No Name | Completed

Prologue

The clock on the wall ticked, monotonous in tone, a taunting rhythm. For a moment, it appeared to move backwards, mocking me, saying to me: I'm carrying you back.

Blinking rapidly, I shook the strange vision away.

"I'll be with you in just a moment, sweetheart," the director of the music school said, making me jump. I sent her a small smile and a nod before shifting my gaze to the showcase outside of her office. Pictures of successful students accepting awards and performing filled the black space.

Grazing a finger over the thick pamphlet next to it, I took a deep breath, filling my lungs with the familiar smell of instruments. The "old" scent that accompanied buildings such as these felt like a distant memory, one I swore I would never find myself back in.

I sighed, tugging on my backpack straps as I stepped away from the wall and allowed my eyes to wander to other places.

"Alice?" I jumped at the sound of another voice in the silence of the empty band hall. I turned and sighed in relief.

"Easy," he laughed and raised his hands up. "Didn't mean to frighten you, what are you doing here?"

I wasn't expecting to run into anyone, after all, almost everyone had already left for the summer.

"Brayden," I confirmed. "Ahh..." I trailed off, my hand mid-air preparing a false explanation.

"Finally decide to join the dark side?" He swiftly raised his bushy eyebrows with an evil grin.

I laughed. "No, I was just--"

"Alice Dessen? I'm ready to see you," the music director called as she rounded the corner of her doorway.

"Brayden! Why are you still hanging around here?" She asked with a warm smile as she stood next to me.

"You can't keep me away Dr. Klein," he shrugged.

"Your class doesn't start for another two weeks, go home," she demanded with a smile.

He mock saluted her before turning back to me.

"So you are joining the dark side, huh?" he teased.

Dr. Klein glanced my way with a wide grin.

My heart rate was rising as I began tugging at my straps harder.

"We will be discussing a new program we're implementing, she might be interested," Dr. Klein explained to Brayden proudly.

Suddenly, the familiar smell of instruments became suffocating.

Brayden beamed. "Really?" he asked, shocked, as he should be.

"Oh yes!" Dr. Klein answered for me. I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath. "The program will only be admitting a few select students..."

I tuned her out, the sound of my quickening heart beat drowning out the world.

You have the gift.

I clenched my hands into fists, forcing myself to breathe.

"It will be such an excellent addition, preparing students, hopefully like her, to go into the world of--"

"No," I cut her off, opening my eyes finally. They both turned to me, surprised.

"Sorry?" Dr. Klein asked, her usual sweet tone oozing with concern.

"I," I stared between the two of them. "I have to go."

Brayden didn't say anything, but I could sense his usual nosy nature was threatening to shake the truth out of me.