"What are you doing here?" I ask eyeing his tired face.

"I'm taking a break from touring and I'm working as a guest teacher here at Juilliard." he replies casually, "What are you doing here?"

"I go here for school. I am a Freshman." I answer proudly, holding my head up a bit higher.

"Ah, and you have me in your class right now?" he asks.

"Are you teaching Music Theory?" I ask looking around the small room.

"No, I'm here for vocal work." Austin says, smirking a bit.

"What's so funny?" I ask becoming irritated quickly; I don't like being laughed at.

"You're lost." Austin laughs.

"And how is that funny?" I question, squinting my eyes at him.

"Do you need help finding your class?" he asks sincerely.

"No, I can find it." I answer stubbornly.

"Well you're already late, so I think that you need help." he laughs again, "Let me see your schedule."

I hand Austin my schedule and he holds open the Voice Room for me. I follow him inside and take a good look at my surroundings. A grand piano sits in the far right corner of the room. A few microphones are on their stands and line up of guitars are to my left. I watch Austin from the corner of my eye, only to see him pick up a phone off of the desk by the door we just entered.

"Mr. Peterson?" Austin asks in a professional voice, "Yes, Miss..." he looks over at me.

"Sophia." I answer quickly.

"Miss Sophia will not be attending your class today, she will be working privately with me." he finishes.

I stare at him, mouth agape. Did he really just do what I think he did?

"Yes, sir, I understand. I forgot to call down, see. Yes. Of course. Next time I will. Thank you. Yes. I will pass along the message. Thanks again." Austin hangs up and turns to me, "Mr. Peterson says that he would like to see you after your class today."

"Am...am I in trouble?" I ask nervously.

"I don't think so, but who knows." he answers with a shrug, and then makes his way over to the piano.

"So am I staying here?" I ask.

"I suppose, do whatever you want." Austin mutters, placing his fingers on the keys.

"What do you mean 'do whatever you want'? You're the one who told the teacher that I wasn't going to class today!" I shout, anger filling my voice; I'm surprised that I got angry so quickly.

"Why are you yelling at me? A simple thank you would suffice!" Austin spits, sending a glare my way.

"Thank you? Thank you for what?" I laugh turning to the door.

"Where are you going?" he asks.

"Somewhere that you're not!" I reply turning the nob.

"You can't just leave." Austin states.

"Why do you care? You just told me to do whatever I want." I scoff.

He's being ridiculous. There is no way that I'm going to let him boss me around. I watch Austin sigh and turn towards the piano.

"I can't play for my life." he grumbles; I almost didn't hear him.

"Did the great Austin admit that he can't do everything?" I ask.

"The great Austin? You think I'm great?" he smiles my way.

"It was sarcasm." I say taking a step towards him.

"Can you play?" he questions, gesturing to the piano.

"I've played for 13 years. Ever since I was 5." I answer walking to him and taking a seat to his right.

"Play me something." Austin says, scooting over to make room for me.

"Ah, sure." I say placing my hands on the keys.

I perform a small chord before I hear Austin breathe in quickly.

"What? What's wrong?" I ask.

"Nothing, I just didn't really think you could play." he replies honestly.

"I only played a chord." I smile.

"It still sounded beautiful." he says, looking down at me.

I suddenly feel self conscious. I was never the prettiest girl. Being short at the simple height of 5'3/5'4 and being a bit on the chubby side, not fat, but not model skinny. I had the curves most girls wished for, and I was asian, which tended to add a small amount of appeal.

"Why are you staring at me?" I ask.

"I-I was not." Austin stammers, turning away quickly.

"No need to get defensive." I mumble.

"Defensive? I'm not getting defensive!" he shouts.

"Don't shout at me!" I shout back.

I can feel my blood start to boil as I look at him. His face is red and he looks pissed, but I don't care.

"Why do you always do this?" I ask suddenly.

"Do what?" he asks through gritted teeth.

"Act all nice and then find some way to yell at me." I say, staring at the wall behind him.

"I-I do not." he grumbles.

"Yes. Yes you do, and I don't appreciate it." I reply, standing up and walking towards the door.

I was almost positive that he would try to stop me like last time. Almost positive. I close the door behind me without another word.

*

The rest of my day was a blur, before I got a call from Kat asking if I wanted to meet up for shopping and dinner. I replied with a simple 'yes' and was on my way to meet her at the dorms now.

"Hey!" Kat greets when I step into the small room.

"Hey yourself!" I greet back.

"How was your first day?" she asks.

"Could've been better." I grumble before reaching for my dresser.

"Are you going to change?" Kat asks.

"Yeah, I don't think I'd feel comfortable wearing this all day." I say grabbing my favourite My Chemical Romance band tee and black skinny jeans.

I head straight for the bathroom, changing my clothes and putting my hair up into a messy bun on the top of my head. I look in the mirror and smile. My tan skin sticks out from my black clothing, and after I redo my makeup I look even better. My shiny black hair is natural, as well as my almost black eyes. Yes, before I did ask Kat about her choices in clothing, but after all, I dress the same way. When I'm not all dressed up that is.

I leave the bathroom to find Kat sitting on her iPad, probably FaceTiming her boyfriend Neal, who stayed behind in Massachusetts. Kat smiles at the screen and I grab my black Converse sneakers, slipping them on quickly and tying the laces.

"You ready to go?" I ask, watching her smile disappear, as though being snapped out of a trance.

"Yeah, let me just turn this off." she answers.

And then we're out the door.

Notes

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