe they’re looking for me right now. he sighed again and shook his head. Yeah, right.

“If they cared, they’d have found me by now. Or they wouldn’t have left me in the first place. They sky was a bleak gray that reflected the bland sidewalk and the buildings that slumped sadly on the street. One building stood out from the dull slate of the avenue. It stood tall and straight, its yellow brick making it glow like a golden jewel. The rain-soaked garden that surrounded it filled the air with a sweet earthy smell/

Tali took a breath and entered the music hall. Inside was a large hall with an over hanging balcony from the second floor. The staircase spiraled away into the air, its banister dark, rich wood that matched the doors and balcony railings. The ceiling had golden Victorian modeling and a beautiful mural of Eden painted on it. They were copper sconces on the walls and a massive chandelier of crystal and gold that sparkled and shone life like a diamond sun.

Smiling, Tali admired the magnificence of the hall. It never got old. He had particularly grown up in this place. It had a small museum, a display room meeting rooms and a huge concert hall where all kinds of performances were held. On that day , he was there to hear the renowned modern composer, Jaques Rodere. He tickets he had had been a sixteenth birthday present from his aunt. Tali took his seat in the concert hall, built much in the same style as the entrance. He had a front row balcony seat. Perfect. Below him, the seats stretched on and on, leading his eyes to the stage. It was wide and deep with many rows of curtains and several smaller stages on the side.

Sliding down into his seat and closing his eyes, Tali allowed himself to relax and enjoy the enchanting music through the space. For a while, he was even lulled to sleep by Rodere’s symphony. The loud, clashing finale woke him suddenly, and Tali sat up in excitement. This final piece was always so moving…

‘I wish I could be that amazing someday,’ Tali thought as he exited the Music Hall in a wave of people. ‘Famous, talented, loved…I’ll bet his music makes him immortal. I’ll be a nobody forever.’ He sighed and sat down on the wall of the garden.

Out of the corner of his eye, Tali thought he saw somebody he knew sneaking through the crowd. He followed the woman with his eyes as she headed towards the car. Red…Maybe it was her!

“Wait! Wait! Please!” he called, running towards her. The woman didn’t seem to hear him; she just kept walking until she was to the door of her car.

“Please, ma’am! Wait!” Tali pushed through the crowded parking lot, trying desperately to catch up with the woman, who was now getting into the car. Tali caught it right as it was driving away but then it was too late. The woman was gone.

“Wait…mom…” Taliesen watched as the car drove away into the foggy afternoon. Luckily, he had spotted the license plate number. Maybe…if he could go to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles…Tali smiled slightly. It was her. It had to be. She looked just as he remembered.

Except…shorter. Then again, he was taller. And older. After all, after six years, she would look a little different. If only she had heard him call.

His rumbling stomach convinced him to stop at a McDonalds for some fries before going to work. The restaurant was empty and quiet, with some out of date music playing softly in the background. Although, his fries were wilted, they were warm. A pleasant change from the bitter, blustery, cold of the November afternoon.

“You’re late,” grumbled a voice from the back office when Tali entered the Drug Mart where he worked.

“Nice to see you too, Boss,” he replied sarcastically, throwing on his uniform and taking his place behind the counter. The store’s shelves were only half-filled but the aisles were deserted. It was a sad littler place, with the advertisements on the windows peeling and several lights on the sign burnt out, so that it read RUG MRT. But it paid, and Tali needed money.

He flipped through a Weekly World News, leaning casually on the counter. Doubtless, it would be another slow night. But, when the store closed, he’d be heading over Hecate’s house to pull an all-nighter working on a History project. And then he could tell her about the car.

Tali knew Hecate got a little tired of his obsession with the parents who had abandoned him in the very building he loved so much. She always told him he had a good life, with an aunt who gave him everything he needed, but it wasn’t enough. Things were perfect when he lived with his parents. They loved him so much; there was no way they left him on purpose. And he’d never stop looking.

Hecate lit a purple pillar candle and sighed softly. She crossed her legs, closed her eyes, and spoke calmly. “I don’t think it was her.

Tali had been fiddling with one of the tiny gold charms that adorned Hecate’s curtains. He let it drop and looked at her. “Why not?”

“She would have seen you.”

“She was in a hurry.”

“Didn’t she see you running after her?”

“I’ll bet she thought I was someone else. I mean, it’s been a while.”

Hecate shrugged and continued to sit still, meditating. Taliesen let out an exasperated sigh and fidgeted uncomfortably on his friend’s bed. He watched her face. It never moved. How did she do that?

“Aren’t we supposed to be preparing for this project?” He asked her after a while.

“I am preparing. I’ll do it better if I’m not stressed. But if you meant studying, technically yes.” She opened her eyes and turned towards him, the candle light illuminating her dramatic blue eyes.

Tali stared at her thoughtfully, then looked away. She was so pretty. He wondered for a second…no. Of course not. He had to stop these silly dreams. Nothing he wished for ever came true.

Hecate, oblivious to her friend’s internal struggle, sat down on the bed next to him. She touched a toe to her floor lamp and it flicked on. Then, opening the textbook to the fourth chapter, she smiled. “Let’s start studying!”

“Why did we just now decide to start this?” Tali asked as he began to copy down key points onto a note card. He hoped the finished by tomorrow.

“Because you’re lazy and I’m a push-over.” She answered with a laugh.

“Not to mention how busy you’ve been lately…” he added, a note of wistfulness in his voice.

Hecate nodded, her eyes focused on the book in front of her. “Well, I’m really getting into my job, but I guess I have been gone a lot.” She looked up. “That reminds me!” The girl pushed the book onto the floor and rushed to her desk. She dug around amongst the sketches and poetry until she pulled out an ad.

“Look at this!” She declared, shoving the clipping of paper towards Tali. It was an advertisement for a company that would find work for young musicians. Tali read it over several times, his eyes bright with excitement.

“This is great!” Hecate…thank you!” He took the page. This was what he was waiting for. It was his chance. His escape. Tali looked towards his friends.

Hecate was smiling slightly, a light blush across her nose. She met Tali’s eyes for a moment, and looked away.

“Really, thanks…I mean-“

“Stop. Listen. Tali…it’s no big deal. I mean, I saw the ad, I clipped it out. It’s not big deal.” She took his hand and her smile widened.

:Still, thanks. I mean…this is my chance.”

For the rest of the night, they were mostly silent, with clipped conversation at random intervals. Of course, it always died out swiftly as they concentrated on the project. Still, it felt like that as was burning a hole in his pocket. Tali couldn’t wait for morning.

And it came soon enough. The candle burnt out, Hecate and Tali finished at dawn, exhausted but proud. They’d earn a good grade on this one. And then his escape? Tali desperately hoped so.

As he made his way downtown to the company’s office, Tali was overflowing with excitement and warmth, despite the never-ending drizzle of cold rain that damped the ground and gave the air a cold wet chill.

The weather did nothing to dampen Tali’s spirit. He had just been paid and he had taken a detour by the bank. And he had enough. A beautiful Stein Way Baby grand was waiting for him in the music hall as soon as he was through with his meeting.

Tali had been waiting for so long for this day. Things were going great. His history project went well, he had enough money for his piano and now he might be finally on his way to escape. And maybe after he got his piano, there’d be time to find his mom’s car.

When he pushed open the door, Tali was met with a strong wave of expensive cologne. The room was small, but unnaturally neat. The carpet was a dull gray flicked with orange and red. In one corner sat a plain steel desk fleck with a small pile of papers on top. The blinds on the window were the same color as the carpet, sans the specks. The only other furniture was a tall file cabinet that matched the desk. Tali sighed. Didn’t this city believe in any other colors.

There was rustling under the desk and a bald, weasel looking man popped up. “Dropped my pencil” he chuckled. “You’re Taliesen? Excellent! Come in, come in!”

“I …am…in…” Tali mumbled, stepping closer to the desk nervously. The man was wearing a gray suit. He looked like a chameleon against the dingy slate walls.

“So, are you ready for your audition?” he asked Tali.

“Audition?”

“You have to be good if you want my sponsorship, kid.”

Tali nodded. “Of course…I just…I mean, I’d need my piano…”

“We’ve got it all taken care of. Come along!” He beckoned for Tali to follow back out the door and down the hall to a recording studio where a tall brown mahogany piano stood stoically in the center of the floor.

“Well? Sit! Play! If you’re so good, I’m sure you’ve got something memorized.” Tali nodded, and sat down, scooting the bench closer so he could better reach the pedals.

“I…um…wrote this myself.” He announced softly, and began to play. The melodious sounds drifted through the studio and down the hall. The song was quick and up-lifting with short, staccato notes and a high tune. Near the end it slowed, the high notes playing hauntingly as Tali’s fingers slowly crooned the last few measures. In the last beats, it sped up again, and ended on a clipped, energetic chord.

The bald man clapped enthusiastically and smiled a toothy grin. “Bravo! You, kid, have some talent.” Tali smiled nervously as the man clapped him on his back.

He was led back to the office where baldly beckoned for him to sit. Taliesen fidgeted uncomfortably as is companion sorted busily through some papers. Finally, he raised his head, the same sappy smile painted on his face.

“Well, Tali, if your give me the money, I think we’ll be all set. Now, there are no promises but-“

“Money?”

“Well, of course, my services aren’t free. This meeting, and my even trying to get you’re a gig, well, it’s a good deal of money…” He handed Tali the bill.

“That’s right, the number’s 656A2.” He leaned on the service window hopefully. “Do you have the address?”

“Calm down, tiger.” The woman said. She was in her late 50s, a little over-weight, and she had bright red lipstick on her teeth. “It’s not really our policy to give out information like that.”

“Please! It’s really important!” Tali’s eyes betrayed him, and the longing in his heart showed clearly through the silver opals. The woman sighed.

“Tell ya what…you write this car a letter, and I’ll send it to them. I’ll get in trouble even for that, but I’d lose my job if I gave you the address.”

Tali nodded, relief flooding over him like water over a broken damn. “Oh thank you so much! This means a lot to me!” He handed a letter to her through the hole in the window. The woman smiled.

“Sure, kid. I can see how much this means to you. I’ll send it right now.” She smiled slightly and put the letter on her desk next to several other parcels. “I’ll contact you if there’s an answer.”

“When. When there’s an answer.”

Hecate couldn’t believe what she was hearing. She handed Tali a tissue, and her brows wrinkled in concern. “And you gave him all your money?” The boy nodded sadly.

“He said there was no guarentee…I guess I should have known I wasn’t good enough…” He blew his nose and tossed the tissue away, his head sinking into his hands.

Sitting down next to him, Hecate put an arm around her friend gently. “There’ll be other chances…” she comforted. Tali shook his head.

“No. That was every dollar I had. Now I have no piano, no job, and no hope. I’ll be stuck in this miserable city forever, selling greeting cards and candy bears at Drug Mast.” His voice cracked slightly as he tried to keep from crying.

Hecate hugged him tighter. “That’s not true! You can always try again. You have your whole life.”

“No! You don’t get it! I’m sixteen, and halfway through my Junior year! I don’t have any money for college, and I don’t even have a chance at a scholarship!” Tali forbade himself to cry. But life just seemed so hopeless. “I’m nothing.” He sobbed.

As Tali cried, Hecate sat quietly next to him, humming one of his favorite compositions. Finally, Tali stood up and plucked another tissue from the box.

“Listen, Tali…”

He shook his head and held up a hand to silence her. “Hecate, no. Just let it be. I’ll be fine. I just need to be alone…” He walked out of the apartment and downstairs.

Outside, it was cold and windy. The tree trunks stood tall and dark, silhouetted against the dreary, sleeting sky. Tali pulled his faded olive trench coat tighter against the wind and shivered. Cold and overcast. Another typical day. But today it matched his mood perfectly.

Taliesen lit up a cigarette and took a deep draw. He needed an escape, somewhere or something to take his mind off the disappointment. He felt so empty and hollow. He was a dark void, lifeless and depressed. The sleet pelted down on the sidewalk like a song. A song…

Inside the protective room of the Music Hall it was warm and quiet. Tali stripped off his damp coat and sat down on the bench. He would have been playing a piano like this in his own home if…He told himself not to think about it. Just let the music flow. And flow it did. The color returned to his cheeks and Tali allowed himself a smile. Much better.

Outside, the sleet came down in a deafening roar, but inside, Tali played all his favorite waltzes and minuets, cleaning his mind and dancing up and down the keys almost automatically. All that mattered was this. As long as he could play.

“I thought you’d be here!” Hecate’s voice cut through Tali’s meditation. “Are you okay? You left so fast.”

Without opening his eyes, Tali nodded, playing scales rapidly, challenging himself to do the hardest ones.

Hecate smiled and watched him, before saying. “Come on. Let’s go grab some coffee. My treat. Starbucks would feel nice on an evening like this.”

It was perfect. Like a dream. The keys were ad white as the winter’s snow. The surface was so smooth and black, it was like looking into a mirror, despite the dark color. It stood in the corner, glistening magically. And it was his.

The note on the cover had only said one word: “Love.” But Tali knew they had sent it. He knew then still cared. And now he had it. His world’s finest baby grand Stein Way one-of-a-kind piano.

“Some men delivered it this morning.” His aunt told him. “Wouldn’t say who it was from.”

“It was my parents. I know it.” Tali declared happily, resting his cheek against the keys. And now they’re going to come get me and my piano, and we’ll live happily ever after.

His aunt nodded and left for work, letting Hecate in on her way out. In the girl’s hard, she held a letter, and there was a grave look on her face.

“Tali…the Bureau sent this. It’s from them,” she told him, handing the letter over. He was to happy to notice the crestfallen look on her face.

“They’re writing to tell me about the piano, and how they’re coming for me! I know it!” He declared, reading over the letter. His face fell and he dropped the slip of paper. “No. No. It can’t be true…”

“Tali, I’m sorry…”

“It’s isn’t true! This must be a trick! A mistake!”

“Tali, listen…”

“No! It can’t be right! What about my piano?”

Hecate picked up the letter and read through it again.

Taliesen,

Of course I know where you are. What happened was no mistake. Please stop looking for us, and never try to contact us again. Thank you.

Mr. and Mrs. Robinson

“How could it be true? My piano…” Tali said again, sinking down into a chair.

“I sent you the piano,” Hecate said softly, setting the note on the table.

“You?”

She laughed. “Consider it an early birthday present for the next ten years.”

“You? You sent it?”

“That’s what I said.” Hecate looked expectantly towards him.

“But…why?”

“Because I love you.”

The sun shone brightly in a clear blue sky. White blossoms adorned the trees and tiny shoots of daffodil and crocus poked up in yards and dirt patches. The parking lo in front of the Music Hall was crammed with cars. Inside, a young composer played a sample of his works. People said he was a prodigy, a genius..

When Tali’s concert ended, Hecate rushed to meet him backstage. He swept her into his arms and their lips met in a loving kiss. “You were amazing.” She whispered in his ear.

“Thanks. I’m so glad you were here to see me.”

“Wild dogs couldn’t have kept me away!” She laughed, kissing him again.

Tali smiled thoughtfully, and his eyes stared away into the crowd.

“You still think of them, don’t you? They aren’t there.”

He nodded. “I know. I just wish I knew what happened. I don’t know if I’ll ever forget them. I’d been searching so long..”

“I know, I know. But look, all your other dreams came true.”

“That’s right.” Tali agreed with a grin.

“Renowned composer, my own piano, and a beautiful girl. What more could a guy want?”

Hecate smiled. “Ice cream? My treat?”
:“Oh no, you always pay. This time, it’s my treat. ‘Sides, I’ll be rich soon.”

“Oh, you wish.” They both laughed and walked, arm and arm, out to Hecate’s car.

“Hey, if you’re so rich, why don’t you get a car?” she asked jokingly.

“I figured I’d wait until I’m out of high school. Until then, I like having a chauffeur.”

Hecate sighed and rolled her eyes, opening the car door. “Your chariot, sir.” Tali made no move to get in. He was staring off into the parking lot. “Tali? You okay?” Hecate asked.

Taliesen blinked a few times and got in. “Yeah, I’m fine. I just thought I saw…never mind…” Hecate shrugged and sat down on the driver’s side.

As she started the car, a bright red Toyota pulled out of the parking lot. License plate number: 656A2.