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Noelle laid on her bed, staring up at the ceiling, unable to stop thinking.
She'd close her eyes every few minutes, trying to convince herself to go to sleep, but to no avail each time.
Then… coming in low, from downstairs… was the sound of the piano being played.
A tune, slow at first, growing in both complexity and volume.
That echoing tune, wafting into her room like a cool summer night’s breeze…
She closed her eyes again, seeing their hands play the piano… elegantly sliding across the ivory keys like wisps of wind flowing through the night sky.
And louder it grew, filling her entire room…
That beautiful, awe-inspiring song that only they knew. Only they could play it like that.
She stood up, her pajamas wrinkled as she stumbled towards the door. Holding her blanket and pillow as she stumbled, she finally began to feel drowsy… just a bit.
As she stepped out into the balcony overlooking the living room, the haunting melody grew louder, its familiarity unmistakable.
Had they climbed in through a window, wanting to play again? To remind themselves of different times? How it used to be, before
Noelle walked down the stairs, her blanket dragging behind her as she yawned. She covered her mouth while she did, a polite habit she continued to do- despite being completely alone in the living room.
Nowadays, silent. No rock music, no screams of fear or laughter.
The door to the dining room was open, just a crack.
The song poured through the opening, filling the living room with a warmth she didn't know it was capable of holding anymore.
Her hand rested on the handle, slowly pushing the door open with a hope that only a child could hold.
But nobody had come.
The piano’s seat was vacant. The song was gone.
She closed her bloodshot eyes, turning around and heading back into the living room.
Sniffling, she laid on the couch, putting her pillow beneath her and her blanket over herself as she closed her eyes once again.
Then, she heard it begin once more… slow at first… filling in one piece at a time as she quietly drifted off to sleep.
A concert, just for her.